Ok, I'm new here so hopefully I'm posting in the right place. I recently found and purchased a 1976 Buick Century Free spirit pace car replica. I read some older threads here and gained a lot of knowledge from quite a few people here on these cars, so that's what prompted me to join. This is a two owner car, 36k original miles, always garage kept and was actually a show car from the 80s till storage in early 90s. I have some questions about this car though. It seems this car was ordered "bare bones" compared to most other Free spirits. It's non t top, bench seat, column shift and has the aluminum targa band with rear spoiler. Here's where it gets weird. I contacted Sloan Museum to get papers showing the cars authenticity. Sloan indicated that the Y1 was not indicated on the original order form, HOWEVER, my cowl tag does have the Y43 RPO code which I've read also indicates "pace car replica ". Also, paperwork shows 350 2bbl but this car has correct 350 4bbl. I've read other threads indicating that this wasn't uncommon as dealers may have changed things, maybe a screw up on the assembly line or even sloppy work on the order form. Maybe some people here can give me some more knowledge on this subject. I'm waiting on a call back Tuesday from Sloan Museum archivist to hopefully clarify these things but thought I'd check here as well. Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can bestow upon me. Sloan paperwork also indicates that the "H" in the VIN indicates Century Custom coupe "free spirit"
I did read that one. There was a man named Paul who mentions having the H in the VIN indicating "Free spirit" and the Y43 code on the cowl tag, however his paperwork from Sloan shows the Y1 option checked as well. Mine apparently has all the boxes checked except it doesn't show Y1 on the original order form ♂️
I can't find the post where he mentioned that, but there's no Free Spirit package information in the 13-digits VIN. The first H in the VIN stands for Century Custom, followed by 57 for the 2 door hardtop coupe. Is it this post that you're referring to?
I'll see if I can find it again. But here's the documentation from Sloan saying the H is "Free Spirit" unless I'm reading it wrong? That's why I have them calling me back to explain, this is all confusing to me
I think that's a generic statement saying that the option wasn't listed on the order forms the dealerships used at the time as it was an "accessory" item
I'd guess that the standard wholesale order form did not include this option package much like in '70 the wholesale order form was not revised to include the GSX package. The engine code should be part of the VIN & sans a factory screw-up, should indicate 2 or 4 BBL. (EDIT) I see that on your Sloan Doc so may be a screw up but will be difficult if not impossible to prove short of circumstantial (date codes of intake/carb/air cleaner, paint showing intake has never been off, etc.) evidence. Do you have the protect-o-plate? Engine would be indicated there as well but probably matches everything else. Looks like a great example you have there!
Great information! You know, I haven't even looked in the glove box yet! I also wanted to remove rear seat and check for build sheet. Thanks for the kind words also. She's 100% rust free. Need to do some minor paint repair and also install new rear bumper filler panels . Needs a water pump and just minor things a car needs from 30 years of storage.
