1. Photos
  2. Buick
  3. Buick Century
  4. III (A-body)

Buick Century III (A-body) gallery (1973–1977)

The third generation shifted the Century to an intermediate A-body platform featuring distinctive Colonnade rooflines.

All photos 3 I (Series 60) 0 1936–1942 II (Series 60) 0 1954–1958 III (A-body) 0 1973–1977 IV (A-body) 0 1978–1981 V (A-body) 0 1982–1996 VI (W-body) 3 1997–2005

The third generation Buick Century was launched for 1973, replacing the intermediate Skylark series on General Motors' redesigned perimeter-frame A-body platform. It featured GM's new Colonnade styling with fixed B-pillars and frameless side glass designed to meet anticipated rollover safety mandates. The body roster encompassed two-door Colonnade coupes, four-door sedans, and three-row station wagons with woodgrain exterior trim. Engine offerings included the standard 350 cubic inch (5.7L) V8 and the massive 455 cubic inch (7.5L) big-block V8, while the resurrected 231 cubic inch (3.8L) Buick V6 became standard from 1975. Most models were paired with 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmissions. A major mid-cycle refresh in 1976 introduced stacked rectangular headlamps and sculpted grilles. It was sold widely across North America.