1955 Buick Century

Full-size performance powered by 1955 Buick Century Fireball V8.

Exact-year stock-presenting view retained for body, trim, glazing, lamp, bumper, and wheel context; restoration details remain specific to the photographed car.

Series Buick Series 60 Century

Engine 322-cid four-barrel Fireball V8

Output 236 gross hp

Wheelbase 122 inches

Reported production 158,846

Story

1955 Buick Century

The 1955 Century applied Buick's high-output V8 to the shorter Series 60 body. This page keeps the sedan, Riviera hardtop, convertible, and wagon paths together while preserving their model, trim, and equipment differences.

Engine and transmission

The 322-cubic-inch Fireball V8 used four-barrel induction and was rated at 236 gross hp. Manual and Dynaflow installations are separate configurations; engine tune, controls, cooling, driveshaft, axle ratio, dates, and records must agree.

Chassis and bodies

Century chassis equipment combined independent coil-spring front suspension with Buick's coil-sprung torque-tube rear axle and four-wheel drum brakes. Power assist, springs, steering, wheels, and tires varied by body and equipment.

Identity and finish

Start with the VIN, body plate, title, shell, and production records. Then reconcile engine, transmission, axle, brakes, suspension, protected paint, upholstery, instruments, and trim. Century badges, VentiPorts, wheels, and a replacement V8 are supporting observations, not identity proof.

Exact-year stock-presenting view retained for body, trim, glazing, lamp, bumper, and wheel context; restoration details remain specific to the photographed car.Rex Gray via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

A verified original price is not yet available for this car.

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

322 Fireball V8 322 cu in; four-barrel; 236 gross hp · 1955 Century · engine assembly / specification
Airpower four-barrel Four-barrel carburetor, intake, and model-year calibration · 1955 Century 322 · engine assembly / specification
Roadmaster-output engine path Senior-series 322 installed in the shorter-wheelbase Century · 1955 Century performance formula · carburetor / specification

Transmission

Factory transmission Three-speed manual by application
Factory transmission Variable-Pitch Twin-Turbine Dynaflow automatic

Options

Engines and Induction summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

DYNAFLOW Dynaflow automatic factory · comfort · Transmission design and controls are model-year specific.
MANUAL Three-speed manual factory · performance · Availability and engine rating require exact ordering literature.
POWER-BRAKES Power brake assist factory · safety · Assist hardware does not change the underlying drum-brake configuration.
POWER-STEERING Power steering factory · comfort · Factory availability and standard status vary by body and year.
RADIO-HEATER Radio and heater equipment factory · comfort · Individual units and controls must match the build date.

Production

Transmissions summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1955 Buick Century Series 60 across listed body models total · 158,846 · reported

Authenticity

Rear Axle and Ratios summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Model-year identity 1955 Series 60 identity with year, series, plant, body model, and trim evidence consistent across VIN, body plate, title, shell, and records · VIN or serial plate, body or trim plate, chassis, title, build records, and ownership history · fraud detection
Engine and transmission Configuration-correct engine, induction, transmission, controls, stampings, castings, and dates · Engine, induction, gearbox, shifter, pedals, stamp pads, castings, dates, and records · numbers matching
Axle, brakes, and suspension Application-correct axle, ratio, brake system, steering, springs, links, and dampers · Axle housing and carrier, brakes, steering, suspension, dates, service records, and build evidence · date correctness
Paint, exterior trim, and cabin Plate- and record-supported finish, moldings, badges, wheels, upholstery, instruments, and controls · Body and trim plates, protected paint, upholstery, hardware, dashboard, and restoration records · trim correctness

Still Researching

production The reviewed public table does not provide an audited split by engine calibration, transmission, axle ratio, paint, trim, options, plant, or surviving cars for all 1955 Century production.
paint colors Reviewed references establish representative factory colors but not a complete body, trim, stripe, special-order, plant, and build-date compatibility matrix.
interior Broad cabin equipment is documented, but the complete upholstery color, material, body, option, and production-date matrix is not publicly reconciled.
authenticity markers Public model references cannot prove one survivor's born-with shell, drivetrain, chassis components, paint, trim, options, or component dates.