1971 convertible for sale - discussion?

[Smartin]

I'd like to bring this car to our attention for some discussion.

Our most recent new member, Boscoe, is in the market for a 1971 Centurion convertible...this one caught his eye.

http://www.tntclassiccars.com/gm.html

Upon some closer examination of the photos provided, it looks to be a fairly nice car - well cared for.

[Smartin]

more pics

[Smartin]

It appears to be well-optioned -

Rim Blower wheel
Chrome plated wheels
Cornering lights
Protective side moldings
Custom rear body moldings
AC - automatic climate control? tough to see
Speed alert & trip odometer
Power Locks
Power Windows
Tilt steering wheel
Accessory group - clock, trunk light
Floor mats

It looks like there is an extra horn bolted to the front drivers fender...I wonder if that is a peek at the trumpet horn, of the 4-note horn option...

The Air cleaner looks to be from another car. The snorkel is too small for the 71 big blocks. The rest of the engine compartment looks very clean and original, with the exception of some hoses and belts, etc. OOPS - Heater core is bad....heater hoses are looped at the engine.

[Bob Alberini]

It definitely has the automatic climate control. The rim blower wheel is probably wrapped to conceal some problems as these did not hold up well on any model much less a convertible Are the front seat bottoms deceiving me or are these some shade of red with the vinyl running the wrong direction? I also suspect the protective side molding is not original but overall have to agree it appears to be a pretty decent one.

[Smartin]

Yes, the lower front seat section has been "redone" in another color/pattern. It's difficult to tell about the side moldings, but it didn't appear at first glance that they were aftermarket - looks like the right height in relation to the front fender emblem...but it's impossible to see the pattern if the molding itself.

[Bob Alberini]

I've looked at an awful lot of 71-73 B-C bodies over the past 30+ years and those protective side moldings struck me as just not quite right. Yes, they are in the proper position and it may just be the scans that make them look that way but, especially viewing the shots on the left side, something looks a bit off. I could be totally wrong on this one.

[Robroy]

Excuse me guys for jumping in here with some stupid questions, but could you please explain what the options below are. I’ve put my own guesses in the parenthesis after some of them.
I’m trying to figure out what options I may have on my car.

Rim Blower wheel?
Cornering lights (is this the orange part on the front turn signal?)
Protective side moldings (is this the protection on the doors to prevent damage the paint when opening the door?)
Custom rear body moldings?

[Robroy]

Thanks Keith,
I think I get fair idea what these options are about.
Would it be ok for me to send you some picts of my car? You could probably see directly if I have these options or not. The picts are not heavy to download (the pictures where taken by the guy I bought car from before it was sold to me)

[Bob Alberini]

Just to add a little to Keith's entry, the rim blower wheel is an easy option to spot. The steering wheel center is a completely different configuration than the standard wheel installed on Centurions -- which has a three ribbed bar to blow the horn. This option was pretty scarce on 71 Centurion convertibles with only 147 units built with it.

If your car has cornering lamps, the clear lamp lens is directly above the front side marker lamp and is an integral unit. If there is no clear lens above the amber side marker lamp, then your car doesn't have them.

And no question is stupid if you don't know the answer. I'm glad you asked them if you didn't know.

I also wanted to add that the automatic climate control option on this car is also very scarce on the 71 Centurion converts. Only 154 were assembled with it.

[The German]

Yes, this car seems to be a good one, but they have it in the market since 10/2006 - perhaps earlier ... ! The question is : why is it not sold up to now ?

