At the risk of sounding as if I have too much time to daydream, I will admit to allowing myself room for thought exercises such as this: “Aaron, what is your favorite car from the GM Colonnade era?” (The answer is the 1974 Laguna Type S-3.) Even so, each of the intermediates had styling touches that I don’t mind staring at in quiet contemplation. For example, this ’74 Century Regal has a dramatic “swoop” from the fender into the door that I find endlessly fascinating. Its tail section too reminds me just a bit of the beautiful ’66 Riviera. Although the Colonnade cars have never quite gotten their due, they are eminently practical collector cars with nice ride and handling characteristics and ample power (in some cases). Barn Finds reader Rocco B. found this Regal on craigslist in Clarksville, Tennessee, with an asking price of $13,500.
What makes this Century Regal a little more special than the rest? It’s the optional Buick 455 with a Rochester four barrel, which made 230 net horsepower and 355 lb.-ft. of torque in 1974. A Stage One engine was also an exclusive Gran Sport option, and it produced an impressive 255 horsepower. Still, 230 isn’t bad for those mostly dark days of 1974, and this one even has air conditioning (although it doesn’t work). You guessed it; it “needs recharging.” The engine should be in great shape; the seller claims that the car has less than 55,000 miles on the odometer.
The current owner has installed an interior from a Century Gran Sport, including bucket seats and a console with Buick’s neat basket handle shifter. The new owner will be responsible for hooking it up, however, as the original column shifter is still doing the gear selecting duties as it always has. A few trim pieces are missing, and the blinker stalk has gone on strike, but it looks as if a little tinkering and parts scrounging could have this interior in extremely nice condition.
The seller has recently moved from Texas to Tennessee and just doesn’t have enough garage space to continue storing this handsome Buick. The color is not original to the Buick line; it’s called “Osmium Gray Metallic,” which seems to be a Volvo color. Combined with a set of American Racing wheels, what appears to be a slight rake, and that big 455 under the hood, this is a Buick that means business. The seller says that it “runs great, tracks straight, [and] drives smooth.” How many of your Colonnade daydreams include a swoopy Regal?
While not a rabid GM ’70s fan, the paint color and the wheels on this car make it a beautiful machine. The big motor doesn’t hurt it a bit either. Nice!
Beautiful Colonnade!!! Like Bobhess said, the color choice, the rims and the stance, looks just right. I like the white buckets and the horseshoe shifter too. A of course, that 455 under the bonnet is just icing on the cake. If I didn’t know any better, I’m thinking Aaron would like to add this to his “family” of cars. I usually lean towards the Cutlass as my favorite from this era, but this Buick sure has me hooked. Nice find here and a great write up too Aaron, I enjoyed it.
Thanks! I’ve got my eye out right now for a decent early Toronado, so that’s taking up all my bandwidth. :)
Toth, the factory setup suits me better. This boat (4200lb+) w the big motor gets shifted into D on the column and then left alone. It has power to burn w the biggest best motor option.
Sweet cruising 3.08 gears were standard, Buick offered 3.23 and 3.42 as well. Love ALL the big block Collonade Coupes. Thanks Aaron, good eye again Rocco 👍
Aaro this is a sweet heart and priced for us military pension guys, MAN OH MAN that’s the problem with BARN FINDS too many truly fine American rides, DID find my Grand Waggoneer for $9900.00 but was to junky however someone knows I’m looking and tons are coming to my email.
Very nice Buick! I would get rid of the console set up and leave the column shifter alone and drive it! Lots of power and torque with that engine/trans set up!
Everything on this Gentleman’s Muscle Car is done just right.
Kind of a modern moonshine runner tribute.
I love it.
Sharp collanade Buick. Not that many with a 455. I even like the non-factory color on this one.
I would definitely just keep the column shifter in though and remove the console. It was a nice idea, but since it is unfinished, it leaves me thinking it is not straightforward and clean to make that change. Tearing up the steering column to take the column shift components out cleanly seems like a chore to not be bothered with.
Much easier to replace the column with a “console” one. Taking the column apart is not for the faint of heart unless you’ve done it before and even then it sucks. Nice car but I like the 73-75 Cutlass side styling better
The staple floor shift is a nice upgrade and Buick touch, the 74 monte center console auto shifter was not as nice
Tilt columns for floor-shift cars are tilt-column-SPECIFIC. As well, for a floor-shift the “PRNDL” indicator is now on the console, instead of in the dash below the speedometer. Another point to consider is that the neutral safety switch may differ when changing from a shifter on the column to a shifter on the floor.
I’d love this. I’d also take out the console, and just leave it as mother Buick intended. If you’ve ever driven a 455, you know…
With the belt missing from the a/c (and smog pump), I’m guessing ‘needs recharging’ is far from accurate. Still, a good ride..
One day I have to get a Pontiac Can Am
Oh man!! To far for me to check it out! I would love to look at it with that beautiful interior. Those seats are cool. Can’t go wrong with a 455-4 that’s a gentleman ride. Would love to take this Buick with the wife to the drive in movies. Why is it that great rides and prices with low mileage are always too far away! 🤦♂️
Clearly this car was hit in the rear. Look at the gap on the trunk lid. I would inspect that before purchasing.
Buick Big block power, turbo 400 with 1970 styling & A/C where do I sign up?
Just beaitiful. When Buick actially built good looking confortable cars, not stupid SUVs.
COPY that , however look at the Buck 56-57 wagons . not many quite that lovely!