Every generation of Buick’s unmistakable Riviera brings high style and luxury. This 1966 Buick Riviera in Las Vegas, Nevada represents the debut of the flagship two-door luxury coupe’s second generation. The headlights, visible here, hide behind a handsome horizontal slat grille when fully sorted. What sounds like a two-owner classic comes with a rebuilt powertrain in the form of a 5000 mile 425 nailhead spinning a five-mile transmission. Three years into the restoration, the owner offers the double-black classic here on Craigslist where $12,000 buys the incomplete but fully-assembled project. Thanks to reader MattR for spotting this partially-restored Riviera.
Desert dust, faded materials, and tears aside, the elegant design of this Riviera’s cockpit stands out, with plentiful bright-work contrasting the tuxedo black. Following the landmark 1965 Riviera no-doubt felt less daunting before the outgoing first-gen Riviera earned accolades like ranking among the most beautiful cars of the 20th Century. The second generation Riviera saw three significant grille designs through its 1970 finale, each with its own fans and detractors. The ’67 and similar ’68 deliver a futuristic concept-car look.
With no running or driving description, assume work remains before this Buick can move under its own power, but it looks fairly complete under the hood. Even the air conditioning compressor wears belts. Mention of the “original pink slip” suggests buyers should confirm that the seller isn’t trying to “skip” the title, which would be 100% illegal in most if not all states. Perhaps this is not the case, and the original title simply amounts to a paper souvenir to augment the car’s history. Always make sure you’re buying a car from the person named on the title.
The graceful curved rear echos the clean lines of the front, pausing only to frame the license plate. The world’s most elegant and powerful motor yachts call Cannes and Monaco in the French Riviera home, and even before the 1971 Buick Riviera’s full-on boat-tail, comparisons to luxury watercraft compliment this ’66. What’s your favorite second-gen Riviera?
This is the exact car, color and all that pops in my head at the mention of Buick Riviera.
I had a 72 boat tail in 76 so that’s my go to reference point… 455 passed everything but a gas station… Guy in my area turned one of these into a road racer, carbon fiber hood and trunk, oversized rims… Can out handle a Ferrari… 66s are a cool style…
I wonder what a “five-mile transmission” was. I guess it is a rebuilt transmission with 5 thousand miles on it?
The headlights don’t hide behind the grille, they hide above it, under the leading edge of the hood. It’s one of the most interesting details about this generation of RIviera.
I had a ‘beater’ ‘66 over 40 years ago, loved it. When the headlights revolved after starting the car, it sounded like the front bumper fell off.
This ones a beauty, and OPG is offering resto parts now…
I remember when the ’66 Riviera was introduced, I thought it was the most beautiful car I’d ever seen.
I still think the 66-67 Rivs are! Had one of each at diff times and should have kept the 67 Calif one that just needed paint!
Steve Clinton – It IS the most beautiful car you’ve ever seen.
Had a 66 GS in 1969. One of the best cars I’ve ever owned.
Beautiful cars Glenn. I can only dream of how nice it must have been motoring around in such a great car. All the torque , the GS had a little more gear as std. 3.23 v 3.07. Both perfect for a cruiser. Buick really put together a fantastic package w the Riv.
I was looking at the pics on Craigslist…there’s a pic of the motor, on a stand. Is it just me,…or is the intake on backwards, or is that how they came from the factory? IDK…Nice car…good highway cruiser
Yep, I noticed that detail too Mike. even though the Photo of the motor installed it’s On Correct.
Must have been a Hasty Move for the Camera.?
My opinion is always based on if the car is actually what you think it is, and the only real way to know that is in person. If that is the case, I think this would be an excellent car to invest ,time and money in. They are a gorgeous car and you can make it be what ever you want. A full blown restoration or some semblance of a Resto-Mod, and have a car that you love and you are not buried in it.
This generation of Riveria was in my opinion one of the best looking Riverias produced. My preference is the 1966-1967 Riveria, the 1971-1972 boatatiled Riverias and the classic 1964. The 1966 Riveria still looks current even though 56 years have passed since they first came off the line.This a true classic in every sense of the word. Amazing isn’t it that for the US market Buick no longer offers passenger cars & 2 of the SUV are from overseas. I think that the Enclave though is produced in Canada
Yeah. They should have put Buick in the gas chamber, not Pontiac. Why would anyone go to a Buick dealer today unless they were stupid. I remember the 66 Riv new. Yeah things were not great as our boys were getting blown to bits in Vietnam, but we made the best cars.
One major drawback to the ’66 Riv was it did not have disc brakes, also, the real collectable was the GS. Also need to get under this before doing anything at all. All of the Full size GM sedans had the tendency toward for frame rust.
The future was many yesterdays ago.
The 65 Riv is a better looking car
Much meaner face
Boat tails are also awesome
Wish they would produce a modern version in the likes of the new Challengers
I love any Riviera from 1963 through 1976, but even more so, the boat tail. That being said, this style is really high on the list too! Being from Nevada, I suspect it is probably very solid.
I do feel GM should have kept Pontiac, along with Buick. I am not stupid, and I would buy a new Buick if I had the need for one of their products. Some people here can take their condescending attitudes and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine.