1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Fact Sheet
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts, Figures, and Specifications
The mid-sized models all received moderately redesigned sheet metal that gave the appearance of a lower and wider car, though dimensions we almost identical. The 401 CID V-8, emblems, and a different hood distinguished the Gran Sport from the Skylark version.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars: Slicker Bodies
For 1966, a new engine, the 340 CID V-8, bowed. On the Skylark Gran Sport, the logo “Gran Sport” on the sail panel was removed, and “GS” was placed on the sides at the rear of the rear fender. A 340 HP version of the 401 CID -8 was released late in the year.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Car Resources
Equipment or products directly related to this car. Click to view:
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1966 Buick Mid-Size
| A Regal Black | |
| C Arctic White | |
| D Astro Blue | |
| E Midnight Blue | |
| F Blue Mist | |
| H Seafoam Green | |
| J Verde Green | |
| K Turquoise Mist | |
| L Shadow Turquoise | |
| N Burgundy Mist | |
| R Flame Red | |
| T Saddle Mist | |
| V Shell Beige | |
| W Silver Mist | |
| Y Cream |
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars – What’s It Worth?
Related valuations for the 1966 Buick Mid-Size Line will appear below
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Current Market Values
NOTE; Gran Sport values included in specific models.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Car Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts
A new body, with more sheet metal sculpting, graced the 1966 Mid-Size Buicks. Two-door hardtops featured “flying buttress” C pillars that extended beyond the nearly vertical rear window glass to give the car a more flowing look when viewed from the side. There were three lines, Special, Special deluxe and Skylark, with the Gran Sport now numbered as a new series, exclusively featuring the 401 CID V-8 from the senior car line. Each model had unique trim, with the Gran Sport featuring a special hood and front fenders.
A new 220 and 260 horsepower 340 CID V-8 was introduced and was optional in the line. The 340 was offered with two- or four-barrel carburetion. The two-barrel version had a 9.0:1 compression ratio and was rated at 220 HP @ 4,000 rpm and 340 lb⋅ft @ 2,400 rpm, while the four-barrel had a 10.25:1 compression ratio and was rated at 260 HP @ 4,000 rpm and 375 lb⋅ft @ 2,800 rpm.
Late in the year, the Gran Sport V-8 was offered with the new Rochester Quadra-jet 4-barrel carburetor and the Wildcat high lift cam. Option L76 made 340 HP @ 4600 RPM.
NOTE: The Buick Sportwagon, the extended wheelbase station wagon, is NOT part of this Fact Sheet.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Factoids
Click a Tab to See the Details
The new 340 CID V-8 had a bore and stroke of 3.75″ x 3.85″. This was a result of stroking the 300 CID V-8 to 3.85″ using a raised deck block – raised by 0.5625″. The 340 CID V-8’s taller deck required a new intake manifold, designed however, to bolt to the 300’s existing cylinder heads. More information on the 340 is available in the Buick mid-size AMA Specification Sheets HERE.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Models Offered
Click a Tab to See the Details
Special Standard – Special. Each front fender had three faux Ventiports. Rear fenders had “Special” in script. The car was almost completely devoid of bright metal trim on the sides. Small hubcaps were standard. Regular equipment included a heater and defroster; directional signals; ashtray; cigar lighter; dual key locking system; Step-On parking brake; front door-operated courtesy light; upper instrument panel pad; outside rear view mirror; two-speed wipers with washer; padded sun visors, front and rear seat belts and backup lamps. Interiors were vinyl and cloth, with an all-vinyl trim optional.
Models offered were 4-door and 2-door Sedans, Convertible, and Station Wagon. Both the V-6 and 300 and 340 CID V-8s were available.
