How To and Where From / Parts / Repairs
The purpose of this page is to help all Riviera Convertible Owners locate parts and find solutions to fix the problems that arise with our cars. As many of you already know, our cars have their own inherent problems and solutions that will differ from the regular body Rivieras. With help from you we can build a solid support network of helpful tips, parts suppliers, and answers to the question, “How To and Where From”. Send me your tried and true answers to this and I will post them on this page. Each one posted will carry the name of the contributor so we all know who to thank.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Convertible Tops and Parts Sources:
1. Convertible Top Guys
They list everything to replace your top including headliners and parade boots.
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/convertible/230/1982-86-Buick-Riviera-ASC-ONLY-
2. Carparts.com
https://www.carparts.com/convertible-top/buick/riviera
3. Tops Online
4. Kee Auto Top
https://keeautotop.com/
If you use any of these suppliers and have positive or negative feedback, please let me know on the “Contact Me” page.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Leather Upholstery Sources:
There were two different suppliers of upholstery for these convertibles. The first supplier used a burgundy more in the “red” family for 1982/83 model years and the second supplier used a much darker shade for 1984/85 models. They also used different patterns. I have reached out to a few suppliers in the beginning of December 2023 and I am waiting for samples to come in. I will report back when I find a good match.
I have also reached out to one source that states they have the patterns and upholstery and can make the seat covers. I will report back when I get the information I requested from them.
If you know of a good source, please let me know on the “Contact Me” page.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Supplied by Pete Phillips, Buick Bugle Editor, BCA #7338
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for new Lugs?
Looking for new lug nuts for your Styled Aluminum Wheels? Check out Gorilla part No 73137 SM. Gorilla does not sell to the public. You will need to order them from www.SummitRacing.com . They fit perfectly, however the head is 13/16 instead of the std 3/4 so you will need to get a 13/16 socket in case you need to change a tire. These nuts have a triple chrome finish.
Info courtesy of; Jerome Becker, Racine, WI. JB owns a very nice 1985 Turbo Convertible.
Thanks JB!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chrome Door Panel Trim
Common Problem: Plastic Chrome Door Panel Trim above the arm rest needs replaced.
Solution and Part: Item #H8708-29 SPM, 1/4" Chrome Moulding. It comes with a 3M adhesive back and may be ordered in 20 ft rolls. The company name is TRIM GUARD and they are located at 472 Newbold Street, London, Ontario Canada NOE 1K6. My contact there is MIKE. Tell him Al Weatherly of Carbs Unlimited told you to call. Their phone is 519-681-1090 or email http://www.trim-gard.com
Contributor: Al Weatherly / Owns a 1982 / Macomb, Michigan
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rear Quarter Window
Common Problem: Rear Quarter Windows will not go up or down but you hear the motor working: Regulator Flex Rack, aka, Track Tape or Flex Track Needs Replaced
Solution: Dorman window regulator tape, part # 74413 (Caution, tape is made out of plastic and while flexible, I would be careful installing it as it has been reported that it can break during installation or handling.)
Available on Amazon, Ebay, and most auto part stores.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Power Seat Motor
Common Problem: The power seat doesn’t move but you hear the motor working.
Solution: Most likely, the power seat coupler that connects the seat motor and transmission has broken. (You may even see pieces of white plastic on the carpeting under the front of the seat.)
Original GM Part Number is 20614175. If you google that part number, it is available on Ebay, Amazon, Walmart and other locations. (To replace this part, you either need to remove the seat or at least undo the seat frame bolts and tilt the seat backwards to gain access.)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Common Problem: For Help with quarter window tape replacement, Power Seat transmission, Heater Core and Power Antenna. Steering Wheel Restoration.
Solution and Part:
Contributor: Contact Mr. Bob Monetti at; pmontetti@comcast.net 47 years in the old car hobby.
Common Convertible Top Problem: My convertible top is getting increasingly difficult to close. NO problem with it going up or down, but it doesn’t close and lock as it had before. The top when down and not locked sets crooked. The passenger or driver side sets up higher. The rear windows have to be operable in order for the top to close properly. If either or both are stuck in the up position the top will not close properly.
Solution and Part: Possible one or both of the rear quarter windows Regulator Flex Rack, aka, Track Tape Needs to be Replaced. (Suppliers listed above)
Contributor: Thurston Criggler / Owns a 1982 / Los Angeles, CA
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Leather Hides!!
I have located a Company to purchase Leather Hides. These will have to be taken to an Upholstery Shop to be cut and fit to your interior. These are NOT precut seat covers, just the leather hides. They also can supply the Vinyl or if you prefer do the seats in Vinyl instead of leather a same a few bucks.
Al Schmidt, owner of a 1985 Turbo and a 1984 Convertible told me about this Company. I contacted them by phone and explained what we needed and that there are 2 different colors. One for the 82-83 and a darker one for the 84-85. Very nice folks, they sent me 2 different samples and they match nicely.
Thanks Al!
Contact info is;
SMS Auto Fabrics, 350 South Redwood Street, Canby, Oregon. 503-263-3535 or email www.smsautofabrics.com.
*******This is one of the sources I reached out to, still waiting for samples.*******
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Leather Touch Up
Here is a tip sent to me from Jim Jackson in Ohio that he used on his 1984 Convertible. Jim's car had some cracking / discoloration in the leather and found that a shoe dye purchased on line from Heel to Toe did a good job. The color is Maroon and the link is; http://www.fromheeltotoe.com/products/Leather-Dyes.html As with any dye or coloring you should try an inconspicuous place first for color match. Thanks Jim!
Here is a recommendation sent to me from Ed Raner, ROA #279; For repairs of tears, scratches, holes, etc. in your leather seats, and dyes and conditioners contact http://www.leatherique.com/
I’ve used their products for a number of years and have always had great results. Take a look at some of the before and after pictures and decide for yourself. Thanks Ed!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am in need of a parade boot for my 1983. Can someone help me with how to repair my top? It will no longer go down.
Please contact: Rudy Glew at; 563-556-5172 / Dubuque, Iowa 52002
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am in need of the weather striping that attaches to the rear quarter glass where it meets the front door side window glass. Does anyone know where these can be found for my 1982 Model?
Please contact: Pat Rooney at; pat@trooney.com or 410-746-7735
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am in need of a parade boot for my 1982. This boot needs to be from a 1982 model only and should be in new or near new condition. I have tried one from a 1983 and they do not seem to fit correctly, does anyone know why?
Please contact: Jay Buttery at; Jerald_Buttery@aksteel.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am in need of Leather to reupholster the seats in my 1982. Has anyone found a source for the original type leather or a complete cover set for them? I've checked with several local upholster shops and none can match the color and grain.
Please contact: Walt Schneider at; riv4evr@pa.net or 717-580-7781
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am looking for the U Jam rubber seal for the driver side rear window/door jam on my 1982 Convertible. Does anyone know where I can find this part?
Please contact: Kenneth D. Higginbotham at; rockwallhigg@sbcglobal.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am in need of Convertible top latch hardware for my 1983. Does anyone know where I can find these parts?
Please contact: Rick Shore at; rickshore44@yahoo.com or 954-425-8684
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Parts Suppliers:
1. RMS Auto Parts / Laura Ruffo
1551 N. Walnut Ave. Suite 13, #235
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-214-0022
email: rms@rmsautoparts.com
website: www.rmsautoparts.com
This company will go the extra mile to help you find original GM parts.
2. Steering Columns Galore, Brewster NY, 888-326-5866
(Thank you to Rick Shore, Deerfield FL for these suppliers)
