The 1966 model year marked a fresh look for the Buick Riviera GS, but it also signaled a noticeable increase in overall weight. However, if a buyer was knowledgeable enough to order their Riviera with the optional Dual Quad Power Pack, they clawed back any performance losses due to this weight increase. Very few buyers made that choice, which makes this car a rarity. It is located in Lakeland, Florida, and the owner has listed the Riviera for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at $18,100, but the reserve is yet to be met.
The Riviera has recently come out of a private collection, and it has been garage-kept for its whole life. It is a thing of beauty, with paint that shines magnificently. That brings me to one aspect of the car that is a bit of a head-scratcher. I can’t remember ever seeing a ’66 Riviera in this color, so I went searching through several different resources to confirm the shade. It appears that it is a color called Sunset Silver, but Buick did not offer this until the 1969 model year. That means that the car was either some form of a custom order or that it has received a color change at some point. A quick check of the Trig Tag should help to clarify this. However, if I am wrong, I am happy to be corrected by our knowledgeable readers. The panels are laser straight, and the wide assortment of photos that the owner supplies indicate that this is a rust-free classic. The original owner ordered the Riviera with tinted glass, and this all appears to be in excellent condition. The trim and chrome shine as beautifully as the paint, while the wheels show no evidence of stains, deterioration, or damage.
The Riviera’s interior presents superbly, with all the hallmarks of a classic that has been treated with respect. It is upholstered in black vinyl, and apart from some slight stretching on the driver’s seat base, it appears to be perfect. The carpet is free of fading and significant wear, but its fit in the rear passenger compartment is a bit rough. This issue should be easy to fix, and given how spotless the rest of the vehicle is, it will give the buyer something to tinker with in their workshop. The dash and pad appear to be perfect, and there is no evidence of wear on the wheel. Life behind the wheel of the Buick is likely to be anything but unpleasant because it does come nicely equipped. The original owner ordered the car with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, an AM/FM radio with a power antenna, and a tilt wheel.
The standard engine in the 1966 Riviera was the 425ci V8 that produced 340hp. However, with the ’66 GS copping a weight increase of nearly 200lbs, the performance took a bit of a hit. Potential buyers who were “in the know” had some options available that clawed back those losses. There were two distinct “Dual Quad” induction setups available. One was a dealer-fitted product, while the other could be ordered directly from Buick. Differentiating between the two is pretty straightforward. The dealer-fitted cars wore the standard “MW” engine code, while those that rolled off the production line with Dual Quads had an “MZ” code. It was also a rare choice for the buyer to make, as only 179 were ordered during 1966. The company quoted a power figure of 360hp for these upgraded engines, but as with so many figures from this period, that number is believed to be conservative. This Riviera is a numbers-matching car that features its factory “MZ” engine, a 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. It should be capable of covering the ¼ mile in around 15.5 seconds, and while that isn’t muscle car territory, it is still pretty reasonable for what is essentially a luxury tourer. The listing shows an odometer reading of 505 miles, and the glimpse that we get of the odometer itself confirms that. However, I suspect that it has probably rolled over at some point. The engine bay presents beautifully, but the owner doesn’t indicate how well the car runs or drives. If appearances count for anything, it should perform both tasks well.
This 1966 Buick Riviera GS is a classic car that appears ready to be driven and enjoyed by a lucky new owner. The bidding hasn’t reached the reserve, and I would like to know what this has been set at. I have found the car listed on several other sites, and those have a price of $51,500. That sort of figure places is it right at the very top end of what you might expect to pay for a flawless ’66 GS, and while this one isn’t completely flawless, it isn’t far off it. However, the rare engine option might tip the scales in its favor for the right potential buyer. If this is a car that interests you, watching the auction could be a wise move. If the reserve comes off below $51,500, you might be able to save a few dollars on your next classic buy.
The seller is a flipper that’s been selling cars from Lakeland for some years now. I’ve not heard one word or the other about the cars he sells but given he knows what he’s doing, don’t expect a bargain buy, and also buyers be wary of ‘window dressings’ to make the car present nicely but could also mask real flaws, so an in-person inspection is a must here.
For example, if you look at the dashboard photos some was in there tinkering and forgot to tighten up at least two of the screws which connect the dash garnish to the underside of the top cover. Could have happened 20 years ago but unlikely given the level of detailing this car was given for sale prep. The garnish must have been taken out after detailing, for whatever reason, otherwise why wouldn’t the detailer have grabbed a driver and tightened them all the way up.
THey were in a hurry when they “adjusted” the mileage. Old car dealer trick.
Listed on their site for $51,500. I do not think the reserve will be met if it is any where close to this ask,
http://WWW.PRIMOCLASSICSLLC.COM
Plenty of nice looking cars, but most are priced way above what I would pay.
He bought it at a Mecum auction in January for $25K. He seeks to double his money. https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0121-442755/1966-buick-riviera-gs/
Great find and a beautiful car. Love the color and lack of the vent windows. I wonder what the gas mileage is for this big boy?
Why does a dual carb engine have a single air cleaner stud in the middle?
I was also skeptical but that is indeed the dual quad nailhead air cleaner. easy to look up and verify.
I had one with a console shifter and single carb, but I left it at my parent’s house when I went out on my own and wasn’t able to retrieve it.
Worse, I’d pulled the console and shifter to do some work on the car and left them in the basement, and I think they threw them in the trash.
This is not a factory dual quad. Look at the engine code, it is MT ( single carb 425) that was stamped over poorly to the correct MZ ( factory dual carb 425) if it was factory installed. The price is much higher for a factory installed and properly coded engine. I say shame in this dealer. I have several of these cars and have never seen the block re-stamped like this.
