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1980 Century Limited turbo sedan


sean1997

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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 = 4L693AH158xxx

4 = Buick

L = Century Limited

69 = 4-door notchback sedan

3 = 231 V6 4-bbl turbo (LC8)

A = 1980 model year

H = built at Flint, MI

158xxx = sequential number, range for Flint built A-body Buicks was 100,001 to 263,471

Transmission:

KJ 104 D 80

4AH158xxx (numbers matching transmission)

KJ = TH350

104 = production day built

(assuming model year production started 8/1/79, this would be about Monday 11/12/79)

D = day shift

80 = 1980 model year

Rear axle:

6RB O 338

6RB = 2.41 open

O = built by Oldsmobile

338 = day built (Tuesday 12/4/1979)

Engine:

04E4BD = engine family number from emissions label = forty-nine state

Engine 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 FISHER

80 12A 4AH69 H 128230

79D 76L 76T L

AM6 CB5

80 = 1980 model year

12A = body built December (12) 1979, first week (A)

4AH69 = Fisher body style number

4 = Buick

A = A-body platform

H = Century

69 = 4-door sedan

It'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 = 73,920

4AH69 Century sedan with LC8 = 155

4AL69 Century Limited sedan = 55,820

4AL69 Century Limited sedan with LC8 = 622

H = built at Flint, MI

128230 = body number

Trim 79D = Dark Claret Cloth

Paint code 76L = Dark Red (Claret) Metallic lower

76T = Dark Claret vinyl top

L = lacquer paint

Option codes:

AM6 = SEAT ASM, FRT SPLIT W/CTR ARM REST (55/45)

CB5 = ROOF, VINYL PADDED, FULL TOP

Other options it has:

C60 = manual air conditioner

C49 = electric rear window defogger

UN3 = AM/FM stereo w/cassette tape

U81 = dual rear speakers

AU3 = electric door locks

A90 = electric trunk release

WG1 = 6-way power driver seat

N41 = power steering

A31 = power windows (w/ power rear vents)

K30 = cruise control

U35 = electric clock

CD4 = two speed windshield wiper w/delay

C90 = door courtesy & warning lamp

C95 = dome reading light

T63 = headlamps on indicator

U23 = trim odometer

U46 = front light monitors (fiber optic)

DF3 + D33 = remote controlled mirrors R and L

D64 = lighted passenger sun visor vanity mirror

B96 = wheel opening moldings

WF6 = wide rocker panel & belt reveal molding

AK1 = front and rear seat belts and front shoulder belts

D24 = litter pocket

N33 = tilt steering column

V31 = front bumper guards

It needs restoration, but it does run and drive (drove it home 30 miles on the highway).

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Edited by sean1997 (see edit history)
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  • 2 years later...
Guest ORBAN Yvon

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

 

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  • 3 years later...

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. 

2009pic.jpg

interior2.jpg

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