Ok, THIS is derby material and not that nice green 1975 Buick from last week. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Buick-Estate-Wagon-/142803972906?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368
With their seemingly unlimited budgets, I wouldn't be surprised, if they compete with the rest of potential buyers of California cars. This wagon is salvagable, though. Without all the body work to do, much time and money is saved. So, it needs civilized wheels, air cleaner and a front clip. Big deal. That hood can get hammered back into decent enough shape, until a mint one is found, if one absolutely wants to make a museum piece out of it. I'm usually a loyal Oldsmobile guy, when it's about 1965 to '70 full-sized cars. But, as far as skinny-bumpered Clamshells go, I'm Buick first. What's $1,100 in 1971 currencey? That just goes to show you that this is a bargain. Here's what it could look like: A sporty upgrade, if it'll fit:
You might want to check out the roof just north of the B pillar, Ivy. I'm not seeing much rust anywhere else, however. The back end's a lot better than that rotted 71/72 Chevy we saw some months ago: Seems good on the passenger side, too: Then again you know the drill; check it out a few feet away and you may see all sorts of other imperfections you didn't notice in the camera photos.
True, if it was anything other than a desert car. It looks like honest surface rust, though. If the rust wasn't there, Bondo would have a safe place to hide. That stuff collecting in the rain gutter just above the B-pillar looks like the only cause for concern. But, at this stage, it can only be minor. If it was seeping out of a vinyl top, that would be a different story
Yes if someone was motivated and had the room, they could buy this rust free 71 Centurian and use the front clip. I believe this Centurian hardtop is rare in its own right as well. https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/d/1971-buick-centurion/6595472672.html
Rare and too good to waste. Once its front clip is on the wagon, the Centurion will have to wait around, before getting a donor clip itself
Yes according to wiki a Stage 1 4 speed Centurian was available early 71. Would be very interesting to see how the interior and running gear was configured on that model.
I have a 72 Centurion convertible with the "Modified High-Performance 455", as Buick called it. The package included the larger valve heads (no swirl polished valves that were on the A-Body GS's), different camshaft, dual exhaust, modified timing, etc. Those mods really do wake up that 455. No 4speeds were available for any Centurion. In 1971, a 3 speed manual on the column was standard but later model years had the Turbo 400 standard.
Why are you surprised? All Clamshell Wagons (save for ones that are far too rusty) are in high demand by derby guys.