Rolf

[Bob Alberini]

I'd have to agree with you, Rolf. I seemed to remember documenting a 71 convertible with rim blower wheel and auto climate control so I went back and looked through my records and sure enough, found it from an ebay listing in October, 2006. (I know it is the same car because I mentioned the red seat inserts in my note.) The car was listed as having 76k miles and was a Kansas City built unit. One would wonder why it has been around this long.
(My notes also indicated it has the 6-way power seat)

= = = B o b

[The German]

I'd have to agree with you, Rolf. I seemed to remember documenting a 71 convertible .... .
= = = B o b

That`s it, Bob, and I remember that they lowered the buy-it-now-price at the end of the auction from 10 to 8.5 K$. Perhaps it only was not the right season to sell a Convertible ... .
On the other hand there is no picture of the convertible top ? (my PC has problem to show the original side with car-pictures of the sellers) - May be this is not in good condition ?

Rolf

[Robroy]

That’s a good idea Keith and I thought of it myself, but I didn’t know how to upload pictures to a thread:confused2: , but I think I have figured it out now.

[Boscoe]

Hi all,

I thought I'd post a link to the thread I started on V8Buick.com that caused Adam to invite me over here to Centurion Land.

http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=123021

This car looks very much like the one Bromm in AZ has had on eBay several times lately, except that one has red seats front and rear and is located in IN. For a long time I thought it was the same car.

I'm going to be busy and away from the office until the middle of March. After that, if the car is still available and nothing better has come along, I plan to try to hire a professional to inspect the car. I'm no expert on cars and lots of things would slip right past me, like the probable heater core problem, for example. Once the hose routing was mentioned, it was obvious, but I didn't notice it before.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and information.

[Boscoe]

Hi,

I'm back. I'm still digging out from under the work that piled up while I was away, but I am finally able to come back to the forum. I haven't called the dealer yet to see if the car is still available, but the ads for it are still running. In the time I was away I had a chance to think about reasons why I should or shouldn't buy this car, or any collector car, at least at this time.:confused:

(This is a long post so I thank in advance anyone who reads it for their stamina and desire to help me make a good decision. To anyone reading along just to see how I screw this up, enjoy!)

Reasons to buy:

1. I think the 71 Centurion is one of the best looking cars ever made.
2. The full-size GM cars of this era are roomy and ride beautifully. This car should be no exception.
3. It looks to be in rather good shape and has lots of nice options.
4. It's a convertible. I've only ridden in or driven convertibles a couple of times. I do feel a bit exposed, but that exposure also makes me feel more connected to what's around me. A double-edged sword, I guess.
5. It's available.
6. They aren't getting any less expensive.

Reasons not to buy:

1. It means $10k taken out of my fund for buying a house. This sets me back at least a year, probably longer.
2. I have no garage to store it in. I can probably rent covered parking from someone else in my condo building, but it might have to sit out in the parking lot. A couple of fancy cars had their wheels stolen last year, and they were in covered parking.
3. The condo rules forbid working on cars. Also, I'm not in the best physical/medical condition and am somewhat limited in how much crawling over and under the car I can do. Nor am I a skilled mechanic. So, I figure I'm going to have to pay someone to do almost all of the repairs and maintenance the car will need.
4. Since it's a large, heavy car with a big engine, it's probably going to be a gas hog. I don't intend it as a daily driver, but I would like to drive it as weather permits and take it on trips. With gas again nudging $3.00 per gallon, it's a consideration.
5. I'd prefer a different color. I don't hate cream-of-tomato-soup red, but I'd really prefer my "fun car" to be a color I like better. If I could order a 71 Centurion built to my tastes, I'd probably opt for a shade of blue, or maybe rosewood, or burnished cinnamon. Besides, I already have a pickup that shade of red and one's enough.
6. It wasn't built in Flint. The letter in the VIN for the assembly plant is "X" and I think that means Kansas City, MO. Nothing against KC, MO (heck, my mother's from just across the river in KS), but the plant in Flint is supposed to have put the most effort into building the cars right. I've read this in magazines and a retired Buick salesman who lives in the same seniors community as my parents told me I should look for one built in Flint when I told him I was interested in 71 Centurion. He said they built them the best. How much that matters 35 years later, I don't know.

