57 Buick Peter Aquilina

 The Magazine Feature Story #18

 https://classiccarsworldwide.com.au

PETER AQUILINA'S 1957 BUICK SUPER RIVIERA 2 DOOR COUPE

“NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS.” PETER AQUILINA TALKS ABOUT HIS 1957 BUICK SUPER  RIVIERA 2 DOOR COUPE.  FROM A DIFFICULT RESTORATION TO HIS PRIDE AND JOY –            

“THE GANGSTER - A BUZZ TO DRIVE”

65 years old Peter (Aqua) Aquilina lives with his partner Julieanne in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Julieanne also shares his passion for cars. He says “I have loved cars from the day I was able to get behind a wheel. I fell in love with the car scene at the at the age of 17 when I was preparing myself to get behind the wheel of my own ride. My first normal car was an HQ Panel Van and my current car is a Ford Ranger Wildtrack. My first classic car was a HG Monaro. I now own a 1957 Buick Super Riviera 2 Door Coupe, Model 56R.” 

MR. EXCITED

Peter’s first contact with Mr, Excited (Glen Higginson) was through Facebook.  “How could I not get involved?” he says. “Glen’s passion for car enthusiasts, family and people from all walks of life drew me to his meetings, Cars & Coffee. Let’s not forget those words I’M EXCITED for it’s that which draws everyone to his events as it makes the event full of excitement. His attitude to everything he touches is contagious and it is evident in his effort to make everyone feel welcome. He is definitely a people’s person.”

1957 BUICK SUPER RIVIERA 2 DOOR COUPE – MODEL 56R

What led Peter to buying the Buick was his close friends advising him to stop work on a 1984 WB Caprice series 2 and get something no one else has. With that Peter purchased a Street Machine magazine back in 2003. He noticed the centrefold page was that of a 1957 Super two door coupe located in New Zealand which led Peter to wanting to own one. He says “what is special and unique about it is the style and rarity of the model. It made it a simple choice to own one.”

The hunt was on. Peter had a friend here in Australia who would go back and forth to the USA bringing cars over. He asked him to look for one but it had to be that particular model, a 56R. The Buick was purchased in California in August 2004 and it arrived in Australia in November 2004.  Things did not go according to plan as Peter explains. “I gave him the money to bring the car over but what I got was not what I expected and I was very disappointed. It was a real Fred Flinstone car with all the floors rusted out and under the bonnet was shabby. The motor wasn’t too good, the radiator would overheat, the transmission was no good and it would drive like a boat down the road. The only thing that was good on the vehicle was the spray job and interior which still remains as it was back in 2004. The vehicle has had the original spray job ceramic coated and the interior is as it was when it arrived here in 2004. Everything else has been changed. The condition of the car was not crackshot and that’s where the nightmare began.”

A DIFFICULT BUILD

Peter started the custom build on the Buick shortly after he purchased it and  the car soon earned a few nicknames. Firstly Nightmare, then Money Pit and now Gang (as displayed on the number plates) short for Gangster.  “It has robbed me of my savings to get it where it is today” says Peter half jokingly. “A few conversions were done by different parties but I had a lot of issues with them and had to look to others for help.”

“Darren Bycroft from Wallan helped me with the body work and engine bay. Anthony Buttigieg from Ravehall (Alltune Automotive) was also a great help. Both guys need to be credited for their workmanship in getting all the errors sorted out. If not for them the car would still be in storage. The Buick has undergone a major transformation from a car that looked good from the outside but drove and sounded like a truck to something that now sits on airbags and sounds the part.”

RESTORATION & MODIFICATIONS

The Buick now sits on air ride suspension (airbags all round) and is powered by a warm 400 Chev engine (previously 364) backed up with a turbo 400 with a stage 2 shift kit. It also has a two and a half inch flow craft.

The car runs a 2500 stall convertor plus a 750 Holley double pumper.    

Cooling is supplied and monitored by Davis Craig EWP^® /Fan Digital Controller which will manage the operation of your chosen EWP^® by varying the speed of your pump in response to coolant temperature and manage control of your electric Thermatic^® Fan. No need for a sperate thermal switch.

The radiator is a polished brass unit with Buick engraved on the top end which is the only thing which tells onlookers what the car is.

The car now has a mother of pearl steering wheel and a striking solid pewter gear knob in the shape of a skull.

It has hand made tail lights that light up in a three diamond tear, depending on light output such as brake indicator or tail light. The front bumper has had Harley Davidson headlights reversed into each end of the front bumpers.

The front disc brakes are BA discs with AU Calipers and the rear end has been converted to a 4 bar link system with Trutrac 9 inch centre.

Wheels all round consist of Boyd Coddington Harm rims. Front tyres size 245/40R18. Rear tyres size 275/35ZR20 98Y on Ford 9 inch fined drums.

The Buick has plenty of chrome bodywork and has customised French door handles and boot. All doors and boot operate by remote control.

The airbag system recognises when it is ready to rock and roll which activates the bags to automatically go to the correct ride height.

The colour is Pearl Green Black with lime and cream interior to match the green accents in the paint and pin stripping.

A BUZZ TO DRIVE

Peter enjoys driving the Buick and says “it’s a buzz to drive and hear all the comments from people passing by. It feels tough, especially after I did the engine swap from a 364 to a 400.”

“All our trips are memorable as we are meeting a lot of good people and making new friends along the way who all have the same passion.”           

 Most people ask Peter the make and model of the car so he had BUICK engraved into the top of the radiator so that he could pop the hood at all events when and where possible so that onlookers can see what it is whilst he and his partner can go and enjoy all the other rides on display.   

“I don’t belong to any car clubs at the moment and I have only just started attending car shows” says Peter. “I just love hanging out at Glen’s (Mr. Excited) and Rob Bellio’s (Kingpin’s events). The photographers need to be recognised for their passion and time they give up as they display the true beauty of the rides that turn up at the events. They are true lovers of all cars and the people associated with them.”

Peter concludes by saying “I show up at events because I want to share my car with other enthusiasts to let them see it and tell them not to give up on their dreams but to persevere as dreams do come true with the help, encouragement and backing of their partners.”

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