Special Deluxe – The Special DeLuxe had the same body as the Special, but with slightly more bright work, including a rear quarter bright spear with “Special” in script above it over the wheelhouse, as wells as bright window reveals and a stand-up hood ornament. Special DeLuxe models had additional standard features including: rear ashtray; DeLuxe steering wheel; dual arm rests; carpeting and dual horns. Sedan interiors were cloth and vinyl, while the other models were trimmed in all-vinyl material. A notch back all-vinyl front seat was optional for the coupe and sport coupe.
There were 4 models models in the Special Deluxe line: the 2-door thin pillar coupe, the 2-door hardtop coupe 4-door Sedan and the Station Wagon.
Skylark – Buick’s top level intermediate was the recipient of additional exterior bright moldings. They included a lower body molding that ran full-length including the wheelhouse, simulated vent grids on front fenders, “Skylark” in script and the Skylark emblem on rear fenders as well as on the rear cove panel. A notch back front seat was standard on the four-door hardtop, optional on other models. Bucket seats, with a reclining passenger seat, were optional, as were headrests. Trim was all-vinyl or cloth and vinyl combinations.
All Skylarks had the following additional standard equipment: Custom-padded seat cushions, Deluxe specific wheel covers, ash tray and glove compartment lights and front interior courtesy lamps. The 300 and 340 CID V-8s were optional across the entire Skylark line.
The Gran Sport option was available on all Skylark models except the station wagon and 4-door models, including the 2-door hardtop coupe, the 2-door pillared coupe and the convertible. Since it was equipped like the Skylark, the sporting image was enhanced via a black matte finish rear cove panel, Skylark GS emblems on quarters and instrument panel, Gran Sport nameplates on the grille and deck, and whitewall or red line 7.75 x 14 tires. Bright simulated air scoops, side paint stripes and a blacked out grille gave further identity. There was no hood ornament. Interiors were all-vinyl, with a notch back front seat standard and bucket front seats optional.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Gran Sport option package included:
-
- Available on Skylark Pillared Coupe, Sport Coupe (hardtop) and Convertible.
- 401 CID 325 HP high-performance V-8 standard.
- 401 CID 341 HP high-performance V-8 optional.
- Special “Gran Sport” nameplates for the grille and rear fascia.
- Special “GS” nameplates for the rear fenders.
- 3-speed manual transmission standard; 4-speed manual transmission and automatic transmission available.
- Special Handling package with HD springs and shocks.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Engines
Click a Tab to See the Details
- 160 HP 225 CID V-6
- 300 CID V-8 210 HP
- 340 CID V-8 220 HP
- 340 CID V-8 260 HP
- 401 CID V-8 325 HP Gran Sport
- 401 CID V-8 340 HP Gran Sport
Base V-6 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 225 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.750 x 3.400 inches. Compression ratio: 9.00:1. Horsepower: 160 @ 4200 RPM. Torque: 235 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 285°, Exhaust 295°, Overlap 67°, Lift 0.4011″ (intake), 0.3907″ (exhaust). Carburetor: Rochester 2CG Two-barrel: Model (manual transmission) 7026145 (automatic) 7026144; (California) 7036144.
Base V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 300 CID. Bore and stroke: 3. 750″ x 3.400″. Compression ratio: 9.0:1. Horsepower: 210 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 310 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 286°, Exhaust 285°, Overlap 36°, Lift 0.393″ (intake), 0.401” (exhaust). Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel (manual transmission) 7026047 (automatic) 7026046.
340 CID Base V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 300 CID. Bore and stroke: 3. 750″ x 3.850″. Compression ratio: 9.0:1. Horsepower: 220 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 340 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 294°, Exhaust 294°, Overlap 44°, Lift 0.3992″ (intake), 0.3992” (exhaust). Carburetor: Rochester 2CG 2-barrel (manual transmission) model 7026047; (automatic transmission) model 7026046.
340 CID Optional V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 300 CID. Bore and stroke: 3. 750″ x 3.850″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 260 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 365 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 294°, Exhaust 294°, Overlap 44°, Lift 0.3992″ (intake), 0.3992” (exhaust). Carburetor: Carter AFB 4-barrel (manual transmission) model 4056; (automatic transmission) model 4055, (California) 4061.