Well, my reasons against buying the car are almost all reasons in general not to buy any collectible car. The color, plus the fact that it needs its heater core replaced, front seat recovered, the proper air cleaner assembly, and the current radio replaced are the only things that argue against buying this specific car, and they seem pretty minor. Thoughts, anyone?

As I said in my message on the V8Buick forum that started this conversation, I want the car inspected by a professional before I buy. The car is in Valparaiso, Indiana, and I have looked through Hemmings and found 3 companies to consider fhiring to do the inspection. One is Auto Appraise (www.autoappraise.com). They bill themselves as undercar specialists with 180 inspectors all over the country. Another is Source One Services (www.informasource.com). They boast of 25 years' experience and are based in Chicago, fairly near the car in Valparaiso. The third is the International Vehicle Appraisers Network (www.i-van.org). They bill themselves as auto hobbyists who are also qualified appraisers. Does anyone have any experience with any of these companies? Suggestions for an appraiser?

I know I want the appraiser to check for rust, bondo, structural damage, and signs of repairs. If repairs were made, were they done correctly? I also wnat to know what on the car works and what doesn't. I suppose I should have the engine and transmission checked for matching numbers, right? The dealer says there are no signs of rust, bondo, or accident damage, and the car drives like a dream. I'd like that verified. The dealer says a test drive is fine with him and he can arrange for a lift to be available to the appraiser. I like the sound of that. Does anyone have any suggestions of anything else I should have checked?

I guess I should call the dealer and find out if the car's been sold. Thanks for reading all this and for any help or advice you can give.

[EEE]

Rim Blower Wheel...

[Boscoe]

Rim Blower Wheel...

Could you elaborate? What's the significance of a rim blow steering wheel?

[Centurion]

Boscoe, I agree with your reasons for pursuing this car. The Centurions were beautifully-styled, and, in my view, were the most striking of the full-size cars on the market at the time. The styling has aged very nicely, and many people feel that the Centurion was a far better car than the Cadillac Eldorado convertible of the same time period.

I understand your preference for a Flint-built car, but Buick did not build Centurions in Flint during 1971 and 1972. (Okay, there were eight '71 Centurions built in Flint, but I'm guessing that these were "pilot" vehicles.)

All of the '71/'72 Centurions were built in Kansas City, Southgate (CA), or Wilmington (DE). I would not have concerns regarding the quality of the cars built at any of these assembly plants.

In all honesty, I think you would be better off locating a knowledgeable, respected Buick person here (or at V8Buick or buickclub.org) to perform your inspection rather than utilizing the services of a professional appraiser or inspector. Others here may have a different opinion, but perhaps there is someone already on this forum who would be willing to travel to look at the car for you.

[Boscoe]

I'm surprised that Centurions were not built at Flint in 1971 and 1972. Do you know why not? Do you know if any of the 8 Flint-built pilot 71's made it into private hands and have survived?

I think finding someone who knows Buicks (especially Centurions), inside and out, and who can and would do a complete inspection of the car would be great. I'd certainly be willing to pay a reasonable fee and expenses. Anyone you can recommend?

I believe I've read the story of how your father acquired the car you are driving now. It's quite a story and I'm glad you appreciated the car and kept it. A lot of young men would have passed up a car like this in favor of any old clapped-out muscle car.

Do you know if any Centurions ever built with the Stage 1 engine? I have a vague recollection of reading an ad in Hemmings some years back for a silver 71 convertible with a factory Stage 1 engine being sold by a man who had some official connection to the BCA.

[Centurion]

Boscoe, I'll defer to Smartin's much greater knowledge of the '71 Centurion's optional "Modified High Performance 455" engine option, which did incorporate some Stage 1 parts. As I recall, the car did not have the Stage 1 camshaft. This engine was shared only with the Riviera GS.

Regarding the lack of production in Flint, the answer lies in the fact that Flint had all it could handle building Electra 225's, Rivieras, and Skylarks. For whatever reason, the decision was made during those two years to build all the LeSabres / Centurions at the General Motors assembly plants building B-Body full-size cars for the other GM divisions.

