My new project is AMT’s '65 Buick Riviera and it has been a while since I have done a WIP on the Fine Scale Modeler forum. I would have really liked it if this kit was a GS or Gran Sport version, but the GS version has improvements over stock that you really can’t see on the outside.
My paint will be Dupli-Color Emerald Green Metallic with a Tan leather interior. The wheel covers will be replaced with Buick’s Chrome Plated Road Wheel and they were a gift from streetrod aka Barry Fadden. Thank you Barry!
My inspiration for this build is a '65 Riviera GS that I have seen at several car shows.
Based on my research, this model is a Riviera GS and not the standard Riviera. I suspected that this model was a GS since it came with the dual carb setup and was missing the side vents between the door edge and the rear wheel arches. Too bad AMT never saw fit to call this model a GS like they should have. This is also very old tooling since the chassis also includes the exhaust system and most of the front and rear suspension.
I got the engine mostly assembled and I drilled out the distributor cap for ignition wires which were superglued into place. I may have to find a piece of wire here in the shop to make plug boots from.
The more I look at this engine, the more I hate the carbs! They look like two useless lumps of plastic with vertually no detail to them. I think I’ll dig through my parts box and search for two carbs that have more detail and look more realistic.
Just thinking the name “Buick Riviera” brings back memories. Odd since I never paid particular attention to them, yet still creates happy thoughts of a time gone by.
Engine looking good, whatever you decide about carbs.
Thanks Greg! I did replace the carbs with a better looking pair from my parts box. They may be all wrong for this engine, but I don’t care. They are much better than the two lumps that came with the kit!
After having owned four of them, each two years apart I have to agree with the " Road Car" part. First loaded car other then Ford or Chevy I had owned. The old saw is right . "Ask the Man who owns one " ( I think that was Buick ).
Went to Ford products because G.M. Got past my Budgetary upper Limits. Why pay X number of bucks for a Bottom line G.M. luxury anything when I could have the Best that Mercury had to offer? For the same price. Never mind Chrysler. They didn’t even figure in the Equation!
Paint was sprayin’ this afternoon! I got the body and hood painted with Dupli-Color Emerald Green Metallic. This is the first mist and medium coats of paint.
The interior has been painted and the dash and console are waiting for detailing.
I painted the chassis, transmission and wheels and wheelbacks. The chassis will need to be detailed.
