1966 · Buick · United States
1966 Buick Riviera: A Bigger Car, a Factory Dual-Quad
A longer, heavier new body on the same X-frame; 5,718 of 45,348 carried the GS option, and the dual-quad Super Wildcat went from dealer add-on to factory MZ engine in March 1966.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
The Riviera was redesigned for 1966, Wikipedia's own account states, with a longer, wider body about 200 pounds heavier, keeping the X-frame chassis and the 425-cubic-inch powertrain; the Gran Sport package carried over as an option. The Riviera Owners Association gives a fuller breakdown for the year: 45,348 Rivieras in total, including 5,718 with the GS option, 45,169 with the standard 340-horsepower 425 and 179 with the Super Wildcat dual-quad, which had been a dealer-installed option before March 1966, after which factory-built cars carried a distinct engine code of their own.1,2
This record's own conflicts section documents a disagreement over that total: 45,348 from the Owners Association against 45,308 from Wikipedia's own second-generation section, shown side by side without resolution. This record's own key facts section restates the GS share as 5,718 of 45,348 and the Super Wildcat factory-install count as 179, both drawn from the same Owners Association production rows.2,1
This record's own identification section carries the engine-code story behind that March 1966 change directly: MW covered the 425 with a single Quadrajet, the only factory engine before the switch, while MZ was stamped only after dual-quad induction became a factory option, covering the 179 factory-built cars; dealer-installed dual-quad conversions kept the MW code regardless of what carburetion they actually carried. The same section gives the year's VIN scheme, a Buick digit, a two-digit series code (94 for Riviera), a two-digit body code (87 for the two-door hardtop sport coupe), a year digit, a plant letter, and a six-digit production number, and it separately describes how a 1966 GS announces itself: large red block "GS" letters after the Riviera script on the front fenders, unique to 1966, "Riviera GS" lettering on the glove-box wood trim in what the source calls the last year of that interior marking, a chrome single-snorkel air cleaner, a BS-coded transmission, a 3.42 Positive Traction axle, and 8.45x15 whitewall or red-line tires.3,4
This record's own options section itemizes 45 entries, led by the A-9 Gran Sport High Performance Group itself, which bundled the 340-horsepower Wildcat 465 with a chrome-plated air cleaner and cast aluminum rocker covers, modified dual exhaust, a modified Super Turbine transmission, a ride-and-handling package, a 3.42 Positive Traction axle and 8.45x15 whitewall tires under one order code with no price given by the source. This record's own key facts section, drawn from a different Owners Association page, puts a price on that same package regardless, $176.82, along with an AM/FM stereo figure of $264.91 and an automatic climate control figure of $484.00 that do not appear as separate line items in the options section's own transcription, which instead prices the AM/FM stereo radio at $266.81 and lists no automatic climate control option at all. A vinyl top, this record's own options section notes separately, was chosen by 7.2 percent of 1966 buyers, a share rather than a count, and carries no price.5,6
This record's own paint table carries 15 colours from the Owners Association's 1966 chart, several marked Riviera-exclusive, Gunmetal, Gold, Riviera Red, Champagne, Plum, Riviera White and Riviera Silver Green among them; the chart's own note excludes seven further Buick codes as not available on the Riviera that year. Its interiors section carries 17 trims: five standard vinyl bench or bucket colours, four optional custom vinyl bucket colours, and eight further Strato bench choices split between cloth-and-vinyl and vinyl-only.7
This record's own specifications section carries seven 1966 figures from the Owners Association's weights-and-measures table: a 4,180-pound curb weight, a 119.0-inch wheelbase, front and rear track of 63.4 and 63.0 inches, a 211.2-inch overall length, a 78.8-inch width, a 53.4-inch height, and an 8.45x15 tire size. This record's own unpublished-leads section is empty for the year, and its own transmissions section carries no entries either, leaving the Super Turbine automatic described only through the A-9 package's own modified version.8
Fact sheet · 1966 · United States
The numbers
