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speedracer
08-22-2007, 12:53 AM
I am new to this community but not new to my Buick.

My first Buick was a 1974 Electra 225 with a 455. It was a great car and I loved it but I dreamed of owning a rag top. Then, one day in 1987 on the way to work I saw it parked at a gas station with a "for sale" sign on it; a beautiful 1973 Centurion convertible. It was Maroon with a tan top. At the time I had just started my job and times were hard in Houston. My wife had just started law school and we were saving every penny. I drove by it for a month because the $4200 price was very steep for a 14 yr old car with 80,000 miles on it. After a month until I could stand it no longer. I build up the nerve to discuss the possible purchase of the Centurion with my wife. I told her that if she let me buy this Buick I would never buy another car for the rest of my life. She said I could get it. However, I am sure she did not think that I would actually buy it. Well I did, and it began a very long term relationship with my Centurion.

The guy I bought if from worked in real estate and he had purchased that car off the show-room floor in 1973 after he had completed his first big deal. In 1987 I think he had run out of cash and only with great sadness did he sell me the car.

Since 1987 I have had added another 100,000 happy miles in my Centurion and I stuck to my promise to my wife until 2000 when she gave me a new car and released me from my lifetime commitment to the Buick. While I drive the new car, my Centurion is still with me.

Because it has been my daily driver for so many years, I have never had the chance to restore the Buick. The years have taken a toll on the appearance of the extrior and the interior and I look forward to a major restoration project.

I will post pictures at a later date but I can assure you that my car is no beauty queen. It is hard for many of my friends and family members to understand why the Centurion is so great. I look forward to having a community of Centurion owners to help me find a way to restore my Centurion and share thier experiences.

Robroy
08-22-2007, 02:57 AM
Welcome aboard Speedracer!
Amazing story. Convincing the wife is often the biggest challenge when you buy cars like these. Sounds like you did a good job with yours.
Being a Centurion owner since 1987 makes you a veteran with a lot of experience for us to share and vice versa. Some of the guys here have had their cars since they were new and others (like me) have recently discovered the greatness of owning a Centurion.
Looking forward to some pictures later. Below is a pict of my 73 Centurion.

speedracer
08-22-2007, 08:51 AM
Thanks for the pic Robroy. Your car looks great. The hardtop gives the car a nice line. It looks like you have a 455.

EEE
08-22-2007, 11:01 AM
Welcome aboard...

Centurion
08-22-2007, 01:45 PM
Speedracer, thanks for your excellent post!

Welcome here, and we all look forward to hearing much more about your special Centurion during the months ahead.

Roudy
08-23-2007, 03:18 PM
Speedracer -

Your story sounds similar to mine. I bought my '72 ragtop from a friend who had bought it in 1988 when it had 32,000 miles on it. My friend put about 100,000 miles over the next 17 years as a daily driver, and then sold it to me. I plan on putting 2-3000 miles on mine annually. It definitely shows some wear and tear, but I don't want to part with it for an off the frame restoration. It is without a doubt the best riding car I've ever driven, and even in its less than perfect condition gets plenty of thumbs up from other drivers. :xyxthumbs:

Roudy

dewbers
08-24-2007, 09:18 AM
Welcome to the board Speed. Great story! I am new to this forum as well, as I joined in March when I bought my 72. However, my bride didn't see or know about our new "toy" until I drove it home two weeks after it arrived. :Brow: (yes, I hid it at a buddies house until I could get her cleaned up and ready to show the family!)

Needless to say, Kelli (my bride) approved :xyxthumbs: of my new "mistress" and enjoys the family outings in her as much as I do! Look forward to seeing your gal!