Father-Son Duo Restore a 1965 Buick Riviera, Passing Down a Family Legacy

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Father and son restore a 1965 Buick Riviera, bonding over their shared passion for classic cars and passing down tradition.

In a heartwarming tale of classic car restoration, Jaime Reyes and his son, JJ, have brought a 1965 Buick Riviera back to its former glory. This two-year project culminated with JJ giving his father a ride in the car they rebuilt together, a touching moment that highlights the passing of a passion for Buicks across generations.

JJ, now 17, acquired the Riviera when he was just 15, the same age his father was when he got his first Riviera. Under Jaime’s guidance, JJ, along with his sister Katie, put in countless hours of work to restore the vehicle from the ground up. From refurbishing the car’s iconic clamshell headlights to replacing the brake lines, tires, and suspension components, the family left no stone unturned. The result is a stunning personal luxury coupe that looks as if it just rolled out of the factory.

The 1965 Riviera is equipped with a 401-cubic-inch V8 engine, also known as the Wildcat 445 due to its impressive 445 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a three-speed Super Turbine automatic transmission, this classic powerhouse is a testament to Buick’s engineering of the 1960s. The Reyes family’s dedication extended to every aspect of the restoration, including the interior panels, which were redone to make the car feel brand new.

JJ’s ride with his father, captured by YouTuber Lou Costabile, shows the duo smiling from ear to ear as they share the fruits of their labor. Jaime, a self-proclaimed Buick fanatic who’s owned every model year from 1963 to 1985, finally got to experience being chauffeured in a car he helped rebuild—a proud moment for any gearhead father. With the project completed, the Reyes family is already planning their next classic car adventure, as Katie has her eyes set on a 1967 Riviera.

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