1966 Buick Riviera

Description

Buick's Riviera kept getting better in the 1960s, and the all-new 1966 Riv escalated the dramatic looks and backed it up with a thumping 425 cubic inch Nailhead V8. With a high-quality frame-on restoration that has earned it a cover shot on the Buick Club's publications, this is an awesome example of one of the era's under-appreciated pieces of luxury muscle.

It enjoyed a frame-on restoration in the late 1990s, along with a fresh coat of paint in 2006, making this one of the better-looking examples of the breed. Super-straight bodywork emphasizes traditional Riviera styling cues like the kick-up behind the doors and the hidden headlights, which are now part of an angular and sleek front end. You can see how the car evolved, as the roofline looks similar to the 1963-65 cars, while the quarters foreshadow the "boat-tail" Rivieras that would follow. Regardless, this is one great-looking car. All the panels are original to the car and having lived all its life in Oklahoma and Texas, you know that it has never been a victim of winter weather. The color is called Burgundy Mist and it suits the elegant coupe quite well, a little bit flashy but never ostentatious. Chrome is original and in remarkably good shape and the headlights that drop down from above the grille remain one of the coolest party tricks you'll see an old car perform.

The black interior is not only an executive-class way to travel, it's 100% original, right down to the carpets. That fact alone should tell you all you need to know about how well maintained this Riv really is. Just the right amount of wood and stainless accentuates the black leather seats and a full-length console not only looks elegant but also houses the horseshoe shifter that looks every bit as cool here as it does in lesser cars. The dashboard looks expansive, but all the gauges are right in front of you, using an aircraft-style rotating drum speedometer and a full array of auxiliary gauges. Factory A/C was recently serviced with a rebuilt compressor and Freeze12 refrigerant, so it's working like it should and other options include power windows, seat, and antenna, plus a tilt wheel. The original Sonomatic AM radio remains in the dash and the expansive trunk is fitted with a complete set of correct mats and a matching fifth wheel.

Buick's 425 cubic inch "Nailhead" V8 is a torque factory, moving the big coupe with the grace of a muscle car rather than a luxury coupe. It's impeccably smooth with just enough of a rumble from the dual exhaust to let folks know that there's some serious blasting powder under the hood. It's almost entirely original and with bright Dante Red paint on the block, you can tell that it has led an easy life. There are plenty of signs of correct routine maintenance, and recent work includes a rebuilt front suspension and steering, rebuilt brakes with finned aluminum drums, and a new heater core, so it's ready to cruise. The Dynaflow was gone, replaced by a rugged TH400 3-speed automatic and feeding the original rear end, which hangs on fresh coil springs. Five correct Buick Road Wheels were installed along the way and now sport 225/75/15 whitewall radials.

A gorgeous car with several show awards to its credit, plus some notoriety with the Buick club, this is an under-rated car with a ton of charisma. Call today!