The Centurion replaced the Wildcat in Buick’s full-size line-up in 1971. It was the sportier version, slotted between the LeSabre and Electra and was offered through 1973. This example from 1972 looks like a solid survivor and sports Buick’s big 455 cubic inch V8 engine. Available through a dealer in Dallas, Texas, this big beauty is available here on craigslist for $9,800. Once again, Barn Finder Tony Primo has a knack for digging up cool tips like this!
Sales of the Centurion exceeded those of the Wildcat and also increased from year to year (1971 – 29,400 units; 1972 – 36,300; 1973 – 45,000). The 455 CI V8 was standard in the first two years, while a more fuel-efficient 350 was offered along with the big block in ‘73. We’re told this 4-door hardtop is unrestored and has no rust. The paint may look better in the photos than in person, according to the seller. The indicated 41,000 miles is thought to be true.
The black vinyl top comes across as excellent and the interior is equally nice. The dash pad has a few cracks, but you should be able to find a replacement online. We’re told everything, including the A/C, works as it should except for the rather basic AM radio.
There is a paper trail plus the MSRP sticker that documents some, but not all, of the car’s history. A walkaround video was produced by the seller and is provided here. If you like big 1970s cars, this ’72 Buick might be hard to beat.
shut up and take my money!!!!
I had one of these with a 455.It was a Light Blue
4 door,& I added the Buick “Rally” wheels,which worked
well on it.
That thing would really get up & go.The two things
I didn’t like were that the shoulder belt would rub my neck,
& the bench seat didn’t hold me in very well.
Great tow vwhicle!
A good friend has his Mom’s `71 Centurion coupe handed down to him when we got our licenses at 16. Silver, black vinyl top & guts and loaded. Rode like a cloud; 5-6 of us in it almost lulled us to sleep on road trips. And the 455 could keep up with anything else and then some! I can still hear the Eagles on his 8-track! Ah, memories I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Be still my heart. Equipped just right and I may be the outlier but excellent colors. Interior color is neutral but may have been called covert in ’72. Reminds me of my Electra.
The paint looks TERRIBLE in the photos, and the dents don’t help either. PASS on this un-needed old stove.
Awful color.
My mom would call that shade, “Baby Ka-Ka”. It’s pretty close!
I wonder about people who have a fixation with poo. Also those who see every station wagon as a Hearse.
My gramps bought a 1971 Buick Electra 225 in 1974. It had the same exterior but a black brocade pillow back interior. In 1974 with the cruise set at 60 mph (speed limit was 55 mandated by the Federal government) the car would get 18 mpg.
Beautiful Buick just the way it is, especially being a 4-door H.T., no way to make it better. That is quite the compliment considering I’m a FORD owner.
I still prefer the model name Wildcat. Centurion, although the original meaning back in the 40s meant the car could go 100 mph, it just sounds like the car is 100 years old.
Wildcat conjours up images of fast, sleek & sexy. To me at least.
These were used for driver’s Ed cars when I took driver’s Ed.
I’m curious about how well the windows seal after all of these years in any pillarless sedan of that vintage?