The term “rust bucket” applied to an automobile is not exactly a complementary description as it usually denotes an old car that is disintegrating away. As of late though, rust that has developed and spread in an organized or controlled fashion has become a styling cue. And that is the calling card for this ’66 Buick Riviera GS, located in Monroeville, New Jersey and available here on eBay for a BIN price of $9,400. There is a make an offer option too. Thanks to local_sheriff for this tip!
A ’60s Buick Riviera is always a nice find and this example, existentially, is no exception as it has had major mechanical improvements performed. The seller refers to this Riviera as, “car was completely gone over except paint…” That “gone over” terminology is a pet peeve when it stands alone but credit is due to the seller for his detailed elaboration.
Under the hood is the original 340 gross HP, 425 CI V8 engine. This motor, however, has seen significant improvements including, “Block and heads cooked, bored .030 over pistons, rings, cam, lifters, rod, and main bearings @ Standard, TA Performance Cam, lifters and springs, (see spec. sheet) Timing set, valve job, etc..” But wait, there’s more including, “Reconditioned or replaced, engine, and engine bay components, New copper radiator, all hoses, water pump, fuel pump, Holley 600 CFM carburetor. New mufflers, with remote controlled electric cutouts”. There is no estimation of the performance improvements in terms of HP gain but it is hard to imagine that it wouldn’t be measurable. The Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission has been serviced and additional mechanical upgrades include a new master and wheel cylinders, hoses, custom made copper alloy brake, fuel, and trans. lines and wheel bearings. Finally, the seller adds, that this Riviera is on the road and runs great!
As for the interior, there is less detail provided but the seller states that he has replaced the headliner, reworked the power windows, replaced the door seals and serviced the A/C system with at least a new dryer. The upholstery, dash and instrument panel all appear to be in great shape. He does state that the radio is non-working and the carpet needs to be replaced.
As for the exterior, the seller advises that he took care to not disturb the patina. Actually, it looks manufactured, I have never seen a vehicle patina itself in such a uniform fashion. I’m not suggesting that it is impossible, it just seems very “unusual”. There appears to be rust in the lower quarters but the contrast is not sharp enough to know for sure. The stainless steel trim appears to be all in place and it is in nice shape. The seller mentions that he has reconditioned the retracting headlights. The wide whitewall tires seem incongruous but it’s a matter of preference – the seller advises that they should be replaced.
Here’s where the confusion sets in, is this image of our subject Riviera before the rust-o-rama set in? In this photo, there is a definite dark primer finish adorning the big Riv’s flanks, and if that’s the case, then the patina wasn’t exactly preserved, it would have been applied after the fact. A “Rat Rod for the road” as the seller suggests? Maybe in this earlier case but that seems to be no longer the case as this Buick now misses that mark – it’s too intrinsically nice a car other than its current exterior coating. What do you think, get over it and deal with it as is or start looking at some paint swatches?
The Riviera in the last picture has a chopped top and shaved door handles, a different car.
Drive it this summer, then paint this winter. This car deserves to be painted.
Big_Fun:
Good catch, puzzling as to why it is even included in the listing.
JO
Maybe he wants to show you what look he was imitating with the wide whites. Or maybe what the car in the auction could look like with new paint.
Yep and No wheel mouldings, painted bumpers different wheels, dropped body etc.
IMO the very best-looking Buick ever made and if its GS heritage can be identified it’d be even more desirable. We can still see remnants of the horizontal pinstripe but its patina is definately manipulated. Why anyone would lay down so much effort for only to end up with a boneyard-looking Riv is beyond my understanding…
Still with all the work done here, its GS heritage and apparently good bones it could be someone’s easy project. I’d be tempted to discuss the price with seller if it wasn’t for two ’64 GM fullsizers already occupying my space (and time) – it would definately NOT have a patina finish in my ownership
A hundred thumbs up to you local_sheiff! My feelings exactly. You and I have the same tastes in automobiles. I wish I had the space and money for this one. It would look good parked next to my 66 Grand Prix that I’m finishing up. And it would certainly get a full blown repaint since that’s what I did for a living. Keep submitting your finds. I always look forward to yours.
Thanks for your kind words – with the kind of wheels we have in our garages we should consider ourselves fortunate and don’t sob about what we DON’T have. Others aren’t and since we can’t have it all I’m hoping someone else on BF will see the potential in ‘my’ finds.
I strive to locate cars not exceeding 10k(or at least will sell around that $ with some good ol’ haggling!) simply because it’s in that range average DIY Janes and Joes can afford. I think there still are PLENTY of great cars at that kind of $ around if one is willing to tackle some work and look for alternative ‘corporate cousins’ models
Looks like something a down on his luck pimp would drive.
Awesome looking car! I’ve always loved the 1966 Buick Riviera. I don’t mind patina as long as it’s only surface rust, and there are no holes or weakness in the metal.
A neighbor had one. Dark blue with black interior, floor shift with those comfortable buckets. I got to drive it a few times and fell in love with it. Several years later, I stopped in for a visit and asked about it. Joni told me she had it parked in the garage for about 10 years and then sold it to some guy that just happened to be driving by when the garage door was open. Another missed opportunity on my part. Was a great ride to say the least!
Very vool but I’d have to have it painted. But then picking a color would be tough…great look though..
The interior looks good in this car but I agree with everyone else here!! Paint the car!! The color looks like duel rust and does nothing for the body lines of a car that is all about body lines!! I still prefer the 65 though!!
If we look closer it seems to originally have been either Burgundy Mist (paint code N) or Riviera Plum ( paint code U), meaning it would have started life looking something like this:
https://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=279603&country=us
Not my favorite colors for ’66 however way better than rust!
Back in 1985 a friend of mine bought a 1966 Electra 2 door with the same “patina”. It was covered with surface rust EVERYWHERE! It had a perfect b lb ack interior, a black vinyl top, fender skirts, and you could see in the door jambs it had been white in the past lol.
My buddy paid $20.00 for it. We were young, stupid kids (reminds me, today is his birthday…I should call him) and we had a great time beating the snot out of that car. He should have kept it.