Gran Sport V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 401 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.1875″ x 3.640″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 325 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 445 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 295°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 74°, Lift 0.431″ (intake), 0.431” (exhaust). Carburetor: (manual transmission) Carter 4-barrel model 4180 or 4179; (automatic transmission) Carter AFB 4-barrel model 4453 or Rochester 4GC 7026040 (California) 4181.
Gran Sport Option L76 V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 401 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.1875″ x 3.640″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 340 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 445 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 290°, Exhaust 299°, Overlap 77°, Lift 0.439″ (intake), 0.441” (exhaust). Carburetor: (automatic transmission only) Rochester Quadra-jet 4-barrel model 7026242.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Chassis Features
-
- Wheelbase: All : 115 inches.
- Overall length: All: 204 inches.
- Front track: All: 58 inches.
- Rear track: All: 59 inches.
- Standard tires: Standard: 6.50 x 14. Optional: 7.00 x 15.
- Standard tires Gran Sport: 7.75 x 14 “Red Line” Nylon cord tires mounted on 14 x 6JK rim wheels standard, Optional only on Skylark V-8 series.
- Optional tires Gran Sport: 8.25 x 14.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Powertrain Information
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- V-6: 1st – 2.84:1, 2nd – 1.68:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.94:1
- 300 and 340 CID V-8: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.50:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.63:1
- 401 CID V-8: 1st – 2.42:1, 2nd – 1.61:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.33:1
- Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- 300 and 340 CID V-8l: 1st – 2.56:1, 2nd – 1.91:1, 3rd – 1.5:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.64:1
- 401 CID V-8l: 1st – 2.20:1, 2nd – 1.64:1, 3rd – 1.3:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.26:1
- 300 and 340 CID V-8l: 1st – 2.56:1, 2nd – 1.91:1, 3rd – 1.5:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.64:1
- Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: Low – 1.765:1, High – 1:1, Reverse – 2.49:1
- Max Stall V-6: Low – 2.75:1, High – 1.95:1
- Max Stall All V-8: Low – 2.45:1, High – 1.80:1
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- V-6 SMT: 3.23:1
- V-6 AMT: 2.93:1; 3.23:1 with A/C; All Wagons 3.23:1
- V-8 210 HP SMT: 3.08:1; 3.23:1 Wagons
- V-8 210 HP AMT: 2.78:1; 2.93:1 Wagons
- V-8 220 HP SMT: 3.08:1
- V-8 220 HP AMT: 2.78:1
- V-8 260 HP SMT: 3.08:1; 3.23:1 Wagons
- V-8 260 HP AMT: 2.78:1; 2.93:1 Wagons
- V-8 250 HP 4-speed SMT: 3.23:1;
- V-6 SMT: 3.23:1
NOTE: For more powertrain information, you may access the 1966 Buick mid-size AMA Specifications Sheets HERE and the 1966 Buick Gran Sport Specific AMA Specifications Sheets HERE.
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Power Train Options
-
- Three-speed manual transmission was standard.
- Automatic transmission was optional ($245).
- Three-speed manual transmission with floor shift ($48).
- Four-speed manual transmission with floor shift ($199).
- 340 CID 260 horsepower V-8 ($64).
- Special Gran Sport L76 340 HP 401 CID option (late year)
- Gran Sport Package option ($236).
- Positive traction rear axle ($49).
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Significant Options
-
- Air conditioning ($430).
- Bucket seats ($141).
- Clock ($16).
- Convenience lamps ($8).
- Outside mirror ($4).
- Padded dash ($16).
- Power antenna ($26).
- Power brakes ($43).
- Power convertible top ($64).
- Power seats ($71).
- Power steering ($87).
- Radio, AM/FM ($150).
- Radio, deluxe push button ($88).
- Radio, super deluxe signal seeking ($124).
