1966 Buick Riviera Gran Sport GS - All Original AZ Car - 59K Orig Miles

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966...1542990?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item43b781c14e

 

I was looking at that on eBay the other night and dreaming. Beautiful car!
I found the stencil paint markings on the radiator support and cover to be interesting. I wonder what those are about?
And what looks to be a recall service completion sticker.

 

The invoice list a credit for "less headrest" and "less E.O.H."

What is E.O.H.?

The purchaser opted to pay more for dealer added "vouge" tires.

They also paid cash for the vehicle.

I enjoy such a well documented vehicle.

 

Beautiful car. What GM originally intended the Riv to be, a classy, powerful, gentleman's cruiser. The documentation makes it that much more appealing. No doubt about what you are paying for.

 

Wow thats a nice original. Too bad the color is blah. I know I know color is personal. Dash pad has some cracking. Its a wonder the seats held up as well as they did.

I don't know what EOH is. Looking at the option listing there is nothing that those abbreviations would match nor is there any option with that price of $39.22. Perhaps it was a dealer discount of some sort. Not sure how they could subtract headrests as thats not something you can just take off without leaving holes in the upholstery but dealer will be dealers. I noticed 1220 is on the invoice under stk number so apparently the dealer stenciled that on under the hood. Never saw that technique before.

Interestingly the chrome wood grain GS bezel on the glove box looks too new (actually NOS new) and does not match the aged wood grain on the console at all. I'd question why and if it may have been replaced. The air cleaner and valve cover patina also does not match their surroundings too well but not as obvious as the glove box bezel. I also did not see mention of GS model on the invoice. May have been omitted since just an option but just one of those signs requiring more vetting. A simple check of the tranny tag and rear axle stamp would cement it. If I was bidding I would want that info first just to make me warm and fuzzy.

 

I have to agree. Stunning car. Clean as can be but...

I personally think that the lines of that car are completely lost in white. I love white cars. The 66 Riviera is one of my all time favorite body lines ever out of Buick. I owned a 66 Riviera GS that was Plum Metallic with the same color interior. Beautiful car. I loved that thing. To be brutally honest that white on that car might be one of my least favorite colors for it. No offense. Like you said color is personal. Beautiful killer car for sure. Anyone should be proud to own it. But I think there are much better colors for that car.The lines of those Riv's are proto-type lines in the showroom. I would still own it though. I bet that car is soooo clean in person. Mine had the split bench Strato-bucket front seat. I like that bucket seat interior in white. Hope it finds a great home.

Sidenote. I am Huge Olds guy. I knew of a W-34 Tornado GT that was Red with a black top and interior. Awesome car but the red was ick on that car.

 

The white on white makes the car seem very feminine in my opinion.

 

Optional headrest seats had holes only. This was before they just did them all. Mine didn't have them either.

 

I'am with Jason on the GS claim. Better do your homework. Seems a little fishy. Tom

 

Looking more and more like this is indeed a fake. Perhaps the dealer listing it was bamboozled themsleves by whoever they got it from. The evidence in the documentation is incriminating. If anyone who sees this is bidding on the car, PM me.

 

I came across this car last September at The Scottsdale International Car Museum. The car was parked in a dead corner and had obviously not been touched by the staff and just arrived. The original paint was hazed over and there was still a mouse nest in the trunk. The car has since been gone over, there was a very small dent in the right side front of the hood and the pass side door panel was pretty discolored across the top. Both issues seem to be rectified.
This struck me as a very original car but I didn`t check any component numbers. What did strike me is the unusual prospect of a GS being ordered in Shell Beige with a white interior but one must remember the car was sold new in sunny AZ. It also struck me as strange that the standard hubcaps were still in place.
I was very surprised when viewing the auction that, as evidenced by the Protecto-Plate, the trans code is a "T" which equates to a "BT" trans code. The "BT" trans code would normally be found on a standard 425 engine equipped, 3:07 rear axle Riviera. The "proper" trans code for an original 3:42 equipped Riv GS should be a "BS" code.
However, is it possible this GS could have been ordered with an optional 3:07 or other ratio rear axle and thus was built with a BT coded trans? Far fetched, right? As evidence for this sort of scenario....I have a very original (63 K miles) `66 Wildcat GS convertible which was special ordered with a 2:78 rear axle ratio instead of the standard 3:23. Guess what the trans code is?? That`s right, the trans code is BT. I also have the BUILD SHEET so this is surely the way Buick assembled the car. I have had other Wildcat GS cars with the 3:23 rear axle which were equipped with the "expected for a GS" BS coded trans.
The other possibility here is that a mistake was made on the Protecto-Plate. I have seen engine code mistakes on the Protecto-Plates, especially one comes to mind that is a very rare engine in this same time frame, so an inspection of this car is definitely in order. Maybe the actual trans code is the "expected for a GS" BS code.
Another question comes to mind if one assumes this car is not an original GS....why would someone add all the GS items to fake a GS car and leave the standard wheel covers? That just doesn`t make sense to me! Hmmm....interesting car. But one thing is for sure, real GS or not, this is a very original car, dont find `em like this often,
Tom Mooney

