Owner of a 1969 Buick Riviera

Hello all,

My name is Tyler and I'm the owner of a 1969 Riviera that needs some overhauling. It was a restoration project from a friend of mine who gave it to me. Not really interested in restoring it to it's original form but I'd like to get it road safe. The car was the lime green but it's more of a burnt orange (all the rust). It runs but at the moment there are some ignition cylinder issues that I need to fix which is one reason why I've joined. I'm here to get the best information on Rivieras. I'm welcoming other forum suggestions, vendors, helpful websites, and if anyone knows where I can find a repair manual covering my vehicle that would be great. I'm a little embarrassed to put pictures on here but upon request I will haha.

No need to be embarrassed! You are keeping an old riv on the road! Let's see some pics!

http://www.gearheadcafe.com/servlet/the-511/1969-Buick-shop-manual%2Crepair/Detail
http://www.opgi.com/p/literature/20156/263/S230377.html
www.opgi.com is a good source, but they're a little expensive.
I used opgi, it took a while to get it and it's a reproduction, I think they print it and bind it when you order. There are plenty of other places around to get them as well.

now we need pictures pronto.
Oh, and welcome.

This is an awesome site for the 95-99 Rivieras. There is no better bulletin board for our cars, but you have a 1969 Riviera with a big block Buick engine, a 430 cubic inch motor with a carburetor. I can help you if you have specific questions because I own a 1970 Buick Gran Sport with a 455. However, I urge you to join www.v8buick.com. That website is to old Buicks, what this site is to the 95-99 Rivs.

One of our members has a 1969 Riviera with a 455 that is in the 12's. Read here:

http://www.1badriv.com/

Thank for all the information and references guys. I did go out and take some pics for you though.



The "good" side:

Looks as if it is all there. How's the interior?

where are you in illinois?

HI,Tyler i see a lot of work these,but if you have the time you go for it bro

All the chrome and windows are good and there's surface rust but the pics don't show terrible rust thru. It will take a lot of time to get it right and running -- but your ace-in-the-hole if any is that it's a GM car and the key hard parts (engine, suspension except springs, transmission, 'pumpkin') are around.

You'll get help here but If I were you I'd join v8Buicks quick.

Larry:
All the carpeting is gone, we had to remove it to expose the rusted floorboard on the driver's side. Door panels are gone as well. The dash is there and pretty looking, just not sure on the functionality of the electronics, the front and back seats are bench seats, the back one is in fine condition.

Jonly:
I am in Champaign, IL.

tjmeadowz wrote:

Larry:
All the carpeting is gone, we had to remove it to expose the rusted floorboard on the driver's side. Door panels are gone as well. The dash is there and pretty looking, just not sure on the functionality of the electronics, the front and back seats are bench seats, the back one is in fine condition.

Jonly:
I am in Champaign, IL.

Like Stan said, it's a lot of work, but if you can do a lot of it yourself, it will save a bundle. Join www.v8buick.com There are currently over 28,000 members worldwide. Post in "Wet behind the Ears" for new members and introduce your self.

http://www.v8buick.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

Then go to "A boatload of Fun"

http://www.v8buick.com/forumdisplay.php?f=42

And "Parts Wanted"

http://www.v8buick.com/forumdisplay.php?f=47 If you can't find what you need there, you won't anywhere. Good Luck.

Welcome Aboard !!! What is your vision for your Riv...back to stock original or a restomod ?

My vision is a restomod. Kind of like past meets present. I don't want to hunt down original and stock parts but I want it to look classic. It'll be the interior that gets the facelift. I really like the body shape, trims, the hideaway grill headlights, and I think the speaker mounted in the back bench seat is my favorite interior piece. And again thanks for the interest in my car and helping me find some really good resources.

you can check out all those other sites too, but make sure you hang out at the bottom of the index here with me. it really gets at the late model guys when we push their 3800 ramblings down to post pictures of antiques.

...and there would probably be more of us down there if everyone wasn't always trying to get us to go to another forum...

jonly wrote:

you can check out all those other sites too, but make sure you hang out at the bottom of the index here with me. it really gets at the late model guys when we push their 3800 ramblings down to post pictures of antiques.

...and there would probably be more of us down there if everyone wasn't always trying to get us to go to another forum...

Not me...I enjoy your posts and I am keenly interested in what you're doing. Frankly, I hope to aquire a '71 someday.

Welcome Tyler, I love the classics and love to see pics of works in progress. Not sure how much info there is for 'ya here, but folks here are willing to help out. The car looks really clean and unmolested. It looks like a great base for whatever you have planned.

Welcome. keep us up to date on the progess. Should be a fun project.