We have to address the visual confusion going on here. We have a woodgrained Buick wagon, painted a nondescript beige, wearing a set of white-letter tires and Torq-Thrust-style wheels. Is it a muscle wagon? A sleeper? Just a nice old cruiser?
Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t include any pictures of the engine, but the ad says that it’s a Chevy 355 backed up by a 4L60 automatic. In 1977, General Motors installed almost any engine in almost everything, so it’s possible that this Century was originally Chevy-powered. Regardless, the overdrive transmission is a nice setup for long highway cruises, which is where this wagon must shine. Additionally, the seller says that it has an aluminum intake, Edelbrock carburetor, and headers, in addition to new brakes and a new fuel system.
It is implied that this Buick has 56,000 actual miles on it, and it wears its original paint and interior. On top of that, it’s nearly rust free.
There’s just something cozy about a big 1970s wagon. Acres of vinyl on that wide bench seat, the driver getting kicked in the kidneys for the 33rd time in the last 15 miles – it’s magical. The ’77 Century still has the driver-centric instrument cluster that became so popular in the early 1970s. The Century would be completely redesigned in 1978, so this would be the last year for the Colonnade wagon.
1970s cars were not as space-efficient as one might think, especially considering the size of the exteriors. There’s plenty of room back here, however, for your friends, family, dog, cat, car parts…you name it.
The ’77 Century had the newly-popular rectangular headlights, stacked in this case. Combined with that massive pointed grille and proud Buick hood ornament, this Century is begging for a road trip, anywhere you want to go.
OK, a Chevy 350 (sorry, 355) may not make this Buick a muscle wagon, but it should have plenty of power to do the job a cool old station wagon is built to do, and that’s to have fun with a few people and some luggage. This one is listed on Craigslist for a reasonable price of $9800. If you like ’70s cars, Buicks, wood-sided station wagons, or all three, this might be your next ride. Thanks to Rocco B. for the tip.
Hey, hey, a new writer, I think, welcome aboard! Be ready for the scrutinization of your life, just kidding, but some will make you wonder why you do this at all.
Great writeup on a car most of us ignored in our youth. Going somewhere in a station wagon as a kid was probably not something you wanted to do. Still, the wagon did all the piddly crap while dads Electra sat in the garage. Not mentioned is the 85 mph speedometer. In case you weren’t there, a half baked initiative limiting speedometers to 85 mph was supposed to thwart any speeds faster, like as if any of the cars I had would do 120. In theory it worked, but suddenly just about every car could “bury the needle”. Proof positive, wheels sure make the car. Years ago, that would have been a genuine waste of money, mag wheels on a station wagon. Funny how times change, eh?
Thank you for the welcome, Howard! I’ll try to maintain a thick skin. :)
First off. I’d like to second Howard, welcome Aaron. You did a great write up, thank you. And as for getting kicked in the kidneys 68 times, yep, that happened a lot too.As for the wagon, Im sincerely impressed with its condition and presentation. Its noce to see one in this condition, wagons, were just simply used
up. Or the front clips were used to fix up a more popular two door model. The interior too is impressive. I like the rims too, they dress it up, but the original steel wheels and wheel covers with whitewalls wouldnt look bad either.
I’ll third the welcome. Nice write-up Aaron.
We didn’t have wagons when I was a kid, nor did any of my friends. So I never really paid attention to them. But today, I can look back and appreciate their place, and their current interest in the collector car world. This looks like a nice Buick. I’m even fine with the wheel/tire package, it gives it a bit more “look at me” vibe.
no engine shots does the a/c work? not a lot of info in the ad. you can put a load of pics on craigslist and more info. it is cool looking. i would have put a buick 455 in it instead of sbc.
The Buick engines all had the terrible lubrication problem, better off with the Chevy. It’s likely that this came with the Buick 350 and all the bearings were shelled out.
Yes, and easily rectified with oiling mods during a rebuild. To any Buick enthusiast, no Buick is ever, ever, better off with a Chevy engine.
Lovely looking car. I remember cars like this from when I was a boy. If only more pics were posted.
Great and well preserved find. I like the dark wood on these Buicks. These wheel look good on almost anything. Properly equipped 6-passenger with air and roll down glass. Perfect for hobby and chores.
It’s not the 3-seats version, those came with vent windows at the end of the rear side windows.
This car may have come with the “corporate” Chevy V8 like many of these did. Pissed of a lot of middle-aged men who bought a BOP mid-full sized when they were showing off their new car to the neighbor, popped the hood, and the neighbor tells him it has a Chevy engine !
@Wademo: the Century wagon also available with the 403 Oldsmobile V8 (not in California).
And next to the 403 Olds there was also a Buick 350 available for model year 1977, but again: not in California.
Some of these GM wagons had an optional vent window at the D pillar.
With the 3-row seat. Carried over to the fwd A-bodies as well.
R Kelly: only when they came with the third seat option.
You guys know way too much about station wagons 😉 not that there’s anything wrong with that!
Nice looking car! I am curious about the a/c, I’ve seen too many with all the components missing, the evap case hacked up or completely removed and blocked off. Did it come from the factory with a small block Chevrolet?
Art Engel: ask the seller for the VIN, post it here and we will tell you what the original engine was.
Art Engel: here is the seller’s contact info
(260) 226-2480.
No one here mentions that this is the mid-seventies MID-sized Buick — bloated to mimic a full-sized car. In 1977, the full-sized G.M.s got so size-trimmed, that the 1977 mid-sized leftovers looked larger. But this one matches the other mid-sized G.M. wagons. Buick, of course, was the highest-end of the mid-sized line. If that engine is not original, I would wonder how come a car with such low mileage needed an engine-transplant. Those front seats look a bit use-dirty, for a car with such low mileage (jus’ SAYin’). In 1948, a hit record, “You Came A Long Way (From St. Louis)”, had a line,
But Baby, I’ve got news for you,
I’m from Missouri, too,
So naturally I’ve got my doubts.
FWIW, I had a 77 delta 88 2 door with a 350 Chevy new.
And a 77 lesabre equipped with a 350 olds.
This could have always had a Chevy engine.
I seen it all. What hick put white letter tires on this car?
Great wagon but I love those nailhead engines .. Good lookin wagon.
I’d buy one if there was one near where I live. I’ve always loved the 1977 Buick. It’s the last of the Colonnade style GM cars.
the ad did say 355….bored 60 over on rebuild i suspect.