This is how Dave Younger's Riviera came to us. It was transported from Los Angeles to our shop on a flatbed truck.

Here's the original 401 cubic inch Buick "nailhead" V8. It wasn't running when we got the car.

The interior was presentable, but not very sophisticated.

The interior had been redone at some time in its past but wasn't first class.

The frame, suspension and remainder of the underside weren't the best.

Once we started to some exploratory surgery, we discovered that past sins had been covered with thick layers of Bondo.

Good body work doesn't include laying on thick gobs of Bondo. This Riviera was full of it.

Bondo everywhere!!

Plastic filler is only supposed to be applied in a very thin coat and most of it gets sanded away. Not here!

We stripped out the old interior. Under the carpets we found plenty of rust through in the floorboards.

More rust through was found in the lower rockers and rear quarter panels.

Holy smokes!! The red paint sure covered up a lot of underlying problems.

A previously "pop-riveted" panel repair was made evident when we stripped all of the old paint and plastic filler off. We won't let it go like this.

The rear below the trunk opening looked like the car had been push started regularly. Plenty of bumper bruises are evident here. Again, covered up in Bondo and a cheap paint job.

Our plan included a chopped top. The bracing is to maintain integrity of the top while cutting the A-pillar posts.

David Wright carefully planned out the chop and measured everything many times before he made the first cut.

The moment of truth. It's hard to go back now.

Here's the two-inch cut out of one of the A-pillars.

The chop looks good already. The job isn't complete until the front vent windows and all of the other windows and their trim are chopped as well.

The front fenders are being bodyworked and put back into shape.

The entire floor was repaired and an application of Lizardskin is put on to deaden sound and provide thermal insulation.

The interior looks better already.

The rest of the body is metal worked, and primed. A lot of block sanding comes next. A black finish shows every little flaw, so it's got to be perfect.

It's starting to come together.

Armando's did the beautiful black leather interior.

This interior is a whole lot nicer than the one in the car when we got it.

Even the headliner is a work of art.

The door panels are beautiful with the black leather, the woodgrained inserts and the stainless steel mesh speaker grilles.

The dash is fantastic.

The glovebox.

The ashtray opens to reveal the VintageAir heater and air conditioning controls.

The trunk is finished in the same style as the interior and to the same high level of detail.

The GM LS2 engine is extremely powerful and its driveability is superb.

The hydraulically-assisted power brakes make for swift and sure stopping power.

A neat detail - the restored hood ornament.

The classic clamshell headlight doors open when the lights are turned on and close when they're turned off.

The chop looks perfect.

Sitting low on the bags, this car looks sinister.

What a beautiful profile.

It's hard to beat this pose.

Like it? Let us put one together for you, too!!