“This was one of the most radically modified cars among the Pirelli Great 8 and the extreme approach JF took in creating his Buick Riviera will inspire the next generation of custom car builders.In 2019, JF Launier arrived at the Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo with Anvil, a 1964 Pontiac Acadian. “I am so pleased to see a young car builder such as JF winning this year’s Ridler award.” said Pete Toundas, president and owner of Championship Auto Shows Inc. Launier also has been involved on the TV Show Overhaulin’ in six builds over a two-year period, where he became friends and gained a mentor in Chip Foose. His efforts have earned him much praise in the industry including the Chip Foose Design Excellence Award. The 38-year-old learned to fabricate at an early age and in 2001 began work on customers’ cars. JF Kustoms employs seven people and Launier expects his business to pick up even more with the Ridler honour. “It took six years to build this car so now I am looking to help chase someone else’s dream, I fulfilled mine,” said Launier. He vows it “will be the most abused Ridler car ever.” It will be on next year’s Hot Rod Power Tour and he has plans to participate in the Optima Street Car Challenge. Launier said the prized vehicle will not sit idle. The last Canadian who won the award was in 1988, making the win even sweeter. I like to proportion cars differently than other builders,” said Launier. I’ve been known for building really beautiful customs. When it came time to build the Riviera, I knew in my head what I had to do better. It didn’t discourage me from building another car. “I competed for the Ridler many years ago but didn’t win. Third time was the charm for Launier in the Ridler competition his previous two builds came away without hot rodding’s greatest honour but made it to the Great 8. I wave the flag pretty good and I am proud to be from Canada and doing this.” “We have to work through tons of problems because of where we are located but I choose to work through those. It is for the same reasons anyone else chooses to stay in the Okanagan,” said Launier. “I probably should be U.S.-based but I prefer to be here where I grew up. Ironically, the Ridler win makes him a Canadian taking honours for best hot rod in America. His shop, JF Kustoms, located in Osoyoos, has previously goneto Detroit and shown two Pirelli Great 8 contenders. The heavily breathed-on engine is connected to a Tremec six-speed manual transmission that sends the power to Pirelli tires.Īlthough he won’t say how much it cost him over the six years to create the award winning hot rod, some have estimated it to be $300,000. It’s powered by a modern Chevrolet LS 6.2-Liter V8 engine that develops over 850 horsepower, thanks in part to twin turbo chargers. Many might think Launier’s 1964 Riviera styling is traditional custom, but at a closer glance, it’s light-years ahead of the old genre. Launier then combined these different elements, which included a low-slung profile and stance, front fender vents and tight proportions, and created a rolling masterpiece that is aggressive yet beautiful with exquisite attention to detail and functionality. Launier started working on the vehicle six years ago and took inspiration this time around from the boat tail rear glass that was used on the 1971 Buick Riviera models and design cues from the 1963-1967 Corvette Stingray. The award presented by Chevrolet Performance in Cobo Center, right in the heart of Motor City during Autorama held March 7 to 9, wasn’t Launier’s first attempt to win it. “I wanted to do something different, and as the Buick came together during the build process, it sort of morphed into a two-seat sports car.” If I wanted to make a living for the next 20 years, I knew I’d have to build street machines,” said Launier. I didn’t want to do the traditional 1969 Camaro or 1955-1957 Chevys. There’s not enough of a market and it’s for an older generation. “I knew I was not going to continue my career building 1950s cars. “I don’t think I want to show it as much as I want to drive it and autocross it.”Īptly named Rivision, Launier’s creation is based on an original, yet highly modified 1964 Buick Riviera. “It took five years, 20,000 hours, blood, sweat, tears - lots of tears,” said Launier. Osoyoos man JF Launier and his highly customized 1964 Buick Riviera took home the coveted Ridler Award at the 2014 Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama.
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