Richard Rawlings and his team at Gas Monkey Garage are well-known for transforming old, forgotten vehicles into show-stopping custom builds. In one of their most impressive projects, they turned a rusted-out Buick Riviera into an automotive masterpiece that captured attention both on TV and at major car shows.
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This particular project began as a daunting challenge. The vehicle was far from pristine, showing severe signs of rust and age, but this didn’t deter Richard and his crew. Gas Monkey Garage has built a reputation for tackling seemingly hopeless cases, often referred to as "rust buckets," and turning them into dream machines. Their method involves stripping the car down to its bare bones and rebuilding it from the ground up with state-of-the-art modifications.
In the case of the Buick Riviera, Richard had his eyes set on creating a one-of-a-kind supercar, dubbed the "Battleship Buick." The goal was to take it to the prestigious SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show, a top-tier event in the automotive world. Gas Monkey Garage had to make the car stand out from the competition, requiring extensive custom work and creativity. Notably, they faced the challenge of cutting an inch off the car’s roof to give it a sleeker profile and adding a 6.2-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, elevating its performance to supercar levels.
The Gas Monkey team worked meticulously to achieve their vision, incorporating elements that preserved the car’s original character while introducing modern, high-performance features. Every step was documented for their hit TV show Fast N' Loud, adding drama to the build as they raced against the clock to get the car ready for SEMA.
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Richard Rawlings has often shared his passion for turning rusted cars into award-worthy customs, and this build was no exception. The Buick project highlighted the crew’s knack for blending classic car culture with contemporary design. It also drew the interest of other custom car builders, such as Ridler Award-winner J.F. Launier, who issued a friendly challenge to Richard: a Buick Riviera showdown between his own custom creation, the “Rivision,” and Gas Monkey’s Battleship Buick. Launier’s Riviera had its own remarkable transformation, going from a $400 rusted car to a $1.6 million custom ride, making the competition between these two highly anticipated.
Ultimately, Richard’s vision for the Battleship Buick paid off, and the car’s debut at SEMA wowed audiences. Fans of Fast N’ Loud tuned in to see how Gas Monkey Garage had pulled off such an incredible feat. The project not only underscored the shop’s technical expertise but also reminded viewers why Richard Rawlings and his team continue to be a driving force in the world of custom car builds.
As with many Gas Monkey projects, the transformation of the Buick Riviera was as much about preserving automotive history as it was about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. For Richard and his team, each rust bucket represents an opportunity to breathe new life into a forgotten piece of history and turn it into a rolling work of art.
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