1966 Buick Riviera and Riviera GS — A longer, heavier new body on the same X-frame; 5,718 of 45,348 carried the GS option, and the dual-quad Super Wildcat went from dealer add-on to factory MZ engine in March 1966.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera (49487), all2,1,3 Riviera incl. GS · 2-door hardtop · not stated by source 45,348 vs 45,308; see conflicts. TeamBuick prints 45,348 as well (years/66.php). | Unknown | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera GS option2 Riviera GS · 2-door hardtop · 425 · automatic · not stated by source | 5,718 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera with 425 V-8 (340 hp)2 Riviera · 2-door hardtop · 425 V-8 4-bbl · automatic · not stated by source | 45,169 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Riviera with Super Wildcat 425 (360 hp)2 Riviera · 2-door hardtop · 425 Super Wildcat · automatic · not stated by source Dealer-installed dual-quad kits before March 1966 may not be counted. | 179 | built, model-year | Reported |
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Riviera sport coupe (49487), factory price9,6 | $4,424 | factory price as listed by secondary compilation (Standard Catalog lineage), 1966 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 425 V-8 (Wildcat 465)2 425 cu in · 4-barrel | 340 hp (SAE gross (as listed by ROA)) | standard | 45,1692 Reported |
| MZ · 425 Super Wildcat V-82 425 cu in · two 4-barrels | 360 hp (SAE gross (as listed by ROA)) | optional; dealer-installed until 3/66 | 1792 Reported |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
A-9order code (Buick option code) |
Riviera Gran Sport High Performance Group (includes 340-hp Wildcat 465 V-8 Engine with chrome-plated air cleaner and cast aluminum rocker arm covers, modified dual exhaust, modified Super Turbine Trans-mission, ride and handling modification, Positive Traction Differential with a 3.42 rear axle ratio, 8.45 X 15 Whitewall Tires, and Gran Sport identifying ornamentation. Available with C-5 and C-6)5 | — | Not yet sourced |
C-5order code (Buick option code) |
Power Steering with 15:1 Steering Ratio (Available only with A-9)5 | $15.79 | Not yet sourced |
D-1order code (Buick option code) |
Sonomatic Radio with Manual Antenna5 | $88.41 | Not yet sourced |
D-2order code (Buick option code) |
Sonomatic Radio with Electric Antenna5 | $113.98 | Not yet sourced |
D-4order code (Buick option code) |
AM/FM Stereo Radio with Speakers, front and rear, plus Electric Antenna5 | $266.81 | Not yet sourced |
D-5order code (Buick option code) |
AM/FM Radio with Electric Antenna5 | $175.24 | Not yet sourced |
D-6order code (Buick option code) |
Rear Seat Speaker (included with D-45)5 | $16.84 | Not yet sourced |
E-2order code (Buick option code) |
Closed Crankcasse Ventilation (Calif. only) (Required in combination with E-6)5 | $5.27 | Not yet sourced |
E-6order code (Buick option code) |
Air Injection Reactor (Calif. only) (Required in combination with E-2)5 | $44.73 | Not yet sourced |
F-1order code (Buick option code) |
Whitewall Tires (8.45 X 15-2-ply with 4-ply rating) (Available only with A-9)5 | $42.41 | Not yet sourced |
F-8order code (Buick option code) |
Red Line Tires (8.45 X 15-2-ply with 4-ply rating) (Available only with A-9)5 | $0 | Not yet sourced |
G-1order code (Buick option code) |
Performance Axle with Positive Traction Differential (Except with A-9)5 | $47.37 | Not yet sourced |
G-1order code (Buick option code) |
Performance Axle with Positive Traction Differential (Included with A-9)5 | $0 | Not yet sourced |
G-4order code (Buick option code) |
Positive Traction Differential (included with G-1 and the A-9 option)5 | $47.37 | Not yet sourced |
G-5order code (Buick option code) |
Economy Axle (Except with A-9)5 | $0 | Not yet sourced |
H-1order code (Buick option code) |
Trailer Spring Option (Rear Springs only)5 | $3.79 | Not yet sourced |
I-6order code (Buick option code) |
Air Conditioner (Not available with I-8)5 | $421 | Not yet sourced |
I-8order code (Buick option code) |
Less Heater and Defroster5 | $95.90 | Not yet sourced |
K-2order code (Buick option code) |
Cornering Lights5 | $33.68 | Not yet sourced |
L-1order code (Buick option code) |
Soft-Ray Tinted Glass (All windows)5 | $42.10 | Not yet sourced |
L-2order code (Buick option code) |
Soft-Ray Tinted Glass (Windshield only)5 | $28.42 | Not yet sourced |
M-7order code (Buick option code) |
Rear Window Defroster5 | $21.05 | Not yet sourced |
N-2order code (Buick option code) |
Four-Note Horn5 | $15.79 | Not yet sourced |
O-4order code (Buick option code) |
