Documented Frame Up Restored Regal T-Type 3.8L V6 Turbo THM200-R4 Blackout Trim

SUMMARY

* Partial restoration completed in 2008
* 1 of 1,035 1987 Limited Ts produced
* Correct 3.8 liter turbocharged V6 / 245 horsepower
* Correct Turbo-Hydramatic 200 R4 4-speed automatic transmission
* Correct Dark Blue Metallic paint / Rare blackout trim package
* Correct Dark Blue interior / Restored with NOS components
* Upgraded exhaust system / Pypes mufflers
* Sale includes an original Door Pad Broadcast Sheet, an original warranty booklet and restoration receipts
* Factory power steering / Factory power front disc and rear drum brakes
* Original 15-inch wheels

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It was tough being a General Motors fan in the '80s. The company had relegated most of its models to bland copycats of compromised, committee-driven designs which, for the most part, suffered terrible quality problems. But every once in a while, the true car guys broke free of the massive corporate bureaucracy and belted one straight out of the park! Featuring a turbocharged 3800 V6, fitted with a comfortable cockpit and well known for its world-class performance, the Buick Regal Turbo was one such homerun. Thanks to a continued rise in desirability, the search is on to find the best turbo Buicks that will set the standard for the future collector car market. And, combining a recent frame-up restoration with a full folder of original documentation, this clean Limited T might just be one of the nicest Regals on the planet!

BODYWORK/TRIM

For car enthusiasts, the late '80s meant one thing: the end of the much maligned Malaise Era. And this hard-edged coupe's sophisticated Dark Blue Metallic pigment was a refreshing change from the polar palette the hobby had endured for close to a decade. In fact, the car's glossy pigment, upgraded to PPG 2-stage roughly 1K miles back, is decidedly contemporary, proving once again that good taste never goes out of style. With that pigment comes a solid profile, which, during the aforementioned frame-up restoration, was stripped all the way to bare metal. That solid fuselage retains factory alignment, featuring light doors, which open and close with ease. A rare blackout trim package nicely highlights fresh weatherstripping and correct, fully re-chromed bumpers. And overall, this Regal's looks defy the decades its VIN suggests.

ENGINE

Speaking of survivors, and GM's core strengths, if anyone ever creates an ultimate engine survivors list Buick's stalwart, 231 cubic inch V6 will surely be at the top. Introduced as the Fireball, and eventually renamed the 3800, its early '60s design was sold to Kaiser, bought back by General Motors and, with the help of turbos, superchargers and continuous improvements, would remain one of the company's core powerplants until the turn of the century! For the 1987 model year the Regal's turbocharged mill, which had already benefitted from sequential fuel injection and a distributorless ignition system, saw significant mechanical changes that included a new air-to-air intercooler, adjustments to its Garrett turbo, improved upper and lower intake manifolds, and a redesigned exhaust system. All those carefully calculated tweaks and improvements were good for a newly impressive 245 horsepower and 355 lb./ft. of V8-slaying of torque. And that power created numbers that not only bested GM's own Camaro and Corvette, but also catapulted Buick to the forefront of '80s performance! Presently, this T-Type's well-maintained sixer features fresh and pliable ancillaries that are ready for lots of warm weather and tons of rich boost. Everything, from its “BUICK” branded hood mat to its correct 25526109 casting number, is in great condition. And overall, the engine is a smooth-revving land rocket that's clean, sorted and ready to roll.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

The car's hot engine spins torque through a correct, “BRF” tagged 4-speed that's a member of the ultra-reliable Turbo-Hydramatic family; an honorable and faithful group that's survived behind GM's toughest performance blocks for decades. That seasoned transmission twists correct gears, which offer a great combination of starting line grip and high-speed cruising. And, under that first-class drivetrain, double A-arm front and 4-link rear Gran Touring suspensions create NASCAR-inspired handling characteristics. Of course, all that power demands a good set of binders, with GM's proven front discs combining with Buick's beefy aluminum drums to provide solid, power-assisted stops. Quick-ratio power steering makes cornering easy and turning a cinch. A single-into-dual exhaust system makes good use of free-breathing Pypes mufflers. At the corners, original wheels spin 225/50R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As in front of 235/60R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As. And, aesthetically, the bottom of this Buick is exactly what you'd expect from an immaculately maintained cruiser.

INTERIOR

Naturally, the Dark Blue cockpit is just as cool as the rest of the car, featuring NOS replacement components that were installed during the aforementioned restoration. Comfortable velour seats are nicely patterned pieces that feel every bit as supple as they look. In front of those seats, a silver-trimmed dash hangs simple telemetry above factory air conditioning and a correct Delco-GM tape deck. Below that dash, a small console frames a simple shifter. Dark Blue carpet shows a surprisingly minimal amount of wear thanks to color-keyed floor mats. At the sides, clean door panels wrap small accessory switches in a stylish combination of velour, carpet and plastic while an attractive, 3-spoke steering wheel spins an elegant “T” around a tilting column and functional cruise control. And behind the passengers, a spacious trunk conceals a small spare tire beneath unrestored decklid paint.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

* The car's original Door Pad Broadcast Sheet
* Miscellaneous factory tags
* An original Owner's Manual
* The car's original warranty booklet
* Written service records
* A small stack of restoration receipts

Today, turbo Regals are almost universally regarded as future collector cars, especially when provenance is part of the discussion. For 1987, GM only produced 1,035 Limited Ts, making clean coupes like this Buick as exclusive as they are cool. If you're a diehard tri-shield fan, a lover of unique classics, or just a smart investor looking for a good bet on a solid return, this stealthy G-Body is the deal of the year!