Buick Century Facts and History
GM's Buick Division used the Century name for a line of full-sized performance cars from 1936 to 1942 and from 1954 to 1958. From 1973 to 2005, Century was used for Buick's mid-sized automobile.
1936-1942
Nineteen thirty six was a year of improvements for the Buick Division. That year saw big engineering and design advancements over the 1935 vehicles. The Centuries during these years followed a basic formula that mated shorter wheel based Buick Special bodies to Buick's eight-cylinder engines. These cars were known as the "banker's hotrod" because they were fast and powerful: with 120 horsepower generated by a 320 cubic inch motor, they could sustain 95 mile-per-hour speeds which made them the fastest Buicks of the era.
In 1942, after an abbreviated model year because of World War II, the model was discontinued.
1954-1958
Nineteen fifty four saw the re-introduction of the Buick Century. This car used the same formula for success as the previous Century: mating the light, compact Buick Special body with a large powerful motor, in this case a 322 cubic inch V-8. The California Highway Patrol placed a large fleet order for 2-door Centuries, which incidentally were not available to the general public. These cars were later made famous by the actor Broderick Crawford in the "Highway Patrol" TV series.
In 1959, Buick retired the Century name again in light of a complete lineup name change.
1973-1977
In 1973, the Century name returned. The car was a midsized, rear-wheel drive A-body vehicle, a body shared with Pontiacs (LeMans, GTO, Can-Am, and Grand Am) and with Oldsmobiles (Cutlass Supreme). While not as powerful as some earlier models because of emission control regulations, these vehicles sported 455 cubic inch V-8s, although some later models were built with 231 cubic inch V6s. This was a more luxurious vehicle with some models featuring landau roofs and trapezoidal or porthole quarter glass.
1978-1981
In 1978, a new down-sized, fastback coupe version of the Century was introduced. The vehicle shared this design with the Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon. A V-6 engine was standard because of stricter government fuel economy regulations.
1982-1996
Nineteen eighty two saw the introduction once again of a downsized Century. This time, a front-wheel drive coupe and sedan sat on a "A" platform. In 1984, a station wagon was added; in 1985, about 300 of the Buick Century Coupes were manufactured as convertibles. In addition to the V-6 engine, a four-cylinder engine was available along with a diesel V6.
1997-2005
In 1997, the Century was redesigned for the final time. It was offered only as a four-door sedan, front-wheel drive V6. When Buick designated the new LaCrosse to replace the Century in 2005, the last Century rolled off the assembly line in October, 2004.
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