Project landyacht
 

'72 Buick "Boattail" Riviera, in my opinion one of the best looking cars ever made. I have had this car for a year and a half. I started tearing it down almost as soon as I got it. Unfortunately, I got a little discouraged by the level of rust buried under the brown paint, so I parked it in the barn for a year. A coupe weeks ago I finally decided that it needed to be worked on and put back on the road. I did some cutting, welding and stripping the last two weekends and I am back on track! Anyway, here are a few pics from the first couple weeks I had it (Sorry no complete before pics) Updated pics will come next weekend.

Re: Project landyacht
 

Kool old boat. They definitely had a unique look.

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Definitely cool old cars, one of my faves, too!! Keep after it...

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one of the coolest cars of all time!

those things rock!

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Is there any repop stuff available for those things??

Re: Project landyacht
 

Very little, and what there is very pricey. The only place that I found is original parts group. They specialize in muscle car and 60s-70s Cadillac stuff. They just recently started doing Riviera stuff.

I found a couple pictures of one that I want to emulate, although with less of a drop, I need to drive on rough Illinois highways since the state is bankrupt.

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Didn't get too much done because it was so cold here in Illinois this week, and I'm waiting for my new garage to get finished so the old pole barn is where everything is right now. Anyway, bottoms of both rear fenders were completely rusted out. Drivers side has been repaired and rough body work done, passenger side is welded in. The drivers front fender was completely rusted out at the base behind the wheel. It has been welded up and rough bodywork done. I can't wait for it to warm up and for my garage to get finished.

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Sorry, that I don't have any updated pictures today. I'm on the road for work. Anyway, Worked on Fitting the rear bumper, which was a chore. The car was rear ended at some point in it life. It wasn't too bad, but the bumper was "twisted" so the point would line up with the trunk correctly. I had to cut it in half, and make two other cuts to bend it back where it belonged. I started making patch pieces where cuts had to expand. I also fixed the rust along the bottom edge of the trunk lid. Lastly, I installed the solenoid for the shaved door handles in the passenger door, and welded the door handle holes shut. I should be able to take some pictures when I am off the middle of next week.

Re: Project landyacht
 

FWIW there is 2 of these at the local self serve yard. pretty much complete too.

if I had time/money/space I would do one as well.

I know a guy north of here who is doing one RADICAL. stretched nose, stretched tail, peaked fenders, chopped about 6 or 8", the whole shebang.

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I always wanted one of these cars

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I hate huge cars like that......... oopps, don't look at my avatar!

the Riviera was a car before it's time. the 63-65's, the 72' boattails...... These cars were custom right out of the factory. can't wait to see more pic of your progress!!

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My great-granddad owned three electra 225s, one from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I think a Riv was probably too sporty for him. Love those old Buicks!

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So, I have worked on the Riviera some, but the weather has been terrible here in Illinois. They finally started building my new Barn/garage. Sorry I don't have Riviera pics, but I do have some of my new garage to be and my '67 visiting it...

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loooks like its gonna be a great place to work
that 67 sure is sharp diggin the white walls!

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awesome!

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Thanks

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Looks great!

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This one turned up at my local cruise, sorry for the crappy phone pics but I forgot my camera. It started out as a fire damaged project, it had brown suede paint, a custom interior and loads of custom touches everywhere. Had to be car of the night without any doubt, all done on his driveway and a UK sized single car garage. Hope yours turns out as nice!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...e/07072010.jpg

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Just ordered paint. Summit's bright cobalt blue. Hope to have body work done on my next days off.

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Finally took some pictures. I had to section the bumper to get it to fit tight. I started the bodywork to cover the seams in the bumper. Not a big deal since I plan on painting the bumper body color for a smoother look. I worked on shaving the side markers and I did the bodywork to shave the trunk lock and passenger's door handle. Patch is in for the drivers door handle and the bottom of the passenger front fender has been patched.

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A few more...

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Nice work!

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thanks

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Well, I didn't get the body work done while I was off. The roof got stripped. Hood got stripped and primed with epoxy. The passenger quarter got its body work done. I decided that I did not want side trim so all the mounting tabs got ground off which meat redoing some of the drivers quarter. Lastly, the new garage is coming together!

Re: Project landyacht
 

Long overdue update...Sometimes things just don't go as planned. Finally got the new barn/garage finished and moved everything. What a chore, You never realize how much stuff (and junk) you have until you move, and I only moved a 1/4 mile! anyway... The car hasn't progressed much. I chased all of the electrical problems, got all the power windows working, Gutted the interior and painted the inside of the trunk lid. Also sorry for some of the pics, they are from my phone.