1975 Buick Century Gran Sport

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by Rich Johns, Jul 20, 2014.

  1. Rich Johns

    Rich Johns Platinum Level Contributor

    I just wanted to start a thread on the misunderstood/lack of information on the end of the line, true Skylark /Century Buick Gran Sport's.
    I recently acquired this unique car and wanted to share it with everyone on the V8 Board

    As some of you may know, the last year for the true Buick Gran Sport's was 1975.
    1,288 were built, base engine was a 231 Buick V6 followed by a Buick 350 2 bbl and 350 4 bbl optional engine upgrades.

    The Gran Sport Sales code A8 or Option code WF1 included the following:

    Unique to 1975, full length body side,deck lid and hood decal striping decals with Gran Sport fender and deck lid decals
    Special blacked out grill with Gran Sport emblem
    Special blacked out headlight bezels
    Special blacked out tail light bezels
    Rally Gauge cluster and clock
    Quick Ratio Steering box 3.013 turn to turn as opposed to 3.26 for regular Century
    1 inch diameter front sway bar compared to regular century of .88 inch diameter
    Rear sway bar .875 inch diameter, regular Century had no rear sway bar
    High Rate springs and shocks
    Wheel opening moldings
    Ash tray ,glove box and courtesy lights
    GR 70-15 black wall 15 " wide oval radial tires on 15 x7 plain steel wheel compared to narrower GR 78-15 black wall radial tire on 15 x6 plain steel wheel standard on regular Century.

    The price of this option was 171.00

    The car I recently acquired is rather unique, in that it was ordered with the following options to enhance the performance oriented content of the Gran Sport option package.

    D35 Body colored Sport mirrors
    A51 Bucket seats
    D55 Floor shift console
    N31 Rally steering wheel
    N98 15 x 7 Buick Chrome Rally Wheels

    This car was also ordered in desirable Regal black with the unique 91V Black custom interior with white bucket seat.

    Surprisingly, for this car being sold new by Slessor Pontiac Buick in Grimsby Ontario, is still completely original and retains it original paint,original stripes and interior.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Dec 29, 2014
  2. Brian Pryes

    Brian Pryes Well-Known Member

    Definitely different
     
  3. priariecanary

    priariecanary Stacey

    That is a cool car Rich. I didn't realize there was a gran sport option in '75. I thought '74 was the end of the line.
     
  4. Rich Johns

    Rich Johns Platinum Level Contributor

    Attached are the GM of Canada Documentation and Flint Sloan Museum Documentation.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Rich Johns

    Rich Johns Platinum Level Contributor

    I have a whole lot more detailed information and pics that I will post over the several days.
     
  6. clutchracer

    clutchracer Well-Known Member

    Love everything about her John. Nice score. Beautiful, especially the strie.
     
  7. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Cool car, what are your plans with it?
     
  8. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    Very Nice !!
     
  9. buford27

    buford27 '57 Special

    I have a question about the trim code. Does the body tag on the cowl under the hood say 91V or 91W? My Buick info says sales code 618 is trim code 91W for model 4AD37 and sales code 628 is trim 91V for 4XB17 and 4XB27 only, and I'd like to know if my book is wrong.
     
  10. lostGS

    lostGS Well-Known Member

    Thanks for filling us in on the lost GS. I have always had a love for the "big" GS. hardly ever seen any more but they are out there. I would love to find one for myself.

    Tim
     
  11. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    Nice score! My wife likes (I do too) that 'fastback' body style on both the Buick and Olds (Cutlass).
     
  12. 66BulldogGS

    66BulldogGS Platinum Level Contributor

    Cool find. Definitely something you don't see everyday.

    Good heaven's look at that front bumper! That's no bumper, it's a bull bar or a portable diving platform!
     
  13. Ken Mild

    Ken Mild King of 18 Year Resto's

    Man that is pretty cool. That front bumper looks like a friggin aircraft carrier deck. :shock:
     
  14. philip roitman

    philip roitman Well-Known Member

    Nice find!:TU:
     
  15. Rich Johns

    Rich Johns Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks you everyone for the positive feedback.

    Here is a pics of Firewall body tag trim is Z91W
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Rich Johns

    Rich Johns Platinum Level Contributor

    Mark

    Not sure right now ,just a neat car that has captured my interest, due to being very unique.

    This car nicely represents a fitting final example of the great line of Buick Gran Sports from 1965 to 1975.
     
  17. buford27

    buford27 '57 Special

    Interesting, the body tag says body build date is 06D (fourth week of June), but GM of Canada says build date is 5/27/1975. The Z prefix on the trim code means that there was an override of a suggested color or trim package, which is also shown on the GM of Canada document as option code ZP2.
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2014
  18. 442w30

    442w30 Well-Known Member

    Wow, pretty cool!

    Question: Was the side stripe an option on regular non-GSs? Cuz I may have seen it before, but not on a GS. Looks pretty cool with the criss-cross striping.
     
  19. Rich Johns

    Rich Johns Platinum Level Contributor

    Sean
    Cowl tag body build date is 05D 4the week of may 1975.
    Yes Z indicates trim override.
     
  20. Rich Johns

    Rich Johns Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks Diego.
    The Gran Sport striping was available on a regular fastback style roof Century. There would be no white Gran Sport decal on rear deck lid lid body stripe on these cars as they were not Gran Sport's just regular Century with optional stripes.
    I posted order sheets above.

    Here is more detailed information, plus an interesting comparison sheet to 73 and 74 Century options that I sourced from GM of Canada.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jan 1, 2017

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