I am quite certain that Smartin has not documented any survivors among the handful of '71 Centurions built in Flint.

[Boscoe]

Well, I've been dithering for the last several weeks over the red car - I don't really want a red one, it probably needs a heater core, a new front seat cover, and some other small items. It might need the ever-so-rare rimblow steering wheel repaired or replaced (what's under that cover?) and I think the cornering lights detract from the car's otherwise clean look. All nit-picky sorts of things, and I haven't ruled it out (and it's still for sale).

However, during this time I have come across two other very nice looking `71 convertibles for sale. One is in the May Buick Bugle and the other belongs to a forum member. I won't divulge his name or fully describe his car in case he isn't ready to announce his willingness to sell.

Both of the cars are colors I'd prefer to red and both have the a/c I require. The car from the Bugle ad is silver with a black top and interior, and is described by the seller as:

"... all original with matching numbers. There are no rips or cracks to the black interior or dash it has the original front floor mats and I found NOS for the back. The stainless and chrome is also in very good condition, I replaced the back and front bumpers but still have the take offs. There was some small body work done in behind of both doors and on the back fenders, but only metal was used. There are 2 small scratches one on each front fender. The only things that are not original are the tires and battery we only used GM or NOS parts on the car which include T-3 headlights. The AC did work but for the last 5yrs the car was only driven for New York state inspection so it may need recharging. The motor is clean and doesn’t burn oil or make any noise, the 400 transmission has a small leak around the pan gasket. Everything works on the car but the stock AM radio which I never bothered to check out why. I also have the original cardboard from the trunk which is worn but all there. This car is worth looking at; it’s solid and was well taken care of."

The car does not have power windows or door locks. I can't tell from the pictures the seller sent me whether or not it has tilt wheel (another option I'd prefer). The car looks very nice in the pictures the seller sent to me. I'll attach some. The asking price is is $8500, obo. It's located near Rochester, NY, the sellers are Jim and Ginny Taylor, and they belong to the BCA. Does anyone here know them or the car?

The forum member's car is similarly equipped (with a/c and tilt wheel, but without power windows or locks). It has been the object of an ongoing restoration and is nearly finished. As such its asking price would be higher than that of the NY car and would be quite a stretch for my finances, but I could be confident that everything works properly.

For the car in NY I would need to hire a professional or someone wise about Centurions to inspect the car. I have picked up some knowledge about these beautiful beasts from postings here and at V8Buick, and the forum member whose car I am considering has been tutoring me as he answers my questions about his car. He has also seen pictures of the NY car and told me of some things to look for during an inspection.

So, are there any Centurion experts convenient to Rochester, NY, who would hire themselves out to go inspect the car? Here are some pictures.

[Smartin]

That silver car looks really nice from the photos...awesome color combo, too.

[Boscoe]

Yes, it's a beautiful color combination. Speaking of which, I want a place in line when you sell your coupe to buy a ring for that lovely young lady whose picture you posted the other day!:Brow: Your coupe's so pretty that I tried to talk myself out of a convertible when I saw it posted in the for sale ads at V8Buick. I couldn't do it. Then a few days ago I stumbled onto a thread where everyone was complaining about the top mechanism on the `71 to `75 GM ragtops and started wondering about a coupe, again. But, no, I want a convertible, even if I end up only keeping it long enough to teach myself that they aren't worth the trouble or that I'm not really the convertible type.

Say, what ever happened with your truck and neighborhood association? I hope you won.

[EEE]

Silver car looks super nice.... s u p e r n i c e .... just in case you guys didn't hear me the first time.

[Boscoe]

It sure is. About the only combination I'd like better is blue with a white top and interior, like that 11k mile Lesabre that was on eBay a few months ago. If it had had a/c I'd of been sorely tempted to go for it. Of course, I wonder if part of the reason it had so few miles on it was that it didn't have a/c. There would have been a lot of days too hot and/or muggy to drive it!

