1980 Buick Century review from North America

Transmission burnt out. I bought another from a wrecker and had it re-built by a dodgy, but cheap workshop near Andrews Air Force Base.

Rear brake cylinder "popped". I bought an Indian made replacement and fited it myself.

Disks scored on account of worn pads. Driving in Wash DC with all those useless "stop all way" intersections I barely made 3 000 between new front disk pads.

Air conditioner compressor stopped working. Didn't bother fixing it.

Air pump broke down. Bought a new one for $30 or thereabouts.

Front bearing assembly overheated. Off to the wreckers for another one.

Passenger front electric window switch missing: wires had to be joined to operate the windows.

For US$500 ot was a ball of fun. I kept accurate records of fuel consumption which varied by 2 mpg between vicar-like driving and Dangio-of-the-gravel pits type driving.

The kids in my area loved it. Everyone else had BMWs, Volvos and the like, while the Aussies of the street drove American! How patriotic are Americans again? In those days As American as Apple Pie also applied to Honda!