Time for some Centurion posters?

[Centurion]

Some of you may be familiar with GMPhotoStore.com, which sells poster-size prints of historic General Motors photographs. Many of the photos were originally used in GM corporate publications, press releases, and sales brochures.

Over the years, I've purchased several of their beautiful 1959 Buick images, but there remains a complete lack of Centurion images.

I would love to have access to large images based on these original publicity photos of the '71 and '72 Formal Coupes. Smartin, I think you have one of the original publicity photos for the '71 "Centurion" convertible show car. Perhaps you can share a scan.

http://www.autolit.net/Graphics/1004/ab6875.jpg

http://www.autolit.net/Graphics/1004/ab6874.jpg

Has anyone seen any other Centurion publicity photos? Were any issued for '73?

Perhaps it's time to approach GMPhotoStore (or other vendor) regarding large-size reproductions of some of our original Centurion publicity images.

[Smartin]

I find it interesting how low they have that 71 Formal Coupe sitting in the first photo.

Here is the 71 convertible show car:

http://www.buickcenturion.com/images/centurion_show_car.jpg

[72tunaboat]

Adam, it looks like the car you're talking about has shorter springs on it. It is sitting about 2" lower than the production cars and the other cars pictured. I notice it because my own car is at or below that ride height. Personally, i like the look and like how my car sits, but it does take away some from the comfortable stock ride. However, it does handle a little nice with a lower center of gravity.

[73 Centurion]

Don't forget the earlier Centurion...

[Richard Dunn]

Okay, now I have a question.
In some of the early 1971 Buick publicity pictures the Centurions are adorned with a beautiful ribbed wheel cover, I think the were were called super deluxe, or something along that line. It was definitely not the wire wheel cover that was available. They look like the ones pictured in the first photo.
I don't ever recall seeing them on a production model.
Did they ever make it to production?
The Riviera had something similar or was it actually the Riviera wheel cover?

[Centurion]

Richard, this was the standard issue Centurion wheelcover. It is identical to the standard wheelcover on '71 - '73 LeSabres and Estate Wagons and the '71 Riviera, with the exception of the Centurion helmet center ornament.

It is unusual to see these wheelcovers now. The chrome-plated, five-spoke road wheels were a very popular Centurion option, and many owners have added these to their Centurions if their cars were not originally equipped with them.

Even less common were the "Super Deluxe" wheelcovers, which were identical to the Electra 225 wheelcovers except for the center ornament.

[Centurion]

Richard,

Smartin has posted a photo showing the available 1971 Buick wheel trim on the Centurion information pages. The "
Deluxe" wheelcover on the lower left is the wheelcover you're inquiring about.

http://www.buickcenturion.com/info/wheel_options.jpg

[Robroy]

Think this is such...?

[Centurion]

Yes, Per, that's the one!

[Robroy]

Wonder what they meant with Cholesterol Cruiser? hm...:confused: :D

[dewbers]

Just found these on eBay today: (What a sharp ride the first one is!)

[Richard Dunn]

Richard,

Smartin has posted a photo showing the available 1971 Buick wheel trim on the Centurion information pages. The "
Deluxe" wheelcover on the lower left is the wheelcover you're inquiring about.

http://www.buickcenturion.com/info/wheel_options.jpg

That's the same wheel cover my '71 convertible had.
My '73 was originally equiped with chrome plated wheels but the dealership had swapped them out and my '73 had '74 Electra wheel covers.
I don't know if I still have the picture with the wheel cover I'm trying to describe. If I can find it, I'll scan it so I can share it.
Here's another picture of my '71.
The photo was taken at the New Hope Car show in August of 1973.
My 71 had air, AM/FM stereo, pwr windows and seats, remote left hand mirror and not much else in the way of options.

[Centurion]

Regardless of the option mix, that's one beautiful '71 convertible! Have I remembered correctly that the color was the Tealmist Gray? Absolutely beautiful color -- one of my favorites.

[Richard Dunn]

Yes, the color was teal mist gray with black interior and black top.
It was quite mature and elegant for a 20 year old to be driving. Not a Camaro or Mustang like most kids my age.
Unfortunately I knew nothing about maintaining a car and didn't get much good advice. And to make things a bit worse the mechanic I took it to was to put it bluntly, a horses behind.
I had tons and tons of issues with the cooling system. It kept overheating and I replaced the thermostat and hoses and still had issues.
Which is why I only kept it a year before getting the 1973.

[Robroy]

Richard,
Did you get the PM I sent to you about the 73 Centurion convert?

[Phil Genario]

Okay, now I have a question.
In some of the early 1971 Buick publicity pictures the Centurions are adorned with a beautiful ribbed wheel cover, I think the were were called super deluxe, or something along that line. It was definitely not the wire wheel cover that was available. They look like the ones pictured in the first photo.
I don't ever recall seeing them on a production model.
Did they ever make it to production?
The Riviera had something similar or was it actually the Riviera wheel cover?i think you are probably right, it sounds like the riviera finned cap as shown on the pages of both the 71 and the 72 sales brochure. phil genario

[Richard Dunn]

Richard,
Did you get the PM I sent to you about the 73 Centurion convert?

Hi Per, yes I did get the message.
Thank you.

Rick

[Phil Genario]

i think you are probably right, it sounds like the riviera finned cap as shown on the pages of both the 71 and the 72 sales brochure. phil genarioi again looked at the 71 centurion press photo ,and to me that wheel cover simply looks like a fancy variation of a 69 and 70 lesabre full wheel cover. my guess is that many times these photos were done before final production touches were added or completed so there is a good chance this never made it to production. hope this is a clue to the puzzle. phil