1966 GS Convertible with dual quads. Anyone know this car? https://russoandsteele.com/vehicle-details/?show_vehicle=167268¤t_index=1&total_results=20&auction_pk=192&=&caryear=0&caryearto=0&search_text=BUICK&page=featured&showpage=1
Looks like the car that sold at one of the auctions about 10 years ago. It went for a crazy high price, around $65k IIRC. There's a thread on it somewhere here.... From the articles that are shown in his links, the seller seems to be implying it's an ultra-rare L76 Q-jet optioned car, of which 22 convertibles were built, but all were automatics. This car has a 4 speed and dual quads, so the articles are irrelevant to this car! The '1 of 7' claim, I think, is based on sheer confusion on his part! Dual quads were supposedly only available as a dealer-installed item. Suppose it's possible some came out of the factory that way, but any claim of such better have some documentation!! Great looking car, but there are some incorrect items. Those seat covers don't even look like correct reproductions. Bet there is a very high reserve on this one. EDIT: 22 L-76 convertibles built, not 7.
I looked at this car at Russo and Steele. From the auction description it was not clear to me if this car was originally the quadrajet equipped 11 to 1 Nailhead or the later version which still retained the Qjet with lower compression and a different cam. ( To the resident `66 experts: Is this info correct? ) It was apparent from the description that the dual quads were described as a dealer add on. The block was not cleaned where the engine code and VIN number would be found but was covered with paint. I could not see any characters under the paint but if the factory stamping was faint they could still be there. I do believe the car is a factory built 4 speed car. I could not find the seller during the week but spoke briefly with the seller as the car approached the auction block. He described the car as coming from the Ron Pratt (?) collection years ago and that the accumulated records for the car were thrown out after it was sold from that collection. The seller insisted is was very rare, that no one is aware how rare the car really is, but could not intelligently elaborate. He did offer to me that the interior was all original at which point I expressed the opinion the seat covers were surely done. End of conversation.... How did your `70 442 W-30 do?? Beautiful car...hope this helps, Tom Mooney
Same car, $84,700 including commission. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1966-BUICK-GRAN-SPORT-CONVERTIBLE-45283
Yes, it could be very, very rare, likely 'one of none'! Wish we knew the whole story, maybe it was a special build. Thanks for the feedback Tom.
Tough call. The L76 refers to the optional 340hp 401 engine. It had 10.25:1 'advertised' compression. Engine code was MU. It could be selected on the order form starting around March 1966. Since the L76 was a regular option, there are production records..... only 132 cars were built. Wasn't available with Air Conditioning. Automatic trans was required. There was a 11:1 compression 401 too. I don't know how those were ordered, but it was some sort of special order. Engine code was MS. I wouldn't call it a L76 since it was a different engine. I don't know if it even had a Lxx designation! Unknown how many were built.
Walt, good info, I am always open to learning 66 info. Any idea if the 11:1 compressing 401 had an AFB or a Q Jet? Thanks Bill.
It used the Q-jet. The 10.25 version used the dual quad cam (109 lobe spacing) and dual quad distributor. 11:1 likely used them too.
Walt, Thanks for the reply. I just reviewed my `66 sales bulletins because I thought that is where I learned of the 11 to 1 engine but as you wrote the version in the bulletin is the 10.25 to 1 version. Is there factory literature which mentions this 11 to 1 engine? Did I see this in a period magazine roadtest? Thanks, Tom
Tom, do you have sales bulletins or service bulletins? I have the service bulletins, the only mention of the 11:1 is the listing of the engine codes. The only other mention of the 11:1 is in the parts book listing for pistons. Some era road tests show the Q-jet with the 'Wildcat GS' on the air cleaner instead of the 'Wildcat 445' that the AFB engine had. Modern Rod said their car had 11:1 cr. Motor trend and Car Craft show the Q-jet too.
