71 LeSabre Compatible with 72 Centurion?

[Hulowski]

I found a 1972 Buick LeSabre, 4 door hard top 2 hours away from me. The guy was going to put it in a demo derby but saw an ad i posted on kijiji.com for a parts car and called me.

I currently have a 72 Buick Centurion 2 door Convertible, and basically i just need some re-assurance on what parts will be compatible.

This is what i need

Rear quarter panels. Just from looking at picture on the net, it seems like i would be able to partially use the ones from the LeSabre, but not too sure yet.

I also like the trunk and hood on the LeSabre better than mine, plus mine has numerous dents on it, so i need to know if the LeSabre trunk lid and hood will bolt right onto my centurion

Instrument cluster trim
Seat belts
Rear Seat
Gas Tank
Front and Rear Bumper
Passenger rear quarter glass? Dont think it will, but just checking

I think thats basically all i need advice on, to see if its compatible or not.

Thanks in advance

[Smartin]

Instrument cluster will be correct...depending on your option setup.

Seat belts should be fine...but there were two options available. Either the standard black belts, or the custom color-coordinated belts that were matched to the interior color.

Rear Seat will probably not interchange from 4 door to convertible.

Gas tank should be the same....or strikingly similar.

Front bumper - no

Rear bumper - yes will bolt on, but is incorrect.

If the passenger rear quarter glass is coming from a 2 door or convertible, then yes it will bolt into another convertible. 4 doors will not bolt into a convertible.

Rear quarters - tough call. The only things that are the same are the wheel lips and lower rear portion of the quarters. The uppers are shaped differently from 4 door to 2 door.

Hood - has been an object of speculation...mostly due to how the front lip and hinges are set up.

[Hulowski]

Alrighty, i called the guy tonight and he told me it has a 350 in it that runs like a dream, with only 75,000 original miles on it. Rust is in the usual areas, trunk floor, and quarter panels, but he said the trunk lids fine, and thats one of the main things i need.

Hes emailing me pictures of it tomorrow and we'll go from there. I want to buy the entire car off him but he sounds hesitant :(, he wants it for a demolition derby

[73 Centurion]

The lower portion of the rear quarters would be difficult to make work. The 4 door fender is 1 inch from the rear door and there isn't much to work with. Convertibles tend to rust in front of this area because of the way water is funneled into then from the roof.

I'd take what you need, but save your money for a solid 2 door LeSabre. You'll get most of the parts you need.

John

[Phil Genario]

Alrighty, i called the guy tonight and he told me it has a 350 in it that runs like a dream, with only 75,000 original miles on it. Rust is in the usual areas, trunk floor, and quarter panels, but he said the trunk lids fine, and thats one of the main things i need.

Hes emailing me pictures of it tomorrow and we'll go from there. I want to buy the entire car off him but he sounds hesitant :(, he wants it for a demolition derbyalso with the lesabre hood you have the ventport issue. centurions do not have them, its just not a chrome molding, the hood is actually cut out underneath them. if your not a purest, ok. if you are, the cost to cover and weld up that area will be costly.

[Hulowski]

I have come to a brutal realization, thanks to my body guy. I declare my car officially.. unrestorable (due to price). My new plan? Gonna just keep the car, put minimal work into it and just have fun with it. Im still buying that parts car for millions of random things that i figure will make mine better, and attract girls better ;) Going to pick it up Saturday morning, im very excited. I really hope it makes it home ok... im bring my Jeep just incase it breaks down and we have to tow it the rest of the way back, but where i live, if you get caught towing a vehicle with a tow rope its a hefty fine. Anyways, just thought id keep you guys updated. Im definately at a happy medium now.