1980 Buick Century

The Century name graced Buick's model lineup for many years, first in 1936 to 1942, then retiring briefly before returning in 1954 (to 1958). These were full-size, well-appointed vehicles, while those built from 1973 to 2005 were mid-sized cars.

The 1973 to 1977 Buick Century rested on the intermediate A-body platform and served as a replacement for the mid-sized Skylark, inheriting the Gran Sport performance options as well. During this period of time, over 1.3 million examples were built.

Vehicles of the early 1970s had focused on luxury, with many using size to accomplish this goal. The direction soon changed as a growing oil crisis sent customers seeking more fuel-efficient alternatives. For General Motors, they began downsizing its fleet of vehicles in 1977, beginning with the full-size B- and C-Body models. These full-size family vehicles shrunk by an average of 10 inches in length and weight by approximately 800 pounds. The intermediate A-body models followed this trend a year later, in 1978.

The 1978 to 1981 Buick Century
The wheelbase of the Buick Century shrunk by four inches in 1978 and its weight was significantly reduced. Luxury remained an integral part of the formula, with designers given the task of keeping, or increasing, the interior space despite the smaller footprint. Body styles initially included a fastback four-door sedan, a station wagon, and an 'aeroback' fastback two-door coupe. The Aeroback was shared with Oldsmobile while Chevrolet and Pontiacs offered a more conventional sedan.

Complimenting the smaller and lighter platform, big-block engines were no longer offered. The standard engine was Buick's new 196 cubic-inch (3.2 liter) V6, while the 231 CID V6 and the Chevrolet 305 V8 were optional. The Chevrolet engine was replaced for 1979 with a Pontiac 265 CID (4.3 L) and a 301 CID (4.9 L).

Buick Century production from 1978 to 1981 was over 436,200 units, with 1980 being the most popular with 148,429 units built, followed closely in 1981 with 144,267 units built. Just 55,837 had been built in 1979.

The 'fifth generation' of the Century arrived in 1982 on a front-wheel drive A-body platform with coupe and sedan body styles.

The 1980 Buick Century
The big news for the Century in 1980 was the new notchback sedan roofline that replaced the fastback two-door Century models. The formal and angular design incorporated wraparound taillamps, sloping fenders, a four-row, eight-column crosshatch grille flanked by square headlamps with rectangular signal lamps, and amber lenses on the fender corners.

Body styles, Pricing, and Production
The two-door Aero Coupe was priced at $5,550 with the standard V6 engine and $5,750 with the standard V8. The sedan listed for $5,650, the station wagon at $5,920, and the estate wagon at $6,220. The addition of the optional V8 increased the base price by approximately $200. The most popular body style was the sedan with 129,740 examples built. A total of 11,122 buyers selected the estate wagon, 6,493 of the station wagon, and a mere 1,074 of the Aero Coupe.

Standard Equipment
The well-equipped and comfortable Buick Century came standard with protective bumper strips, a stand-up hood ornament, fiberglass belted radial tries, a compact spare tire, a three-speed manual transmission, and a 231 CID (3.8 L) V6 engine. Interior amenities included a dome light. The station wagon (and Estate wagon) had seating for six occupants or 71.8 cubic feet of cargo space when the second seat was folded away.

The Custom and Special trim designations were no longer offered, leaving the 'base' and Limited. A Turbo Coupe and Sport Coupe were also optional.

Sport Wagon Option
The Sport Wagon option package added wide rocker treatment, wheel opening moldings, sport mirrors, a hawk decal, an air deflector, black headlamp and grille trim, window reveal moldings and a center pillar. The suspension was upgraded to Rallye specification and the tires were P205/70R14 steel belted radials on Designers' Sport wheels.

Sport Coupe and Turbo Coupe
The Sport Coupe and Turbo Coupe had a hawk decal on the front fender, black treatment on the pillars, moldings, grille, headlamp bezels, windshield wiper arms, decklid panel, and instrument panel trim. In the back was a functional rear spoiler, and on both front doors were sport mirrors. Complimenting the sporty persona were the ride-and-handling Rallye package with improved suspension, Designers' Sport wheels, and P205/70R14 steel-belted radial tires.

When equipped with the turbocharger, a bulged hood was added to accommodate the additional equipment. The body side and deck lid were given 'Turbo 3.8 Liter' nameplates. Turbine wheels were placed at all four corners.

Century Sport
The Century Sport two-door Aero Coupe was priced at $6,060.

Century Limited
The Century Limited four-door sedan was priced at $6,130 and added bodyside stripes, wheel opening moldings, vinyl or plush crushed-knit cloth upholstery, and lights for the front ashtray, under-dash courtesy, and glove compartment.

Engine Specification
The standard six-cylinder engine displaced 231 cubic inches and had overhead valves, a cast iron alloy block and head, 8.0:1 compression, four main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel Rochester carburetor, and developed 110 bhp at 3,800 RPM and 190 lb-ft of torque. When equipped with the turbocharger, output rose to 170 bhp at 4,000 RPM and 265 lb-ft of torque.

The optional 265 CID V8 had overhead valves, 8.0:1 compression, four main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel Rochester carburetor, and delivered 120 bhp at 3,000 RPM and 210 lb-ft of torque. The optional 301 CID V8 had 8.2:1 compression, five main bearings, a four-barrel Rochester carburetor, and produced 140 horsepower at 4,000 RPM and 240 lb-ft of torque. The optional 305 CID V8 had cast iron alloy block and head, 8.6:1 compression, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a four-barrel Rochester carburetor, and produced 155 bhp at 4,000 RPM and 240 lb-ft of torque.

Chassis Specification
A three-speed, fully synchronized manual gearbox was standard, with a Turbo Hydra-Matic available as optional equipment. Steering was by recirculating ball, and braking was via discs at the front and drums at the rear.

The Century rested on a 108.1-inch wheelbase and measured 196 inches in length, was 54.6 inches tall (the sedan and wagons were 55.5 inches), and was 71.1 inches wide.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2023