Early on I had mentioned that cousin Paul's brother has a '63 Riviera. He had recently revived it after decades of so-so storage, so today I headed to the old neighborhood. With a fresh carb redo, fresh gas and filters, tires and exhaust it runs pretty good. So, with me behind the wheel we head out for a few miles, uh-oh, ran out of gas! I was able to get off the paved road and shot some pix while cousin Arlin trekked about a mile home for the ATV and some gas.

This is a pretty good 'ol car, virtually no rust, the chrome and trim are very nice, interior is mostly nice, paint is a bit rough. Needs a lot of hours cleaning and detailing! Gorgeous combo of Daytona blue with silver interior!!

Back at the farm did a tour through the maze of MM tractors in four very large pole buildings, 150 in all. Arlin is well known in tractor circles for having the rare and unusual.

That's great Bill. The undercoat guys were using it sparingly that day.........

Bill,

This ‘65 Corvette is really a neat car!
Are those seat covers needing an enhancement, especially the LH as they look a little flat?

The ‘63 Riviera is cool also, love that rear seating.

Is that trunk luggage rack factory on the Riv.?

Yes Chris, the drivers seat could use a bit of attention. Understand that the mission here is to update the mechanicals for my cousin and his family to enjoy trouble free drivability. If Brian or I were to own this car we would be taking it to another level with rebuilt original water and fuel pumps, more advanced paint correction and some work on the seats.

We are not doing this for personal gain, but because we have deep appreciation and respect for this great car. Brian feels that if it was his he would lift the body off again and bring the chassis up to NCRS standards. Great potential!!

We have nailed down 1981 as the year that the fuel line rusted through and the car was parked.

Paul mentioned again the day we picked it up that he always regretted not ordering Fuel Injection, but that was a very expensive option in 1965 dollars for a young man building a farming operation. It occurred to me while checking Brian's work on the shifter (smooth as butter!) that this is the very first Muncie trans that I ever shifted! - Bill W

I really can't answer that?? It appears that it may be? :dunno:

I wouldn't want to be quoted on this factoid, but I believe that 1963 was the only year a Riviera could have had a leather interior. Seems odd, but as a fan of Riviera's I have never seen leather on any other year. I ordered a 73 Riv Gran Sport in 73 and absolutely would have ordered leather if it was available as I felt that a Riviera should have every available option. A neighbor of my mothers had the very 1st Riv I ever saw and it was silver with a silver leather interior. As a 16 year old kid I never got over that beauty!.....Bill S

Update...
Brian and I had a busy afternoon. The speedo and Tach were very quick turn around. The speaker came back last week but still waiting on the radio.

Assembled the dash cluster and installed. If you've done R&R on a C2 cluster you know it takes a bit of patience. Changed the oil and filter, flush and fill the coolant and replaced the battery. Brian had previously refreshed the carb, Fired it up and checked operations, all good except the turn signals flashed a few times and quit?? Traced to a failed TS flasher that blew the fuse?? Hadn't seen that before, glad it happened now.

All done 'till the radio comes back, may do some mild paint correction in the meantime. - Bill W

Looking great Bill!!!

I just love the colors and the story!!

Hey Bill - any updates? Needing our fix on cool preservation threads......:beers:

Not much to report Jake. Last week HF promised to return the radio soon so not much to do now. Sunday I took it for a shake down run, everything ran out great, solid 180 degrees on a 90 degree day, all good! Body is amazingly tight for having been off the frame.

Brian broke out the clay bar and fine compound on a fender with spectacular results, more on that to come. - Bill W

Oxidized paint!

That's what I love about lacquer!!!

I shot a nice video on the road, but don't know how to post?? Note original keys in ignition! Air cleaner lid is nice!!

We got on the paint yesterday. It was suffering from oxidation along with spots and stains from various contaminants.

By the time I got there Brian had been over it with the clay bar and was on it with the 5" buffer. I followed up with the sealer and wax and cleaning the gaps.
Results are rather dramatic! Next up, bumpers, wheel covers, tires and glass.

Still waiting on the radio :confused2: Need it back for a special event in August. - Bill W

WOW!! Looks fantastic Bill!!

----Bill,,, I have an NOS original US Royal spare that would be great on this 66. Never down and in perfect condition. Black paint still in the mounting holes.....Bill S

Sunday was a good day! Break-Away Days incorporates a car show into a weekend celebration in Denver Iowa (population less than 2,000) where the Corvette, and coincidently my own, owned since '67, Chevelle were sold new. Brian and I were there at 7:00 am to get prime spots at the entrance to the food court and beer stand.

Cousin Paul was not made aware of this until his wife Yvonne brought him to be reunited. You can see Brian listening to some great memories shared by Paul. A reporter from the local paper came for an interview to be published soon.

Stories were told of trips to Southern CA, Texas, Oregon, Washington DC, and a nervous night in NYC with the Vette parked in an open hotel lot in Manhattan.

Also told again how Paul had intended to order it with Fuel Injection, but the dealer balked, saying he wouldn't be able to work on it.

We are planning on an appearance at the NCRS Regional in Cedar Rapids IA in May '24. - Bill W

Before leaving town I got pix of the 'ol hot rod in front of the former Lahmann dealership building where it was delivered new, bears no resemblance today. Chevrolet and Minneapolis Moline tractors sold out of the same building.

The last time the Chevelle had been in Denver was May of 1977, on a tow bar, with no engine, retrieving it from the farm after a five year slumber in Dad's garage.

So AWESOME!!! Great pics Bill!!

What great pictures, Bill. I wonder if the dealer didn't want to work on the fuelie if it was ordered? I hope to see the Corvette someday.

Both cars look great Bill!

----Ditto to the above comments, Bill. You really brought this 65 back!....Bill S

I'll bet Cousin Paul was one happy camper!

65. Must be the IPA’s Bill.LOL

----Corrected! Dave,,,You know I have the 66 year imprinted on my brain.....Bill S

Bill W. thanks for sharing your revitalizing this corvette and the show gathering with both cars! I'm sure your bother was blown away!!!! Well done...

That's it exactly Tim, between the $500 cost and the dealer (two man shop for cars, trucks, and tractors) not wanting to work on it he talked him out of it.

You CAN see it, next May, at the Cedar Rapids Regional. Direct flights from DFW to Eastern IA airport five minutes away. Or, come visit and I'll make it happen. - Bill W

That sounds great, Bill.

Here are some more cool docs from the owner's folder, especially the letter signed by Bunkie Knudsen!

Very cool Bill!!

I see your cousin lived in Waverly. I forget there are towns in Iowa north of Waterloo!LOL

How many original owner 65's still have the owners card with them? That's amazing.

No kidding!!!

NCRS Regional, Cedar Rapids IA, judging tomorrow!

Good luck Bill! We will be thinking of y’all.

----Pics needed!....Bill S

Good luck Bill. I`m sure the car will do well!
Oliver

I love this car.