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

that's why i never drive mine when there's snow out...

Congrats on a fine job. I would have given up. I hate rust.
We can now call you the "RUSTBUSTER"

holy shit man. you're a real riv lover. hell yeah.

sweet car!

Thanks, dudes! Great to hear nice comments on this! I feel great relief, because it's near finished now. So other projects can be driven in. As my garage is new, this was first car I could drive in, on this car lift. It's funny how rust issues appear almost as a surprise, in fact I knew about one little hole in front subframe, so I took a look. Rivieras tech inspection was due so I had to do something about it, and here you see where I ended up with her! As I'm really done with it, some fresh pics are coming.

And yeah, I feel like I really love this car, because it's really unique around here and has been 6 years already with us, so many great trips and stuff in it! Even ordered new radiator and rear airshocks to finish this job.

turtleman wrote:

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?

Yes, you're right about this gas tank filler neck passage, it's a rust repairers nightmare! But luckily I had ordered new GM steel hump from NewGMParts some years ago, because I noticed this issue much earlier. And yes, in order to repair this mess, I had to dismantle about everything from the rear, to do it right. Rear crossmember removal was easy, when exhaust pipe was out of way. Only unbolted 6 smaller bolts around frontmost body mount brackets and then 4 body mount bolts (2 front and 2 rear). Then obvious stuff, like lower shock bolts and brake lines/cables, electrical plugs. Then lowered full rear suspension assembly as per Riviera shop manual. Gas tank was also leaking, because of rust damage on steel part where pump meets tank. Check this out! --->





So even after I replaced this steel locking ring, it had fuel fumes issue. Luckily I got donor car scored cheap here in Finland!

Here some more progress photos --->

Front subframe ready to go under...

https://2img.net/h/oi48.tinypic.com/26288k7.jpg

And finished filler pipe tunnel...

https://2img.net/h/oi49.tinypic.com/14jn3n9.jpg

Also made block off plate for filler tube entrance and covered gaps with some elastomer stuff so no more salt and stuff will enter in there!

https://2img.net/h/oi47.tinypic.com/2vws2s2.jpg

And now SHE's back and have fresh inspection approval.

https://2img.net/h/oi50.tinypic.com/5l2o86.jpg

https://2img.net/h/oi48.tinypic.com/jrqnh5.jpg

Great work. I looked at the filler neck area on my car today and it was filled with dirt, but luckily no rust. I can see how it can become a big problem like yours. I need to do some rust proofing sometime, so thanks for the reminder.

Nice work and that's a beautiful Riv you have there. Are those studs in your tires?

Wow, it is amazing to see what damage salt can do isn't it?

Great work putting it back together!

Nice also to see the appreciation for American cars overseas. Looks like mid 60s Pontiacs are popular!

Al

nice work there bro.

And here goes rescuerer Riviera body (from Florida) to her resting place on countryside here in central Finland. Had very much usable parts from this completely rust free donor car.  Long live our black cat riv!

hope you strip her the rest of the way down before ya send her off to rest

Thats a sweet Roadmaster.

Man,the Riviera looks great even without an engine and hood.Look at that line.

Setton wrote:

Thats a sweet Roadmaster.

Thanks man! It's my dailydriver, regardless of gas price (it's about $8 / gallon here  ).  Have stout LT-1 V-8 and all.

stan wrote:

Man,the Riviera looks great even without an engine and hood.Look at that line.

I totally agree! And that's why I 'm taking her to storage and not to wreckyard.

very very nice riv and in Finland!

Some off topic questions..
cos you have that donor car do you have A/C pump and taillight for sell?

If it's got a blue interior and shipping wouldn't kill me, would you be willing to part with the upper dash?

same question as matts only in regaurds to the headliner. dont care what color but if its gray thats even better just pm me please

matt270avian wrote:

If it's got a blue interior and shipping wouldn't kill me, would you be willing to part with the upper dash?

Sorry, I don't have dashboard. The interior is pretty gutted. Even so, shipping overseas these items would be cost prohibited, considering you must have a lot of these cars back in U.S.

joshuadalegrimes wrote:

same question as matts only in regaurds to the headliner. dont care what color but if its gray thats even better just pm me please

Well, I do have beige headliner w/sunroof option, BUT again, c'mon guys to ship these back to U.S.? It would be cheaper for ya picking up whole salvage car in states.

Snowdog wrote:

cos you have that donor car do you have A/C pump and taillight for sell?

I do have rear taillight panel available from our black Riv, it's not 100% perfect, but is quite nice, can send pics if interested. A/C compressor is a leaking one, again from our black car, I replaced it to new unit, so if interested few tens of euros and it's yours!

yo, Art. where you been?
Report in, team.

you have good taste in cars.

PM me if you want some mod parts for your roadmaster.

Hugely curious of the make/model of those wheels on your roadmaster??

llamalor2112 wrote:

Hugely curious of the make/model of those wheels on your roadmaster??

American Racing S/S aluminum 17 inchers. Had 18 inch wirewheels prior, which completely sucked when done couple of burnouts... those wires didn't liked power and weight of RM, became loose!