Photos from the Cohort by riveranotario.
Full-size droptops were about to disappear for good during the ’70s, but not before some stand-out models appeared. The Centurion in soft-top version was one of those, a model that, as a previous CC entry said, followed a Buick tradition: “take a regular full-size Buick, give it a bigger engine, and price it for less than the flagship Electra.”
In other words, a hot-rodded factory good, with the joys of open motoring in the case of the droptop. And this rare survivor looks to provide those sporty full-size motoring qualities, down in its home of Chile.
A few of you out there who are less familiar with Buick history may be wondering: What’s a Centurion? An understandable query, as this was a short-lived nameplate, running just from 1971 to 1973.
As mentioned earlier, the model served as the division’s full-size hot offering. As such, it carried the division’s largest engine in ’71-’72 (the 455cid V8) and an upgraded suspension that provided surprisingly agile handling for its class. Details better covered previously at CC.
The 4-door and 2-door Centurion hardtops were sharp-looking and enjoyable cruisers for those in the know. As usual, the convertibles were a nice variation, both pricier and more exclusive. For ’72 the Centurion (the year of today’s find) moved about 34K hardtops altogether, and only 2,396 droptops.
So, Centurion droptops were never that common, not then, much less now. And here’s one in Chile, still enjoying the Southern Hemisphere’s sunshine. I would think that this particular one reached Chile back in the day when American full-sizers still carried prestige with the region’s upper crust.
I know from experience that during the ’40s-’50s desirable American luxury models found their say down south. All thanks to well-heeled customers with close ties to dealers who pulled the strings to bring these upscale brands from up north. From Cadillac to Lincoln and even Buick, these were coveted and taken care of; some even to this day. As this sample seems to show.
Related CC reading:
Car Show Classic: 1973 Buick Centurion – When Sportier Cars Are Built, Buick Will Build Them
It finally occurred to me that both Buick and Chevrolet lowered their grilles for ’72. One last fling below the bumper before regulations ruined it.
Very nice. The styling is very similar to my 71 green Lesabre with white vinyl top. And zero panache.
Sporty? Maybe for an aircraft carrier.
I note from the brochure the standard transmission is a 3 speed manual on the column. It would be interesting to know how many of those Centurion convertibles left the factory!
Probably zero…..and probably just to present a low starting price.
As I remember it, the Centurion replaced the Wildcat as the sporty-ish model between the LeSabre and the Electra. I remember them from new, and always liked that logo.
It got a little confusing when they reintroduced the Century in ’73.
I had an uncle who purchased a 1972 or 1973 (I don’t recall) Centurion convertible new in a nice deep red, with a white leather interior. It was quite a striking car. It turned out to be his last car purchase after a lifetime of Chevrolets…he was partial to Impala SS convertibles. Now mind you, he was younger than I am now when he purchased this, and that may explain why I had the experience throughout my 20s well into my 40s watching it slowly rust away and become undriveable.
I’ve always had a soft spot for these giant Buick convertibles.
These big convertibles were not sporty in a tire spinning back road hooning sort of way. They were sporty as were other luxury big convertibles like the Cadillac, more of a living the good life, enjoying the leisurely drive to the lake house kind of thing.
Know what ya mean. Don’t consider my aged convert (Bimmer), “sporty”. Feel pseudo sporty when I’m driving with the top down though.
I can get why some would call it sporty. Compared to the other GM fullsizers, the styling conveys a sense of movement rather than just sitting there inert. Sure it has bulging sides and inset wheels, but the line from the hood peak sloping down diagonally through the bodywork to the rear bumper gives it a sense of tautness, suggesting lightness and visual motion, even without the rally wheels. It just looks right.
Porky, not sporty.
My favorite Buick convertibles are the 1965-66 Wildcats and then the 1972 Centurion. All the proportions just seem right to my eye. I had a new 1974 LeSabre conv. and the proportions with big bumpers never moved me. I loved the optional wheels. Not complaining as I was very fortunate. I was in my early 20s, had taken a few years hiatus from college bartending on Miami Beach. My 1970 Nova SS was getting a bit worn out so parents gave me a new 1974 Buick convertible. when I went back to college
Hate me if you must, I just had generous parents who wanted me to have nice cars.