If you’ve been here for a while now, you’ve inevitably heard me use the term “period modifications.” This is more or less how I describe cars and trucks that show signs of being modified at the peak of whatever era they come from. The upgrades are usually the kinds of items we would have pulled off the shelf of our local hot rod shop or out of a performance parts catalog at the time, and this 1987 Buick Regal Turbo-T listed here on craigslist is clearly a former show-stopper from a bygone era. The seller is asking $30,000.
Buick was once a very savvy car company, especially when it came to performance vehicles. It knew the Grand National and GNX were absolute home runs, and they didn’t have to do much to convince car enthusiasts to line up for the limited inventory of vehicles. But the top brass also knew they could offer the same performance in a more conventional wrapper, creating a bit of a sleeper in the process. Buick sold the T-Type and later models like this one – changed to the Turbo-T for 1987 – to allow car shoppers to have their GN-grade performance in whatever color and trim they wanted. Key indicators like the iconic logo were still present on the floor mats and steering wheel, reminding you this grandma car was still quite potent. Note this one also has the desirable digital gauge cluster.
Now, back to period modifications: the seller shares photos from old car shows with the bikini-clad model leaning on the Buick, and this old-school amplifier set up shows you that the “…award-winning Clarion sound system” was an impressive as the factory performance numbers. The old-school Champ 500 wheels are a treat as well, and this Buick looks like it’s been lowered a touch based on how close it sits to the ground. Chrome pieces on the edge of the doors and quarter panels were all the rage back in the 90s car show days, especially if you happened to get a spot in the conventional hall where you could park over strategically-placed mirrors.
The seller reports that the Buick is equipped with a Flowmaster exhaust system, and that the suspension bushings have been upgraded to polyurethane. The engine bay appears mostly stock, but I’m sure there are some changes that an eagle-eyed Buick enthusiast will flag. Out of the box, the turbocharged 3.8L V6 was good for a healthy 245 b.h.p. and 355 lb-ft of torque, leaving little doubt as to why this car is as legendary as it is – even today. The seller notes that this Buick has been in storage for 15 years and shows just 45,000 miles, making it worthy of the asking price. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the find.
Pretty cool car from the factory, has been modified in ways that I would feel obliged to fix. Something looks off, with the wheels and tires – are the sidewalls skinnier than stock maybe? The power-sucking stereo belongs in a clapped out Tercel, as far as I’m concerned. Give me that sweet, sweet engine song instead.
It’s probably got one-note bass speakers too.
Somewhere under all that bric-a-brac, there has to be an engine, isn’t there? While I generally like these cars, this one’s a little over the top. If it was stock I’d probably give it a look.
My wife’s Uncle had a Regal T-Type. Great sleeper car! His was all stock, no mods.