Kelley Clunker
Senior Lucy Heinrich shows off her ‘88 Buick Century, also known as the “Blue Bomber” or “Old Blue”.
Jack Cameron
October 11, 2009
Filed under Feature
Beat up, worn down, decrepit, dilapidated and tradition rich: Lucy Heinrich’s ’88 Buick Century meets all the criteria for this year’ first Kelley Klunker. In 1988, when the ’88 Century was introduced, it was described as a feature -packed, luxury car ride, and reliable with great mileage. While some of the traits of this Buick are still prevalent, the rich, glamour of the brand new Century is now just a memory. The “Blue Bomber,” as Heinrich calls it, has taken a tremendous journey since its birth in 1998.
The Blue Bomber features a New Mexico license plate, where the car’s journey began. Heinrich’s uncle bought the vehicle, then gave it to Heinrich’s aunt where the car sat, lonely in a front yard. It was not until Lucy’s brother, Jack Heinrich (’08), 16th birthday that the car found a proper owner. Once Jack left for college, Lucy took over the responsibility of this classic automobile.
“The best part is that no one else has a car like this one. It is one-of-a-kind,” Heinrich said.
This car truly is unique, featuring dice and cowbells in the front window and a plethora of stickers on the back window of popular bands such as State Radio, a variety of Notre Dame and Syracuse stickers.
“Although the car is unique and one-of-a-kind at times the age of the car is frustrating,” Heinrich said.
To top it all off, the gas gage, does not work, the ceiling is falling off, the drivers side door does not open from the inside, and there are two keys, one to unlock the car and one to start the car.
While the classic Buick has many titles and nicknames, it can now also be called a Kelley Klunker.