1973 Buick Century

Buick began using the 'Century' name in 1936 and gave it the shorter wheelbase of the entry-level model, the Special, and the larger displacement straight-eight engine from the top-of-the-line model, the Roadmaster. Its styling was much more streamlined than the previous year's design and it was bestowed with numerous engineering improvements and advancements. Motivated by the 320 cubic-inch, overhead-valve straight-eight engine and resting on the shortened platform, they were the fastest Buick production vehicles of the era, capable of achieving sustained speeds of 100 mph, hence the 'Century' or '100' name. This 'first generation' of Century models was produced until the U.S. involvement in World War II brought an end to civilian automobile production. After the war, the Century nameplate did not return. It lay dormant until 1954 when Buick revived the smaller, lighter formula paired with the most potent engine available. This 'second generation' of Buick Century was built from 1954 through 1958. Its wheelbase measured 122-inches, the same size as the original Buick Century of 1936, and its 'Fireball' overhead valve V8 engine displaced 322 cubic inches and was paired with a Dyanflow automatic transmission. After the 1958 model year, the Century nameplate was once again retired.

In 1973, Buick returned the 'Century' to production and it would continue to be produced through 1977.

The 1973 Buick Century was an intermediate line built on the GM A-Body platform with a wheelbase size of 116-inches. They had a new chassis with front disc brakes. Bodystyles included 2- and 4-door hardtops, and a 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. Exterior design elements included round headlights in square bezels, round parking lamps, and a thin crosshatch grille with three horizontal division bars. The base engine was a 350 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 unit offering 150 horsepower. A Saginaw three-speed manual transmission was standard with the 350 engine, and a Muncie M-21 four-speed was available with either 350 or with the regular 455.

The Luxus line had additional interior accouterments and finer appointments. On the exterior, they had a horizontal beltline molding that ran along the trailing edge of the front fenders and continued onto the front door. Additionally, the had narrow opera windows and a more formal notchback roofline.

The Regal line was available only as a hardtop coupe. It had a base price of $3,470 and would prove to be the most popular in the Century line, with 91,557 sales. They had a distinctive grille and special crest emblems on the front fenders. Two- and four-barrel version of the Buick 350 were available, offering 150 and 175 hp, respectively. Buyer's also had the option of purchasing the potent 455 CID V8 with 225 horsepower.

Buyers could select the Gran Sport Package which added suspension upgrades, special styling, electric clock, instrument gauges, ashtray, courtesy lamps, glovebox, and wheel opening moldings. The Gran Sport package was offered with any engine, with dual exhaust pipes increasing output of the four-barrel 350 CID V8 to 190 bhp. The Stage I 455 produced 270 hrsoepwoer and 390 lb-ft of torqoue. The Stage I came with a Turbo-HydraMatic 400.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2018