Keeping the streets of D.C. crime-free is not a job for the timid. Every day, men and women risk their own safety to preserve ours. Darrell Davis is among this order, serving as a D.C. Metropolitan Police officer with the Special Operations Division. When he’s not patrolling the city, you will most likely find him cruising in his 1965 Buick Riviera, a car that has taken him countless hours to set apart with details and styling that would have been unheard of in 1965.
He picked up his car in 2007 from an owner in Lewisburg, Pa. The Riviera was in respectable condition at the time, boasting a pearl white paint job with baby blue ghost flames, two four-barrel carburetors and the original 401 “nailhead” V-8 engine. About four months later, a tornado touched down in Davis’ neighborhood, accompanied by severe hail. The car, which was parked outside, bore the brunt of Mother Nature’s fury and emerged with various dents from the unexpected storm.
Davis regrouped and took the car to Waldorf Body & Fender in Waldorf, Md. Once the body work was completed and the paint was stripped, Davis decided to stick with white but opted for Cadillac’s version called “White Diamond.” The baby blue ghost flames were replaced with gold ghost flames.
| Specs box |
| » Engine: 401 “nailhead” V-8 |
| » Paint: White Diamond |
| » Wheels: Foose 20-inch |
| » Performance: Custom stainless radiator shroud, twin four-barrel carburetors, Edelbrock double-intake manifold, Air Ride suspension |
| » Interior: Custom suede leather upholstery, Pioneer sound system, Kenwood speakers, SAS Bazooka subwoofer |
| » Exterior: Custom third brake light |
Next, Davis concentrated his efforts on improving the interior. He took the car to Ace Upholstery in Mechanicsville, Md., which fitted suede and crocodile leather throughout the inside and trunk of the vehicle.
Davis ditched the factory wheels, taking a giant leap into the present with a set of Foose 20-inch wheels. The low profile of the car is courtesy of an Air Ride system that keeps it slammed for show occasions. Each wheel on the car is controlled by a separate switch, allowing Davis to carefully manipulate the car’s ride height.
To give the sound quality a push into the 21st century, Davis went to Mobile Security. There he bought a Pioneer sound system featuring Kenwood speakers and an SAS Bazooka subwoofer. The radio antenna is custom as well.
The engine work was no small feat. The 401, which features a custom stainless radiator shroud, purrs with the help of twin four-barrel carburetors and an Edelbrock double-intake manifold. The updated Flowmaster exhaust emits a unique bass tone.
Adding one last touch, Davis installed a third LED brake light beneath the rear window.
What do you drive? A 1965 Buick Riviera.
Why do you drive it? Growing up I always thought this body style between the years of 1963 to 1965 was cool.
What makes this car so special? I think the clamshell headlight covers set the car off, which only came in the 1963 to ’65 models. The lights were visible in the grille. Also, the car has great lines alongside the body, which for this style of Riviera was only available between 1963 through 1965.
What is your most memorable driving experience with this car? So far I would say driving on the boardwalk parade in Ocean City, Md. I’ve never gotten that many compliments from people as the car drove by alongside the ocean. People would give you the thumbs up, clap for you, holler out how nice your ride was because they hadn’t seen this style car in such along time, and then people would compliment the paint job, but as the car drove by then all of a sudden they would notice the ghost flames and jump up and run ahead of the car so they could take a better picture as the car passed by.
What was the first car you owned? My first car was a 1972 Chevy Impala.
What music are you currently listening to in your car? Blues, jazz and oldies.
And your first ticket? What was it for? I was ticketed for driving too close behind a police car. I would not go around him so he pulled over like he was stopping and then he pulled behind me and cited me with the notice of infraction.
