Vehicle Description
One of only 1035 Turbo-T Limited Regals built in 1987. Frame-off restoration, rare leather bucket seat interior, 100% stock, never abused, beautiful and fast!
This beautifully restored 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo-T has a clean look that comes complements of the WO2 exterior sport package, which blacked out most of the chrome save for the bumpers, ostensibly because Buick management didn't want to have two different all-black Buick turbos competing for space on the showroom floor. The paint was refinished in Sapphire Blue Metallic, a color that suits its elegant position in the GM hierarchy but doesn't downplay the car's impressive performance. The sheetmetal was all smoothed, sanded, and returned to factory spec and while it shows a few very minor signs of use, it really sparkles in the flesh. You'll note that the car does not have a padded roof, which often accompanied the base Regals, but it does have T-tops, which totally transform the Regal's personality. Of course, the moldings and rubber pieces are all new, and those chrome bumpers look as good today as they did 30 years ago. In a sea of ordinary black Grand Nationals, this car really stands out, but does it without shouting very loudly.
Whereas the Grand National came with cloth-covered bucket seats, you could get your Turbo-T with any of the other Regal chairs, including the gray leather buckets found in this one which are an extremely rare option. The leather is original, which will tell you just how nice this car really is, because aside from some light wear on the driver's seat, they're in excellent condition, with the back seat looking almost completely unused. The carpets were replaced during the comprehensive restoration, and they're now protected by a set of steely blue floor mats with the 'T' logo. The same steering wheel found on the Grand National, a leather-wrapped 3-spoke unit, was wrapped in two-tone leather for a more unique look, but only the experts will know it's not how the factory did it. The instruments are the same as the GN as well, including a tachometer and boost gauge, both LED strips that seem to have been haphazardly shoehorned into the cluster at the last moment. This car is loaded with options, including A/C, power windows and locks, a tilt steering column, cruise control, and an AM/FM/cassette stereo system that still sounds decent in the hushed Buick interior. The door panels, dash pad, and weather seals are all in excellent condition, and the T-tops fit without leaking and store in their original bag. The trunk is also correctly outfitted with a space-saver spare and jack assembly.
The RPO LC2 3.8 liter turbocharged and intercooled V6 under the hood really needs no introduction. If you were there when these cars were new, you already know that when you see one of these on the road, you don't mess with it. This car's engine was rebuilt to stock specs, including the turbo on top, so it runs and drives pretty much like it did back in 1987. Turn the key and the fuel injection fires it easily and it idles well, even when cold. As a turbocharged car running a speed-density engine management system, it runs best once it's warmed up and you'll find almost limitless torque available at any engine speed. Nail the throttle and the boost gauge lights up and suddenly the car is lunging forward as if it's on the end of a giant recoiling rubber band. The feeling is uncanny and probably why these cars remain enduringly popular year after year.
A 200-4R 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission was your only choice, and the past 30 years have taught us that it's plenty durable behind the turbo motor. The turbo builds power evenly, so it never hammers the transmission, and thanks to the comprehensive freshening, this one shifts cleanly and operates just as it should so you should be able to enjoy it for many years to come. Selecting the turbo motor also got you a very stout rear end with GU6 3.42 gears on a G80 Positraction limited slip with semi-floating rear axles—heavy duty indeed. You also got the FE3 Sport suspension, which included thicker roll bars front and rear, upgraded springs, and double-acting shocks all around. You'll note that the bottom of this car is sparkling clean, with a light dusting of undercoating, but no evidence of rust or previous damage. Almost everything is brand new, including the exhaust system, which has a nice V6 purr that never gets obnoxious. 15-inch “Turbo” aluminum wheels are in excellent shape and now carry brand new all-season performance radials.
Go to any car show and you'll see at least one Grand National. Ho-hum. But when you prowl the streets in this awesome Regal Limited Turbo-T, the game is much, much different. Beautifully restored, very fast, and ready to enjoy or upgrade to taste, it provides you a second chance to go back to 1987 and own the most potent car on the streets. Call today!
For more photos and details, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