[Smartin]

I started driving a different truck...one with no service top or company logos. While I was still driving the other truck, I used white mags to cover up the logos....really a pain in my arse..


I'd like to know how many miles are on the silver car..

[Boscoe]

I'd like to know how many miles are on the silver car.. I'll ask about the mileage. The stated history of the car is that it was bought new by a local bank president, who later sold it to one of his vice presidents. The seller worked with the vp and bought it from him.

[Boscoe]

I would say, what are you waiting for? Deal on that silver beauty and buy it. When I saw it in the Bugle I thought what a nice sounding car. As far as A/C, both my Centurions and 69 Electra 225 convetibes have/had air and I have never used it. Of course my top is RARELY up. I would be more concerned with the lack of power windows as an option on a convertible. It's a nice color combo also, just watch your butt on those sunny days when you climb in on that black interior and the top was left down. OUCH!!!! I do work for an appraisal company that does appraisals and inspections, they work all around the country, you could contact them. Their info is Robert DeMars LTD 1-561-832-0171, website www.robertdemarsltd.com

I'm a little gun shy on old cars. Many years ago I bought a 1969 Camaro SS 396 that was represented as being in excellent condition, and it looked it, too. Trouble was, it only looked good. I wasn't mechanically adept enough to realize that the seller had polished a turd. Every time I turned around that car broke. It seemed to know when I got paid and broke in response. The windshield cracked on a not-really-all-that-hot day, the distributer walked no matter what I tried, and the oil pump let go while I was cruising up the interstate at 60 mph. Even though I shut it down, threw it into neutral, and got it off the road, I now had a 369 cid doorstop under the hood. I was able to get a 402 out of a `70 Impala for cheap and get it going again. This was in the days before matching numbers were important to anyone so I gave the original motor to a friend. Aside from that, there were also numerous little things that weren't done right, or that broke for no apparent reason. I was a poor college student at the time and I finally had to sell it to pay for school, as it had chewed through everything I earned while I owned it. I got what I had paid for it originally and wrote off to experience all the money I'd spent on it.

I a bit better fixed, financially, these days, but I'd really rather not go down that same road again, so I'm inclined to hire an inspector. I'll take a look at your company's web site. Do you know if they have a Buick expert in the Rochester, NY area? Thanks.

P.S. If I saw a `71 convertible in a color I liked with a/c and power windows, I'd be interested. You may get by without a/c, but I'm an old fat man and summers here in the Washington, DC area are brutally hot and humid. I suppose I could drive my truck on those days, but I want the option of cruising with the top down and the a/c blowing.

[Boscoe]

I'd like to know how many miles are on the silver car..

The seller say the odometer reads 36,923, but doesn't know if it's already been around once. I would assume it has.

[Boscoe]

You can't assume anything with old cars, while the interior shot of this car is not a full one, from what I can see the interior looks rather nice - it seems with these cars, especially the convertibles, the interiors show the mileage way before the rest of the car. The engine bay also looks fairly nice unless it has been detailed/redone in the distant past. I wouldn't rule out that mileage as being on the underside of 100K

Here are some more pics of the interior. It looks pretty nice.

I"ll be giving your company a call. I hope whoever gets the assignment knows these cars well. Do you know if they generally have access to a lift?

[EEE]

no power windows must be unusual, or?

[Boscoe]

I expect to talk to him tonight or tomorrow. I'll ask him if he knows someplace with a lift that the inspector could use.

If the car checks out I think I'm going to buy it. I wish it had tilt wheel and power windows, but I can either live without them or try to add them later. Do you have any advice on the best way to pay for the car, like an escrow service, or just haul myself up there and give the seller cash?

It would be about a 7 hour trip, but I'd like to drive it home. I suppose I'd need to get the title, get tags, put the car on my insurance and take the tags up with me.

