Given some
of the recent topics, Perhaps a more upbeat thing to focus on
would be how each of us came to love Rivies?
For me I was
probably 8 or 9. My parents had a lot of problems and they would
ship us off to some Friends in Pennsylvania. He was a field
manager for Snap-on and had a big impression on me for many positive
reasons. He had what I think was a 71 Riv. I loved that
car, I would wash it for him, clean it inside and out, always hoping
he would keep it for the long run so I could get it when I finally
got my license. Well it didn't happen that way but it made an
impression. Years later I decided I had to have a Rivie, found
the ROA, this board, Chris' home page and was smitten with all the
various years and models. Obtaining a 63 is my current passion.
So thanks Ray, thanks Chris for making it easier to be a part of this
tradition, it's not just a car...
Dean Anderson
My grandfather was always a Buick owner. In late 1963 a dealer
friend of his ordered a '64 Riviera with my grandfather in mind.
It arrived in June, and the dealer called my Grandfather to come
on over, he had somethingspecial to show him.
When he arrived, my grandfather was greeted by a Dark red '64 Rivi,
with the deluxe interior in fawn cloth and vinyl, Wonder bar radio,
power windows and drivers seat, air conditioning, posi-traction,
and the Super Wildcat 465 engine! SOLD!!
|
The Riv as it appears now |
After the deal was complete, he had to show off, and brought
the car to my parents house. My Dad's best friend was already
there showing off his "New" used car. When the Rivi
showed up, he exclaimed, "His air conditioning cost more
than my whole car!!"
I was just over a year old when I got to ride in that car
for the first time. I don't remember it though. :) I do remember
many rides in the car, and more than a few stoplight grands
prix's with grandfather at the wheel! |
|
My son, Reuben, at the age I was when
I sat in the same car for the first time. |
|
Boxing Day 1995, it took 7 of us to
move the car out of the garage where it had rested for
8 years. My wife was laughing as she took the picture,
"Only a true fanatic would call this his pride and
joy!" |
I also remember spending many hours
in the garage admiring the car from every angle, and
always finishing up poking around under the hood and
wondering at the power of those 2 4bbl's
In 1983, I started restoring it for my grandfather, his
health began to fail as he suffered multiple strokes over
the next few years.
At Christmas in 1995, my grandmother gave me a small
silver wrapped package, with a simple white label, "In
memory of J.B. McCausland" I opened it to find the
keys and registration for the '64 Rivi.
The rest is history.
Sorry to be long winded, but you did ask how we got to
love our Buicks. My Rivi is a driving memorial to my Grand
parents.
Chris Knowles
ROA 6085 |
| I became infatuated with Buick's way back when I was 12
years old. My dad had a 1969 Buick Skylark 4 door, 350cid
2 barrel, with the 2 speed. I would love to ride in it with
him, and would encourage him to go faster and faster. He
told me that his Buick was getting old and beat up, and
that Buick made another car, like his, that went even faster.
I was told about the GranSport, and told how to look for
the ram air hood scoops and duel exhaust. Fast forward years,
past college and to the present. I own a 1970 GS Stage 1,
a 1987 Grand National, a 1999 Silver Arrow, and a 1965 Riv
GS. After seeing the all the GS's in Bowling Green for several
years and admiring the Rivs, especially the 63-65 ones,
I knew that I would have to own such a machine. Sorry for
the lengthy story. I guess you could say that my dad was
ultimately responsible. Thanks dad.
Joe |
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