69GSColorado's 1996 Riviera GS -- New Tail Light Design!!!

Buick bias aside, I think it's the best looking sedan on the market. Best of all, it can be driven all 12 months and doesn't have to be parked for the winter. Ever since I installed a limited slip differential in her Mustang, it's like driving on ice skates. I think it will look pretty good alongside the Riv

Agree, color looks close to your Riv. I will probably end up with a 2.0L Regal T at some point, unless I can find an ATS at low enough price. I like the looks of the Regal, but the RWD of the ATS.

I love the new Regal GS. If I didn't have my heart set on the Volt that's what I would be driving instead. Enjoy it!

69GSColorado wrote:

Ordered my Christmas present today! While I had given serious thought to the 97+ front suspension swap, I decided to pass and order new 96 KYB GR2 struts from RockAuto. They were having a closeout sale at only $32 per strut! Can't beat that.

Glad I read this thread!
I just ordered what looked like to be the last 2 struts for that price.
Merry Christmas to the Riv

Jbird

Finally got my custom GS badges put on the Riv. This has been something I've been wanting to do for a long time, but didn't feel the time was right until after the hood was on. I know they didn't make a Gran Sport model, but if they did, I'd like to think that it'd look something like mine. These emblems are replicas of what came on the 1986 Buick Century Gran Sport, the only car that ever came with them. Very similar to the Grand National design with the power 6 logo. I think I'll be removing the cursive Riviera emblems now, as I want to keep people guessing.

Where did you get them from? Last I heard there was someone on RegalGS that had made them.

That's the same guy Andrew. I think his name was Ray.

Oh cool, so he's still hanging around.

They look pretty good on there! I happened to be lucky enough to own 3 original GS emblems...theyre awesome in person.

Does the 6 mean 6 cylinder or 6 cylinder turbo?

Jordon can we get a shot a little farther back? Looks sweet.

Anyone who can badge their Riv as a GS is a BOSS

Sorry I'm just getting back to you Charlie. Buick's all-red power 6 logo doesn't mean 6 cylinder turbo, but the red and yellow power 6 logo on the Grand National does. The history is a little murky. But the 1986 Century GS and 1986 LeSabre Grand National both featured the all-red power 6 logo and neither were turbocharged. Here's an article that explains it better. http://www.beforeblack.net/v6logo.htm

A few weeks back, I removed the factory Riviera badges for a much cleaner appearance. I love it!

I love these cars with those side badges removed. That's literally the first thing I did to my 97 when I bought it.

I love the Riviera side scripts. That's why I bought the car..... hahaha

They're very antique looking. I was never a fan. Makes the car look dated.

My dad and I brought the Riv and GSX to the Buick Club of America National Convention in Springfield, MO in June. This is our first year as members. Surprisingly, both cars received a few snobby, perplexed looks from the geriatric crowd. After parking next to a fellow 96 Garnett Red/Burgundy Riv owner at the meet and complimenting his car, he rudely barked that I was parked in the wrong section.

Neither of us were able to compete against other Regals/Rivieras from the same generation because points would have been deducted for each modification made to our cars. Therefore, we both had to enter in the 400-point modified section dominated by '40s and '50s Buicks where owners received points for adding modifications like power steering, power disc brakes and air conditioning to their car. Even though ours were some of the nicest cars there, I believe they both finished dead last in the modified category simply because our cars came standard with over 50 percent of the modifications on the list. Despite the terrible, outdated car show format, I enjoyed talking with other Buick enthusiasts and drooling over some of the cars on display. Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!


















1970 Buick GSX Stage 1 4-speed




1969 Buick GS 400 Stage 1








Look closely to see the ghost flames.












Buick Wildcat concept

Jordon, great picture posts of BCA National. I know your beautiful Riv and your Dads GSX presented well regardless . Yes, BCA is predominately into exactingly restored originals, at one time "modified" cars were precluded from shows. But all that has changed and BCA modified class of members is growing and showing some fantastic enhanced, tricked and performance orientated cars. Bottom line, we're all car guys, and appreciate well presented BUICKS and appreciate their dedicated owners!  Take time to attend next years BCA 50th Anniversary Celebration in Allentown, PA. July 27-30. It's shaping up to be an amazing show of fine Buicks

great pictures!
what was that last one?

So I wasn't happy with the light output from my tinted tail lights, so I decided to try something new. I was planning on having the paint stripped and going with a lighter tint, but the same body man who built my hood came up with a different idea.

After sanding for what seemed like an hour just to see the red lens again where the light shines through, we decided to save ourselves some time leave the rest of my tint intact while taping off the brake and turn light area. I also scuffed up the surrounding chrome trim and had him paint it gloss black to match my grille.

I don't believe I've ever seen this design done before, but I think it looks awesome. It works really well on a red car and seems to flow much better. Also looks a bit more sporty IMO. I'll get the car cleaned up tomorrow for better pictures, but what do you think?

I want to try this so bad, but I'm so afraid I'll mess it up....

i just tinted the tail lights on the 9-7x and im happy with it. Used vinyl tiny wrap.

Plan on wrapping the riv tail light too. Definitely like the way you did yours Jordan. Nice work. You plan on shaving the trunk lock?

Also, I put some monster LEDs in the Riv for my reverse lights and they are awesome. Super bright white light.

turtleman wrote:

great pictures!
what was that last one?

Sorry I just seen I missed this. That's a 65 Skylark Gran Sport.

charlieRobinson wrote:

i just tinted the tail lights on the 9-7x and im happy with it. Used vinyl tiny wrap.

Plan on wrapping the riv tail light too. Definitely like the way you did yours Jordan. Nice work. You plan on shaving the trunk lock?

Also, I put some monster LEDs in the Riv for my reverse lights and they are awesome. Super bright white light.

Probably won't shave the trunk lock as my key fob works intermittently. Just needs a new battery, but I haven't got around to it.

I have never messed with vinyl before, but I'm sure it will look good. Post pics afterward!

69GSColorado wrote:

So I wasn't happy with the light output from my tinted tail lights, so I decided to try something new. I was planning on having the paint stripped and going with a lighter tint, but the same body man who built my hood came up with a different idea.

After sanding for what seemed like an hour just to see the red lens again where the light shines through, we decided to save ourselves some time leave the rest of my tint intact while taping off the brake and turn light area. I also scuffed up the surrounding chrome trim and had him paint it gloss black to match my grille.

I don't believe I've ever seen this design done before, but I think it looks awesome. It works really well on a red car and seems to flow much better. Also looks a bit more sporty IMO. I'll get the car cleaned up tomorrow for better pictures, but what do you think?

Wow, I really like the way this came out. I'm not a fan of tinted taillights because of the low visibility issues, this looks great to me.

The taillight looks really good!

J, did you polish the reverse section of the lights? Mine look kinda browned. Was thinking about doing a headlight restoration to them.