The Continental Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Besides the bigger engine, what are the differences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Just off the top of my head...final drive ratio is 3.9:1 instead of 4.4:1.wheel base is a bit longer - additional length is all cowl forward.hood, front fenders, etc. get a bit longer.wheels are 15 inch, instead of 16 in.Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50jetback Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Not sure about the 1937 and 1938 models but on the 1936 Century EVERYTHING is different apart from the body from the cowl back.All running gear is different right down to the length of the emergency brake cables - motor, gearbox, rear end, springs, chassis, brakes, wheels, running boards etc.I think the interior is the same although the Century had a 120MPH speedometer while the Special only had a 100MPH speedometer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937-44 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I'm pretty sure the master cylinder is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egor Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 The Century is basically a short-wheelbase Roadmaster, rather than a long-wheelbase Special. I like the blackwall tires on your car. Too many of us (myself included) seem to think whitewalls are the only way to go, but blackwalls can look great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 The Century is basically a short-wheelbase Roadmaster, rather than a long-wheelbase Special. I like the blackwall tires on your car. Too many of us (myself included) seem to think whitewalls are the only way to go, but blackwalls can look great.I have to disagree with that point. Not sure whether it applies to all years but as far as I know the Century uses the same B body shell as the Special - and the Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs - whereas the bigger models use the larger C body shared with the bigger Cadillacs. Need expert opinions though. A Century is a long wheelbase Special with a bigger engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egor Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Sorry, I should've been more specific. Special and Century share a body, but that's pretty much it. The mechanical stuff is beefed up, a la big series, to accommodate the power and weight of the 320 motor. I have to disagree with that point. Not sure whether it applies to all years but as far as I know the Century uses the same B body shell as the Special - and the Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs - whereas the bigger models use the larger C body shared with the bigger Cadillacs. Need expert opinions though. A Century is a long wheelbase Special with a bigger engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 The 1937 & 1938 Centurys have 15 inch wheels. The other models have 16 inch wheels. I don't know if this is also the case with the 1936 Century.The 1938 Century dashboard has a vertical chrome molding on each side of the dashboard; to the left of the instruments and to the right of the glove box. These moldings are not used on the 1938 Special. I have seen a couple of cases of a Special convertible coupe body being placed on a Century chassis and in each case, the cars offered for sale were lacking the these moldings. Pictured is an all original 1938 Century sedan dashboard.Another difference between the 1938 Special and Century is the wood graining design on the dashboard. Note the difference between the wood graining on the original Century sedan and the factory photo of a Special convertible coupe.Grandpa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Continental Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Are there any trim differences on outside? Where all does it say Special or Century? Is the front clip just bigger, or is it styled differently? How easy is it for a Buick expert to tell the difference without looking under the hood or inside the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groselle Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I believe the Centurys and bigger series all have a stainless steel trim strip along the top of the headlights. The Specials didn't have this piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 The attached images are from the 1937 Buick sales brochure which show the Special & Century convertible coupes. Compare the rear edge of the front fender (at the running board) to the front edge of the door opening. Note that the Century has a front end which is about 3 to 4 inches longer because of the size of the Century's 320 cubic inch engine.Grandpa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Here is another comparison between the 1937 Buick Special & Century brochure pictures.Grandpa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Grant Magrath Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Our 38 Special has stainless headlight trim. If my memory serves me well, the words "Special" or "Century" are on the hood side panel vent trim. (for 1938)BTW, Grandpa is on the money as always! I didn't know about the woodgrain difference. Interesting!CheersGrant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhar1960 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 (edited) Where all does it say Special or Century? How easy is it for a Buick expert to tell the difference without looking under the hood or inside the car?For '37-'38-'39, anyone could tell by just reading the name from the engine side panel louvers/vents on the '38 ( I think the '37 also) or the hood molding trim on the '39 (assuming they are on the car). I can't say I've ever seen a '36 to be able to say. Is it written somewhere on a '36 ???Danny Edited March 14, 2012 by danhar1960 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RonJar Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 The name Century on the side louvers on the 38, was it a decal? An emblem or maybe a plaque?My 38 Century doesn't have anything there but I have seen pictures where something is there.Thanks ..... RonJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhar1960 Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 It is stamped from brass I think. My old badges look like they were once nickel or chrome plated and then had the lettering painted in.This one is from 1938 Buick Series 60 Century Images. Photo: 38-Buick_Century_Coupe-DV-08_BC_0011.jpgDanny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RonJar Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Nothing like that on my 38. Wonder if they are available somewhere?RonJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now