Brandons 85 T-Type Resto

Ok....
so let me start off with the story of how I came across this car. One of my very close frinds, Brian Cotton and his father Jack own a small turbo buick (primarily turbo regals/ grand nationals) shop in Agawm, MA called Cotton's Performance. This shop has been home to some of the fastest Turbo Buicks in the country hands down. These guys really know there stuff, and Im pretty sure its safe to say they have had more time in GM High Tech Performance mag than almost any other shop out there.

Anyways, I hang out at the shop on a daily basis when I get out of work to fiddle with my own cars or help out with little odd jobs and builds. Over the course of the past two years they have had a dark blue 85 T-type riv sitting out back rotting away. When I asked Jack what the deal with the car was, he told me he didnt have any keys for it and he just wanted to get rid of the thing.

I quickly took it upon myself to order a new igntion switch and key from the local autoparts store and disassembled the column so I could see if the car was in runing condition. Upon installation of the switch and charging of the battery, to my surprise the car cranked but would not start. Further diagnosis showed the car had no fuel, which we determined to be a dead pump. A few days later, Brian and I pushed the car into the shop and dropped the tank to install a walbro 250 which we had laying around. Right after we installed it and threw some fresh 93 at the car, she fired right up and pirred like new

For the past few months I have been really tied up with purchasing my first home, and quite frankly I have ahd NO time to work on the car. But now that things are settling down, I am comming around and I am about to go head first into her.

Here are some pictures as she sits...








The car needs quite a bit of rust. While the actual body is straight and the rear half is pretty sold, there is some frame rot and the front fenders, body fillers and paint are gone. I am looking for a 79-85 riv to grab the frame from and do a body swap. Motor is getting rebuilt to 86-87 intercooled setup. When done, this should be by far the fastest FWD riv in the country. We have aquired a ton of parts already including a full cream leather interior. I will post up some more pics and details later, but I have to be at work for 6:00 for a quick meeting. Hope this stuff holds you over

...oh and just for hahas here is my daily:

You're quite lucky to know Jack Cotton! Good luck on the restoration, it should be one sweet car.

Your MCSS is very nice too. I just recently bought a jardine catback for my GF's regalGS. It was designed for the Monte. If you see one on ebay (from the seller dualrt5) go for it. Great product, Great price (paid 199.99 for a dual mandrel cat-back).

Cool!!! It has Concert Sound!! Looks like a good project!! Good luck!!

very sweet ride, im Mcloven the monte

Welcome to the Forum

nothincame2mind wrote:

Cool!!! It has Concert Sound!! Looks like a good project!! Good luck!!

If you need a good contact for S & T-Type Riviera related items, the Regional Coordinator for the Riviera Owners Association in the DFW area is your man. He owns several of the '79-'85 Rivieras and also has a registry of S & T-Types going, if you would be interested.

I recently joined the roa, but i have yet to have time to contact anyone.

....Just wanted to share the amazing interior i pulled yesterday at a local yard for 150.00

I found an 84 Riv with the Sand leather which I have always thought was the best looking interior color for these cars. I managed to grab almost evrything, including the headliner. Pretty much the only things i missed out on was the drivers side door panel (due to placement of car), and the physical dashboard.

Here are some pics to give you an idea...for a 24 year old interior the seats were MINT!





...this project is going to be fun

Damn, you're not kidding when you say mint! Those look new, except for the styling and design of the seats!

Beautiful Monte Carlo.
Always been nice looking cars in my eyes!

Love these pics - and the project is just original! I'm sure not many people would go through the efforts to restore one, nice that someone is taking the time to do it.

yea, thats one of the main reasons for building this car is beacuse it is so different. I am thinking something along the lines of "buick rat rod" styling on the outside while taking a lot of GN characteristics....

I dont really know yet. there is sooo much to think about. I am just happy I have most of the interior out of the way.

Any pics of the front of the car? Maybe a 3/4 view? It'd cheer me up a bit...

Yea, i can try and snap a few for ya. five me a day or two.

Interior looks GREAT!
Good luck with the project!

99Rivman wrote:

Interior looks GREAT!
Good luck with the project!

jimmyriv wrote:

99Rivman wrote:

Interior looks GREAT!
Good luck with the project!

palermocorey90 wrote:

jimmyriv wrote:

99Rivman wrote:

Interior looks GREAT!
Good luck with the project!

Welcome! Out of curiosity, with that intakre and those headers, what pulley size are you running?

the intake is custom and more info can be found here:
https://rivperformance.editboard.com/series-ii-engine-transmission-f4/my-custom-4-intake-t2922.htm#33271

The headers are cleaned up SLP knock-offs

My pulley was a 3.5, but now i am rockin' a 3.4

Hey Crackhead.. let's get this done before NEBF (june 21st) ... then you can hopefully keep up with Oldsman and myself.

i have no prob keepin up with you. you know that

Just thought i would share that I will be gutting the stock interior this week to begin on the cage

LOTS of pictures to come

"We"... cough cough.

Once we get this Gimpala in the rearview.

I'm in on this project wtih Crackhead. Time to hone up on the turby knowledge.

????

So who is "crackhead" in this dialogue?

not you buickman