In the 1980s, Buick produced several turbo-charged versions of its mid-size Regal sport coupe. The most well-known was the Grand National, built in 1982 and again from 1984 to 1987. One of the rarest was the Turbo-T, offered only in 1987 as the Regal’s rear-wheel-drive platform was on its way out. This low-mileage example is one of only 1,547 assembled and looks quite tidy in Ansonia, Connecticut. It’s available here on eBay where the current bid of $6,300 is below the auction’s reserve.
The Turbo-T had an intercooled, turbocharged WE4 3.8-liter V6 engine, which meant it was constructed of aluminum. This, along with other aluminum parts and pieces, added up to a lighter car, one that was faster than the black Grand National. 245 hp could be squeezed out of the V6, quite respectable for this era of “muscle cars”. All Turbo-Ts used a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
When this vehicle was purchased new in Maryland in 1987, someone no doubt wanted to treat it as a collectible given its sparse 8,172 miles after 38 years. As you would expect, this Buick is loaded with goodies such as factory air, power windows, cruise control, and more. And it has cues specific to the Turbo-T like its leather-wrapped steering wheel with a large “T” in the horn button. The interior appears to have been well-kept and gently used.
The car’s gray finish is likely original and super nice. We’re told the plastic bumper fillers were replaced and repainted at some point and look good now. We assume the car’s Goodyear Eagle GT tires are newer and their age shouldn’t be a factor. The buyer will receive a clean Carfax for the Buick, and it comes with a current CT registration as we’re told the state doesn’t do titles on vehicles that are older than 20 years.
I had never in 38 yrs heard of a”turbo T”. I’d heard of the T-Type.
Buick dropped the T-Type name for Regal and several other models in 1987, replacing it with a “T” package that was available on Regal and Regal Limited coupes. A “Turbo” package could be added to the “T” package, meaning it was possible to order a Regal Limited, complete with fluffy bench seats and a padded landau top, with the Grand National’s turbo engine. There was a white Regal Limited Turbo T that I used to see cruising around Pittsburgh back in the day.
Actually, the Turbo-T was an extremely limited run of 1547 that was available only in black over gray interior. They did not have the rear spoiler that the GN did and came with aluminum bumper supports/rear brake drums. All other non GN turbo Regals were still T-Type. Other than the GNX, the Turbo-T was the quickest of all turbo Regals.
Nope. There was no Regal T-Type in 1987.
https://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Buick/1987_Buick/1987_Hot_Buick_Brochure/dirindex.html
Sorry but this nice Regal is not a Turbo T.
The actual Turbo T name was only used on
the WE4 model. Yes only 1547 were produced but only came in Black with a Grey interior. A bit of confusion arose as all 87 Regals produced with the Turbo wore a T badge on the fenders. There are dealer brochures available online that tell the actual
Story. This is a nice looking Regal regardless.
Fantastic automobile. The businessman’s Grand National.
Rare column shift. Wow. Too cool. 😎 🏁
Sorry, not a Turbo T.
A couple other glaring errors in the listing is the engine was not aluminum. It was the standard 3.8 turbo engine which was RPO LC2. The WE4 RPO identified a turbo Regal as a Turbo-T. Finally, the Turbo-T came only with an all gray bucket/console interior.