The General Motors G-Body platform is chameleon-like in its adaptability; after all, few other platforms achieved such diversity. For example, in the Buick camp, this sedate Regal V6 is fundamentally the same car as Darth Vader himself, the sinister Grand National. For those whose hobby involves modifications, the G-Body is a blank canvas; however, it would be a shame to cut up this original Regal, even if it’s almost begging for it.
Yes, the ’83 Regal is underpowered by today’s standards: The standard 3.8 was rated at 110 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque, with a Rochester two barrel supplying the fuel mixture. With a mere 43,000 miles, however, this engine may not need major work for decades to come. The seller says that it was one-family-owned until he bought it from the estate; the air conditioning even works.
The inside is just as red as the outside, with that cozy velour that made 1980s living so enjoyable. Also present is the standard GM sagging headliner that vaguely resembles a canopy bed, which is not as convenient when you’re trying to drive rather than sleep. Fortunately, replacing these headliners isn’t the same punishing chore one will find in a ’50s or ’60s car with headliner bows.
There’s plenty of fake wood inside as well, and the silver gauges and Buick-specific steering wheel offer me a whiff of nostalgia. My parents owned a spectacularly unreliable 1983 LeSabre when I was a young guy, and one of the many cars the dealer lent my dad was a Buick Regal of this vintage. It was a nice car, and unlike the LeSabre, it didn’t break down.
Although the seller doesn’t include any undercarriage photos, they do include this picture of the trunk, which is about as nice as it was in 1983. According to the ad, the seller couldn’t find any rust anywhere on the car. The non-original paint is described as a “7 out of 10,” and the “bumpers have fade.” On the plus side, the bumper fillers themselves seem to be in one piece, which is rare for an ’80s GM car.
This Tennessee-based Regal is currently on eBay, and the high bid is $3,850 at the time of this writing. Being a stock Regal that sold like crazy in 1983, it does not have rarity or performance on its side, but it does have its solid, honest condition to recommend it. Tell us what you think it will sell for!
appears to be a bit dusty under the hood and the front seat but one thing going for it is no “landau”/half roof vinyl top.
143k miles or more……Nope I’ll pass.
Had an 81 with V6. Dreadfully underwhelming.
The early carburetor 231/3.8 V6’s had trouble getting out of their own way mostly due to making the engine non-harmful to the little birdies. I imagine this car is no different. But the mileage could be genuine. The odo looks honest and there’s no seat wear. This could be a diamond in the rough if performance isn’t your thing.
Let’s go back, shall we? While Oldsmobile practically ruled NHRA in the 80s, it was Buicks moment in the sun for NASCAR. You could almost say, they were the “Toyotas” of the time. Some big names drove Regals, Bobby Allison, Benny Parsons, Geoff Bodine, I think Kyle Petty, they won a lot of races. GM dominated NASCAR and still does today.
While a not so far cry from a race car, unlike today, these were typically moms car once dad couldn’t drive, and will continue to surface for years to come. There’s a lot of garages out there.
The 57 Chevy of the 1980s. Good looking car with so-so performance. So who keeps the 231 engine? Anything GM fits this engine compartment. Buicks are usually better equipped than other divisions products and the GNX cluster is available in the aftermarket. Plenty of aftermarket suspension stuff to make it corner good and bite hard. Good bones for whatever you want it to be. A clean slate.
Is the roof falling in?
All the headliners degrade like that if they are fabric on foam. Terrible idea.
Had a ‘83 limited. Favorite car ever. So cool. Blew head gasket and warped the head on the Dan Ryan in 1997. In college and So broke I traded the car for the tow. 164k miles.