TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:00 am

Empicollector wrote: arthurnugen wrote:

I would think they would all have the US import code for Seattle, but I'm not sure. Since this kits were made in Oregon that would make sense. I'm pretty sure my Riv has a US code, but it's been awhile since I checked the m-plate.
They were built on Buses that were already delivered to the US--most have a Portland UP or Seattle US entry code but could have a different entry code--Mine entered at San Francisco UF--Built in Vancouver WA--and sold at Carter VW in Seattle

#-o Of course, Portland! Now I really need to check my m-plate. :)

Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:48 pm

Weird, Checked my m-plate and my destination code is US. It was manufactured April 23, 1965.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:12 am

I have had my Riviera for about 12 years and did some research back in the mid-90s:
Riviera Motors Inc was the distributor for Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho. So they had control of all vehicles distributed in these States.
During the Mid 60s the factory Westy`s were very popular in the Western States and the Dealers could sell all they could get their hands on. As a
Distributor Riviera was required to buy and sell all models of VW buses not just Westy Campers, so Knute Quale, the owner, contacted ASI Inc
to make the conversion. They were a small mom and pop operation with a lot of flexibilty and used off the shelf RV/Mobilhome Products to convert the Buses.
In 1954 Wade Carter went to work for Riviera Motors, in Oregon, while attending College--Graduating in 56---and Knute helped him establish
his own Dealership in Seattle in 1960. So as Friends and Associates there were a lot of Buses imported to Seattle and then sent to ASI in Vancouver for the conversion. Most of the conversions were panels, but the conversions could be done on any Bus. On occasion they were done on Window Buses.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:19 am

Knute Quale...what a great name! :D Yeah, this sounds much like the information I've heard over the years on Rivieras. Except, I didn't realise RM handled distribution all the way up to Alaska. I suppose someone had to, I just didn't think it'd be a dealership in the Portland area.

So this makes me wonder...my bus was delivered into the port at Baltimore, MD but was converted to a Riviera camper. I can't figure out if the original owner bought the panel and then almost immediately headed west and had it converted...or was there something within VWoA that said "Okay, this dealership needs more panels, so we're gonna pack some on a truck and drive them across the country."

I wish I knew....

Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:24 am

NorCalRiviera wrote: Knute Quale...what a great name! :D Yeah, this sounds much like the information I've heard over the years on Rivieras. Except, I didn't realise RM handled distribution all the way up to Alaska. I suppose someone had to, I just didn't think it'd be a dealership in the Portland area.

So this makes me wonder...my bus was delivered into the port at Baltimore, MD but was converted to a Riviera camper. I can't figure out if the original owner bought the panel and then almost immediately headed west and had it converted...or was there something within VWoA that said "Okay, this dealership needs more panels, so we're gonna pack some on a truck and drive them across the country."

I wish I knew....

Yeah, if my name were Knute Quale, id probably be very rich and successful...but i dont think a "Knute Quale" would ever drive a crusty old bus :)

As a kid i recall my dad ordering a new chevy truck but he wanted the SWB, 4WD, red interior and the typical two tone color configuration to be reversed. The dealership found found ONE in the whole US network and had it shipped in. Im not sure how the other dealership was compensated, trade, new stock from GM, money?

Ive read where the demand for VWs was so high in the 60s and 70s that buyers were placed on a list and they didnt even get to to chose the color of the car! I wonder if dealerships elsewhere who had camper buyers but were unable to get westies could trade stock with Riviera?

In other words maybe they traded Riviera another panel plus cash for an equipped camper?

We know the destination codes for the busses but do we know of any sold through dealerships out east?

Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:35 am

arthurnugen wrote: Weird, Checked my m-plate and my destination code is US. It was manufactured April 23, 1965.

US means United States Seattle...

My code is the same. I have a 66 pearl white Riviera. Red back, grey front, I have stripped the wood and cleaned and insulated the whole thing. I love camping in it.
Cheers
A stop in Portland to see Martin DDB

Leaving for Burning Man this year. A bit loaded.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:03 am

NorCalRiviera wrote: I didn't realise RM handled distribution all the way up to Alaska. I suppose someone had to, I just didn't think it'd be a dealership in the Portland area.

