Buick redesigned its full-size cars in 1971 and replaced the Wildcat as the sportier version with the Centurion (perhaps a better name considering Buick’s audience?). It would only be used for three years and – during that time – would be one of only two ways to get a full-size convertible. This drop-top from 1972 was parked in a barn 20 years ago and then forgotten about. The seller has no interest in working on the car and just wants it gone. It’s in Peculiar, Missouri, and available here on Facebook Marketplace to the first party who brings more than $6,500. Bravo, Gunter Kramer, for the rare barn find!
During its three years, the Centurion was the sales underdog to the more popular LeSabre. And the convertible wasn’t a big seller: 2,161 copies in 1971, 2,396 in 1972, and 5,739 in 1973. You had two engine choices, the 350 cubic inch V8 or the big-block 455. The seller’s car has the latter motor which would have produced no more than 270 hp in those days as the ratings were changed to SAE net.
From the photos provided, it looks as though the seller brought a hose and a bucket into the barn and gave the car a bath. But the dark environment makes it hard to gauge the condition of the body and the blue paint. An open door reveals the interior which badly needs new carpeting, making you wonder if any damage has been caused by small creatures that shared the dwelling with the automobile.
The seller refers to the car as a Century, another Buick model, but we suspect that’s a misspelling. Since it was parked so many years ago, we have to assume it quit running at 66,000 miles. The seller says the engine is original but has made no attempts to coax it back to life. Once a sale is confirmed, the seller will get a crew to help dig the car out of its dark and dirty perch.
Not much effort put into a $6,500 ask.
Well if you don’t bother turning the engine over you don’t have to tell anyone that it’s stuck or the block is cracked.
Peculiar is a strange (HA HA) little town East of KC. Salty Missouri roads are known to kill cars – I’d check this one carefully. And yes, as Harvey mentioned, not much effort here, like say to wash it off first…
You haven’t lived until you’ve driven one of these monsters. It’s indescribable!!! 😃👍
Now that is some really thick patina………..
$6500 4 it 2 be gone??? Haha… I don’t think so.
A real, true, barn find. Convertible with a 455. The rotted out chicken poop Plymouth on here earlier was 4 times the asking price of this Buick. And this car could be on the road in a couple of days. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
Well, it could have been worse. They could have parked it with the top down.
Cars were never cheap, so I’ll never understand why people let them sit and go to crap, rather than sell it and get the money if it’s no longer needed or wanted.
Many years ago I lived in N.Alabama across the road from a great black gentleman, he had several old Chevy’s parked in his yard with tarps over them. One was a ‘66 Impala Sport Coupe, begged him to sell that car to me, his reply was always “No I’m going to fix that up some day”. That was from 1986-2009 when I moved away. Four years later he passed away, the cars were still there, I don’t know what happened to them. Some people just don’t want to sell something they’ve had several years, even though the money they’d get would improve their lifestyle. Until they pass away then usually an unconcerned heir decided to turn it into cash.
Hoarding runs in my family…
If they sold it, it would now be recycled metal and never seen again.
With these guys hanging on to them, they are doing a great service to guys that appreciate classics.
In the Faceplant ad it shows the car after a wash job..but they should’ve continued into the interior since it’s almost as bad as the interior we saw in the previous “ragtop” write up!!
The seller states in the FB ad …I’ve been offered 6500 so far.I plan on getting boys the next few weeks and then selling to a serious buyer only? That’s a little creepy for me.Looks like the air cleaner lid is rotted thru on the top. Saw one last year on fleabay that was in very good condition no rust running driving with the 455 sold for 10k.
Hmm, gotta wonder how much rat & mouse crap is in this car…
A diamond 💎 ♦️ in the rough. First of all that ride needs quite a bit attention. 1. Detail exterior and interior. 2. Check out that Big Block 455 V8 to c f it starts and runs and f it does drive it around for a few days. 3. Go to the neighborhood auto parts store 🏬 buy a or 2 of both engine and radiator Flush to flush out both engine and radiator. 4. Pour engine flush in engine where you pour engine oil, same with radiator you may have to drain out the radiator to add radiator flush so when you start the car the engine flush and radiator flush can give engine and radiator a really good thorough cleaning 🧼 out. 5. Drain engine of fluids of flush and old oil to make sure everything is clean. Make sure oil pan screw plug is reinstalled and add new 5 quarts of engine oil to engine.
Now for radiator open drain plug of radiator drain out radiator after that get and take water hose with engine running let water run through radiator to make sure radiator is clean. After radiator is cleaned and flushed and radiator is drained out and clean turn off engine close radiator drain plug,add and pour the new radiator fluids. 6. For the transmission do the same. 7. If not sure 🤔 take ride to a really good mechanic 👩🏽🔧👩🔧👨🏾🔧👨🔧 🧰 and let them do the necessary job and pay them. 8. Call GM dealership make an appointment and ask them that you would like to bring in your ride for a C. D. T. I. “Computer Diagnostic Test
Inspection”. After and when the C. D. T. I. completely done you want a print out and a few copies of car C. D. T. I. 9. Go back to your mechanic 🧰 present and show them a copy along with the copy you have also and the both of you read and go over that print out copy to see how you want to handle the repairs and restoration of that diamond 💎 ♦️ in the rough to really, really, really and I mean really bring back that Antique, Classic
And Vintage Buick back to life when it was brand sparking new driven right off and out of the Buick Dealership Lot.