Looks like Steve could be correct.The “Z” appears to have been created using a straight punch or a sans-serif “I” punch using the top of the “T” as the top horizontal bar of the “Z”. The diagonal portion of the “Z” also extends beyond the letter character. Mistake at the factory–guy on the line grabbed the wrong punch or not-quite-perfect red-strike?
You are correct Steve. A lot of discussion about this car on the ROA forums. The engine has been poorly re-stamped.
I believe that might be a VERY ” buyer beware ” Lakeland dealer, a friend of mine bought a similar vintage Suburban from a Lakeland dealer several years back and was overwhelmingly disappointed when it got delivered. The reality of what he received was very far from the beautiful vehicle in the photographs. For a number of years, there have been one or maybe two dealers out of Lakeland but seem to find absolutely spectacular cars and the photography is always stellar. After the story I heard from my buddy, I always disregard their offerings and would never consider buying something without getting down there to see it first.
Thwy have been trying to move this one for a while. Strange that it seems that I’ve seen a Riviera in this color in the past but as you say, I can’t locate it in any of the books. A little too light to be Chevy 65 only Evening Orchid, maybe a custom blend of that with a couple of drops of silver.
Whatever it is, I like it and think that it looks great on this 66. While a gorgeous car that appears to be very nice, $50K is more than all of the money on this one, evidenced by the lack of market interest.
Even though it looks a little light to be 65 Chevy Evening Orchid/Pontiac Iris Mist, I still think it might be. The pictures were taken in bright (Florida) sunshine, and on light colored pavers, which might be making it look lighter?
In the 60’s and 70’s, it was pretty easy to order a GM car in a non stock color, especially on higher end models like Corvettes, Buicks & Cadillacs. If it was a GM color already used on other models or in other years, helped too, but all you really needed was a dealer willing to do the paperwork. It would be nice to see what the trim tag shows as a paint code.
My first thought was “Evening Orchid” as well. Does anybody know if Buick had a special-order color process like Cadillac?
It could also be 1966 Buick Saddle Mist with a bad mix, or as seen through the camera.
Looks like incorrect black wiper frames – needs the silver ones for not a lot more money. I seen some movies in the last 30 yrs that “recreate” the 60’s & ’70s using cars with incorrect modern black wiper frame replacements.
Otherwise, a beautiful car. Too bad the ’68 did not keep that front end because it gained hidden wipers.
Oddly the only/1st(?) car in ’67 to get hidden wipers was the big Grand Prix.
The ’67 also had different front turn signal covers. I got one with my ’66 as a package deal, but my ’67 had a split bench, column shift, and what appeared to be dealer-option head rests.
Is been repainted, at least some of it, as the door light switch has been painted over , so without looking at the body tag (if thats original) who knows what color it was. I did read in Hemmings years ago that a guy restored a Riv that was painted in a Caddy color . A wealthy businessman originally special ordered it to get it in a non Buick color. It took a little longer to get it, but it could be done.
It was a 1965 and it was a Cadillac color called Samoan Bronze.
My favorite year’s for Rivera’s are 66-69,they just ooze style!,and class, I want one,but will never pay that much,don’t need a rare dual quad engine that gets 6 mpg!,the single one at 10 is good enough.
Yes. Once the word got out this could be a fake clone, no one is going to bid much more than $30K on this car. Even if it WERE authentic, its reputation is shot. But regardless, it is still a solid $30K car I guess.
That color appears to be a stock 1965 GM color as it was most commonly seen on Impalas, Malibus and Lemans/GTOs but It was probably available across the GM lineup. It is a rare color and a 1965 GTO in this color brings top bucks. I cannot now remember what it was called on the GTO, or other GM models but each separate manufacturer, ie. Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac, may have had different names for it. I always found it most beautiful with parchment interior. Would love to have any 1965 GM two door hardtop in that color combination today.
Thanks to Steve for his keen observation and sharing of knowledge pointing out the overstamp on the block. I’ve always admired 66 – 69 Rivs and someone like myself could be ignorant enough to believe the dual quads were factory. I learn a lot from the commentary on this siite.
I always thought I know a lot about cars, but I am absolutely IN AWE about the knowledge shown here. WOW! Thanx for the enlightenment guys, it´s simply super.
Pontiac called that color Iris Mist!
MT is actually a 401 code. And 1964 and 1966 Rivieras did not have a 401 option. MW is the 425 4bbl code.
Pontiac called the color Iris Mist. Buick 4bbl carbs from the 1960s nailheads included the Rochester 4BC, the Carter AFB and exclusive to the 1966 Riviera GS (and maybe Wildcat GS, not sure) was the Rochester Quadrajet.
The 1966 Skylark GS still used the AFB, like other non-GS cars. On a 1967 Pontiac, the Quadrajet was actually a better performer than the 3-2bbl setup, and up through 70mph or so, better than the GS 2-4bbl setup.
I have owned cars with all the singe carb combinations on Buicks. I find the AFB easiest to work on. The 4GC gets best mpg (comparing it with AFBs on the same car) And the Quadrajet the best performing, but hardest to work on.
Yeah, the 2-4bbl setup is sexy (and first available on 1964 Rivieras, also on NON-GS 1965 Rivieras) but give me a 1966 425 with a Quadrajet any day!
At least this car has the proper dent in the driver’s side valve cover, unique to 1966.
My 66 riv had the sleek 3 wood compartment console with the sleek chrome and wood shifter. Under dash it said ac delco in stero. The air cleaner said wildcat 465 because that was the amount of foot lbs of torque the engine produced. Parents wouldn’t let me keep at house for awhile when I moved out at 18. Makes me sick too this day.