As per 1971, the Centurion was available in four-door hardtop, two-door coupe and two-door convertible bodies – all sitting on the 124″ wheelbase.ġ973 would be the Centurion’s most successful year, selling nearly 45,000 examples across the three body styles. Visually, the grille was ‘dropped’ in a similar fashion to the Chevrolets of the same year. In 1972 not much changed, although the quoted output for the 455 was reduced from 315 hp to 225 hp, and from 360 hp to 270 hp for the high performance variant – a change from gross to net figures (if I have absorbed correctly from my CC readings). The Wildcat’s sporting pretensions were downplayed in favour of a more distinguished look featuring less chrome trim, a unique and discrete grille, deluxe steering wheel, but still no ventiports. It featured the 455 as standard, with the high performance version also available. The Centurion replaced the Wildcat as the top trim level B-body Buick, taking its name from a 1956 plexi-cabined show car. However the cars were longer, wider and heavier which did not augur well for the future. For example, the line that crossed over from the hood, which usually would have intersected the base of the windshield, swept over at the bottom of the A-pillar and became a side line.” Buick had been lagging in the B- and C-body looks department for the last few years but jumped to first place with this new platform.Īs Jerry Hirshberg, who was involved with the styling of this range, told Collectible Automobile “In an era of edge and boxiness, I think what we introduced with this car was the beginning of three-dimensionality, and that was unique for a big car. To my memory, this is the first 1971-76 B- or C-bodied Buick I have ever encountered in the metal, and it wasn’t until I sat down to do a capsule that I realised how relatively rare the Centurion was.ġ971 saw an overhaul of the fullsize GM cars across the board. (first posted ) With Toyota Week firing on all four cylinders, now is probably the right time for some respite in the form of a gargantuan US ragtop.
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