67 Skylark or 65 Riviera

[CTX-SLPR]

Howdy,

well now I'm having second thoughts about building my skylark due to the unavailablity of quarter panel patchs for it to fix the major rust issue. While wandering around the net I spotted a 65 Riv for cheap and it got me thinking.
Right now the plan for the 'lark is a road terror, designed to follow WRX's and other powerful imports around the twisties and then blow past them on the straights. While the car will be predominately street driven its will have serious potential to be nasty.
I call the Riv the Riv-cruiser, becuase its pretty much just that, a cruiser. Back the 4.1 down to a single good sized turbo making about 450 hp on pump gas and no alky, go 200-4R on the tranny, and add a bunch of bolt on items, minor interior mods and creature comfort additions. I've thought about adding the C4 IRS but that would give me the wrong wheel bolt pattern and probably would be a bit excessive for just a cruiser capable of embarassing some people at the stoplights.

Opinions welcome.

 

[MeanBuicks]

As an owner of a '67 GS, I do have a certain affinity towards your Skylark. That being said, I voted for the Riveria.

A 1965 Riviera is definitely one of Buick's high points. The proportions and body lines don't get any better than that. Bad A$$!

Note: If you go with the Riv, I'd sure hate to hear that you plan on parting out/scrapping your Skylark due to needed rust repair.

 

[CTX-SLPR]

Oh no, the skylark will be passed on intact to someone else who has other plans for it. The car is in goodshape but not the best because of the typical Northern rust in the quarters, which while probably easily fixed with some hand formed panels, I'd still like the knowlege that I put high quality patchs in. So whatever happens, Riv or no Riv, the skylark will not be turning into anymore peices than it starteded unless I decide to upgrade engines just for the sale.

Thanks for your comments and if you like please comment on the concepts even if you don't have an opinion on what wrapper to put it in,

 

[Roc87]

Riv!!! The '65 is one of the best years (If not the best) I regret not getting a '65 to drop in the drivetrain from the wrecked T-type that I had (Instead of putting it into my Iroc). My Mom used to drive around in a white '65 GS, then Dad thought a new '75 would be better (What a boat that was, too bad I got it for a first car instead of the '65!!!!) Keep us updated!

 

[Lhorn]

Riviera baby. All the style in the world. Beautiful car.

 

[Reaper]

how about a 72 boat tail.... please god someone do this for me. i have always wanted to do a turbomotor in a boat tail riv. please some one do it....



i like the riv. but that is just me

 

[CTX-SLPR]

wow! Anyone want a 67 skylark by chance? Just kidding right now.
I'm not a terribly big fan of the boattails, though they are cool. Honestly for the bigger rivs from about 68 through late 70s I think they need a bigger 455 to fill that caverous engine bay and as powerful as we all know a turbo 6 is, I don't think the engine would be as durable pulling around 2.25 tons around which is what those cars weighed. If was going to build the ultimate cruising boattail, I'd go fuel injection on a dual quad manifold with twin throttle bodys on a nice TA Stage 1 headed 9.5:1 455 and put in a built 200-R4. Something thats easy on the gas money and hard on the competition. I have a 70 Riv already that I could transplant the drivetrain out of into the skylark and put the turbo in the 70 Riv but I don't think it would be nearly as cool as the classic 65.

 

[Reaper]

Originally posted by CTX-SLPR
wow! I'm not a terribly big fan of the boattails, though they are cool. Honestly for the bigger rivs from about 68 through late 70s I think they need a bigger 455 to fill that caverous engine bay and as powerful as we all know a turbo 6 is, I don't think the engine would be as durable pulling around 2.25 tons around which is what those cars weighed.

YOU SUCK!

listen i am gunna tell you how to spend yor money! its simple plan. yes i know the 455 looks better in the engine bay of a boat tail riv. however it still looks small. so with that said i say you sell your 109 block and get a stage II add some TA heads and that will be more then durable. come on please. someone has to do this. cause i cant least not now. please! dont make me beg


either way thats gunna be a nice project!

 

[CTX-SLPR]

Well... If I was made of money I could do that but I'm not. I really am pushing it with either idea. Honestly if I had a ton money I would build a 61 Skylark with an all Al TA engine, full roadrace suspention, and a bulletproof 4L80E tranny and hit the Silver State Classic and other open road race events. Beside, I like the first gen Rivs better than the boattails. Too bad, the only thing that will make me build a boattail would be for you to give me one.

 

[Reaper]

i still stick to my point of you sucking cause you dont like boattails

either way like i said the Riv idea would look killer and be a terror on the street. they look sharp and sleek. go with it. but come on the 72 screams cool. just admit that for me!

 

[victa1]

The 1965 Buick Riviera is, in my opinion, one of the 10 best looking cars of all time. With some serious, but not insane, power under the hood it would be my choice.