Ace-Garageguy Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) I looked for a thread on this specific model and didn't see one. I've heard so much about how good the Buick nailhead is in this kit that I've become curious as to which '66 Riv kits have what else in them. I understand there's a lowrider version too. Anyone with first-hand knowledge as to which box contains which goodies? Does the lowrider version have the stock bits too?? Edited November 19, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 There is a nail head Buick in the AMT 1940 Ford coupe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) There is a nail head Buick in the AMT 1940 Ford coupe. Ummm...thanks but not the question. I'm very familiar with every nailhead in every kit on the planet EXCEPT the one in the AMT '66 Riv...hence the question I'm asking. Edited November 19, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) Bill, the Riviera, in my opinion, is one of the best kits AMT ever made. Someday soon, I'll be building mine, I hope. The lowrider, from what I understand, does have the 425 in it as well. I'm not sure if it's pure stock or has some dress-up items, though. As to the presence of other stock parts, I'm not sure. Charlie Larkin Edited November 19, 2013 by charlie8575 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edsel-Dan Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 NO. This was when AMT was issuing Separate Stock, and Custom/Lowrider, etc kits The Lowrider had Only Lowrider suspension. I do not know how many Custom engine parts were included. I never kept any of the ones I got. Only the Stock. I Would love to find a few sets of those "Twin-White Stripe" tires from the Stock 66 Riv kit!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rctruk Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 I looked at my lowrider Riviera. Looks like most of the stock parts are there.. The options for the suspension could be reworked to appear stock. The engine is a 425 with two 4bbl carbs. The most noticeable stock parts not included...wheels,tires and steering wheel.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenrat Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Doesn't the '66 Riv kit have a lowrider bicycle in it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Most Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Fred- yes, the Lowrider Riv does include a lowrider bicycle. Sort of fussy to assemble but pretty cool looking when complete. I've heard one or two people say that the '66 Riv Nailhead is underscale, but pretty much any other existing 1:25 Nailhead part can be made to fit on it and still look consistent, so I'm not so sure, especially since I don't have access to a 1:1 Nailhead for measurements. Even IF it is, the engraved detail on the block and the number of separate parts pretty much blow all the other ones out of the water anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 Thanks to all for the great info and pix, and for taking the time to look at your models and post the real deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenrat Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Thanks Chuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toner283 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Chuck, I have a 401 nailhead and an auto transmission on a stand in my garage. any measurements you need I can provide. From what I have been able to determine, physically the 401 and the 425 are the same engine. The differences are internal. Let me know if I can help. The engine will eventually find its way into my 59 El Camino. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydar Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Oh man you have to sand that seem on the bell housing/trans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbwelda Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 I have some photos of the motor sprue, the bicycle sprue and the kool azz Dayton wires (molded with micro spaces between the spokes) but somehow I cannot cut and paste into the reply block so I cant post them. kind of a pain honestly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclescott58 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) I've seen the real '66 Riviera AMT/Ertl used in designing this kit. I've seen the car and met its owner at the Riviera nationals and Buick club nationals. The owner of the car, Dennis (I can not remember his last name) is a interesting character. Dennis is a retired Buick engine engineer. He has done seminars at Buick events on the history and maintenance of Buick engines. He started working with Buick around 1960, and was involved with the development of both the 425 and the dual four-barrel version of the same. He also of course worked on later Buick engines. But, he always has had special feeling for the 425 dual four-barrel. So when he retired, he looked for a Riviera with that power plant. His Riviera is the real car shown on box of the first release of this. It is a very, very nice car. And I know Dennis found the model Ertl did of his car to be very accurate. I figure if a Buick engineer and owner of car likes the model, it's got to be a pretty good rendition. Being a Buick guy, I've built and owned this kit and several versions of the original AMT annuals. The newer kit is by far