Finnish (ok, Canadian originally :) '97 Riviera resurrection.

Hi!

I would like to share some visual pleasures of our Riviera in Finland. It recently got brand new 18" American Racing Black Hustler wheels, which made our Buick look way more sporty than it was.







But how 'bout some winteraction ---> lOOk how it look awfully different!

I like the look! I am tempted to get some 18" for track use but I haven't found anything I like. What offset are they and are they steel or aluminum? Very nice.

Did you black out the rear fenderwell trim?

look there===>

http://www.americanracing.com/appguide/index.asp

its part number; 3818891 offset is 40mm, tires are 245/45/18

Do you mean blacked out rear marker lamps? These are illegal in our country for some unknown to mankind reason...

that looks great dude congrats on the bad as car

omg awesome car, rims look awesome

"Do you mean blacked out rear marker lamps? "

Nope- the trim around your rear fender/ wheel opening. It looks like it's black instead of the chrome trim I've seen.

BTY... I like the look of the clear turn lens just past the front wheel well. Is that regulation for Finland?

Ah thank you for nice comments on wheels!

1. No I didnt blacked out chrome on wheelwell, its just my crappy camera...

2. Yes, its mandatory to have additional turn signals on front fenders. And much more!

Where did you get that turn signal on the side? I'd like to have that, gives the car a more Euro look!

Ok, I got LED turn signals from my job which is local partstore. Cost me about 10€, but hey, why the heck buy American car and want Euro look?! Buy Opel, man!! These signals are mandatory and I personally wouldn't prefer to drill holes in these fenders, but mandate is a mandate.

Hehe, they don't sell Opel in the US. Regardless, I think it has a nice look to it.

The closest thing we have to Opel is Saturn. They share the Antara/VUE, Speedster/SKY, Vectra/Aura, and the Astra. Of course, with the exception of the Astra, they're much different from their European cousins.

That Riv looks very sinister!!!

ewolfe0050 wrote:

I like the look!

Hi,arttu80 nice Riv.I wrote you last year and asked you to get rid of the small red light right under-neath the rear bumper.Glad you did.

Welcome! Is that an Estate Wagon in the winter shot?

What are you doing with all those big Buicks in Finland?

THATS COOL!!!!!!!!!!! diggin it IN FINLAND~!

Nice lookin car!

looks good

Wow, I'm glad you folks like our Buick!

Yes, et's a 1972 Estate Wagon WITH 455cid, and yes, its sad, but its not mine! In addition to that we have lots of 80s Buick STW:s (among other fullsize STW:s) in our country since it was tax excempt car to import back then for certain reasons. And boy, these are cheap now..


And stan, I'm more happier person now, that I got rid of that little red light, but I'm gona put it back when tech inspection time comes.

And one more word on Opels --->

looks good with the black rims like that

Hello fellow Riv enthusiasts!

My last post was on this forum was few years ago, so I decided to freshen up status of our '97 Riviera as it is today...

Winter 2006, arrived to Finland from Canada. The First photo taken in customs facility yard November 6th 2006, city of Turku.



Some years later, after paying 5200€ of taxes, registerd to Finnish trafic. Also spend some on new wheels from American Racing.





Even installed Pioneer DVD MP3 stereo stuff, with steering remote adapter from eBay...



And now, after few tenths of thousands KM, the drive to POWERMEET 2009 Sweden and other fun stuff she was SHOT! She had enough of Canadian and Finnish road salt, so I had to rescue her. Afterall she's my wife's daily driver!
BTW, I ride in '96 Roadmaster daily, and I LOVE IT!



Some TLC required?





Subframes were shit!

https://2img.net/h/oi46.tinypic.com/ih8h6p.jpg

https://2img.net/h/oi48.tinypic.com/s115q0.jpg

And some crapped out body structure;

https://2img.net/h/oi50.tinypic.com/sxgjns.jpg

Well, some "minor" welding and spare part required, so here comes donor car for rear subframe;



But welded front subframe and other structural stuff, a work I won't do again anytime soon!

https://2img.net/h/oi50.tinypic.com/16ie6pv.jpg

https://2img.net/h/oi50.tinypic.com/9gk9rp.jpg

And finally here some results, assembled rear suspension. Isn't that NICE?





Made new brake lines from straight metal tube, using old ones as template. Lot-of-work here 2!



Here's original lines;



So all in all, was it worth it? I don't know, but one more Riv may live again now. Assembly is still in progress, tomorrow I will bolt restored subframe and stuff. I welded different mounting holes in this subframe,
so I will use leftover polyurethane frame bushings from my '72 El Camino project. It may stiff up front end a little. Original bushings were shot and mounting holes were rotted away too.

Nice work! She should last for many more years once you get it back on the road.

nice work my friend.

Good stuff man! That seems to be a common rust spot to look out for right there at the bottom of that humpy support thing. How much trouble were the rear crossmember to body mounts and stuff to remove and stuff?

Great work! Unfortunately any that see winter driving do need the brake lines all replaced sooner or later. Looking good!