My 1st venture into the auto showing/ hot rod hobby. A rare ' 66 RIVIERA GS WILDCAT "465"

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I posted the above, it kicked me out, i'll just go on from here. Thanks Moriarity and SS27 for asking for more These shots are pics of pics here in my little hide-away man cave and garage/shop.
Now about this once in a lifetime find.
Found on a Used car lot in south Tacoma, while looking for a small rice burner, (Gas had just been forecast to go up $5 to $8 bucks a gal. ((another mid-east war)), and my short bed 454 Chev. just devoured 87 blend like little kids eat free M & M's candies.
So I was making the rounds on South Tacoma Way looking. Some poor soul was liquidating is collection of fine automobiles. This Rivi and two or three of his were on the lot also, but nothing I wantrd, so I took this one with a 425 & two four Barrells and all, (there were no rice burners qny way)..
Now Did I know what I had bought???????????? Yup. One Very nice, beautiful Buick car I could be proud to take that Friday/Saturday night to the local Cruze in. Other than that NOT A CLUE.
So here is th low down.
1966 Buick Riviera GS. (GRAN SPORT (= special handling package). SUPER WILDCAT "465"
DUAL Four BBL carburetors. 465 lbs. Torque 365 horsepower. Special badging in the interior.
These were an only a dealer option until March of '67, whereafter the factory in Flint Michigan took over and started stamping a MZ on the Left side of the thermostat housing. Mine was not stamped meaning it had been a dealer installation. It also had the twin snorkel air cleaner and "BUICK" valve covers. At the time "Keeny Bell out of So. Cal. was known as the go for buck performance parts. I talked with them on a hotter cam for a stock motor, ordered what they recommended, installed that. Had the heads looked at and tuned up as long qsd they wewe off, put her back together and went cruising.
It came with the directional wheels, so I kept the for quite a while. I bought the wires still in the box at a show and am really glad I did. Every Buick should ware wires.
Most of what is below was taken at the Buck nationals a few years back held in Bellevue Washington.
The car scored 98 points, out of 100 in modified class (2nd) place). 1point lost for paint another for wheels ???
First place went to q former club president with his 41, 425 Buick N. H powered 2 door.
Where is it now???
I sold it in 2017 to finish the 34. It sold, to another retired Boeing Engineer not too far from me, he loves it as much as I do/did. Calls me now and then, has offered it back to me for23 K I sold to him or 18 K in '17.
Th, tha, tha tha, thats it for this time............. chow.

Lar.
Edited for spelling 5: 00PM, 7/11 25.
Explaation,.Tried Getting this out for Moriarity & SS327 While tending
to dementia ridden Wife (caretaker AOL). I was just to damned rushed to proof read it befor posting
My Bad.

One very important fact I was extremely proud of, is this. It is ONE OF, ONY ONE HUNDERD SEVEVY-NINE PRUDUCED. ( and I re did it my way).
the interior is black with the front bench seat(I do wish it was buckets and consul, looked at finding a parts car but the entire floors are different.

 

I likey. I always thought the Riveras were beautiful, for sure one of the best looking factory cars!
Dan

 

Now that is a sharp car! I’d be all over it if it was offered to me!

 

Thank you for the compliment. And also, I think I left out among all it's the other aeributes it is ONE of 179 produced. !!

 

Why I Sold the Riviy

 

No need to edit, I understood what you meant. I know you have it rough. And I’m sorry.

 

You need to have that classy Buick back in your garage!!

 

I would be proud to have that Buick in my garage.

 

I could for23K the owner will sell only to me, so he says. Problem is I;m not allowed to drive because of a stroke, back in May of 24. That is why my '34 (3) window is also no longer mine. Thanks for the more than kind thoughs.

 

Super nice Rivi! What years did you own it?
If you had it in the early '90s I'm sure I probably saw it at some NW gathering or show.

 

I bought it in October of '89, sold it in about 2015 or so. Answer is Twenty or so years. Thanks for asking.
Reason for sale: After 20 years of building the coupe, it was almost complete. $$$$$$$$$ was needed. (wiring, paint, etc.)

One real personal opinion to the hobby world that I feel I must confess.
"While the "63/64 Riviera's are in their own right great cars,
I DO not think they can or did even come close to the 66/67 Rivi's" in the styling arena

 

I love it Larry, BUY it BACK! It's only money!

34 Larry says: Who posted this???? YOU MADE MY DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I know exactly what you mean Larry. Just about every hot rod I've ever built had to be sold to finance the next one...and a couple of times, the new project didn't end up being any cooler that the one I sold to finish it.

