My second "New Centurion"

[gr_speedy]

As you all knew my first Centurion was/is a RUST basket/ Flintstone Mobil. After stripping the interior and uncovering the artistic way of hiding the cancer from former owner (can't explain it i will embaress myself for not seeing it when i bought it but i was blind of love) I decided (had to) look for another 73 Centurion. Found a few, some way to expensive and a couple that needed seirious body work. 2 weeks ago found a resonably priced Centurion in craigslist contacted owner emaild me some pictures and i said i'll take it only to find out that he already promised it to a guy from somewhere north. He told him he will pick it up end of the month. And there was also a local buyer before me. This friday i thought i'll just calll the seller to see what happenned and he said the guy from the north needs another week and local buyer doesn't have all the cash and he needed also couple more days for his check to clear. He asked me if i have cash, i said yes. That all happened at 7pm friday. Searched around called a friend nobody could in such short notice leave same night. I needed to see the car............ only way to go there fast was Greyhound at 10:30 pm arriving next day 12:45pm. Well i had to go. Called buyer he laughed and said he believes me and he will keep the car for me couple days and i shouldn't get in so much trouble....... I said noway i'll be there in 15 hours. Note that i am in KY and he is in MO 560 miles away.

[gr_speedy]

Took a shower really fast organized a carry on back (some basic tools, socks, deodorant, smokes, my gps navi, first aid kit, rain coat, money) and asked my wife to drop me at the Greyhound station (she was rolling her eyes) LOL.
Let me tell you......... Greyhound is an expierience. Reached Springfield MO at 3pm (bus run late) and there she was waiting for me in the parking lot....... AS deschribed. Seller was very nice pointed me to everything on the car, he was the second owner and had her 14 years. I also this time took my time and inspected the car myself more in detail. I gave him the $$$ we finished the paper work and up i was to a shop to have oil changed and a lube job done. Next stop auto parts store for some extra engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, radiator alufix, washer fluid, extra 2 gallons of coolant and up my way to the highway. Beeing a car that has been only used every couple of months and that only for very short distances i was really easy on her first few hours not more than 50- 55mph. Was passing St Louis but it was already after 10pm so i thought it might have been a little too late to visit Adam :confused: . After 300 miles i thought now it's time to speed up a little........ went up to 95mph till something hit the hood and the under carriage, pulled over opened the hood and the belt for the A/C was gone.:spank: After that my gas gauge got stuck at full. 50 miles from home i noticed a little sound again under the hood........ P/S belt had lost few teeth :beers: BUT i made it home. I got about 15 mpg and that without tuning her up (she needs it badly).

[gr_speedy]

She is by all means not perfect BUT she is solid. Floors good, trunk floor is good with minor surface rust, engine bay inner fender wells solid, doors perfect.
Only real work needed in driver side wheelhousing (was one time fixed because of small accident 12 years ago). Will need a new top as the seams are comming of in the rear and the #2 bow shapped and made a 5 inch rip. Ofcource various rubber seals will need changed, dry rotted most of them.

[The German]

Okay, speedy, the car needs some work, but it looks good and seems to have a good basis and some special options too - congratulations !
I´m curious how it will change to better condition under your hands within the next months; surely we´ll see another nice Centurion here before the year ends !
Don´t forget to give the VIN and the option list for our registry, but first enjoy your deal.

Good luck with her on all roads !:xyxthumbs:
__________
Rolf

[gr_speedy]

Thanks Keith,Rolf,
oh till next winter bodywise i will only prep the rear quarter so it wont rust more nothing else (i am planning to drive it in a little while when the weather gets better and i don't wont to have it ripped apart the whole summer). I will mechanically have it sound that's for sure. Might fix the top too now but that's not for sure. Interior is the last of my worries, lucky that only the rear seat is bad.

[Centurion]

Congratulations, and thanks for the report and photos! I hope you and your wife have a great time with this one.

You know, I'm thinking that we need to plan a Centurion meet sometime in the next few years -- perhaps in conjunction with a BCA National -- so we'll all have an opportunity to meet and enjoy one another's Centurions.

[gr_speedy]

Thanks Brian,
yes i am all for it as long as the weather is good and sunny.

I got some info from the plate under the hood if someone could help....

VIN# 4P67T3X127847

Plate:

ST 73-4BP67 X074941 BDY
TR 446 AM6 56-A PNT
11C

That's all i could find.

As far as extras:

PWR seat
PWR windows
PWR locks
PWR steering
A/C
455 engine
Cruise
Passenger side mirror
Wheels
Tilt steering column

[Richard Dunn]

Congratulations.
Good to hear this beauty is going to someone who will love her and baby her.
Good luck and good driving.
The Centurion owners meet sounds great.
I just to have to find one of my own.....Someday!

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Congrats! Nice score Speedy! Love the shots.

[dewbers]

Good stuff Speedy!! Very happy for you! :beers:
Terrific story too. I tell ya, you all are a lot more adventurous then I am!
Adam drives home from TX. You drive some 650 miles. Nerves of steal my man! Enjoy......

By the way, I'd love a "Centurion Meet". What a great idea!!

[Phil Genario]

well theres another colonial yellow one in the bunch, very nice car ,good luck and enjoy it. phil

[Bob Alberini]

Here are some additional options that were spotted: accessory group, mini console, door edge guards, bumper guards, front lamp monitors and definitely tinted windshield. (Most likely the car has full tinted glass but there are no scans with the side windows up.) It also has non factory protective side molding.

4P67T3X127847
4=Buick P=Centurion 67=convertible T=standard 455 with single exhaust
3=1973 X=Kansas City (Fairfax) assembly plant 127847=sequence number

Body Plate:
56=Colonial Yellow A=White convertible top 446=Saddle vinyl Notchback seat interior AM6=60/40 Notch-back seat 11C=built third week of November, 1972

Hope that your car brings you a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment.

[gr_speedy]

Thanks guys makes me feel good......
Bob mine has double exhaust no y pipe? Aftermarket?

[Robroy]

Congrats on your new Centurion Gr! Looks very nice..

Loved reading your story about the pick up, I can see that roller eyes wife of yours in front of me when you took off :laugh: . Mine had done the same thing, believe me…:D
It takes some guts to go on an adventure like that, but at the same time it’s a real kick, especially if everything works out as hopped for ;)