Would a, "Old School", Type of Pro Touring car be accepted as "Pro Touring"? - Lateral-g Forums

tyoneal · #1 11-04-2010, 12:53 AM

Hello:

I know the question of what Pro Touring is or is not has been done forever.

When I first was working on a Corner Carving Camaro in the late 70's, the parts that were available were few and far between, but we did as much as we could.

I have an idea for doing a "Retro-Pro Touring" Car like you would see from maybe the late 1970's and 1980's before everything could be easily found to to have all the bells and whistles on it.

For instance, I have a 1965 Buick Riviera that is numbers matching and while it needs a paint job the interior and the body are in great shape.

I really want to have a Pro Touring Car with it, but I do not want to destroy the originality of it.

Here was my Plan:

1965 Buick Riviera Black/Black (Original Colors)
Big Sway bars front and rear.
Gas adjustable shocks all around
12.7:1 Ratio Steering box
Good sticky radial tires
Polyurethane bushings through out car

Engine is a 425 Nailhead with 2X4 intake, headers, a decent cam that is still street-able, Roller Rockers, Matched ports, and ported heads, swirl polished and 3 way valve grind on the valves. Headers with Ceramic Coating. Electronic "Re-Curved" Distributor.

Transmission would be a built ST 400 with a High Stall Variable Pitch Torque Convertor that could be used to launch at 1600 rpm's or 3200 RPM's. (Drivers choice while sitting in the car) In the rear a 3.23 Posi Rear End. The valve body would have a shift kit in it.

Front Disc Brakes would be added with a twin Master cylinder and proportioning valve. Once the car is on the road softer or firmer shocks and or springs could be added.

The Car from the out side would probably look fairly stock, but the handling and the performance should be greatly improved. When these cars came out they could hit 0- 60 mph in between 6 and 7 seconds with a 3.42 rear end.

The '65 was a one year car for the hide a way headlight during the 1st generation, so these Rivieras look really trick.

(For those who might be wondering, Where anything was machined or permanently changed, I bought other parts so the original parts would stay in original condition, lubbed wrapped up, and labeled, so Nothing would get lost, and it could always be 100% original if Need be)

Given what I have told you, could this car come to this Page/Site and be considered a True Pro Touring Car, just from a different Era?

I would really like your thoughts on this, because corner carving should be greatly enhanced after these upgrades have been made, as well as braking, and engine performance, Fast Turning ability etc.

Engine should be in the neighborhood of 400 Horsepower, and close to 500 ft pounds of Torque.

Please think about this and give me your thoughts?

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

Update: "She Devil" aka Betty is still moving forward, just slowly at the moment due to parts taking a while to receive. I still have the Keisler R/T 56 Dogbox Transmission that should be in shortly. They had one, but I wanted the "Road Racing" Gearing in it, and the ability to run a oil cooler if I wanted to at a later date. This held it back a bit. I should have some good pictures to post before long.

OLDFLM · #2 11-04-2010, 05:25 AM

I love the idea!! Restomod with performance, brake and handling upgrades! That's what this site is all about and what I believe most hobbyist are doing!
It's what I did with my car for 23 years... working on one aspect/project at at time as time and money allowed. For me, that was the fun of it all... researching, shopping on a budget, trying to get the best bang for the buck in each area... and doing it all yourself. I believe this is where the roots of the hobby are still!! Looking forward to your "Roadhouse Riviera" build thread!!

staged67gspwr · #3 11-04-2010, 06:32 AM

I love 65 Rivies!

tyoneal · #4 11-06-2010, 12:03 AM

Here's a few pictures of what I'm starting with. The interior is just about perfect, the body has 45 years of doors dings and thin paint, and the underside requires some surface rust removal and repaint. This should at least give you a bit of a, "Before", thoughts as the project moves forward.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

tyoneal · #5 11-06-2010, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDFLM

I love the idea!! Restomod with performance, brake and handling upgrades! That's what this site is all about and what I believe most hobbyist are doing!
It's what I did with my car for 23 years... working on one aspect/project at at time as time and money allowed. For me, that was the fun of it all... researching, shopping on a budget, trying to get the best bang for the buck in each area... and doing it all yourself. I believe this is where the roots of the hobby are still!! Looking forward to your "Roadhouse Riviera" build thread!!

Your suggestion, "Roadhouse Riviera", is catchy. It might just wind up sticking to the Car.

Thanks,

Ty

Bryce · #6 11-06-2010, 07:12 PM

Ty what happened to your aero camaro

vdrivinmike · #7 11-06-2010, 09:24 PM

One of my favorite all time cars. I still kick myself for not buying my Uncle's 65 Riv GS about 12 years ago.

Of course, I was a broke dick lou at the time.

Sounds like a cool build

Amatouring · #8 11-06-2010, 10:05 PM

I think what you are planning sounds cool. I did a similar thing with my 70 Cuda, and previously with my 69 GTO. They looked totally stock unless you measure the sway bar diameter, or measure the rotor diameter behind the 15inch rallye wheels. While neither of them are a track day car, they handle and perform much like a modern car, and I think that is the point.
That is a great looking car, and I can see why you don't want to mess with the styling too much.

tyoneal · #9 11-06-2010, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5280/4

Ty what happened to your aero camaro

These Aero-Camaro is still waiting for the some essential parts.

I like the person who is supplying the part(s), so I try to be flexible and understanding I know I have added some things in the past, so I would imagine that is some of the issue.

Oh well, the car will have some great parts and handling features before to long one way or the other, so I can get my butt in it and start driving it again.

In the mean time I've been focusing on the Riviera and the '64 Corvette that followed me home. That is going to also be a great project. I have a lot of parts from Mid-America coming so it should make a hell of a PT project in it's own right. I'll see if I can post a bit on it as well.

BTW: Is there a limit on how many pictures we can post? I tried to post a few more on the Riv the other night and they just wouldn't load.(?)

Any Ideas??

Anyway, that is the poop up to now. God I hope I live long enough to finish these cars.

Ty

tyoneal · #10 11-06-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdrivinmike

One of my favorite all time cars. I still kick myself for not buying my Uncle's 65 Riv GS about 12 years ago.

Of course, I was a broke dick lou at the time.

Sounds like a cool build

Mike:

This is a pretty good time to buy one if you still think you might want one. The market is soft and a lot of people are looking for some quick cash. There have been a number of cars I've been tempted to pic up because 3 years ago they were about 2-3 times more expensive.

Give it some thought,

Ty