Riviera Stuff FAQ

[cdennisg]

[alman72]

there were not small westy pop tops? even on splits?

[cdennisg]

[notchboy]

Well as usual, a couple of crumbs and no meat.
_________________

[KentABQ]

Does anyone have an old Riviera pop top tent they don't need?

I've purchased Sunbrella fabric to make a replacement top for mine, and need an old one to make a pattern from.

While I'm at it, if there's any interest, I can make patterns for other Riviera owners who want to make their own top.
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[cdennisg]

[KentABQ]

Thanks cdennisg...
Yes, I've seen that thread. And Andrewtf was kind enough to pm me with his sources.

However, I'd like to make my own and make some modifications. I built my own cabinetry, replaced flooring, and recovered the bench myself. It's a DIY obsession.

_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[airschooled]

Kent, I see an empty fire extinguisher holster where either a fire extinguisher or bottle opener should be……

Text me tomorrow; my client in NH is thinking about replacing her late Rivi canvas, and I bet she'd send the old one over if you asked nicely.

Robbie
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[KentABQ]

[cdennisg]

[Clementine79]

I'm interested to see the end results too, we are hopefully going to replace ours when time allows.

[KentABQ]

That's good to know others are interested in doing the same thing.
So I'll take pics and make patterns of the process and share it here.
Still hoping to find an old one to use, though, so I can still use mine until the new one is ready to install.

Florida State Parks are opening up for camping this week!
Next week I'll be camping and kayaking near the beach north of Daytona.
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[cdennisg]

[KentABQ]

I'm finally getting ready to remove the original canvas from Chloe, and start the process of making a new one.

However, here's a question for the long-time Riviera owners:
How is the plywood frame (see the pic below) attached to the fiberglass top?

One side of my frame has come loose from the top, which makes me nervous since it's where the one of the four hooks keep the top down while driving.

And if anyone has experience in making their own tent, I'd like to hear how it went. I'm making it out of Sunbrella fabric, so it will not be as stiff as the English yellow raincoat (as WilliamM calls it )

Since this will be a winter-time project for me, I plan on taking my time, take lots of pictures, and maybe making patterns for other Sambanistas to use if they want to make their own.
The best part of The Samba is the sharing of knowledge, and it's about time I start to give back.
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[andrewtf]

Kent -

I'll find a photo later at home (being the office cleaning crew and accountant today) but the wood strips are fiberglassed into the top. They are screwed to some small wood blocks at the ends and center (made of 1x material - and the strips are screwed to the edge of the 1x) and fiberglassed into the top itself.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=709845&highlight=

Look at Emma's thread (above) for restoring a pop top - you can see photos of this.
I think it will help answer your question.
_________________
'75 Riviera - 'BIG EMMA' (Pan American highway trip paused for a make over)
'77 Riviera - Murphy' (being reborn.... slowly)
'63 Austin Healey

[KentABQ]

Thanks Andrew!
That's exactly what I was looking for. I didn't realize the ceiling needed to come off too.
Better to find out now than when I get deep into the project.

It was good of you and Exceptional Emma to document and post your work.
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[Marya]

[VWAdam]

Did Riviera make Campers from Panels?
My grandfather bought this ‘68 a while back. There’s not much of the interior left but the windows, the top and what’s left are making me lean toward Riviera?
Anyone have any insight? I know the pictures aren’t great but he has it in the corner of his shop at the moment.

_________________
All he needed was a wheel in his hand and four on the road.

'59 Euro Beetle ragtop
'63 Standard Microbus

Come to my show! www.volksjam.com

Looking for badge/sticker/frame from Western Motors in Great Falls, Montana

[cdennisg]

They certainly did in the split window era, so I suppose it isn't a stretch to think they would have used them in later builds.

I have seen that exact window and pop top setup used for a 1968 Road Runner conversion. We will need to see more photos, especially any tags and the interior details to be sure.
_________________
nothing

[VWAdam]