sean1997 Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 (edited) In a moment of weakness I bought a new project car, a 1980 Century Limited turbo sedan. It was talked about here (http://forums.aaca.org/f117/1980-century-4-door-turbo-no-377535.html), but I paid much less than the asking price. I'll start with the decode since people will probably be interested in that.VIN = 4L693AH158xxx4 = BuickL = Century Limited69 = 4-door notchback sedan3 = 231 V6 4-bbl turbo (LC8)A = 1980 model yearH = built at Flint, MI158xxx = sequential number, range for Flint built A-body Buicks was 100,001 to 263,471Transmission:KJ 104 D 804AH158xxx (numbers matching transmission)KJ = TH350104 = production day built (assuming model year production started 8/1/79, this would be about Monday 11/12/79)D = day shift80 = 1980 model yearRear axle:6RB O 3386RB = 2.41 openO = built by Oldsmobile338 = day built (Tuesday 12/4/1979)Engine:04E4BD = engine family number from emissions label = forty-nine stateEngine number & production code = I haven't been able to locate this, might not be able to see it with engine in the car or without removing some components first.Body tag:BODY BY FISHER80 12A 4AH69 H 12823079D 76L 76T LAM6 CB580 = 1980 model year12A = body built December (12) 1979, first week (A)4AH69 = Fisher body style number4 = BuickA = A-body platformH = Century69 = 4-door sedanIt's interesting that the Fisher body style number doesn't match the Buick VIN. Not unheard of, happened in 1967 and 1972 as well. Possibly explains why production is reported as a total of 129,740 for 4AH69 with 4AL69 included in that number. 4AL69 was 4AH69 with option W07, so maybe that has something to do with it too. I contacted the Sloan Museum (http://www.sloanlongway.org/buick-gallery/research/automotive-research) to see if they had any production info for 1980 which breaks down the 4AH69/4AL69 split or how many were built with the LC8 (turbo V6 engine) option and here is the data they provided:4AH69 Century sedan = 73,9204AH69 Century sedan with LC8 = 1554AL69 Century Limited sedan = 55,8204AL69 Century Limited sedan with LC8 = 622H = built at Flint, MI128230 = body numberTrim 79D = Dark Claret ClothPaint code 76L = Dark Red (Claret) Metallic lower76T = Dark Claret vinyl topL = lacquer paintOption codes:AM6 = SEAT ASM, FRT SPLIT W/CTR ARM REST (55/45)CB5 = ROOF, VINYL PADDED, FULL TOPOther options it has:C60 = manual air conditionerC49 = electric rear window defoggerUN3 = AM/FM stereo w/cassette tapeU81 = dual rear speakersAU3 = electric door locksA90 = electric trunk releaseWG1 = 6-way power driver seatN41 = power steeringA31 = power windows (w/ power rear vents)K30 = cruise controlU35 = electric clockCD4 = two speed windshield wiper w/delayC90 = door courtesy & warning lampC95 = dome reading lightT63 = headlamps on indicatorU23 = trim odometerU46 = front light monitors (fiber optic)DF3 + D33 = remote controlled mirrors R and LD64 = lighted passenger sun visor vanity mirrorB96 = wheel opening moldingsWF6 = wide rocker panel & belt reveal moldingAK1 = front and rear seat belts and front shoulder beltsD24 = litter pocketN33 = tilt steering columnV31 = front bumper guardsIt needs restoration, but it does run and drive (drove it home 30 miles on the highway). Edited September 20, 2014 by sean1997 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Sweet!!!! I love these odd vehicles! For sure they need to be preserved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Good for you, Sean! I had a 1981 Olds Cutlass, which is the same platform. A very good little car. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 One of 155... well, that is a rare one alright. Nice breakdown on the build information. Is it peppy with the turbo? I imagine the 241 rear combo leaves performance to be desired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean1997 Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 It's actually 1 of 622 because it is a Limited, still rare though. And yes it could benefit from a gear change because it's not that peppy with the 2.41 gears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Good for you, Sean! I had a 1981 Olds Cutlass, which is the same platform. A very good little car. BenAlong with the platform, it looks as if some Oldsmobile shared its wheels with this car as well. Still, a nice find; glad you're going to preserve it.Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean1997 Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 Yes, the Oldsmobile rally wheels need to go. I think it probably had wire wheel covers on it, but I'm looking for a set of the 1979-1984 Buick 30 rib turbine wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Yes, the Oldsmobile rally wheels need to go. I think it probably had wire wheel covers on it, but I'm looking for a set of the 1979-1984 Buick 30 rib turbine wheels.There's a yard in TN that says they have four of them. http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgiJust follow the prompts and select "Wheels w/image" no image but a good description.Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Neat car!! The regular Buick chrome wheels were a popular option on even the sedans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ORBAN Yvon Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 I did have a 1981 Buick Century Limited Turbo 4-door like your's (same color). It was an export edition with all existing options. In winter time it was the most dangerous car I ever had. I remeber the VIN number ending by 9004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 Hi Sean, how is your project coming along? I told my dad about one of these Turbo 4-doors (maybe yours?) - he was surprised he missed that power option back in the day. He still has an 87 T-Type but always lamented the lack of 4-door/Turbo option. Cheers, Ted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean1997 Posted December 28, 2016 Author Share Posted December 28, 2016 I haven't had time to work on it, too many other things going on right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Page Jr. Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 Great find. I also have a rare Buick. I purchased it in 2007 from the original owner with 12,000 actual miles on it. It is a 79 Century Turbo Coupe. It is a highly optioned car and all original with except for the tires, battery, belts and exhaust. The owner gave me a letter from Buick that stated that in 1979, Buick built a total of 61 Century Turbo Coupes. I had tried to independently verify this, but haven't had any luck. I contacted both Sloan/Longway and GM Archive but they said that information was not available. I would be interested in how you obtained your information. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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