a better kit in every way except one. The annuals depicted the Riviera GSs with buckets seat. Dennis' car is also a GS, but has a split back bench with a folding arm rest. So the Ertl version is the same. Not a big deal. I prefer a car with bucket seats over one with a bench. But this is not a big deal. The Ertl Riviera is that nice. Just like its real counter part. Uncle Scott Edited November 1, 2018 by unclescott58 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Kourouklis Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I've always wondered about the mirror-reflected gas tank arrangement between this one and the older '69 kit - and which of the two is correct - and I've always thought the '66 would be improved a wee by filing the chromed lower fender areas just ahead of the front wheel openings for a bit more roll-under to the center, and by cobbling up the retracted headlights which are quite visible from certain angles. Otherwise, yes. This is one of the best of that turn-of-the-century "Mueller-era" series of AMT kits, and one of my favorites. The stock version is notable not only for that fine nailhead, but also for a nice set of tires not used on any other AMT kit since, far as I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZTony8 Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Are the dimensions of the engine/trans in the newer Riviera kit "spot on"?The reason I ask is that the comparable engine in the older '66 Wildcat kit is of a much larger size. The Riviera version looks lost in the engine bay of the Wildcat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 On 3/28/2014 at 2:47 PM, ZTony8 said: Are the dimensions of the engine/trans in the newer Riviera kit "spot on"?The reason I ask is that the comparable engine in the older '66 Wildcat kit is of a much larger size. The Riviera version looks lost in the engine bay of the Wildcat. Maybe that's due to the 'vertical' orientation of the Buick V-8's valve covers? I have an unassembled version of the Mueller-era AMT '66 Riviera's V-8, and while it's pre-painted, it would be my go-to choice for a Buick V-8 engine. If someone has definitive measurements of a real part(s) (say, valve cover flange width and length, etc.) I can compare them to the scale engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motor City Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 The original '66 Riviera promo and kit were not GS models. The newer promo and kit are GS models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrObsessive Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 It's been mentioned, but that's one of the things I don't like about that kit------the lack of headlights when the hood is opened. That's one feature that's VERY conspicuous by its absence! Without those it looks 'incomplete' to me. If/when I'd ever build this, it's one detail that MUST be in my WIP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toner283 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 (edited) 10 hours ago, Casey said: Maybe that's due to the 'vertical' orientation of the Buick V-8's valve covers? I have an unassembled version of the Mueller-era AMT '66 Riviera's V-8, and while it's pre-painted, it would be my go-to choice for a Buick V-8 engine. If someone has definitive measurements of a real part(s) (say, valve cover flange width and length, etc.) I can compare them to the scale engine. Casey, I still have the engine/trans in my shop that is in the picture posted a few posts above this one. What all measurements would you like? Just the valve cover sizes? I can get them for you tomorrow. It's cold and rainy tonight so I'm not going back out to the shop tonight. Edited November 1, 2018 by Toner283 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 No rush, really, just thought it would give us all a better answer regarding which parts are accurate. Maybe easy(?) things to measure like the valve covers, center-to-center measurement of the end to exhaust ports, oil pan flange width and length? The kit engine I have is not yet assembled, but I could do that for a cylinder head to cylinder head max width measurement comparison if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hard_2_Handle_454 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Not a bad kit when finished. It was pretty easy to build and looks pretty good when completed. By far one of the better AMT models. SAM_2540 by Eric Lucas, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 (edited) Here are the engine parts from the AMT '66 Buick Riviera, this particular engine coming from a pre-pained issue: Edited November 21, 2018 by Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBcritter Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 23 hours ago, Casey said: Here are the engine parts from the AMT '66 Buick Riviera, this particular engine coming from a pre-pained issue: Can you upload that image directly to the forum? Photobucket is having one of its fits again (or they keep defeating the Chrome addons). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 1 hour ago, ChrisBcritter said: Can you upload that image directly to the forum? Photobucket is having one of its fits again (or they keep defeating the Chrome addons). Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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