Boat-Tail Riviera

[Rattle Trap]

It really depends on your direction. Do you need the space, cash & time for something more important? If not, I would keep it. You can always find another one, but it's never the same.

You bring up a lot of the issues that are pressing on me.

If I sell, it buys some of the concrete and a 4post lift that gives me room. I haven't driven it but up and down our road wo registration in 5yrs, and she doesn't drive it because of its weird layout. Not everybody is comfortable steering from nearly over the rear axle like a dragster or Corvette. It is a full foot longer from front wheel to drivers seat than the NYB, and yet its nearly 2ft shorter overall. The interior is more midsize.

But it was a big part of our developing relationship. There's more to the sentimental value than I'd say. And I've got nearly nothing invested in it and the two partscars. But if I started putting time and money into it, it'd snowball quickly. I've already done all I could do with nothing... The long ago mildly customized look would have to go and paint and chrome aren't cheap. I would love to weld the 61 LeSabre front bumper ends onto my stubbed split bumpers and get em chromed. If I stopped there, the rest would really look like crap tho.

It's really tough to decide which way to go with the ole girl...

 

[commando1]

I would love to weld the 61 LeSabre front bumper ends onto my stubbed split bumpers and get em chromed.

OK. The fact that you know that trick tells me you shouldn't be selling this car but keeping it and making it look like this.

or this...

EXCEPT for the wheels. You get my drift.

 

[bluefury361]

If I sell, it buys some of the concrete and a 4post lift that gives me room.
Not everybody is comfortable steering from nearly over the rear axle like a dragster or Corvette. It is a full foot longer from front wheel to drivers seat than the NYB, and yet its nearly 2ft shorter overall. The interior is more midsize.

I know what you mean.... I always thought the riv was one of the largest two passenger cars out there.

But it was a big part of our developing relationship. There's more to the sentimental value than I'd say. And I've got nearly nothing invested in it and the two partscars. It's really tough to decide which way to go with the ole girl...

If your not getting any use and pleasure out of the car..... and selling would get you to a better place... (floor & hoist)...... Then the reasonable thing is to sell.....
sentimental value won't get you very far... and to hang on just means maintinance cost and wasted space.

Take some nice pictures of you, your wife and the car and hang them on the wall..... sell the car....build your shop. I've been there, done that and time heals.
JMHO.

 

[detmatt]

Good stuff Will!

 

[commando1]

I always thought the riv was one of the largest two passenger cars out there.

It's a 4 passenger....

 

[Stormer]

I'm impressed that Stan likes the two in the photos that he posted.

 

[Rattle Trap]

use and pleasure reasonable sentimental maintinance cost and wasted space.....build your shop. I've been there, done that and time heals.
JMHO.

Keywords of Wisdom. Yet easier said than done. Its not just a car really. Enjoying it onky requires a lack of non-automotive priorities. It's completely reliable an may only be on the block because I've bee being reasonable so long that its too small for the whole family. It could still be an every other weekend cruiser.

OK. The fact that you know that trick tells me you shouldn't be selling this car but keeping it and... You get my drift.

Oh yeah.. Those 61 bumper breastesses belong on a car with hips so sexy as the Rivi!

It wouldn't end there tho. Thats the up and the down side. I've put together everything but the early 70s Vette dash cluster over the years to go way beyond either of those cars. 60rear split bumper over modified factory unit. Enlarged tail lamp panels to ditch those GTO lookin lights. 74 Matador housings mounting 59 Buick lenses, ala Corvette style, flanked by 68 Electra rear side markers carrying the theme over the sides. Lose the rectangular front signals too with round lamps in the outside. Then use the rest of the slots for cold air intakes. That's just the lighting changes to blurr the line between Riv/Vette. Theres a lot more. But being reasonable I let the wife buy a NYB with the build money. So I'd have to start all over to make any of it happen.

We're at the last station on the line before the tunnel. I've gota decide whether to sell or commit to pushing thru to the other side. ..

 

[Rattle Trap]

It's a 4 passenger....

Ever tried to climb in the back?;)

 

[detmatt]

I think you should keep it and build it just so I know what your vision is.

 

[Rattle Trap]

At least the 455 can stretch out. There's a foot from head to firewall and more from water pump to radiator...

 

[Rattle Trap]

I think you should keep it and build it just so I know what your vision is.

I'd make it clear but for fear some westcoast jackwad would jump on it, and next thing I'd see it in SEMA or Billdtproof or something magazine coverage. Now I don't show my drawings or make my ideas completely clear... Sorry if you don't follow. You weren't entirely intended to.

 

[commando1]

It's a 4 passenger....

Ever tried to climb in the back?

Yes. And I was also lucky enough that when I owned one, I also had my own apartment so it was a moot point

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[commando1]

I think you should keep it and build it just so I know what your vision is.

I'd make it clear but for fear some westcoast jackwad would jump on it, and next thing I'd see it in SEMA or Billdtproof or something magazine coverage. Now I don't show my drawings or make my ideas completely clear... Sorry if you don't follow. You weren't entirely intended to.

I know what's rattling around in your brain. Maybe I should be the next custodian....

Yes, Ross, I'm a moving target. Just when you think you have me in the crosshairs.... You've only seen 10% of who I am

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[Rattle Trap]

I know what's rattling around in your brain. Maybe I should be the next custodian....

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Its ok Stan. Dont be skeerd! I think I've seen every hideous attempt at customizing a boat tail that's ever been published or on the internet. All that proof of how quickly it can all go wrong is the reason nobody has had the courage to do more than split the bumper and shave the trim in many years. Just because nobody, including John D'Agostino has managed to pull it off, doesn't mean it can't be done.. Just that it hasn't been done successfully Yet...

 

[AlleyOop2]

I had a buddy of mine that had one same year, but black with a black interior. He split the front bumper also. He put lakepipes on it, shaved the door handles, flamed the **** outta the car, put a monster motor in it, got that thing to do low 13's in the 1/4! That's moving for that big behemoth!

 

[bluefury361]

Ever tried to climb in the back?;)

Exactly...... Theres a seat there...... But almost like trying to get into miss Americas pants...

 

[polara71]

Impossible but worth a try?

 

[detmatt]

You never stop trying!

 

[rjstick]

Impossible but worth a try?

Unlikely, but impossible unless you try!

 

[commando1]

This is pretty close to my vision.
Finish the bumpers, get rid of the current tail pipes....
Jury is still out on a House of Kolors paint or 100% Gloss black.

I've thought about using the '72 bumperettes to finish of the ends. What do you think?