1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Buick Riviera Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out around 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 AC Cobra 427 and the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp.

This particular Buick Riviera has a 6555cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Buick Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Riviera shares its Petrol V 8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the Riviera's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1920 kgs (4232 lbs) places the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Maserati GranCabrio 490 and the excellent 2024 Alfa-Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, give or take 50kg.

The Buick Riviera shares the same bhp with the 2024 Maybach S 580 e EQ Hybrid Technology (362 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 6555cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 360 bhp (268 kW) @ 4400 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Maybach S 580 e EQ Hybrid Technology (362 bhp) and also the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 465 lb-ft (630.4 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 Maserati GranTurismo 490 (443 lb-ft) or the 2025 BMW 2 Series M2 CS Bi-Turbo (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1966 Buick Riviera in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual (212.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Buick Riviera.

The Buick Riviera has a power to weight ratio of 187.5 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1966 Riviera 6.6l V8 means you're competing with the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual (212.5 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 1968 Ford XL XL Fastback 427 (212.4 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 generates around 242.1 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (267.0 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2022 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo (266.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 7.20 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 7.4 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 include the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) and the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 and the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP 1.6 Turbo

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1966 Buick Riviera can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.33 secs with a trap speed around 95.0 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP 1.6 Turbo (14.34 seconds @ 95.0 mph) and a close race between the Audi A7 3.0 TFSI Quattro (14.34 seconds @ 94.9 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1966 version of the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 has a maximum speed of 128mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 Riviera equals the Ford Falcon 4th Gen 351 V8 4-speed (127 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 then there's the slightly slower the Ford Falcon 4th Gen 351 V8 4-speed (127 mph) or how about the impressive Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1966 Riviera Rivals List.
• 1966 Riviera: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Buick
• Compare the 1966 Buick Riviera