A TENACIOUS mechanic has converted a $400 rust bucket into America’s best custom car. JF Launier, 39, spent 22,000 hours and $300,000 pimping out a 1964 Buick Riveria – even remortgaging his parents’ house as well as his own to finance the project.
image/text credit: Barcroft Cars
But the risk paid off when the finished article – named Rivision – won the Ridler award for America’s most creative and innovative custom car at the 2014 Detroit Autorama. Its value has also jumped with Mr Launier estimating it to be worth at least $1.65m in man-hours alone. Mr Launier runs JF Kustoms in Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada.
The project took so long to finish due to some financial issues but all his effort paid off after bagging the Ridler award for America’s most creative and innovative custom car at the 2014 Detroit Autorama. Its value has also jumped with Mr Launier estimating it to be worth at least $1.65m in man-hours alone.
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The car was shortened by removing sheet metal behind the doors and rear-wheel openings.The front-wheel openings were moved forward to make space for a 6.2 litre twin turbo-charged Chevrolet V8 engine.The exterior of the car was finished in school bus yellow, and the interior is a rich chocolate brown.
