USA vs USA — 1966 vs 1965
| Toronado 455 | Riviera Gran Sport 425 | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 400 hp | 360 hp |
| Torque | 500 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
| Engine Size | 7,456 cc | 6,965 cc |
| 0-60 mph | 7.5 sec | 7.2 sec |
| Top Speed | 135 mph | 130 mph |
| ¼ Mile | 15.5 sec | 15.3 sec |
| Weight | 4,600 lbs | 4,500 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 3,048 mm | 3,073 mm |
| Length | 5,365 mm | 5,410 mm |
| Units Produced | 40,963 | 3,961 |
| Original MSRP | $4,617 | $4,424 |
| Value (Excellent) | $65,000 | $95,000 |
| Collectibility | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Rarity | 5/10 | 7/10 |
It's a closely fought contest. The 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 455 brings more power, higher top speed, better value to the table, and the 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport 425 answers with quicker acceleration, greater rarity, stronger collectibility. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.
In the world of Personal Luxury cars, few comparisons generate as much discussion as the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 455 versus the 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport 425. Both hail from Muscle era and represent the pinnacle of their respective manufacturers' ambitions. The 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 455 holds a clear advantage in raw power with 400 hp compared to 360 hp, a 40-horsepower difference that shapes the driving experience. Under the hood, the contrast is notable: the Oldsmobile Toronado uses a V8 OHV (Oldsmobile 455 Rocket) displacing 7,456 cc, while the Buick Riviera relies on a V8 OHV (Buick 425 Nailhead) with 6,965 cc. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport 425 edges ahead at 7.2 seconds versus 7.5 seconds. Rarity plays a significant role here — with only 3,961 units built, the 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport 425 is considerably scarcer than the Oldsmobile Toronado's 40,963 examples.