Dumpster Unicorn: 1979 Buick Century Turbo Coupe
You’ve heard the term “trash panda” as a derogatory term for our friend the raccoon — but I’ve got a new one for ya; The “dumpster unicorn.” That is a car that is indeed a rare thing, but should be recycled into fridge magnets. Or it is a pipe of parts in a bin that could be turned into a rare mythical beast. This next car is a 4th generation Buick Century — I’ve probably not seen one on the road for a good 20 years (for good reason?) but this next version is the rarest of the rare because it has a turbo V6. Find this 1979 Buick Century Turbo Coupe offered for $3,500 in Catskill, MA via craigslist. Tip from Cory.
From the seller:
1979 Buick Century Turbo Coupe
condition: good
cylinders: 6 cylinders
fuel: gas
odometer: 29987
paint color: white
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
1979 Buick Century Turbo Coupe $3500.00 or best offer, engine runs, has 3.8 6 cylinder turbo charger, new turbo in box, has a spare engine to go with it ,has original spare tire, brakes, rotors, all good, radiator has been record……….serious inquiries only
See a better way to drive something turbo? tips@dailyturismo.com
At this point, that’s a pretty reasonable price for any G-body that runs and isn’t ready to break in half from tinworm infection (note: Not sure from the description if either is the case). Just needs the engine updated to the later EFI / intercooled specs.
I wondered how they addressed fuel delivery, suspecting this has an early form of throttle body injection. Nope. It’s a turbo blowing through a Rochester Quadrajet carburetor. The idea of a turbo puffing through a carb seems ripe for heartbreak & failure, but hey those were the early days for mass market turbos.
The June ’79 Car & Driver compares this Buick to the contemporary Saab 900 and finds that it’s faster than the Saab, brakes faster, is quieter, nearly the same MPG’s and … 1/2 the price of the Saab. Pretty interesting stats for a butt ugly Buick I never knew existed.
This would make for a decent looking and unique project. Get some nice paint, interior, wheels and an LS motor for plenty of power.
dont remember these.if i didn’t have the word above from someone who does… I woulda thought it to be a Citation variant. that sloped rear end screams x-body to me.