[Smartin]

If you plan to drive it home, bring cash with you.

[Boscoe]

no power windows must be unusual, or?

They weren't as common back then, even on Buicks and other expensive cars. A lot of people considered them trouble waiting to happen. My dad wouldn't buy a car with them in those days. He'd had power windows on one of his cars in the `50's and had lots of problems with them. He has a 2000 LeSabre with 8k miles on it (He's 85 and it only gets used when I drive him to appointments with his various doctors) and he's had to have the rear passenger's side power window fixed twice, so he may have a point.

I wonder if the production figures for Centurion convertibles with and without power windows are available.

[Boscoe]

If you plan to drive it home, bring cash with you.

If I'm carrying $8500 cash, plus money for road emergencies, maybe I should bring a gun, too!

I was wondering if I could go to a branch of my bank up there and get the cash. I'd feel better doing it that way than carrying it all with me. I doubt any of my friends have enough free time to drive up with me, so I'll probably fly up. Maybe I should have it delivered. Can anyone recommend a transport company? Or ones to avoid?

[EEE]

You carry the cash in one of these, must be unmarked low denomination untraceable bills. I know everything, I've seen it on tv :eek:

[Smartin]

79% of 1971 convertibles had power windows.

[Bob Alberini]

Adam's percentage is correct and if anyone is interested, the exact number is 1,714 with the R1 power windows option on the 2,161 units built.

[Boscoe]

Well, I bought the silver and black `71 Centurion convertible in NY. Keith (My3buicks) went up and inspected it for me and it checked out to be a very nice car. He said the car looked good enough that the 37k on the odometer might be true even though it can't be proven. Today, I received the paperwork I need to transfer the car to my ownership and I plan to fly up next Friday or Saturday and drive it home.

As nice as it is, it will need a few things attended to:

1. It has a small exhaust leak near the manifolds or the join in the Y-pipe (single exhaust). If I have to replace the exhaust to pass state inspection I would like to install duals, either like the factory system or with an X-pipe. Does anyone make a kit for these cars with an X-pipe? I'm assuming most muffler shops, like Midas or Meineke, could install a stock dual system, but might not do custom work like an X-pipe. If I'm having a system custom bent for it, how large in diameter should the pipes be? I'd like to keep the exhaust as quiet as stock.

2. The trans pan and the left valve cover each have small leaks around the gasket. If I can find a place to work on the car (a definite no-no in my condo parking lot), I will do these myself, but does anyone have any advice regarding brands and/or types of gaskets?

3. There's a dime-sized hole in the rear driver's side floor pan. This will probably have to be fixed to pass inspection. I'd prefer to have it patched with metal rather than fiberglass, so, does anyone know a top-notch body shop in the Washington, DC, area, preferably the Maryland suburbs near Rockville?

4. The a/c needs recharging. It blows, but the air isn't cold. This is probably the time to convert it to R-134. Any advice? Anyone know a good a/c or Buick mechanic or shop in the same area as mentioned in the last question?

5. The stock Am radio doesn't work. I don't know why, yet, but I'm inclined to either find a stock AM/FM radio to replace it or to find an AM/FM with a CD player that will fit the stock opening. Any recommendations? I wonder if anyone makes an AM/FM with an MPEG player that could be loaded up like an iPod? That would be better than dragging a bunch of CD's around.

6. While most of the chrome is quite nice, some of it needs improving. The right rear wheel opening molding has a slight scrape and the lower quarter molding has a dent in it and one end is held on by a screw. I'm guessing I'll have to search for these on eBay. The rear bumper is a Bumper Boyz replate and should probably be replaced. eBay?

7. Some of the weatherstripping needs replacement. I've been told that Steele is the place to go for this kind of stuff.

8. The top needs some adjustment. It works, but there is some binding and rubbing that ought to be addresses before they create a problem. Any top experts in my area?

