Somebody wasn’t content with GM’s decision to not make Riviera ragtops, and took matters–or Sawzall– into hand. CJCars just posted this to the Cohort, and it certainly looked like it could/should have come from from Flint. Well, eventually Buick did offer one in 1982, but that was almost twenty years after the Riviera took up battle with the Thunderbird, which certainly came in convertible versions (through 1966). Somebody just couldn’t wait.
The ’70 Riviera is hardly anybody’s favorite year, a rather blobbified version of what started out in 1966 as a classic Bill Mitchell-mobile of the highest caliber. And its front end has been drastically toned down, looking way too much like one of the lower-rung Buicks. Maybe that’s why this owner took a 1970 to be put to the torch: the least desirable of the gen2 Rivieras. And losing the top has done it some good.
I’m going to have to assume that there’s nothing under that rear cover other than the amputated stumps of the former C-pillar, as fitting a working top would be a mind-boggling undertaking. And those snaps along the belt line suggest a tonneau cover to protect the interior if need be. This car looks to be in California anyway, so it probably goes and hides in the garage during the occasional rain.
Seems like the dash has come in for some customizing too. Someone order too much white vinyl?
It does look good, GM should have made a convertible available in all the pre-Boattail versions.
I agree that front end of the 1970 is the worst to grace any real (RWD) Riv and that ugly carried over to the rest of the Full size line as well.
I agree and the irony of this, GM did studied the possibility to do a 1st-gen Riviera convertible, there is some pictures of a prototype at http://forums.aaca.org/f177/first-generation-riviera-convertible-styling-studies-288190.html
Not a bad roadster. Wonder what they did to stiffen the chassis?
Probably nothing.
I was beat from a couple hours of surfing when I took the photos, but looking at it now answers the question of whether or not there’s a top. I think the answer is clearly no, seeing as there are no provisions for latching a top to the windshield frame. Looks like all those snaps around the base of the window-line are for a tonneau cover, which is probably the only way to protect the interior from the elements other than a garage or the car cover that was rolled up in the back seat.
It looks like a bloated ’69 Skylark Convertible. Which I guess was the issue with the Riviera that year in general. From Dynamic to Generic in 7 years or less. More and More than became a GM problem…..
Yes from the side it does look almost exactly like an overgrown Skylark except for rear bumper area.
After looking up the Delage D8-120 Aérosport that Mitchell wanted the ’70 to look at, I think the problem was that what they were going for — a prewar fastback with separate fenders and a rather dramatic side sweep — wasn’t really feasible on the existing shell. If you compare the Aérosport and the ’70 Riv in profile, the connection is apparent, but it’s ultimately too subtle to make much impression.
To my eye, this works better than the 58 Chevy ‘business coupe’.
It almost looks like it came from the factory this way.
Around a month ago i saw a guy with a “convertible” ’72 deville on ebay that really made you wish the factory had made them. If i had a garage i sure would have bid on it,.
How about a “Shoulda been a convertible” styling CC?
Nice one Tim. I didn’t realise these weren’t made as convertibles, in fact I think/thought I’d actually seen one years ago! I suppose it might have been a one-off conversion.
I always wanted to see this done to a ’67 or ’68 Cougar, and wonder if enough Mustang parts would transfer to allow for a working top.
There are a few real 67-68 Cougar convertible conversions.
Here’s one for sale, has kind of a hinky looking rear fenders though.
http://www.barnfinds.com/1968-mercury-cougar-convertible/
Here are several more:
http://webpages.charter.net/bpratt/6768cougarcv.htm
I am already using it. I made my car wrapped and bought a new cover for it from a local company of Car services and Wrapping. The price they charged was also affordable and they put some stickers on my car. My car cover is black coloured and with gold coloured stripes in it with it now. It is looking nice and by this there is no damage exists for the original paint. I think it is not a loss expense.
I’ ll give you 7k for it.