Howdy

I’m new here but I've been driving Rivieras for over 40 years. I currently have 5 of them.

Just got a red ‘96 convertible last fall with 37K miles and vogues. Featured in the Riview recently and took it to Gettysburg for ROA.

Over the years, I have been so focused on my early Rivs that I’ve just recently come to realize that I know very little about the later ones. So, I’m here to learn. Thanks, Steve Kouris

Welcome! You're the only member with a convertible, not many of those out there.

Welcome, would love to see some pictures!

Welcome

98riv wrote:

Welcome, would love to see some pictures!

There’s plenty of photos in the Riview and on The ROA forum. Not sure how post a picture here yet.

I bought it in Detroit and shipped it to Florida. When new, it was sent out by a Buick dealer in Ohio and converted by Drop Top Customs (a.k.a. Coachbuilders Limited) in High Springs, Florida. So, I called them and dropped by for a visit. Larry Moran showed us around and says he has been there since the ‘80s and his son now runs things. These days they are busy converting new Challengers and Hellcats for Chrysler. In the old days they did many Eldorados but very few Rivieras, he guesses about 8 of them. He liked them a lot but they didn’t sell well. Too pricey. He charged $12K but the dealers doubled it and charged the customer $24K in addition to the sticker price. For that kind of money he says most people went for the Cadillac. This one is still like new in most respects and was very comfortable on the trip up to ROA in Gettysburg last month.

welcome Steve

Welcome! ....looks like you're joining, just as I am leaving

I'm old time member of ROA myself, although not current. I think my first membership was in the late 1980s when I had my '63 project Riviera. And I attended the meet in Lake Tahoe many years ago as well.

A lot of good historical information is here to be had, although volume seems to have slowed a bit in recent years. But I guess that's just a symptom of the age and increasing scarcity of the cars.

Good luck with the new convertible, that's quite an unusual car!

Welcome Steve, you sure do have a rare Riv. If you can figure out how to post a pic or two it would be great to see your convertible.

Also, where in the Tampa Bay area are you. I lived down there for about 5 1/2 years before moving to Texas.

I worked at the Tampa airport and lived in Clearwater, then Palm Harbor. I had a lot of fun living there. Had a boat on davits in the back yard and my motorcycle to ride year round, life was good.
Until it wasn't. That's a story for another day.

Here are some links to the car:

http://rivowners.org/Riview/Vol35/mayjune19.html

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/317870-%E2%80%9890s-convertible/









I lived in Dunedin then later in Winter Park in the 1980s.

Awesome car! The paint looks flawless!

Looks great.