Looking at 1972 Centurion with 20k miles tonight!

[Jimsss]

After owning tons of newer american cars (2006 Mustang GT, LS1 Trans Ams etc etc.) I now feel that it's time to buy a 70's fullsize again. I have always loved GM's Lesabre, Eldorado, Riviera, Toronado and so on. Now Ive found this 1972 Centurion Coupe wich looks amazing. Tonight I'm going to look at it. The car just got here to Sweden from the US and if I heard right it's supposed to have 20k something miles. My questions does anybody here recognize it? Is there anything special to look for?
When I lived in the US a bought a 1972 Grand ville 455 coupe for $1500 and
I cant forget how much I loved to drive that car and hopefully this
Centurion will give me back that feeling!
Heres some pics:

http://www.dreamcars.se/pictures/190_01_stor.jpg

http://www.dreamcars.se/pictures/190_02_stor.jpg

http://www.dreamcars.se/pictures/190_53_stor.jpg

http://www.dreamcars.se/pictures/190_55_stor.jpg

http://www.dreamcars.se/pictures/190_59_stor.jpg

http://www.dreamcars.se/pictures/190_54_stor.jpg

[73 Centurion]

Wow, that looks showroom new! The 71 and 72 Centurions came with the 455-4 standard so you've got a lot of power under the hood. If there is a "W" in the VIN it indicates a rare "high performance" 455 which has a bit more.

This car should feel exactly like your GranVille. Full sized GM shared a lot of parts in 1972.

Let us know what you find.

John

[Jimsss]

Thanks for your reply.


We had to reschedule in the last minute, the weather is terrible
and it's dark at 5pm now so I'm going there saturday mornin

The guy who's selling it will hold for me untill then.
I'll let you know how it went!

[Bob Alberini]

I believe this car was the one that Tom Liddy looked at and was considering. If so, it was a northern California car. Centurion may be able to provide you with more information. I'll remind him to check out the site and your posting. Best of luck on this one. I've owned my 72 since 1973 so I think they are one heck of a car.

[Jimsss]

Wow, i was born the same year that you bought your Centurion! Impressive!

I found the the post I think you mean, He thought the car was very nice, but not as nice as 30k would indicate. The car in that post was on carigslist and is deleted so i can't make surev that it is the same car but you are prob right.
I'll check it out on saturday and if I lke it I'll buy it.

Thanks!

[Centurion]

This is indeed the car that my friend Tom Liddy checked out in northern California.

Tom had committed to buy the car, but backed out after inspecting the vehicle.

To be honest, it is a very nice car, but it is not as nice as the seller had presented it to be. Tom felt that the car had sat outside for a period of time, and believed that portions of the car might have been repainted.

Nonetheless, I think that this car could be an excellent purchase if the price is right.

[Jimsss]

Thank you so much for that information, the seller has informed me that the trunk lid and a quarterpanel is repainted.
Thanks again:xyxthumbs:

[Centurion717273]

Wow, that looks showroom new! The 71 and 72 Centurions came with the 455-4 standard so you've got a lot of power under the hood. If there is a "W" in the VIN it indicates a rare "high performance" 455 which has a bit more.

This car should feel exactly like your GranVille. Full sized GM shared a lot of parts in 1972.

Let us know what you find.

John

I think you will find the Centurion to be far superior to the GranVille. In performance and handling and braking alone the Centurion would ace the GranVille handily, not to mention that the Granville was a few pegs down the corporate ladder from a Buick.

[64tbird]

The California license plates (blue with yellow letters) are original 1972 issue with the first letter in the alphabetical sequence being an "F".

[Jimsss]

Ok, thanks, didn't know that, tommorow morning I'm going to look at it, mean while I bought myself a new daily driver, 1994 Caprice 9C1 with a LT1 and only 98k miles.
Having it delivered to my work nest week, cant wait!

[Jimsss]

Ok, an update, looked at the car and it is in a VERY good cond..the interior is 100% like new. it is almost scary! Car is the nicest 1970's car i have ever seen. The weather was horrible so i dindt test drive it but it sounded like new. it has a single exhaust. 1 rear quárter panel and the trunk is repainted. I'll make him an offer tommorow and next week i might pick it up! Here is a pic i took with my phone:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/691266/original/dsc00152.jpg

[Richard Dunn]

The car is beautiful.
Here I was never a lover of green cars and here I am I'm getting a hunter green four door hardtop. And the more I stare at my screen saver images the more I like it.
I'm really loving seamist green now that I've seen so many great examples.
I am wishing you luck!

Rick

[Robroy]

Hej Jim and welcome to the forum,

The car really looks great and I hope Kent will accept the offer you plan to give him ;).

If you get it, we could maybe get together sometime for some group photos. Would be pretty cool with a 72 and 73 coupe together. I live only 20 minutes from Malmö.

Good luck!

Ps I really envy you that LT1 Caprice, I had once planed for such too as a daily driver but then the gas prices went sky high and now they are lower than in years and I’m driving a Golf :bawl: :rooleyes2: :laugh:

[Jimsss]

Aha, cool. I bought the car so we def have to do that photo shoot!
I'm pickin' it up 2-3 weeks from now. I test drove the car today and
it drives like a 100% new vehicle! Handles very good and comfortable.
Can't wait!

[The German]

Seems as if you bought such a good like new car as also Per´s '73 Centurion is.
Congratulations !
Hope you will be able to drive it home without snow and ice !

[Robroy]

:beers::beers::beers:

[Jimsss]

Thank you all, I am really looking forward to have this
car in my garage. I have always been a Riviera guy but
when I saw this Centurion something clicked.

[Jimsss]

Something I noticed while driving it that it has an open differntial, no posi. Also the kickdown seemed a little bit of, I really had to punch it to make it downshift. But the engine runs excellent and the car is unbelivable quiet. Tourqe from idle was superb and the car felt VERY tight. Brakes where like on new car. Heater worked very good and speed alert and everything else worked perfect. rear power windos where slow to close but I think it is a matter of lubrication. I am still amazed over the interior though...Clock, radio, buttons, steering wheel and dash is like factory new! And seats and floor mat is also perfect. 'nough bragging but this car really made it for me!

[Mickemustang]

Hey Jim,
great news and congrats to a nice buy! I remember this one as from an ad about 6 months ago I beleive. Could be wrong but I think so, it looks real nice!
Whenever are you and Per coming to Wheels nat at Barkarby/stockholm?

[MichelHaak]

Really nice! :beers:

[EEE]

So now there are three active Centurion owners on the board from Sweden + me who don't live in Sweden at the moment or own a "C".

[Robroy]

Happy Birthday Jim :beers:

How about you, have you received the car yet?

[Jimsss]

Thanks! No not yet, some trouble with the "urspringskontroll" but we are getting there! We stopped by Kent yesterday, my gf wanted to se the car
She liked it a lot!