Where are the '71 Centurions in Rosewood or Tealmist Gray?

[Centurion]

Buick's color pallette during the early 1970's was dominated by the earth tones, and a look at the production records reveals that these colors were most popular with buyers. The convertibles were an exception, and Fire Red was a common choice for buyers of this model.

During each year of Centurion production, unique one-year-only colors were offered as standard colors for the full-size Buicks. Many of these one-year colors were quite beautiful but seldom seen, even when new. We know that Centurions were built in all of these colors, but I'm not aware of any surviving cars in some of these colors. Not only do we never see these colors at the Buick shows, but we've failed to capture any examples for our Registry. Two 1971 colors that come to mind are Tealmist Gray and Rosewood. What happened to the Centurions in these unique colors? The Tealmist Gray color seemed to be far more common on full-size Pontiac and Oldsmobile cars, and, in fact, I spotted a '71 Catalina 4-door hardtop in this color a few weeks ago.

Adam's Registry has included at least a single example of Platinum Mist, Nocture Blue, Verdemist Green, and Twilight Turquoise -- and these are likewise colors that we seldom see. This stunning Platinum Mist convertible from the Registry caught my attention because it's an unusual combination for the time.

http://buickcenturion.com/1971/scott_c/IM000285.jpg

[Bob Alberini]

Brian,
You will recall that I have documented one Tealmist Gray 4 door hardtop which was a trade-in at a local Chevy dealership. The car was documeneted many years ago (probably early 80s) and I actually took the car for a test drive to get ALL the information. I can't remember if this one has been submitted to the Registry yet or not but it will surface someday. It was a little on the rough side but was an early example with the hood louvers as well. As many as you and I have looked at, you are right on target that these cars are hard to find in these colors as well as the others you mentioned.

Bob Alberini
Columbus, OH
Centurion owner since 1973

[Centurion]

Hi Bob, thanks for your reply and your reminder regarding that 4-door hardtop.

I'm guessing that there were '72 standard-issue full-size Buick colors that are similarly scarce. Are there particular colors that come to mind?

[Smartin]

NOT fire red!!


Flame Orange comes to mind..Vintage Red, as well.

[Centurion]

Yes, Adam, but Flame Orange (a Skylark/GS color) and Vintage Red (a Riviera color) were extra cost colors on the standard full-size Buicks. These are understandably rare. But even some of the standard-issue full-size colors are pretty scarce 35 years later.

[Smartin]

True..

I haven't noticed too many Royal Blue cars:

http://www.buickcenturion.com/1972/chris_d/MVC-816S.jpg


or Charcoal Mist...

[Bob Alberini]

Brian,
I've been giving your question about the less common standard available colors for 72s and, without looking at production figures, I think Adam has nailed two of them. Charcoal Mist and Royal Blue are not at all common but Silver Mist and Regal Black would fall in the same category. And as popular as Fire Red is for a convertible, finding that color in the other two models is also a rarity.