I started to go through the car to understand in finer detail how it is holding up.

Interior

In general the interior looks good. Dash seems largely original. It has been redone (See Other Research below).

• Dashboard – Overall looks pretty good.
  • The dash pad was replaced according to previous info
  • There is a strange indent on the passenger side dash below the glovebox. Not sure what it is, it looks like something was mounted there before
  • Little lens over the light that shows headlights are on is missing
  • Knob to close the driver-side dash vent pulls out without closing
  • Glovebox – Missing lock. Stays open. Obviously the cardboard interior has been replaced
  • Steering wheel seems original; horn works
  • Clock doesn’t work
  • Trip counter may not be resettable (or I just don’t know how)
• Seats, carpet and trim
  • Seats redone in vinyl
  • Driver side seat feels a little worn / collapses a little. Passenger and rear are good.
  • Carpet, door trim in good shape, all replaced.
  • According to PO woodgrain was replaced and looks good
  • Headliner looks good
  • Seatbelt
    • Driver side seatbelt has been replaced with a later GM model. I have the original latch portion, but the tongue does not fit. Latch and tongue parts are mounted inversely – latch should be on the interior, tongue by door
    • The car came with the retractable belt option but the retractor is missing driver side
    • The plastic cover is missing on the retractor on passenger side
• Interior Lights
  • None of the interior lights work – neither switches nor when door opens
  • Missing lenses for map light, rear console light
• Radio & Speakers
  • I think its an original Wonderbar radio. I plan to research more here: https://forums.aaca.org/topic/269552-1963-65-riviera-factory-amfm-radio/ and here: https://sites.google.com/site/identifyingcarradios/home/radios-1/buick-1
  • Radio doesn’t work
  • I believe the PO installed new speakers; I believe one was added in rear
• Switches & pedals
  • Look pretty decent all around
  • Emergency brake pedal release plastic part snapped off when I accidentally pulled on it
  • Ignition switch is not original; it has 5 positions rather than 4
• Car was equipped with A/C but various parts seem to have been removed, there is certainly no condenser or pump; I have the muffler in a box. The drier and other parts seem to be there, unsure as to state of heater or evaporator core

Exterior / Body

• Electric antenna – Does not go up and down
• Chrome – good, bent a little here and there
• Paint & Body – Looks pretty straight. Car was painted some years ago. A few small surface rust bubbles here and there
• All the badges seem to be in place, likely reproductions
• It has Rallye Wheels, no spare though, and they seem to have been repainted at some point. Some rust on the chrome.
• Clamshells open and close, I think the motor was replaced
• Front grill looks good

Engine, Transmission and other components

• Not original engine – ident code indicates it comes from a ’63 electra
• PO indicates engine rebuilt – there are various receipts I haven’t gone through yet
• PO indicates transmission replaced with rebuilt
  • Transmission missing the flexplate dust/inspection cover
  • Transmission control switch not connected to carb
• PO indicates radiator was replaced
• New air cleaner, I have original
• Edelbrock carb
• A/C and heat removed, or at least some components (compressor, condenser)
• New looking alternator

Chassis & Running gear

• PO indicates power steering was redone
• Info suggests brakes were “redone” some years ago. Unclear if it still has original aluminum front drum
• Power brakes seem a little stiff
• Suspension feels “floaty” – wondering how much is to do with removal of various A/C components
• Steering seems pretty loose, not sure how its meant to feel on a 55 year old car

Other Research

The PO indicated the car had been repainted and re-done interior. Researching the VIN I found some old posts (date unknown) advertising the car for sale following this. Possibly around 2015. Here is how it was described back then:

• Newly Frame On Restored by Longbeachclassics.com
• BRAND NEW INTERIOR, CARPET, HEADLINER,SEATS, DOOR CARDS,WOOD INSERTS,PACKAGE TRAY, DASH PAD
• NEW BRAKES FRONT AND REAR
• REBUILT CARBURATOR
• 401 NAILHEAD ENGINE RUNS STRONG/ TRANSMISSION SERVICED
• LUXURY PACKAGE WITH, POWER WINDOWS,BLACK LOWER VALANCE
• NEW HEADLIGHT MOTOR
• NEW WHITE WALL TIRES
• BRAND NEW PAINT
• A/C + Power driver seat
• CLEAN CALIFORNIA CAR WITH ORIGINAL BLACK PLATES

The A/C has since been gutted, it never had power driver’s seat