 

Well believe it or not there is more to the story I have not shared, & that is about under the hood space and fire wall. I. preface this with this by explaining that after 25 years of marriage I was single once more when buying the car. I was able to keep my house, (single attached garage-now a remodeled Rec room, for three grown/gone girls).
The Firewall had been undercoated, with overspray left on the inner fender wells, which did not make me so happy at all. Whoever remodeled the garage into a rec-room did me a favor by Retaining the garage door so all I had to do was open it drive the car in after hauling out all the Girly stuff, bring in my rollaway and get started. ( didn't take up the Rec room carpet, so nice when on your back under the car at a later times).
When observing the picture of the engine those beautiful valve covers came with the "GS 465" package I was informed. Everything else was provided courtesy of yours truly. The valley pan, The radiator cover, (the alternator
bracket I had to modify, chrome), both Pullies, and more were all chromed. I had the radiator reworked, adding another row of colling coils because I threw away that dammed ugly colling shroud.
Then came the shitty job, cleaning off that under coating. Yuck!!!!!!!!!!! Wire brush's in all sizes, various solvents, rags, all the time conscious of FIRE!!!! keeping drop light at a distance, (hood was removed) after somewhere near a10,0000, weeks Remember the wiper motor, wiring, and other various crucial thingies retain residency here abouts also that have to be spotless before applying black lacquer paint.
Then the inner fender wells had to be dealt with. Easier by far, to clean, but layin down the rattle can lacquer paint.

Well you's guy's I aint got much but memories these days, and thanks for putt'n up with me and them. My oldest daughter, Rhonda gets me around, Jans daughter does her part also, my youngest daughter does what she can when she is not Working from home, ordering meds etc.
I'm out.
Lar

 

I’ll take you’re memories anytime you’re in the mood.

 

Growing up my folks had a 66 Rivi, non GS car. It was a 425 single carb car. Silver with turquoise interior. Wish I would have bought it from them.

 

WOW, I always thought the worst "tooth" on the hood opening was a 1970 Cutlass... that Riv has 2 "tooths" at edge of both corners... OUCH!!

 

That is definitely a beautiful car. If I was closer I’d tell you to buy it back and would gladly come drive you around in it. Buford’s were pure class back then and that is one of the classiest of the bunch.

 

the 63-4-5 Riviera is a handsome car but the 66-7 is beautiful. One of my friends parents had a new one when I was 16.

Yes the bucket seats are nice but I personally prefer a bench. Nice car.

When the '68s came out I thought 'what the heck is buick thinking...'

 

Well Moriarty (and all), the honest truth.
I had the check on my shop work bench, phone in hand, talking with Chancy the evening before he was bringing it back to my garage, when he mentioned the overhaul. (I wrote about that here .) Now he is a nice enough guy .........BUT.........I have a glimmer of distrust that has always lingered when in his presence.
I had forgotten about the overhaul & honestly, was really pissed off to hear he did that.
Through the recent years he has stopped by once with it, called twice to offer to sell it back if I wanted it. I had my Ford Coupe and that was enough toy for me. I should mention, I guess he has a collection of other cars also.
Vets, 442's etc.
Recall also during the so-called overhaul he and the mechanic helping decided the Kenny Bell "performance cam", was crap and scrapped it.
He had also removed the wire wheels, for spoked mags, gone down in tire size and replaced the shocks..
Then Rhonda my daughter phoned. End of Story.
Do I wish things were different? Yeah, and I wish I had hair again and the ability to make also.

 

I could not agree more mrspeedy.
I started 1st grade in1945. My best bud and I walked and began naming every car on the road and parked along the way. It became apparent to me as time passed the Buick would at times have very large design issues.
Witness the 1958 models

 

Beautiful car! Thank you for sharing your memories. Sounds like you have been through a hell of a time. I hope you find time to enjoy this newer phase of life once the page has stopped turning.

 

I like the 58 Buicks. I’m sorry.

 

No need to be sorry at all. at least the one pictured is the right color, close to my Rivi. Different strokes for different folks .

When arriving at my assignment base in March of '58, (McConnell AFB, Wichita Ks. My first Sargent had a green one.
(Uglier than the '47 Kaiser I left sitt'n at my dad's place back home.) I knew all the guys in the local Buick club here abouts but never joined. One know it all, was always on my case about mine being authentic, just a clone.

 

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Wow, my ancestors on Dads side are from the UK, dads Mom, Ireland his dad England. Mom's side Holland ( I know Holland is not part of the UK) . Thank you for your appreciation and compliment., it was just a labor and obsession of pure automotive love.