That Buick isn’t driving nowhere! The fuel lines have been gone for many years as well as the brake lines on this car! The ENTIRE fuel & Brake systems are going to need to be replaced on this car from the pedals out, and I mean EVERY PIECE or it’s never going to run or stop. That’s going to cost a couple thousand dollars before you can even start on the electrical system or everything the engine’s going to need from the mice chewing on everything in the car as well as under the hood, a wiring harness may be needed from the fuse box out and getting that as well as the installation cost will make your kidneys hurt! Now we can get started on the cosmetics, a new top will set you back another $2500 if all the framing and cables are in good shape and the pump is in good working order or $4000 + if they aren’t. Now it’s on to the interior, the carpet and seat (up front) need attention and chances are if you reupholster the front you’re going need to do the rear seat too. If the paint is still presentable and the chrome isn’t all pitted you’ll save a small fortune, BUT, chances are that sitting in a barn UNCOVERED all that time you’ll only save a fortune if you simply pass on this one! That’s how I see it anyway.
Watch an episode of Vice Grip Garage on the Yoo Toob. He’ll show you how to get these things up and running. I’ve seen him get cars in much worse condition going. Then drive them home.
VGG with Derek are cool. I’ll watch it on screw tube sometimes. DD’S speed shop with the guy up in Canada into tri fives is good too.
Sounds like a well thought out plan but, only in a ‘perfect world’ when a vehicle was running and driving before the long hiatus. ‘Buyer Beware’ for the small amount of history given in addition to seeing just how much money you can get.
Yu’all might be a redneck, if… see above.
Engine flush=engine killer.
I couldn’t agree more, John. If the engine is that gunked up, time for disassembly and rebuild. If not that bad, just fresh oil and filter. The only thing engine flush will give you is more trouble than you want.
I know times have changed and cars for me, especially of this Era are priced ridiculous….but. I was around when these were new as a child and when they were being scraped by the thousands. I liked them I bought a red version of this car. Not a Centurion but a Lesabre for 300.00 in 1990. The car had the usual minor Northeast rust, ran super nice, everything worked. The car is a 455 400th with the hardboot and other nice options. I drove it 12 years before it went into storage. These are great cars, mechically simple, rust is the enemy. Mine will need attention when it comes out this summer for a redo. The prices shock me but I’m older. I use a 72 Impala convertible that I bought around the same time, for my top down beater right now. The one drawback on these are the tops. They can be a real pain. If you cannot do them yourself, it can get expensive. All the big GM convertibles interchange so parts are easily for in junkyards. If your going to drive it regularly, I recommend a plastic rear window as the glass tends to bind and will shatter in an instant. Any of these make great fun old simple nice cars. This convertible design, imo ranks as one of the cleanest and nicest ever built with the roof down, second to the 61 to 67 Continental. Depending on how bad the rust is, this is a great year to have but I feel it is still a bit overpriced however, Donks, hip-hop ers and others disagree today.
Does potential buyer have to clean garage to remove the car too?
That actually isn’t bad for the money cash talks a bet you can get it for less, that odometer has rolled over at least once I wish it was closer I would be checking it out in person and making a offer because I know I can enjoy it for the first half of summer then flip it for profit regardless of what other in this feed have said
Reminds me that I need to buy some razors.
The ol’ peckerwood doesnt want to sell it. He’s gonna restore it one day. Id hose it down, but that would seriously loosen the footings on the barn and the whole thing would collapse. Could file a homeowners claim for 20K and make out. Even power washed and the nasty rug cut out with a utilty knife; 1500 to 2K.
Oops! I didnt see the ad with the hosed down pics; My Bad! It does look quite a bit better but mouse wee-wee is tuff to get rid of. Like the poster above said, all the fuel and brake equipment rates a ZERO. Too bad, was probably a sweet ride 20 years ago.
Rust around the wheel arch, but man she has a set of air horns Billy Bob
Another 70s pile. It doesn’t need carpeting, it looks like it needs a floor. Like the other poster said that all the lines are gone and it has reached pile status.
I had a 71 hard top with the 455. Loved that car. Same color blue but with black interior, wood grain dash. Buicks are very nice rides. With the 455 I always got 18 mpg. I miss it. Lots of fun with the extra room on the inside.
Dayumm… I haven’t seen the pics of the car washed up but based on on William’s point it ain’t worth 6,500.. I would be nice to go give it a look over in person