CARCARETOOL VEHICLE GUIDE

Buick Century

Buick Century — 1936–1942; 1954–1958; 1973–2005, 2-door coupe; 4-door sedan; 4-door station wagon, 331.4 cuin Buick Straight-6 engine OHV I6220.7 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8230.4 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8278 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8. Explore engine specifications, fuel economy, dimensions, tire sizes, seating, maintenance and tire-pressure guidance.

Engine331.4 cuin Buick Straight-6 engine OHV I6220.7 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8230.4 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8278 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8

Transmission3-speed synchromesh manual

DrivetrainFR layout (1936–1981); Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1982–2005)

About the Buick Century

Buick Century is a 2-door coupe; 4-door sedan; 4-door station wagon in the full-size car (1936–1958); mid-size car (1973–2005) class, with source data covering 1936–1942; 1954–1958; 1973–2005. The available vehicle data lists 331.4 cuin Buick Straight-6 engine OHV I6220.7 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8230.4 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8278 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8 as an engine configuration, paired with 3-speed synchromesh manual and a FR layout (1936–1981); Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1982–2005) layout. Public source material describes the model in the context of its design, market positioning and vehicle history.

This Buick Century guide focuses on the details drivers commonly want to know, including engine information for 331.4 cuin Buick Straight-6 engine OHV I6220.7 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8230.4 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8278 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8 and 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission information. Exact specifications should be matched to the relevant model year and market.

Buick Century specifications at a glance

Use this table for the model-level essentials. Exact figures may vary by year, trim, engine and market.

Make	Buick
Model	Century
Model years	1936–1942; 1954–1958; 1973–2005
Body style	2-door coupe; 4-door sedan; 4-door station wagon
Vehicle class	Full-size car (1936–1958); Mid-size car (1973–2005)
Manufacturer	Buick (General Motors)
Production	1996–October 2004; 1998–2000 (China)
Market / country	CA, FI, NL, NZ, UA, US

Engine, transmission and performance

Engine information for the Buick Century includes 331.4 cuin Buick Straight-6 engine OHV I6220.7 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8230.4 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8278 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8.. Transmission information includes 3-speed synchromesh manual.. The listed drivetrain/layout is FR layout (1936–1981); Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1982–2005).

Engine	331.4 cuin Buick Straight-6 engine OHV I6220.7 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8230.4 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8278 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8
Transmission	3-speed synchromesh manual
Drivetrain / layout	FR layout (1936–1981); Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1982–2005)

Dimensions, weight and practicality

Dimensions and capacity figures are presented as published source data when available.

Wheelbase	114 in (2,896 mm)119 in (3,023 mm)124 in (3,150 mm)
Length	197 in (5,004 mm) (1936)204 in (5,182 mm) (1937-42)
Width	76 in (1,930 mm) (1954–55)
Height	60.5 in (1,537 mm) (1954)59.8 in (1,519 mm) (1956)
Kerb / curb weight	3130-3425 lb

Buick Century other specifications

Name	Buick Century
Image	Buick Century — 04-23-2012.JPG
Caption	1933 Buick Series 60 Model 68C Convertible Phaeton
Aka	Chevrolet Century (Venezuela)Buick Regal (Japan)GM Century Limited (México)

Buick Century generations and model years

Where a source covers multiple generations, CarCareTool selects the generation(s) that best match this catalog model instead of mixing unrelated variants.

Generation / scope	Years	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
Buick Century	1936–1942; 1954–1958; 1973–2005	Not specified	Not specified	FR layout (1936–1981); Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1982–2005)
First generation	1936–1942	320 CID Fireball I8 OHV	3-speed synchromesh manualAutomatic Safety Transmission (1938 only)	FR layout
Second generation	1954–1958	322 CID ''Fireball'' V8 OHV 364 CID ''Fireball'' V8 OHV	2-speed Dynaflow automatic	FR layout
Third generation	1973–1977	231 cuin Buick V6; 350 cuin Buick V8; 455 cuin Buick V8; 403 cuin Oldsmobile V8	3-speed manual4-speed manual3-speed automatic	FR layout
Fourth generation	1978–1981	196 cuin Buick V6 231 cuin Buick V6 265 cuin Pontiac V8301 cuin Pontiac V8 350 cuin Oldsmobile diesel V8	3-speed THM200, 250, 350 automatic3-speed manual4-speed Saginaw manual	FR layout
Fifth generation	1982–1996; 1984–1996 (Mexico)	2.2 L ''LN2'' I4; 2.5 L ''Tech IV'' I4; 2.8 L ''LE2/LB6'' V6; 3.0 L ''Buick'' V6; 3.1 L ''L82'' V6; 3.3 L ''LG7'' V6; 3.8 L ''LG3'' V6; 4.3 L ''LT7'' diesel V6	GM TH-125C 3-speed automatic; GM 440-T4 4-speed automatic; GM 4T60-E 4-speed automatic	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive

TIRE PRESSURE

Recommended tire pressure for Buick Century

Check the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s cold inflation pressure. CarCareTool estimates are clearly labelled when an exact verified value is unavailable.

