Here is my all original '56 Century Riviera. Within the next few weeks I plan to have it all cleaned up and ready to go. This is my first old car, so I hope you guys don't mind questions. I will update this thread as I progress or take new pictures. My plans basically include dropping it, straight pipes (maybe cherry bombs if its too loud), and wide whites. It's got the 322 nailhead that runs perfect so a simple tune up will suffice. I started by removing the seats and old carpet/insulation. The PO had a tape deck which I removed and replaced with a radio delete plate. I'll add an mp3 deck hidden under the dash within the next week. Floors look pretty solid to me: At this point, is it wise to add some sort of sealer to the floor? Should I cut my own carpet or buy a premade one (and where are they available)? Thanks
Please post pix of the outside! Interesting how the floor pans are a different shape than the tri 5 Chevys, flat tunnel. You are SO far ahead of the game starting out with a solid car. Must have been stored inside, dash and wheel are primo! Looks to be a 4-door hardtop. Why are the rear door lock knobs at the front of the doors? Are they suicide style? Good luck!
welcome abourd. that looks like a real nice clean car, wish i had that for my first old car need pics of outside.
The rear door locks are at the front so the driver could reach them from the drivers seat to lock them. In the 60's I used to run mine with straights (factory duals) and believe me, they can be loud. Since the factory mufflers were flange mounted, they were easy to change with the straight pipes that I made. I normally ran Walker Continental gl*** packs and that old nailhead sure sounded good. Please show us some more pictures.
Congrats on the Buick. There are molded carpet sets available. Kanter is one source for them. Used their kit in my 56 special, fit was excellent. Would be a good idea to use some type of rust inhibitor on the floor boards. Also may want to think about some sound dampening mat while you have the carpet out. There is a Buick social group here, check it out.
Solid ride...would like to see some pics of the outside too! Also be sure to go write a proper introduction here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18 It'll make things a lot easier here in the short term.
Welcome to the HAMB. I would bust the rust and cover it with POR-15 or something simular. Sound deadner is a good idea also. C.A.R.S. should have all the interior cloth, carpet, and headliner material you need. I got their pre-made door panels and carpet in my car. Looks and fits great. You may find that other restoration parts suppliers will sell C.A.R.S. interiors also, so cut out the middle man.
Your Buick and my '55 Caddy floors look similar. Personally, I prefer Lizardskin UNDER the carpet (or CoolCar spray-on insulation)...but it depends on how cool and quiet you want the interior...you can see how I did it in this thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329070&highlight=the+best+55+caddy+build Looks like you've got a great start with a solid car...you can buy ready-made carpet for it and a ready-made headliner as well, however, even if you do purchase ready-made carpet, make sure you put some jute padding under the carpet, that'll further deaden any heat and sound. R-
For the floor in my '55 Buick I used 3M Rubberized Undercoating in a rattle can. Then put down a layer of foil backed heat insulation stuff I got at Home Depot before putting my carpet in. I got the carpet from rockauto.com and it looks and fits just as good as most other kits I've seen.
Thanks guys. I grinded out all of the rust on the floor, doing the trunk tomorrow and spray the coating tomorrow. I couldn't find that insulation at home depot and I don't want to shell out the big bucks for dynamat or a similar brand. Rockauto has a 7-piece kit for my car for $51.79, what do you guys think? At this point in time I need to find good insulation and carpet fast so I can throw the seats back in and start cruising. Pictures will come soon, garage is pretty crowded. Thanks
The car you've all being waiting to see: I attacked the surface rust on the floors with a wire brush/grinder drill bit. After pics: If all goes well, I will coat it with rust paint tomorrow.
Looks like it lived up to the "century" reputation... In all seriousness, that's a beautifully preserved car! Be kind to it... BRT
It looks good, I had a 55 4 door ht the same color combination and really enjoyed it and like the lines of the roof as well or better than the two doors. Your buddies will be wanting rides in that back seat all the time too.
looks good. How did that 3m undercoating set up? I used it a long time ago and it never really dried. I was so disappointed that I s****ed it all out.
I guess it depends on the definition of "set up" It dosen't get rock hard, if you dig on it with a fingernail you can put a mark in it. Takes a little getting used to spraying it to get good coverage and consistent texture. I've got in on the floor in my Buick and the floor of my '50 Ford. I've got it on the underside, wheel wells and trunk of my '50 as well. And I've used it on the engine bay in a couple projects, I love the stuff If it's going to get alot of exposure to the sun though it's best to paint it. Fades out big time in constant sunlight.
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