 

I agree Tom that the protecto plate could be in error and the possibility exists the car could in fact have a BS code tranny despite the protectoplate. I was premature in calling it a fake when all I have is circumstantial evidence so retract the statement in my last post. With the inconsistensies mentioned, the main point I wanted to emphasize was any interested parties should ask for more info on the numbers. If it is genuine and someohow came with a BT trans, I would sure want to know prior to bidding to avoid any surprises.

 

Just a follow-up on this car. I spoke with Jim who is listed as a contact for this auction. He had just checked the trans code for a potential buyer from CA and he claims the trans code is "BS". Also posi equipped as evidenced by the tag on the diff but he couldn`t tell me what gear ratio. If Jim is correct it would appear Buick made a mistake on the POP!! Also noticed from pics in the auction that the Fisher Body tag indicates this car was originally equipped with factory headrests. The dealer must have swapped those original seats for the standard ones. Too bad...I`d be very tempted to return it to its original configuration. If the wife or daughter wanted a collector car to enjoy I would be all over this survivor! Good luck to anyone who might be bidding!
Tom Mooney

 

Tom our 66 Wildcat GS A8 optioned still sports its original wheel covers. We have had points deducted for such a blasphemous action. We even showed the judges our window sticker and they said if it was theirs they would have the sports wheels on itou:
Jenn's 66 Wildcat GS conv. also sports a BT trans and I think it has the 3.07 posi rear. Hers does have the Buick sport wheels not wheel covers though.

 

Hi John,
I think I have a copy of the build sheet from your Wildcat GS convert obtained from the previous owner. Is your car silver in color and was it partially disassembled when you purchased it?
Tom

 

Tom actually when I bought the car it was Blue. We used the car in our wedding, the previous owner was our Best man. When Jenn and I were getting close to our 18th wedding anniversary he said he was thinking of selling the Cat and wanted us to have first crack at it. I made an offer and he not only sold us the car but all the NOS and spare parts he had collected for it over the years. I wish we lived closer because he is a true friend.
Jenn did not know what we were picking up on Long Island a few years ago. The Cat was her 18th Anniversary gift, and yes she was very happy.
The Wildcat GS is originally Platinum Mist and that is what it will be again.
Send a copy of the sheet you have and I will tell you if it is our Cat.
I have some other Build sheets for other Wildcat GS's around here somewhereou:

---------- Post added at 09:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 PM ----------

I just noticed that the pictures were taken at a place that resembles the buildings around TA's facility in Scottsdale near the air park.

 

John...I`m sure it is the same car. Wish I could get away with giving a Wcat GS to the wife for an anniversary present...you are a lucky man! Strange that you should reference the air park in Scottsdale...the dealer selling the `66 Riv in this post is located there also. You must be destined to become a Riv GS owner! Interested to see the end of this auction (assuming there is no monkey business). I suspect someone will become the new owner of a very nice car for a reasonable price. This is really the type of car one should seek out to add to a collection...nice,
Tom

 

This is documented on the invoice as a credit.

 

Is that what the E.O.H. stands for ?

eBay shows the car SOLD for $15,500.

 

Tom, so you won't share the black 66 Riv GS 2x4 I sold you if they want one?

Good to see you on the site. I don't visit very often any more.

Mike