UK Riv owner

Hi from London,
Fantastic site.
My uncle recently purchased a maroon 96 Riv, 3800 Supercharged completely stock.
Im yet to drive it but am hoping to go for a spin soon as just got some insurance sorted (very pricey as im only 21!).
My dad used to run the UK Buick Club and still has some great cars. '53 Skylark, '48 Roady Dynaflow.
Just sold a '65 riv GS which was my favorite ;( ... also just sold a '71 GS Boattail.
My uncle used to have a modded '86 GN which was a great car but i could only ride in it cause i didnt have my drivers licence back then. (probably for the best as that car was FAST, mid 12.s on 1/4m.!)
Really love my Buicks and cant wait to have some fun in the new Riv.
just wanted to say im really happy to stumble on this site (found some of your vids on Youtube.)
I will keep you posted about our Riv and try to get some pics up.
Also gonna drive his '98? Roadmaster estate with the V8 corvette engine which he reckons is quite pokey!

Forgot to mention.. My name is George.

Wow, that's a nice collection! Love the boattail myself. Great to see some Buicks going around the UK, although I think you may run into a couple of ownership problems. Like paying for two parking spots! Anyway, if there's any problem with your Riv and even your dad doesn't know what's wrong, come to us and someone'll come by with the right answer. You can also get some good parts here for much less than normal price, although I'd think that the shipping cost would make up for that...

When you get some pics up, I can make a custom sig of any of your Buicks. Just drop me a line(private message).

Welcome to the site! Another country added to the list.

George, so glad you've found us! I was in London just 3 weeks ago. I guess putting up those Riviera Performance posters in the Underground tunnels has paid off!

Fantastic city, LOTS of very nice, EXPENSIVE cars everywhere I looked. Great to know a newer model Riviera is now among them. Can't be that many on the island, am I right?

Good to have you aboard, George.

Best,

Aaron

thanks for the reply's guys.
Gutted i didnt look you up a month ago, you could have come round for a cuppa tea when you where over in london! when you coming back?
not sure how many other newish rivs are over here, ill ask my dad.
my dad and his brother have always been into the classic buicks long before i was born, i'll sign them up on here cause their knowledge is far superior to mine... both technical and general side.
plus they only got love for the buicks!
how do you think i'll find driving the riv... considering my car is an 04 ford fiesta 1.25 litre. ha ha.
most insurance company's dont insure people under 30 on yank cars over here.

George, welcome aboard!

welcome to the site!

Compared to the fiesta... I think you'll find the Riv BIG. But you'll love it!

Welcome aboard!

welcome to the riv family! its really cool to see other countrys getting involved in buicks.
Matt

Welcome welcome welcome!
Post up some pictures of her when you can man

Haha, well, compared to the Fiesta, this car'll be quite a party(forgive the pun)! It has a lot of power from an engine 3 times as big, and supercharged. Yours is a 1.25 L, and the Riv's packing the good old 3.8 L. There's going to be a lot of power, a smooth transmission, but be careful about staying in your lane. It's a very wide car, but if you can keep it straight you shouldn't have too many problems. Just don't take hairpins or switchbacks if the road is crowded, you'll need to make a 3 point turn! Parking is alright, and the blindspot in the back is easy to overcome. The trunk sticks out far from the back window, but it won't be as far out as you think. Remember, it's no euro-car, in terms of suspension and power, so be careful with the heavy gas and brakes. 265 lb ft of torque is plenty to waft along our 2-ton boats. The car is very responsive, but you just don't feel it through the steering wheel is all.

Good luck, and get to work with that camera!

Hey George-Welcome!

Welcome to the Forum

It has been several yeras since I was in London, but of course I had to get my Warr's Harley-Davidson T-shirt , not even sure they are still around it has been so long!
Lots of great pubs there too!

Welcome to the forum. Good to have you aboard, George!!

Greetings!

Bert

Noticed you were online right now, UKRiv. Any pics?

If you're going driving with any frequency, consider replacing the front MacPherson strutswith Gabriel or KYB. Or Bilstein if you can get them there (can't here for the Riv). If it still has original front MacPherson struts, you may be able to cut open the tops and install Bilstein cartridges. The rear air suspension will be alright but if the casings are rusty you need to replace them get a set of OEM delcos or Monroes from www.rockauto.com. By the way, the monroes are blue, gabriels white and delcos black - they may have already been replaced.

For tires be aware that the Riv is very sensitive to out-of-round, balance, and road force variation as it is lightly sprund and (optionally) heavily damped. Hence you'll want top quality tires. Originally teh Rivs came fitted as an option with Michelin XW4 tires. Dunlop SP Sport 2000s look kind of like the old Michelins. IF in fact they are round, should be a fine choice.

Happy motoring and stay in touch!

Albertj

Haha, just thinking, would a Buick be considered an import there?

Yep, it's an import. They probably call them "yank" cars over there.