Performance numbers for Nailhead cars

Hey folks, I am looking hard at nailhead cars for my next addition to the stable. Specifically, I am leaning towards a 1st gen Riviera. There appears to be a good supply of really nice cars left at prices that I can still afford. Clearly, these cars are underrated in the eyes of the general collector hobby, as they have been milestones since day one. My concerns surround the performance capabilities of these nailhead cars. I have gathered as many vintage road tests as I can find. They typically show Rivs in the 15-16 second bracket when new. The mph figures range up to 95 mph or so with the top performance packages, indicating that tires were the limiting factor preventing better ets. My question is this. How fast are your cars? I am primarily thinking of whatever bolt ons can be employed plus moderate engine mods like cams and ported heads. I understand that nailhead performance parts are scarce, but rumors persist that some of the current vendors are working on modern parts for these stout old engines. Is it possible to put a full weight Riv or Wildcat into the mid to low 13's without using a rocket booster strapped to the roof? It is important to me to have whatever car I settle on be able to defend itself after cruise nights, or Sunday drives. I don't want my classic to fall victim to some young kid with a fart pipe on a Civic. Instead, I would like my car to garner respect for being a credible performer that can still hold its own and then some. I would appreciate any feedback you could give. Thanks, Rudy E.

 

Doesn't hurt to try

Well I'm hopin' to crack under 14 w/ my '66.It's about 4400 lbs .I add another 250 or so. Before all the interior gets re-installed, I'll try to get it to the track.
425 dual quads,headers,3.42 posi, good tires(remember these were ooolder tires from back in the day), a balanced,blueprinted engine with Telesco roller-tip rockers and Gessler heads. Also can't forget a nice breathing exhaust Outta surprise some people huh?:blast: :blast: :blast: :blast: :blast:

 

My 64 weighs 4250 curb weight, stock rebuild 425 + .030, small AFB, 3.07 open rear, skinny tires. It runs 16.53 at 4235 ft, 93 deg, which gives 15.51 at sea level standard atmosphere. Ricers with fart pipes can't catch it in the quarter no matter how hard they fart. With a Rivi, you'll aways have the weight disadvantage compared to a Skylark/GS. My 70 GS weighs 3860 curb weight. Buy the first gen Riv for its looks. :TU:

 

Nailheads yea!

RudyE, I would look for a 65 Riv since I think this is the only 1st generation one that came with the Switch Pitch 400 trans. This will make it possible for a darn good launch with so much car. I could be wrong but I think the 63 had a Dynaflow and the 64 was a one year only trans, good but not a SP.
Speed parts for our Nailheads are available but getting harder to come by. Once your established on a site it could be as easy as asking for what you need and someone might offer something from their private stock. Just ask Bill from BuickSteet about finding a stock 2x4 Buick manifold, he now has two.
The is a fellow with a early Riv who pulls the front wheels off and runs low 12's I think.
Sorry starting to ramble on.

 

You guys want to really make your Nailhead fly,talk to Bob Quigg. He's an original owner of a '66 GS 401 4speed with Dual Quads. He's run a best of 11.64 and I know he'll be running faster pretty soon. These engines are pretty amazing and still have a lot of unlocked potential. Bob is working with Tom Telesco on a set of roller rockers for these engines. I'm sure between the two of them, this car will be in the 10's. :TU:

 

Thanks for the input folks, as I do appreciate it. It is a shame that the nailhead is kind of viewed as a lugger engine by many now, but it was actually a very modern performance engine in its day. I hope the rumors of new intakes, and even possibly cylinder heads come to pass. Poppaluv, I see you are a Loosiana boy, and I am too. I live down in Houma, about an hour from you. If you ever bring that bad boy to No Problem Raceway over in Belle Rose out on Hwy 70, let me know. I am all for blowing away some late model iron with a "luxury" car, and I would love to watch. Brooklands Books has published the "Buick Riviera Performance Portfolio 1963-1978". It is a compilation of vintage Riv road tests from back in the day. Invariably, the different mags are taken by the 1st gen's styling and performance, with tire smoking photos on several tests. It seems that plenty of folks have lost focus on the car's performance capabilities, and are more fixed on its luxury. This was clearly a performance car from the start, and it would be nice to see it portrayed that way today in what ever limited press it still gets. This book makes good reading for any Buick or Riv fan, and I doubt that so many tests could be unearthed by an individual today. Thanks, Rudy E.

 

Rudy, remember that a nailhead is a torque engine, so don;t worry about building one up for ultimate top-end hp. Nailheads have real strong bottom ends, they need head work so they can breathe well. There are actually quite a bit of nailhead speed parts if you look around. Not like SBC or SBF's of course, but the parts are out there. Just co$t$ a bit more.

If you are buying a 63-65 Riviera, I would suggest the 64 or 65 with the ST-400. Stay away from a 63 with the dynaslow trans, that is definitely not a performance trans. 65 will be the highest cost, you can get many reproduction parts to help with any resptration. 63-65 Riviera's have rust problems, especially the rear window.

You can't go wrong with a Riviera, just don;t try to make it the fastest car, keep it a cool cruiser with some performance. If you really want to go fast, use the smaller body cars like suggested earlier.

 

Switch pitch makes a huge difference in these cars. It's easy to ID if you know what to look for.

My two cents.

Zach

 

Any idea on what the latest word is on those?? Just Curious - Thanks!!:TU:

 

He's got 'em

Tom is about to release them. I believe they cost about $800, but worth it . Just recieved his paperwork in the mail. He kinda wants to keep things hush-hush as you know as soon as someone goes through R&D $ and more $ someone is ready to pounce on the design and undercut his effort to produce something out love for the hobby. I probably shouldn't say anything about the #'s, but PUT YOUR DEPOSIT IN !!!!!-YOU WILL BE AMAZED!!!! Also you can contact him on Yahoo Nailheads group, Tell him I sent you.:TU:

 

My '65 electra 401's best 1/4 mile time to date is 16.54@84.5 MPH. It is completely stock, and at the time of that run had about 67,000 miles on it. I just turned 70,000 miles on it this weekend and it runs as good as ever!!!

 

For old published nailhead versus others see www.cccvette.com/1966musclecars.htm