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Full-size performance · 6 seats

1957 Buick Century

Full-size performance powered by 1957 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 364-cid four-barrel Fireball V8
Output 300 gross hp
Wheelbase 122 inches
Reported production 65,966

Story

1957 Buick Century

The 1957 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 364-cubic-inch Fireball V8 used four-barrel induction and was rated at 300 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

  • 364 Fireball V8 364 cu in; four-barrel; 300 gross hp · 1957 Century · engine assembly / specification
  • Airpower four-barrel Four-barrel carburetor, intake, and model-year calibration · 1957 Century 364 · engine assembly / specification
  • Century performance engine Senior-output 364 in Buick's shorter-wheelbase Series 60 · 1957 Century · 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

Interior

Exact-year restored Century convertible cabin retained for dashboard, controls, seating, upholstery, and trim context; finishes remain car-specific.Rex Gray via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Chassis

Authenticity

Rear Axle and Ratios summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration
  • Model-year identity 1957 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 1957 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.

Codes & names

Names & Engine Codes

Common names and codes are grouped so LS6 references point to the same engine, not separate pages.

Brake Systems summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration
1957 364 Fireball V8 1957 Buick Century Fireball V8
1957 Airpower four-barrel 1957 Buick Century Fireball V8
1957 Century performance engine 1957 Buick Century Fireball V8

Photo and video gallery

Gallery

9 photos and videos

Sources & Documentation

Reader contributions

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