The 412 cubic inch motor had awesome power, but was worn out by time I bought the car. The mileage was only 45000 when it got it.
On the plus side, this big Buick had a pretty good transmission and road handling characteristics. The body was heavy and it sat on a real chassis (frame). No cheap unibody stuff. The 4-speaker AM/FM stereo radio was one of the first true multiplexed models put into a car. The chrome was classy and blended into the body lines well. In 1966, this was a hotrod for upscale, middle-aged folks -- with room for the kids. 0-90 mph in the blink on an eye. Sadly, like most V8 engines of its time, the 412 could not take much more than 50000 miles of city driving before showing its age. It only cost about $700 then for a pro engine rebuild, but that was a lot of money then. $700 could buy you another big, used, American land yacht.
You don't have the right size of the engine for this car-the standard size engine for the Riviera (the only size offered, actually) for this year was a 425-it is likely the engine you purport to have rebuilt in the Rivi wasn't the original engine. Also, unless an engine gets VERY poor upkeep, or is abused, or has a particular design flaw, none should need rebuilding at 50,000 miles.
The 425 Nailhead engine from this Riviera would last forever if kept properly.
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