My Winter Car - The Corris Rivett Guide: How To Build A Car While Losing Your Mind

Guide
Written By NLM Team

If you are tired of staring at the same four walls of your apartment, it is time to buy a pile of scrap metal and call it a project.

I have spent way too much time driving snow to tell you that life in the Peräjärvi region is miserable without a reasonable car. The Corris Rivett is your ticket to freedom, rally sprints, and the inevitable frustration of a 2.0L SOHC engine that refuses to cooperate. It is based on the Ford Taunus TC, which means it has that classic rear-wheel drive charm and just enough torque to get you into trouble on the ice. But before you can go flying off a cliff in a blaze of glory, you actually have to find the damn thing and put it together.

Finding The Seller: Mr. Flatbeds And Firewood

The project car is not just handed to you on a silver platter because that would be too easy for a game that hates you. You have to buy the shell from Reijo Livaloinen, the local firewood guy who lives near the old drop-off spot from the summer days.

Making The Call

First, do not just drive over there and expect him to be waiting with a smile. You need to use the phone in your apartment to call 08 609 553. This part is vital: you must listen to the entire conversation and wait for him to stop rambling before he hangs up. If you cut him off early, the "Car for Sale" pin will not show up on your map and you will have wasted your time. Once the pin appears, head over during the day. If you show up at night, he will be unavailable, and you will just be standing in the dark like a weirdo.

The 500 MK Investment

When you arrive, you will see the shell sitting outside his house with a white shed. Walk up to Reijo, listen to his pitch, and hand over 500 mk. For that price, you get a bare, disassembled frame and about a dozen random loose parts to get you started. It is a fucking steal for a project car, assuming you do not count the hundreds of hours of manual labor you are about to put into it.

Sourcing Your Parts: The Hunt For Scrap

You cannot just buy a completed car and call it a day. The Rivett has over 100 parts, and you are going to have to hunt them down across the map like a scavenger.

THE RIVETT PART SOURCING GUIDE

Don't wander aimlessly. Here is where you actually get the components to make this heap move.

SOURCE KEY PARTS AVAILABLE
AMIS Catalogue Exhaust system, Radiator, Fuel tank, Springs, and Shock absorbers.
Fleetari’s Shop Engine internals (Pistons, Crankshaft), Clutch, Alternator, and Head gaskets.
Classifieds Magazine Random parts and upgrades. Grab the magazine at the PSK gas station.

The AMIS catalogue is found in your parents' garage, while the Classifieds magazine is something you have to pick up at the PSK station. Ordering from the magazine is its own ordeal. You have to call the number listed, wait for the person to disconnect, and then wait about 40 to 200 real-world minutes for the notice to appear in your mailbox. Once you have it, go back to PSK and pay at the counter to finally get your hands on your parts.

The Build Checklist: Don't Forget The Small Stuff

Building the Rivett is a massive job that covers everything from the suspension to the electrical wiring. I recommend starting with the chassis and suspension so you actually have something to bolt the engine to.

Critical Components

You will need to manage the winter-protection kits, which include the car heater and blower. In this game, those are not optional luxuries. If your heater doesn't work, you are going to have a very bad time once the temperature drops. Also, keep an eye on your electrical circuitry. You need to wire up the battery terminals, alternator, and starter correctly or the only thing that car will do is sit there and look sad.

Before You Turn The Key

Before you attempt a maiden voyage, make sure every single bolt is tightened. I have seen too many engines blow up because a piston wasn't secured or a coolant hose was loose. Fill all your fluids - oil, coolant, brake fluid, and fuel - and make sure your battery is fully charged. If you have done everything right, the 98 hp engine should roar to life, or at least cough enough to get you to the rally track.

The Path To Rally Glory

Once you have the Rivett running, you can finally stop doing errands for other people and start competing in the rally sprint or the ice track races. It is a heavy car with a 4-link rear suspension, so it handles differently than what you might be used to. It takes a lot of marks and even more patience to get it to its top speed of 220 km/h, but the feeling of finally driving something you built yourself is unmatched.

Just remember to keep an eye on your gauges. Whether you have the basic set or the 7000 RPM tachometer, ignoring your engine's health in the Finnish winter is a great way to end up dead in a ditch with a very expensive pile of scrap metal.

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NLM Team
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