Hey all, Im now restoring a 72 Chevelle and my wife owns a 71 Buick Riviera. Due to that much work and money, Im putting into my Chevelle, Im pretty sure I will not sell it for a long time, but I already felt in love with another car. Its a Buick A Riviera. I love the 66/67 Riviera. I love the hidden headlights, but Im not sure yet, wheres the diffenerce between 66 and 67. The frontend looks the same. I know the 66 had the 425cid and the 67 already the 430cid. But I guess thats not everything, is it? Juergen
Jrgen, 1966 has R I V I E R A letters on the front of the bonnet, 1967 was using a small Riviera script on the driver's side. Also the turn signal lenses and grille are different on a 67. Apart from the 430 engine, also the brakes were improved. No knock off wheel centers anymore, not allowed by law. Round courtesy lights in the interior, 66 used rectangular lights. Both were using electric headlight doors (68-69 were vacuum powered) I scanned a few articles about the 66 and 67 I believe, I will do a board search for you. Und vielen dank fr Schnappi..... :rant: (I hate that crocodile !!)
Erik, The 66 didn't use the rectangular courtesy lights, they were only seen on the prototype (as well as a rear fender mounted antenna). The parking light lenses were also the same, it's just the chrome grille over them that changed. In fact all the 67 exterior lenses, including the optionnal cornering lights were identical (and the year marked on the 67's is 66). Except for the engine changes (that necessited different engine mounts, a different transmission bellhousing, radiator, radiator support and different accessories like the a/c compressor and power steering pump), most other changes were minor. The front brake drums were having 45 fins in 66, 90 fins in 67, singe master cylinder in 66, dual master cylinder with a brake warning light in 67 and discs available. The wiring harnesses were different and some components were relocated both under the hood and under the dashboard. The steering columns (and steering wheels) were also different and 4 way flashers were added in 67. The door lock buttons were changed and moved in 67, the seats were redesigned and added locking seatbacks. The standard door panels were redesigned too. The dash had more chrome in 67, the knobs were different and the wiper switch was illuminated. The dashpad had also more padding in 67 and the parcel shelf didn't have ventilation grilles in 67. Outside, the 1967 grille had a divider bar in the center and the metal filler under the grille was painted black instead of silver. The metal trim around the taillights was painted the same color as the body while it was silver in 66. The rocker panel trim was also altered (ribbed silver on the 66, stainless on 67) as well as the hood molding that had silver parts in 66 while it was all chrome in 67. The outer part of the parking light trim was the same in the 66 and early 67 but altered in mid 67 as it showed more chrome (instead of silver) and had some flat black paint. The vinyl roofs didn't extend on the windshield posts on the 66 and it lacked the R emblem on the rear section near the side glass. The Riviera emblems on the front fenders were also altered and the GS badges were modified. The door hinges were made of cast iron in 66 and they were made of steel in 67. The radio pushbuttons and the steering wheel horn pad were changed early in the 67 model year, before that they were the same as those used in 66. Here are a few pics of a 66 Riv I saw on Ebay, I'll post pics of mine later to show the differences.
The vinyl top was an option in 65 and 66 too but it wasn't very popular in the first two years. Unfortunately, it gained popularity after 1966.