Door Guards - 2-door5 | $4.74 | Not yet sourced |
O-5order code (Buick option code) |
Remote Control Outside Rear View Mirror5 | $7.20 | Not yet sourced |
P-1order code (Buick option code) |
Carpet Savers and Handy Mats5 | $12.19 | Not yet sourced |
P-2order code (Buick option code) |
Carpet Savers5 | $6.77 | Not yet sourced |
Q-4order code (Buick option code) |
Power Seat - 6-way (Bench Seat)5 | $94.73 | Not yet sourced |
Q-5order code (Buick option code) |
Power Seat - 4-way Tilt Adjuster (Bench or Bucket Seat)5 | $69.47 | Not yet sourced |
R-1order code (Buick option code) |
Power Windows5 | $105.25 | Not yet sourced |
S-6order code (Buick option code) |
Electro-Cruise Control5 | $63.15 | Not yet sourced |
T-1order code (Buick option code) |
Automatic Trunk Release5 | $12.63 | Not yet sourced |
T-2order code (Buick option code) |
Vacuum-operated Door Locks - 2-door5 | $44.73 | Not yet sourced |
V-2order code (Buick option code) |
Chrome-plated Wheels5 | $89.47 | Not yet sourced |
V-4order code (Buick option code) |
Super Deluxe Wheel Covers5 | $57.89 | Not yet sourced |
X-1order code (Buick option code) |
Custom Steering Wheel5 | $52.63 | Not yet sourced |
1-Aorder code (Buick option code) |
Reclining Passenger Seat with Headrests for both driver and passenger-Bench Seats5 | $84.20 | Not yet sourced |
1-Border code (Buick option code) |
Reclining Passenger Seat with Headrests for both driver and passenger-Bucket Seats5 | $84.20 | Not yet sourced |
1-Corder code (Buick option code) |
Headrests for Bench Seats (Driver and Passenger)(Regular Bench Seat Only)5 | $42.10 | Not yet sourced |
1-Dorder code (Buick option code) |
Headrests for Bucket Seats and Strato Bench Seats (Driver and Passenger)5 | $52.63 | Not yet sourced |
|
Custom Trim Strato-Bench Seat-Vinyl5 | $168.40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Custom Trim Banbury Cloth-and-Vinyl Strato-Bench Seat5 | $168.40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Custom Trim Strato-Bucket Seats-Vinyl5 | $168.40 | Not yet sourced |
|
* * *Special Order Paint (Other than standard color - single car order)5 | $84.20 | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl top6 | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Regal Black7 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Gunmetal (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Astro Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Midnight Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
G |
Gold (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Verde Green7 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Turquoise Mist7 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Shadow Turquoise7 | Not yet sourced |
M |
Riviera Red (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Champagne (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
U |
Plum (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Shell Beige7 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Silver Mist7 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Riviera White (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
Z |
Riviera Silver Green (Riviera exclusive)7 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
601 |
Vinyl bench (standard): Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
603 |
Vinyl bench (standard): Light Fawn7 | Not yet sourced |
608 |
Vinyl bench (standard): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
663 |
Vinyl buckets (standard): Light Fawn (Dove)7 | Not yet sourced |
668 |
Vinyl buckets (standard): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
651 |
Vinyl buckets, optional custom: Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
653 |
Vinyl buckets, optional custom: Light Fawn (Dove)7 | Not yet sourced |
656 |
Vinyl buckets, optional custom: Aqua7 | Not yet sourced |
658 |
Vinyl buckets, optional custom: Black7 | Not yet sourced |
621 |
Cloth and vinyl Strato bench (optional): Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
627 |
Cloth and vinyl Strato bench (optional): Plum7 | Not yet sourced |
628 |
Cloth and vinyl Strato bench (optional): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
610 |
Vinyl Strato bench (optional): Green7 | Not yet sourced |
611 |
Vinyl Strato bench (optional): Blue7 | Not yet sourced |
614 |
Vinyl Strato bench (optional): White7 | Not yet sourced |
617 |
Vinyl Strato bench (optional): Red7 | Not yet sourced |
618 |
Vinyl Strato bench (optional): Black7 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight8 | 4,180 lb | Riviera |
| Wheelbase8 | 119 in | Riviera |