- Rear speaker ($16).
- Rear window defroster ($21).
- Tinted glass ($43).
- Trunk release ($10).
- Two-speed wipers and washer ($19).
- Two-tone paint ($17).
1966 Buick Mid-Size Car Downloads and Images
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the 1966 Buick Mid-Size Line will appear below. Click to Download:
1966 Buick Full Line Deluxe Brochure
1966 Buick Full Line Regular Brochure
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Print Ads – Coming Soon!
1966 Buick Gran Sport Print Ads
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars V-6 AMA Specifications Sheets
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars V-8 AMA Specifications Sheets
1966 Buick Gran Sport AMA Specifications Sheets
1966 Buick Blueprinting the Nail Head – Hot Rod Magazine
1966 Buick GS Road Test with 5 Others – Car and Driver Magazine
1966 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the 1966 Buick Mid-Size Line will appear below
1966 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
The 1966 Buick Gran Sport Convertible was the most expensive mid-size Buick available that year. Sharp looks, plush interior and plenty of power defined this model. 2,047 found buyers.
1966 Buick Gran Sport Sport Coupe
The 1966 Buick Gran Sport Sport Coupe was the most popular of the line. 9,934 were produced.
1966 Buick Gran Sport Coupe
The 1966 Buick Gran Sport Coupe was the lightest of the three models offered, making a great platform for the serious racer. 1,835 were sold
1966 Buick Skylark Convertible
The 1966 Buick Skylark Convertible was the best-selling mid-size convertible in the Buick Line with 6,129 V-8s and a mere 608 V-6 versions produced.
1966 Buick Skylark Sport Coupe
The 1966 Buick Skylark Sport Coupe was the top line sport coupe in the line – less the Gran Sport. 33,086 V-8 models were sold., along with 4,456 V-6 versions.
1966 Buick Skylark 4-door Hardtop
The 1966 Buick Skylark 4-door Hardtop was a new entry this year and added style to the previous mundane sedan. 18,729 V-8s and 1,422 V-6 versions were made.
1966 Buick Skylark Coupe
The 1966 Buick Skylark Coupe was a moderate seller with 4,908 V-6 and 1,454 V-8s delivered.
1966 Buick Special Deluxe Sport Coupe
The 1966 Buick Special Deluxe Sport Coupe was the sportiest Special Deluxe. Buyers thought so too, with 25,071 V-6 and 10,350 produced.
1966 Buick Special Deluxe 4-door Sedan
The 1966 Buick Special Deluxe 4-door Sedan was also quite popular. 26,773 V-8s and 5,501 V-6 models were delivered.
1966 Buick Special Deluxe Coupe
The 1966 Buick Special Deluxe Coupe was a slow seller, competing with the Skylark and Special versions. 2,359 V-6 and 4,908 V8s left the showrooms.
1966 Buick Special Deluxe Wagon
The 1966 Buick Special Deluxe Wagon was the highest level regular wheelbase wagon available. Only 824 V-6 models were sold and the V-6 did a little better with 7,592 delivered.
1966 Buick Special Convertible
For some reason the 1966 Buick Special Convertible was not a Special Deluxe, perhaps to keep the price down, but what occurred was that few were sold. Only 1,357 V-6 and 2,036 V-8 versions were delivered.
1966 Buick Special 4-door Sedan
The 1966 Buick Special 4-door Sedan was intended to be the bread and butter sedan in the line. However, Buick buyers were moving upstream, and only 9,355 V-8s and 8,797 V-6 models were sold.
1966 Buick Special Coupe
Of course, the 1966 Buick Special Coupe was the lowest-priced mid-size Buick this year. With the potential buyer moving upstream, only 9,322 V-6 and 5,719 V-8s were sold.
1966 Buick Special Wagon
The 1966 Buick Special Wagon also was a slow seller. 1,451 V-6 models and 3,038 V-8s found buyers.