After reading many stories of riv, I decided to chime in with my little story. It's not much, but it's mine. In middle school my friends and I stumbled out of our local hang out by the train station and spotted a wonderfully (if not correctly) restored boattail. He had painted the car red and tan, the 2 tone paint job split at the trim, thus accentuating the lines of the car. I was floored. I thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen. My friend said it looked like the batmobile on acid. Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Flash forward 2 years to my Sophomore year of highschool, I'm catching a ride with my mom and spot a boattail for sale on the side of the road. Rusted to hell and generally in bad shape. I convinced my mother to let me stop in and take a test drive. I fell in love. Not only did it look like a boat, it floated like one too. The guy wanted $750 and I only had $500. He said "no way" and that was the end of that. With my dreams killed, I ended up buying the only thing I could afford which was my brother's 4 door 70 Malibu.

Now at 27 I finally own a riv. I bought a 73 with 88k miles, bald tires and holes in the exhaust for 1200. After a new set of BFGoodrich TA's, a new exhaust, tune up, carb, water pump, heater core, etc, etc, etc. I have a great looking, reliable daily driver which my wife is realizing that I will NEVER sell.

I love my car. It's not perfect but neither am I. Every day, I come out of my house and admire the lines that took me so by surprise all those years ago. Next car is a 67.... Hopefully I won't have to wait 15 years for this one!!!

James Urquhart
ROA #9048