| Track, front / rear8 | 63.4 / 63.0 in | Riviera |
| Overall length8 | 211.2 in | Riviera |
| Width8 | 78.8 in | Riviera |
| Height8 | 53.4 in | Riviera |
| Tire size (standard, option)8 | 8.45x15 | Riviera |
Identification
- VIN
- Digit 1 = 4 (Buick); 2-3 = series (94 = Riviera); 4-5 = body (87 = 2-door hardtop sport coupe); 6 = year (6); plant letter (H, C, Z, X, Y, D, B, K, V, I as listed by TeamBuick); six-digit production number.3
- Engine codes (Riviera)
- MW: 425, 340 hp, single Quadrajet (the only factory engine); MZ: 425 dual four-barrel, stamped only after March 1966 when the dual quads became a factory option (179 built); dealer-installed dual quads kept the MW code; MT/MV 401 codes also appear on the Riviera table.3,4
- GS (A-9) identification
- Large red block "GS" letters after the Riviera script on the front fenders (unique to 1966); "Riviera GS" on the glove-box wood trim, the last year of interior GS marking; chrome single-snorkel air cleaner; BS-coded transmission; 3.42 Positive Traction axle; 8.45x15 whitewall or red-line tires.4
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1966 Buick VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1966
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The Gran Sport became its own Skylark series (44600) on the restyled body, still with the 401 at 325 hp; 13,816 are tabulated.
- Buick Wildcat The one-year Wildcat Gran Sport: 1,244 built, 242 convertibles, 22 Super Wildcats.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The first full year of the SS 396 as its own series, with a 396 V8 in every car: 66,843 sport coupes and 5,429 convertibles.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The source engine table lists the 327 L79 at 350 gross hp. Enthusiast-compiled production: 172,485 cars; Super Sport 20,986.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS No factory Super Sport El Camino is documented for this year; the record carries the host El Camino production as context.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Impala SS falls to 119,314 as the 427 arrives; 3,247 full-size Chevrolets got the 390-hp L36.
- Dodge Charger Dodge's first Charger, a fastback on the Coronet platform introduced on 1 January 1966, built 37,344 times, 468 of them with the new Street Hemi.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The first year the 426 Hemi was sold as a street engine; in the Coronet it was an option on ordinary sedans, hardtops and convertibles, before any R/T package existed.
- Ford Fairlane A new, wider Fairlane could take the 390 big-block for the first time, bringing the Fairlane 500 GT and GTA, and a small run of R-code 427 hardtops was built for Super Stock racing.
- Ford Galaxie The 428 became the big-car performance engine and gave its name to the Galaxie 500 7-Litre hardtop and convertible, with the 427 still available.
- Ford Thunderbird A 345-hp 428 became a $64.77 option, and the Town Landau outsold every other body combined.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Comet moved to the larger Fairlane-based body, and the Cyclone GT brought the 335-hp 390 with twin hood scoops, bucket seats and a heavy-duty suspension.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The S-55 returned as its own line, a hardtop and convertible with the 345 hp 428 'Super Marauder' V8.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 package gained the L69 three-two-barrel 'Tri-Carb' option at 360 hp, and a handful of factory W-30 forced-air cars were built for drag racing.
- Oldsmobile Starfire The last Starfire of the 1960s: coupe only, moved downmarket, 13,019 sold.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The last glassback-era year: one fastback body, the 273 Commando as the top engine, and production that fell to 38,029.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The 426 Street Hemi reached showrooms in the Belvedere and Satellite, and 1,546 were built into Plymouth intermediates.
- Pontiac Catalina 2+2 and Super Duty The 2+2 was listed as its own model for the only time, and production fell to 6,383.
- Pontiac GTO The GTO becomes its own Pontiac series and has its biggest year: 96,946 built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Production fell to 36,757 as the GTO and 2+2 drew performance buyers.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans Pontiac's overhead-cam six and the Sprint package arrive beside the 326 HO.
- Rambler and AMC Marlin The Marlin's second year: production fell to 4,547, less than half the 1965 figure.