Buick Century 66C Convertible
Buick Century is the model name that was used by Buick for a line of upscale full-size cars from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958, as well as from 1973 to 2005 for mid-size cars.
Originally, the Series 60 had the 331.4 cu in (5.4 L) OHV Buick Straight-6 engine from the Series 70, developing 99 bhp (74 kW) at 2,800 rpm. It had, at the beginning of the generation, a full-length running board denoting the top model for Buick at the time, shared with the short wheelbase, entry level Series 40. In 1930, GM built 38,180 cars. The bodystyles available were torpedo, sedan, coupe, and roadster convertible, using GM’s “B-body” platform. Starting with this generation, all GM cars shared a corporate appearance as a result of the “Art and Colour Section” headed by Harley J. Earl and modest yearly changes were introduced to freshen the appearance.
In 1931, the running board was reduced and the OHV 220.7 cu in (3.6 L) Buick Straight-8 engine was introduced that developed 90 bhp (67 kW). Aesthetically, the Series 60 remained almost unchanged, and the same fact occurred also in the following year. In 1931 and 1932, a total of 55,135 were produced.
In 1933, the length of the body increased and the radiator was now concealed behind a façade with a grille. The engine power increased to 97 hp (72 kW), and 1933 was the first year all GM vehicles were installed with optional vent windows which were initially called “No Draft Individually Controlled Ventilation” later renamed “Ventiplanes”. In 1934, the appearance was changed to a more rounded appearance, with a new OHV 278 cu in (4.6 L) eight-cylinder engine and 100 hp. In 1935, the model remained almost unchanged while the body style selections were similar to larger Buicks but more affordably priced. Six choices were available to include both 2- and 4-door convertibles using the term “phaeton” for the 4-door convertible with a listed price of US$1,675 ($35,752 in 2022 dollars). Total production from 1933 to 1935 was 31,385. In 1936, the model changed its name to “Century”.
Assembly: Flint (Michigan, USA)
Year of production: 1930–1935
Length: 5250 mm
Width: 1763 mm
Height: 1377 mm
Engine: 8 cylinders; 4467 cc
Power: 97 HP
Max speed: 145 km/h
Weight: 1240 kg
Rahmi M. Koç museum (Istanbul, Turkey)
