Centurion in Leather?

[hermanrodriquez]

Did the convertable have leather as an option in 1973?

[Smartin]

None of the cars had leather...all the convertibles were vinyl. Cloth was an option in the hardtops.

[hermanrodriquez]

Thank you.....

[Redrob]

The interiors didn't have a leather option, but the vinyl seems to be a much higher grade than the vinyl available in LeSabres.

[Robroy]

The interiors didn't have a leather option, but the vinyl seems to be a much higher grade than the vinyl available in LeSabres.
Interesting, does the difference in grade show visually?

[Redrob]

Robroy,

It's been decades since my family had a 1971 LeSabre Custom with vinyl seats, and now my 1972 Centurion has vinyl seats. It just seems to me that the Centurion seats have better graining, and a richer, more supple appearance. We had the 1971 when it was new, but now in 2010 I feel that the Centurion seats are just better vinyl. I don't have the original 1971 to compare it to.

[Robroy]

Robroy,

It's been decades since my family had a 1971 LeSabre Custom with vinyl seats, and now my 1972 Centurion has vinyl seats. It just seems to me that the Centurion seats have better graining, and a richer, more supple appearance. We had the 1971 when it was new, but now in 2010 I feel that the Centurion seats are just better vinyl. I don't have the original 1971 to compare it to.

Ok Redrob, I get the picture.
I got curious since the guy from the insurance company that evaluated my car claimed it had a leather interior which I directly doubted. I did however think that it possible might be some kind of artificial leather….

[The German]

When I compared the Centurions interiour of the 1973 car of Carsten (also a German member here) with that one of my car I got the impression that there is a slight difference in quality too - the 1973´s vinyl at the doors and rear panels seems to be a little bit stronger, may be thicker than the 1971´s ! The seats are of the same quality but they are redone in my car - not the originals.

Perhaps Brian or Bob knows it more exactly ... ?

[Bob Alberini]

Actually, Buick certainly did differentiate the two different vinyls (Madrid grain and Elk grain expanded vinyl) that were offered in their cars and separate pages were included in the Color and Trim albums of all three years depicting the differences. The 71 and 72 pages were identical; the 73 was abbreviated. Rather than describe what was written, I am going to quote from page 48 of the 1971 Color and Trim Album which also had swatches of both materials .

"Compare the two vinyls. Notice that Expanded Vinyl is softer, more resilient than conventional vinyl trim materials--capable of years of hard knocks and 'kid use' while retaining the soft touch and natural look more reminiscent of real leather!

This softer, more leatherlike appearing material is the product of an improved manufacturing technique that 'honeycombs' vinyl and cloth backing with a layer of pressure- blown foam. The result is a more comfortable and longer wearing material, which is more than double the thickness of the conventional coated vinyl with no foam layer.

Available in some Skylark Custom and GS models as well as all Centurion, all Electra 225 Custom and Riviera models at no extra cost. Expanded vinyl is also used in some Skylark, Skylark Custom, GS, Estate Wagon, Electra 225 Limited and Riviera Custom extra-cost offerings."

I hope that this information proves helpful and does answer some questions.

[The German]

Thanks, Bob, for this information !
That was what I also noticed when comparing the vinyl : "... ... a more comfortable and longer wearing material, which is more than double the thickness of the conventional coated vinyl with no foam layer. ... ..."

I thought that the thicker one was new since 1973 but as the Color and Trim Album of 1971 describes it was an option in the earlier years too. So I wonder why the didn´t take it for all cars since production start of the Centurions because it was the better material and they wrote "Available in some Skylark Custom and GS models as well as all Centurion, all Electra 225 Custom and Riviera models at no extra cost." ...?!!

[Bob Alberini]

The Elk-grain expanded vinyl wasn't really an option, Rolf. If the model you wanted had it, you got it. There was no option for the customer to order it except for ordering the interior selection that had it included.

Generally speaking, it is my guess that it was reserved for the "better" (more luxurious, more sporty) interiors on the upper series A-B-C-E bodies. It was not available on any LeSabres and generally not the lower level Skylarks either. The thing I found interesting is that it mentioned it was standard on Electra Customs and Rivieras but available at extra cost on the Electra Limiteds and Riviera Customs. At first reading, that sounds like a very odd statement until you consider that the interiors of the Electra Limiteds and Riviera Customs were extra cost trim options to start with. Undoubtedly, it was a cost cutting measure on some of the A body cars and LeSabres. If you wanted a better/finer interior option, you moved up and ordered a better model -- which, of course, was going to cost you more. It was certainly a way to reflect the differences in the various models you had to select from and Buick had to offer.

[The German]

Thanks again, Bob !
It´s good to know these details - especially for discussions when 1971-1973-Buick-drivers meet together ... !

[Redrob]

Yes, thank you very much, Bob!

I really need to get some further documentation and sales/trim brochures. I insitintively know the Centurion interior was just better than the LeSabres, but i want to read about it and look at the great pictures.