Normal load32 PSI front30 PSI rear

Fully loaded34 PSI front33 PSI rear

Load condition	Front	Rear	Status
Normal	32 PSI	30 PSI	Estimate
Fully loaded	34 PSI	33 PSI	Estimate

Calculate how much air to add

Frequently asked questions about Buick Century

These FAQs are generated automatically for this specific vehicle from the specifications, features and ownership data available in CarCareTool. Questions are selected by relevance so the page focuses on details that can actually be answered for this model.

What engine does the Buick Century have?

The available source data lists the Buick Century engine as 331.4 cuin Buick Straight-6 engine OHV I6220.7 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8230.4 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8278 cuin Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8. Engine availability can differ by model year and market.

What tire pressure should I use for the Buick Century?

For the correct setting, use the cold inflation pressure on the vehicle placard or in the owner’s manual. When CarCareTool does not have a verified configuration-specific value, its starting estimate is 32 PSI front and 30 PSI rear for normal load. This is an estimate, not an OEM recommendation.

What is the best engine oil for the Buick Century?

There is no single best engine oil for every Buick Century configuration. Use the viscosity grade and manufacturer approval specified for the exact engine in the owner’s manual.

What body style is the Buick Century?

The Buick Century is classified as a 2-door coupe; 4-door sedan; 4-door station wagon.

What years was the Buick Century produced?

The available vehicle record places the Buick Century in the 1936–1942; 1954–1958; 1973–2005 period. Exact availability can vary by market.

What are the dimensions of the Buick Century?

The available source data lists length 197 in (5,004 mm) (1936)204 in (5,182 mm) (1937-42), width 76 in (1,930 mm) (1954–55), height 60.5 in (1,537 mm) (1954)59.8 in (1,519 mm) (1956), and wheelbase 114 in (2,896 mm)119 in (3,023 mm)124 in (3,150 mm).

What transmission does the Buick Century have?

The available source data lists 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission options for the Buick Century.

Is the Buick Century FWD, RWD or AWD?

The listed drivetrain/layout for the Buick Century is FR layout (1936–1981); Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1982–2005).

Who makes the Buick Century?

The manufacturer listed for the Buick Century is Buick (General Motors).

When was the Buick Century produced?

The available source data describes production as 1996–October 2004; 1998–2000 (China).

How much does the Buick Century weigh?

The available source data lists a kerb/curb weight of 3130-3425 lb. Actual weight can vary with engine, trim and equipment.

Where was the Buick Century built?

The available source record lists assembly information as Buick City, Flint, Michigan, United States.

What class of car is the Buick Century?

The Buick Century is listed in the Full-size car (1936–1958); Mid-size car (1973–2005) class.

What platform does the Buick Century use?

The available source data lists the platform/chassis as GM B platform.

Which markets or countries sold the Buick Century?

The CarCareTool catalog currently associates the Buick Century with CA, FI, NL, NZ, UA, US. Market availability and specifications can differ.

What came after the Buick Century?

The available vehicle data lists Buick LaCrosse (2005–2009); Buick Regal TourX as a successor where applicable.

What replaced the Buick Century?

The available vehicle data lists Buick LaCrosse (2005–2009); Buick Regal TourX as the successor where applicable.

What cars are related to the Buick Century?

The available source data identifies related models as McLaughlin-Buick. Relationships can vary by market and generation.

How often should I check the tire pressure on the Buick Century?

Check the tires regularly and before long trips, with the tires cold. Use the vehicle placard or owner’s manual as the source of the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Should I use the tire sidewall pressure for the Buick Century?

No. The maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall is not automatically the vehicle’s recommended setting. Use the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the correct cold inflation pressure.

Data sources and verification are available in the page editor; exact specifications can vary by year, market, trim and engine.

Buick Century images

Vehicle images are shown from the stored source image records when available.