By Brian Brennan – Photography By NotStock Photography
It’s always an intriguing story about how any hot rodder embarks on building their current project. Todd Stamm of Texas is no exception. His 1965 Buick Riviera mild custom is just such a project. Todd’s passion for the 1965 Buick Riviera began around 10 years ago when he spotted one at a Mecum Auction in Houston.
Todd and Jason Smith of the Hot Rod Garage (HRG) discussed whether to start with an original car or a project that already had some work completed. The two considered building a mild custom a restomod. Todd wanted a cruiser, but one that had plenty of “oomph.” However, he made it clear that the final appearance had to retain much of the original Riviera factory’s beauty. With a longstanding passion for European cars from the 1950s and early 1960s, especially Porsches, Mercedes-Benz, and others from the era, the 1965 Buick Riviera’s black over green color combination was an easy choice for Todd. Initially agreeing to start with a once-started-but-now-abandoned project, they later found a donor that had been recently restored with a Connect and Cruise LS3/525 and 4L70E. They both will tell you they should have started from “scratch.”
Where did this build begin? Smith and the team at HRG provided hands-on and continuous guidance while Eric Black of e.Black Design sketched out the initial design element. Based on Todd and Smith’s feedback, Black provided the design, inspiration, and perspective, both inside and out.
The 1965 Riviera features a cruciform frame similar to the standard Buick chassis, but it is shorter and narrower, with a track that is 2 inches narrower. It has a wheelbase of 117 inches and an overall length of 208 inches, making it 6 inches and 7.7 inches shorter than the Buick LeSabre, yet slightly longer than a contemporary Thunderbird. Weighing in at 3,998 pounds, it is approximately 390 pounds lighter than either. Standard features include power brakes with 12-inch aluminum finned drums and power steering with a 20.5:1 ratio. Using a factory chassis as a starting point, HRG performed several modern hot rod modifications, including the Ridetech air suspension and a Ridetech 1.25-inch front sway bar, while retaining the factory spindles and steering box.
In the rear, the original rear end was preserved, complete with its 3.23 ring-and-pinion, a Ridetech air suspension, and the addition of a Panhard bar. The brake system is based on a factory pedal assembly combined with factory drilled-and-slotted rotors and four-piston GM calipers. Schott Accelerator d.concave forged aluminum two-piece welded wheels, finished in titanium and chrome, measure 18×8 and 20×10, enhancing the corners. A distinctive feature is a modified Schott center cap that showcases the Riviera “R” logo (in dark green, reflecting the interior color). The Nitto NT555G2 rubber in sizes 245/45ZR18 for the front and 305/35ZR20 for the rear is used.
The original project retained a Chevrolet Performance LS376/525 with a 4L70E overdrive transmission. The LS376 is based on a cast-aluminum configuration featuring six-bolt, cross-bolted main caps, a nodular iron crankshaft, powdered metal connecting rods, hypereutectic aluminum pistons (10.7:1), and an ASA hydraulic roller camshaft. Once Don Hardy Race Cars worked their magic by adding the LSA supercharger, a Katech LSA cover was positioned on the second go-around. HRG Cerakoted and assembled the detailed engine once it was painted.
To facilitate Stamm’s LS376-powered 1965 Buick Riviera, a Holley Terminator X Max CPU, combined with an Autotrend EFI system, a drive-by-wire throttle, and the electronically controlled throttle body are is also used. The Chevy Performance Muscle Car oil pan was also included to ensure neat and proper clearance for a V-8 fit in the engine compartment. Other accessories include an Autotrend EFI, a Powermaster alternator and starter, a pair of SPAL electric fans, an OPTIMA battery (located in the engine compartment under a custom front cover), and a Billet Specialties front drive system.
The crew at HRG managed a wide assortment of individual projects that brought this hot rod to fruition. Casey Bieth handled the underhood and sheetmetal fabrication, while Kenny Small oversaw the bodywork and Tom McDonald completed the oh-so deep black paint application. The goal was to showcase the V-8, as was typical back in the day. When it came time to reassemble everything, Gene Anderson conducted the detailed assembly and connected the ends of each wire. Charlie Watson welded additional fabrication and the exhaust system. We are told that even Jason Smith was involved “just a bit.” Jon Wright of CustomChrome Plating expertly handled the substantial brightwork.
Much of the original factory sheetmetal was retained and painted with a two-stage basecoat/clearcoat PPG black while at HRG. Emblems, rockers, the antenna, lower front grille trim, and the “R” gunsight on the hood spear were removed and filled. The vertical bars and “fangs” on the front grille and bumper were also painted black. To further enhance the smooth appearance, the individual grilles at the top of the cowl were removed in favor of a seamless transition between the cowl and hood. Bieth of HRG smoothed over the firewall and fabricated a pair of custom inner front fenders covering the upper control arms.
Todd, Smith, and Black decided to transform the interior by removing all wooden elements and opting for a sleek combination of smooth and perforated leather, along with matte black, gloss black, and chrome accents. They retained most of the OEM interior structure, focusing on improving materials, fit, and finish. One of their striking changes included replacing the traditional chrome waterfall speaker grille between the back bucket seats with a sophisticated, smooth leather option, evoking a range of European designs.
In this redesign, Todd wanted to meticulously preserve the look of the original but now non-functional heat, air, and audio controls. The Vintage Air controls remain discreetly concealed in the center console, while Bluetooth technology manages the Kicker stereo system and Ridetech suspension controls.
The interior features a sleek green leather cover, maintaining the original dashboard shape. The center speaker grille has been seamlessly filled, and the luggage tray has been custom-built and wrapped in leather. The texture of the OEM dash face has been entirely smoothed out and finished in a matte black, creating a striking backdrop for the custom “original-look” black and chrome gauges from Classic Instruments. These precision gauges come directly from Classic Instruments’ custom shop, complemented by a wiring harness sourced from American Autowire, expertly installed by HRG’s own Gene Anderson.
Keeping the factory steering column, they added a touch of elegance with a now-black-painted 1965 Grand Sport walnut steering wheel. The factory center console now features an HRG-fabricated acrylic shift indicator plate that includes an added “O” (overdrive) detent to accommodate the modified floor shifter, which facilitates the selection of overdrive.
The attention to detail extends into the trunk, where the interior design seamlessly integrates with made-to-measure handcrafted luggage from Laurent Nay Maroquinerie of France. This luggage, reminiscent of bespoke pieces from Porsche or Mercedes-Benz in the late 1950s and early 1960s, provides convenient storage for tools and car care items. Todd emphasizes the collaborative spirit behind this build: “It’s easy to work with a builder when you have a similar vision for the car being built.” It’s clear that Todd and Smith shared a common goal. Phil Cato masterfully executed the stunning stitchwork on the Relicate leather interior from Cato’s Custom Upholstery.
Todd’s 1965 Buick Riviera is well known, having won several prestigious awards at Goodguys and Triple Crown of Rodding events in recent years. Most recently, Todd’s mild custom captured the Corinthian Award at the Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance, proving once again that style is synonymous with quality and will never go out of favor.
-MR
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