Now that my driver Centurion is too nice to use as a daily driver, I'm thinking about getting a newer rear drive Buick from the late 70's to early 80's as a driver. Were the 80-84 Park Avenues reliable? How about the 78-82 Centurys? I don't see many around here in MN, but want to stay with Buicks for my driver.
"PARK AVENUE" all the way you have a choice between Buick motor and Olds motor in those cars. Buick motor in those years usually had the typical piston slap. As for the Olds motor you had to deal with all that polution crap sitting under your hood and always seemed to be in the way. If gas mileage is your concern then buy one with an Olds motor i had one and it gave me 22 mpg not bad for a fullsize !
i would buy a 81-86 regal . along with the sister car , the cutlass , they were great cars with v8s & rear wheel drive . my dad owned one of the last 1985 lesabre rear wheel drive and it was a great car .
G-bodies. Awesome long-term runners in stock form, easy to modify and repair as beaters, and strong frames for racing conversions. All around good machines.
How about the electrical stuff in the body and emission controls? I know those cars had a lot more in the way of accessories to go bad. Was the 252 V6 any good?
The 3.8 V-6 is pretty good for fuel yeah. Emissions can be stripped off if you're not in a smog state, there aren't many more than you'll find on a 73+ 455. ..as for electrical options, depends ont he car. My 78 has dial-in temperature A/C, a full stereo, power everything, Cruise, maplights etc. ...the 79 has cool options like... er... a horn.
I just de-smogged my 86 regal. You definitely need to do this if you can. To do this you'll probably need a new carb. There's alot of electric gizmos sticking out of it. I busted out the converter. It acutually has a rumble to it now. I eliminated the computer (by unplugging it). I used a 4.1 L intake (thanks Dan). I originally had a Quadrajet on it. I used the one from my 76 455 because it had the same pin for the throttle linkage. It's an 800 cfm. Couldn't get it to idle below 1200. All my 750 Quads have the ball type throttle, so I put my 750 Edelbrock Performer on. It idles where I want it, but has a little stumble when I accelerate off idle (carb too big). It pulls hard now (for a V6). I actually gain speed going up hills. I can almost break the tires loose. I probably could if I'd kept the peg leg in it. BTW...before the de-computerization my best mpg was 23, worst was 18. I'll probably be lucky to get 18 now. Though, its not about miles per gallon, its about smiles per gallon :grin:
For raw speed the rear is where you'll want to focus. A 2.56 or 2.26 is great on the highway but murdeously slow on the street during the low end. Going for milage, with minimal cost from the junkyards you can run a 2.26 gear, 15" 245 tires, 4speed overdrive, V6, and kill the smog. Look for high 20's.
I have a 2.56 posi in mine. I need to hotwire the lockup converter and get the linkage adapter for the tv cable. I doesn't go into third untill 55 mph or more.
depends. Unless you go V6 a new Buick will be chevy powered. Last year for the Buick 350 was 1980 and even then some had chevy's.
Yea, the 81-83 Regal was the best aerodynamic car for NASCAR in those years, all the racers used them. Doors are big and a problem spot, though. Dan
hmmmm...late 70's or early 80's...would you be interested in anything like this:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2485360396&category=6144 1979 buick electra....great shape and it has buick 350 "x" code, TH400 tranny, new tires, it has everything a good daily driver should have:TU: Hope i could be of some help, but there is a few more late 70's early 80's buicks that look purdy good:beer -Cody
Found this ad in case you decide on a PA. I thought the price was a little high, but who knows? 1978 Buick Park Avenue with 59k original miles on it. Big block 403 v-8. Power Steering, Power Seats, Power Windows, AM/FM 8-Track, AC. Burgundy with Volour intertior. Car in Cave Creek, Arizona. Asking 4500 Dollars, Call Sam for more information. (480)629-5172
That 79 Electra is so sweet. The look so good in black. Id sleeper it out. One of them 500hp 350s. That not a bad price for it shape and goodies. low miles. I could sell it for $2000 around here easy. Course if I bought it I could not sell it. I love my Electra wagon.
That electra is a deal on 4 wheels:TU: It is a nice looking car that needs a good home/owner. If I had the money/time etc etc etc I would consider it. Only 2 days 2 hours, so slap a high bid on it for anybody who would want it, it looks like its worth it:beer -Cody
I prefer the 80-84 Park Avenues, especially the two door coupes. Second choice would be a 78-79 Le Sabre coupe. I wish Buick had used the two door coupe body of the Chevy Malibus instead of the slantbacks. The 78-81 Century would have looked great with that coupe body.
