Looking for any and all details on the Barris built 1963 Buick Riviera known as "Villa Riviera". I'm going to be building a 1965 olds cutlass loosely in the style of the Buick, including the targa top. Not sure on details yet, just wondering if anybody knows some details or has any in progress build pics. What door handles are used (they are a flush mount painted). Need taillight ideas too. Pretty much open to ideas on the entire car at this point! Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I knew the owner Bill Ryan from CT had it for a number of years before his family sold it at auction, I believe last year. When Bill got it he was amazed at the way it was built, after all it was built for a movie and not meant to last. Lots of slam bang, and chicken wire, and "mud". Beautiful car just not well really built! Bill redid it a couple of times while he had it, he fixed all the sloppy work. KK
The taillights are 1957 Rambler front signal lights mounted upside-down. No idea on the door handles but here is a better view:
Rot 'n Kustom posted this article on Barris' flush-mount door handles back in 2012. "From Popular Customs magazine, Summer 1965 George Barris' shop, on Gene Coons' 1963 Cadillac"
Anyone have any ideas for taillights? I'm not cloning (starting with the wrong car) just building a tribute styled car. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Upsidedown 51 Mercury? May be too small.... '52-'53 Mercury upsidedown? Similar shape, thicker bezels...
I think the#2 hot rod year book has a bunch of how to articles in it. I have it at home somewhere in my pile. Always liked the car, AMT did a kit of it but it is not that accurate as far as soon of the trim work. Sent from my MotoG3 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
It is a custom car yearbook and I have a copy of it that I found on ebay last year. I had the original, purchased new , but is is long gone in the sands of time. Roo
I bought mine at frog follies. $2 bucks. Think I got a deal. Sent from my MotoG3 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Hello, This car would have looked fabulous in front of the real Villa Riviera in Long Beach, the world famous hotel on Ocean Ave, beachfront. The hotel is now converted into condominiums with reasonable prices for beachfront living. It was built in 1929 with 16 stories. In 2003, the Los Angeles Times called it "Long Beach's most elegant landmark," a building that "has helped define the city for nearly three-quarters of a century." As teenagers, it was cool to go up to the top floor in the elevator. No other place locally, had 16 stories for the long ride and views. Jnaki
@lukey I sold some chrome slots to the current owner - I'll reach out to him and see if he would be cool with you contacting him.
I think that car was on an episode of Chasing Classic Cars on Velocity. Might be a video online somewhere.
heres the starting point. 1965 cutlass hardtop. Rear wheelwells have been hacked, no trunk floor, solid frame, solid rockers and front body mounts. -LUKEY-
Here's a couple shots from 2016. Owner has it back to almost exactly the version pictured with George Barris in the driver's seat above. He even had some triple whitewall cheater slicks cut. Wheels are 15x10 all around, it's pretty wild. @lukey check your PMs
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