From the insanity of Topeka I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, mainly in the vain hope that I could find a Dodge truck I used to own to buy back. The second I saw this 1973 Buick Century, however, I forgot all about the truck. Completely, utterly forgot.
You simply will not find a cleaner ’73 A-body for this price anymore. Every line had a one-year-only body and bumper styling exercise where you got small bumpers on at least one, if not both ends. You could easily get a big block from the factory and it still pretty likely to get a manual transmission. What little I actually know about this Century (2-door, V8, automatic) is offset by what I can plainly see, which is a very useable body for the price and great chrome. The interior looks like it could use a refreshening, and the wheels/tires could certainly use an update. I’ll guess that it’s got a Buick 350 in it, which is torquey and more than capable of being interesting. While not a street stomper like the GS and GSX’s from a few years before, these things handle much better, brake better, and their cruising manners are flawless.
This Century is the exact idea I had for a Rough Start car! Where should I go next?
Right after the economy tanked I saw a beautiful green ’73 Century coupe with a Buick 350/auto for sale for $3850. If I could have gotten the money together I would have grabbed it in a heartbeat. Always liked how the ’73-’74 A-bodies looked
Count me as another one who loves the 73-77 A-Bodies, when they’re done right. Minimum chrome, lowered tastefully, big wheels and tires. My buddy was selling his ’74 RIGHT after I bought my S-10 project, and I was crushed, as I would have jumped all over it.
Nice.
Check carefully for rust. I had a ’73 Century (but with the Monte Carlo-style formal “opera” roof instead of the Colonnade coupe) from the southwest and it developed severe rust issues . . . mostly because of the factory vinyl top though. Rear quarters, trunk, filler panel, top and doors all went bad due to water retention.
Smogger 350 Buick needs help, though. Much lower performance than even in ’72.
wow, 1500 bucks, that is a super deal. Im not a Buick guy, but that would be a great first car for one of my kids.
I have a 73 Gran Sport Stage 1 4 speed car with 3.42’s barn fresh out of a hanger in the California desert. Got it running after 30 years and ran 14.2’s@ 96 out of the box, no tuning. Like driving a freakin Cadillac, easiest car I ever ran. Great launch, no wheel hop, nothing. Aside from tinworm, they got these cars right.
Grab this.
LS swap 4 speed auto 4.10 gears
Upgrade brakes to 4 wheel disk
And drive the hell out of it
I’d love on that Buick if it was anywhere near me. A Greg Gessler type 455 or a turbo LS for power and you’ve got an winning combo there.