1971 Buick Centurion

Brian's parents purchased this 1971 Centurion Formal Coupe on December 17, 1970 from Royal Moore Buick of Hillsboro, Oregon. Due to the lengthy strike against General Motors during the fall of 1970, this was one of the first full-size 1971 Buicks delivered in the Pacific Northwest.

An all-new model for 1971, the Centurion replaced the Wildcat series in Buick's lineup but continued the Wildcat's theme of mating Buick's largest engine with its lightest, full-size body. Standard equipment included Buick's 455-cubic inch engine and a vinyl roof covering on the Formal Coupes. Brian's & LynnD's Centurion is finished in Sandpiper Beige with a Dark Brown vinyl roof. The car's original factory options include Buick's chrome road wheels, firm ride and handling package with oversize tires, and the exclusive Centurion paint stripe.

Brian's parents consider the Centurion to be the finest, most trouble-free car they ever owned, and, rather than trading it in, passed the car along to Brian in 1979. Brian & LynnD have enjoyed showing and touring with the Centurion for many years, and highlights have included showing the car at BCA National Meets in Los Angeles (1985) and Flint (1988).
 

1959 Buick Electra 4-door hardtop

The Electra was delivered new by The Baker Garage of Baker City, Oregon, which is Brian's hometown. Brian remembered the car from his childhood in Baker City. Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, the family who owned the car frequently stored it at The Baker Garage, and Brian often saw the car in a rear storage room when visiting the dealership with his dad to have the family's '61 LeSabre or '65 Wildcat serviced. During recent years, Brian wondered what had happened to the car, and assumed that the car had been scrapped or sold outside the area long ago.

During 1998, Brian visited his parents in Baker City, and, as he drove his mother past the elementary school where she taught for many years, was surprised to see the '59 Buick sitting in the driveway of the original owner's nephew. He stopped immediately, learning that the nephew -- then 84 years old -- had just removed the '59 from his garage for the first time in six years. He had finally decided to sell the Buick. Brian was thrilled by the prospect of acquiring the "long lost" delta-winged wonder, and negotiated with the owner to purchase the car.

The car is an original, rust-free survivor in excellent mechanical condition. Finished in Magic-Mirror Silver Birch, the car requires some paint and chrome work to be restored to its former beauty. The car performed flawlessly on its 400-mile trip from Baker City to Brian's home near Seattle. Among the car's unique features are the rare, infinitely variable Triple Turbine transmission and the distinctive "flying wing" roofline. Among Brian's & LynnD's upcoming plans are to drive the '59 Electra to Flint, Michigan for the Centennial Celebration of the Buick Motor Company in 2003.

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Page last updated Saturday April 29, 2006 04:01 PM