Originally Riviera Motors was located in downtown Portland--and they set up the Distribution Center in Beaverton Or---Later on the moved their dealership to Beaverton,but not the same site as the Distribution Center

Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:40 am

Just in case anyone cares, here's a look at the Portland location now where Rivera Motors used to be.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:05 am

Ollie, cool bit of history! Annie, great pics! I don't remember from seeing your bus this summer, but does it have the long side window on the driver's side?

So it looks like the change from swing out cargo door windows to slider cargo door windows happened sometime in '66? Does anyone know when they started using wood vs the paneling cdennisg and I have in our '65s? Seems like natural wood would be more expensive and labor intensive (sanding, staining, etc.).

Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:59 pm

I don't think it was necessarily a change. Though that's an interesting theory if you can prove it. They actually starting doing the conversion, period, in '65 as I understand it. So if we can find as many '65 Rivieras as possible and check their windows, you might be onto something.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:44 pm

More Riviera pics I found in the gallery:

This one's a '66:

'65 Kombi based- Riviera:

'66:

'67:

'66:

Interesting '65:

Cool '65:

Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:50 pm

Something about the 65 with the pop top says not-Riviera to me. What I can see of the interior is all wrong. Sure, picture window, but all those windows were made by HEHR and it could just be a hack job.

Okay, so here's my challenge...anyone, find me a confirmed 65 Riviera with a picture window. I think we might be onto something with this whole crank vs. slider window thing!

Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:51 pm

NorCalRiviera wrote: Something about the 65 with the pop top says not-Riviera to me. What I can see of the interior is all wrong. Sure, picture window, but all those windows were made by HEHR and it could just be a hack job.

Okay, so here's my challenge...anyone, find me a confirmed 65 Riviera with a picture window. I think we might be onto something with this whole crank vs. slider window thing!

Beat me to it! :) Also, a confirmed '65 with wood vs. paneling.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:21 pm

Here is a 65 Riviera:

Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:31 pm

The last pic of the old gentleman with his Riviera is one of my favorite pics of all time.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:43 pm

Empicollector wrote: I have had my Riviera for about 12 years and did some research back in the mid-90s:
Riviera Motors Inc was the distributor for Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho. So they had control of all vehicles distributed in these States.
During the Mid 60s the factory Westy`s were very popular in the Western States and the Dealers could sell all they could get their hands on. As a
Distributor Riviera was required to buy and sell all models of VW buses not just Westy Campers, so Knute Quale, the owner, contacted ASI Inc
to make the conversion. They were a small mom and pop operation with a lot of flexibilty and used off the shelf RV/Mobilhome Products to convert the Buses.
In 1954 Wade Carter went to work for Riviera Motors, in Oregon, while attending College--Graduating in 56---and Knute helped him establish
his own Dealership in Seattle in 1960. So as Friends and Associates there were a lot of Buses imported to Seattle and then sent to ASI in Vancouver for the conversion. Most of the conversions were panels, but the conversions could be done on any Bus. On occasion they were done on Window Buses.

From what I've heard, in order to get your hands on a westy you had to sell a certain number of commercial vehicles. Riviera figured that since the westys went so fast and they had the commercials on site already...

Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:56 pm

arthurnugen wrote: Annie, great pics! I don't remember from seeing your bus this summer, but does it have the long side window on the driver's side?
.
Thank you, Her coming out party was Vintage Weekend, Shorline. Then I took the camper apart and redid the interior. I took her to Burning man and she did great. Now I am building a 1600 DP so I have a bit more power. I will have that in by christmas and then January I will replace the rear wheel wells and battery tray and do some other cosmetic repairs to the nose.
Yes she has the picture window on the drivers side.
Cheers[/img]

Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:15 pm

this bus was ordered to become a riviera.

can anyone else spot the special M-option that tells me this?
arthurnugen wrote: More Riviera pics I found in the gallery:

This one's a '66:

Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:45 pm

No upper vents, Panel, non walk thru...

Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:47 pm

I'm assuming it's visible in the pic and honestly, I haven't the foggiest!