9. The interior is very nice but could use new carpet. I'm inclined to go with the best quality I can afford. Any recommendations? There is also a small bubble in the woodgrain appliqué on the passenger side dash. Any advice on how best to fix that?

10. The car could benefit from a good overall detailing. I've been reading with interest the postings by Adam about doing his engine bay and EEE's about wheels. I hope to do as much of what they've done as I can.

When listed like this it seems like a lot, but the car is solid, the body straight, and it runs well. I thank everyone who has contributed their advice, comments, and observations to this thread.

[Smartin]

I know a guy in St. Louis that can do all of those things for you:D


All kidding aside, congratulations on the purchase! ..and a great color combo to boot:beers:

1. Exhaust - if you want it to be quiet as stock, then just get true dual exhaust with stock mufflers and resonators. Brian (Centurion) recently went through this, and could probably elaborate.

2. Just hit the nearest auto parts stores. They will have the gaskets you need.

3.

4. I would keep it with R12 if it is available in your area (and you can afford it).

5. I'd install a hidden stereo/MP3 player somewhere that isn't visible when you stick your head in the window. Keep the stock radio in its current location. I've got an AM radio in mine, and it works, but I never turn it on. My stereo head unit is in the glove box.

6. eBay, or anyone parting out these cars will do. www.v8buick.com (http://www.v8buick.com) is a parts haven.

7. www.steelerubber.com (http://www.steelerubber.com) ...I need to make an order to them, too.:rooleyes2:

8.

9. www.accmats.com (http://www.accmats.com)

10. Feel free to ask questions regarding detailing on the forum!:beers:

[Boscoe]

The old girl is home. A friend and I flew into Rochester, NY, on Friday night. The sellers, a delightful couple, put us up overnight at their house about 50 miles west of Rochester. Saturday morning they pulled the car out of their garage, loaded the trunk with the spare parts that came with the car (the original radiator shroud, the trunk cardboard, wheel center caps, a coil, the original T-3 headlights, and more I don't remember. I left the original bumpers behind as they needed work and wouldn't fit in the car.), and we drove to a nearby town for breakfast at a nice little restaurant. On the way we stopped and I filled her up with premium. A guy filling up his pickup said it was a beautiful car.

Breakfast finished, the sellers pointed us in the right direction and we got on the highway and headed for home. It was a beautiful day and the old girl never missed a beat. I took it easy, rarely exceeding the speed limit and passing very few cars, and the Centurion ran like a top. Six hours and a little over 300 miles later we stopped to refill her tank. Turned out we were getting a little over 16 MPG - not bad at all. A man filling up his car came over and complimented the car and told me his mother had had one when he was young. He brought his son over to see it and told him his grandmother had once had a car like this. I got a few other compliments on it before we pulled back onto the road.

Another two hours and we were at my friend's house, with his wife and two teenage daughters running out to see "Uncle Brian's old car." The fifteen-year-old started to lecture me on the environment and gasoline usage. Then she cracked up and said she loved the car. The thirteen-year-old, who has me wrapped around her little finger and who claimed the car for her own when I showed her a picture of it on Friday before my friend and I left for the airport, ordered me to paint it red for her. When I explained that part of the reason I bought this one was that it was not fire-engine red like the truck I've driven for 16 years, she allowed that I could paint it yellow or black. I told her I was sorry, but it would stay silver unless I discovered it wasn't the original color, and that she can repaint it when she takes it away from me. She seems to be okay with that.;) After letting them look the car over and promising the girls a top-down ride in the near future (they each had somewhere to be that night), I drove the car to my condo and parked her in the garage space I rent from my neighbor. Behind me, a guy was pulling into the parking lot in his late model Mustang GT. He parked it and ran over to the Centurion saying he just had to see what this beautiful car was. This car is making me right popular. I need to start showing it (the car, that is) to attractive women!:Brow:

Anyway, it was a fun trip, and now I have to get it through the state inspection process and get permanent tags on her. I may even have a real garage space for her. A friend of mine owns a fleet of crane trucks and bought a building about 5 miles from my condo in which to keep them. He called on my friend's cell phone on Saturday just as we were getting on the road and was surprised to learn I'd bought an old car. He said he has an unused garage bay in his building that I could use to keep her in. If it's secure from his employees and I can access the car at any time, I believe I will take him up on that. Commercial storage places that have garage spaces charge over $400 a month around here, so I'm hoping I can find a better deal.

I expect to have lots of questions for the experts here, and thank all of you in advance for your advice. I also want to thank all of you who have helped me in my quest for a `71 Centurion convertible. I think I got a good one.

[scottrod]

Sharp car, Boscoe. I must say I'm partial to the color of your car. It was odd looking at the pictures as your Centurion has almost the identical options ( or lack of them) that mine does. Hope we can sit them side by side at a car show in the near future..............

[Boscoe]

Sharp car, Boscoe. I must say I'm partial to the color of your car. It was odd looking at the pictures as your Centurion has almost the identical options ( or lack of them) that mine does. Hope we can sit them side by side at a car show in the near future..............

Good to hear from you, Scott. Have you run the Power Tour or is that later this summer?

I rather like the color of your car, too. Mine is definitely a low-option car. Keith listed the following as the options when he inspected the car:

Air Conditioning
Clock
Accessory light package
Trip set
Speed Alert
Buick Chrome Wheels
Door Edge Guards
Tinted Glass
Whitewall Tires
AM Radio (not working)
Remote Drivers Mirror

It also has a limited-slip differential. There's a place below the speedometer marked for a temperature guage, but it doesn't have a needle. Should it? The sellers told me the original owner didn't load up on options because he thought it wouldn't look good for a bank president to be seen as extravagant. I wonder if he was embezzling and didn't want to tip anyone off.:eek: I do wish he'd gone ahead and popped for tilt wheel and power windows. I will add them if I can.

It would be nice to sit them side by side at a show. Apparently, there weren't many Platinum Mist convertibles made in `71, so we have a couple of rare cars.

[scottrod]

I think the only option mine has that yours doesn't is the tilt wheel. Was yours built in K.C., Kansas? I've been to the Fairfax plant a couple of times and it is down in the hood. My car was also sold at a dealership just a few miles from the factory so it's been a Kansas City car all it's life.
And yes, I did just return from the Power tour this weekend. The old Buick did fine cruising 1700 miles with no problems. Lots of the hotrodders turn up their noses at the beast but lots of them were on the side of the road with the hood up on every leg. I only got 12 to 14 mpg which was a little disappointing but the trip was fun. We had the top down for all but 2 hours of the driving time so I was a little crispy before we finished. Saw a couple Wildcats, onw Centurion coupe, and a ton of Skylarks and GS coupes. I may post a couple pictures when I get time and I'd encourage more members to make the trip if it gets into your area.

[Boscoe]

I sure wish mine had tilt wheel. I'm about twice the size I should be so without tilt wheel it's a tight fit for me even in a big car like a Centurion.

Mine was built in Wilmington, Delaware. I don't have any of the paperwork to tell me who the original dealer was. A build sheet came with the car but it's for a LeSabre built for export to Canada. I don't know if there's another build sheet hiding anywhere in the car. Where should I look?

It sounds like the Power Tour is fun. Where did the part you drove start and end? I'd be tempted to ask the guys who turned up their noses at your car and then broke down if they were doing the "Power Walk". A guy can have the hottest

12 to 14 MPG may not be that bad for top down cruising. I'm told you get a lot of turbulence with the top down and that's going to eat into your mileage. Keith (My3buicks) says you get the best top-down mileage with the windows up. That's ok for the interstate but it's not much good when you're going slowly and want to talk to people in the cars beside you.

Anyway, I'm glad you had fun on the tour and I look forward to meeting you at a show and parking our cars next to one another. We can tell people they are twins separated at birth.