Much of the turbocharged Buick attention seems to center around the Regal T-Type and Grand National, and rightly so, as these were and still are fine offerings highly sought after by collectors. However, one that pre-dates these is the 1978 LeSabre Sport Coupe, which arrived on the scene during a particularly mundane time in auto history. A year earlier, the LeSabre had undergone a major reduction in size and weight, plus there was little excitement to be enjoyed for drivers focused on performance. The timing was ideal for Buick’s decision to stick a Turbo V6 in the Sport Coupe, with this one here on Facebook Marketplace in Plainfield, Illinois, being one such example. This Buick is a project, but it’s still got the factory engine under the hood, making the $3,900 asking price sound reasonable. Our thanks go out to reader Hans H. for the tip here!
In the Sport car’s favor is that the original engine, Turbo 350 transmission, and limited-slip rear end with factory 3.08 gears are all still present. Buick used a 231 cubic-inch V6 as the basis for the LeSabre Sport Coupe, which featured an AiResearch turbocharger, with the seller informing us that he got the motor running last year. Unfortunately, it has now lost its spark, and he hasn’t had time to check out why. Before this happened, the carburetor and turbo were rebuilt, plus new plugs, wires, hoses, and belts were installed, along with a new gas tank. Hopefully, it won’t be too difficult to remedy whatever is causing the engine not to fire.
Some history provided is that the seller is the car’s third owner, having purchased it from the barn of the second caretaker, where it had sat for the last 35 years. It’s described as being a solid example overall, with the body needing some dents repaired, including one on each fender. It’ll be great if there aren’t any surprises hiding under the trim covering the rockers and lower sections, but plan on mending or replacing the floorpans, as some damage is reportedly present there.
The dashboard and instrument panel appear to be in surprisingly good condition, and the seat fabric doesn’t look too bad either. The biggest eyesore inside is the carpet, which will certainly need to be replaced, and I’m not sure what’s going on with those seatbelts. This seems like a Buick from this era that’s worth saving, especially for those with the skills to DIY. Is this 1978 LeSabre Sport Coupe tempting you to take on as a project?
These were good looking coupes from the Buick division.
I remember back in the 80s these Buicks where heavy slow with the turbo V6. Some guys pulled the under powered turbo drop in an early 455 with a turbo 400 trans. And keep the Turbo name plates on. And the Buick was a sleeper! 😄. With this one. I would rebuild the 231 with the turbo to make serious horsepower. It can be done but its not cheap. Or go the 455 way. Question is what would you do? 🤔🐻🇺🇸
The asking price is pretty aggressive for a non-running project with significant undercarriage rust that also needs interior and body work. It may be rare, today, but really isn’t in high demand. With a $3,900 purchase price, plus whatever the costs to perform all of the work needed, there are a lot of other options for potential buyers, this will appeal only to someone that considers this their dream car.
Steve R
By the looks of that engine compartment, I’m wondering if this car hasn’t pulled submarine duty in the distant past. It’s got lots of rust too. And that turbo engine was far from spectacular. The turbo response was bog slow. If you mashed the pedal, you twiddled your thumbs and tapped your fingers on the steering wheel before the turbo finally spooled up. Not thanks on this. The price of admission is the least of its problems.
Also, the red air cleaner and duct hose are missing.
The red air cleaner was factory on these. Agree with the consensus that this is overpriced.
There are other pictures in the ad that show them installed.
As the owner of a wrecking yard taking in these period vehicles, I’ve never seen one of these turbo V-6 last. I would consider this car only for parts. If the car has the typical Illinois rust, all the more. Find a clean western example.
it’s been sitting 30+ years because these were pigs even with the turbo. this was the early days of using a turbo and this heavy car with a v6 they just did not move out of their own way. too much money IMO
This is almost a twin to one I had new. Mine was not cloth interior, otherwise the same. The turbo was nice, not underpowered but better performing than the 350. Handling was terrific for a large coupe. Very flat cornering. That car was a joy to drive.
The Sport Coupes came out mid-year 1977. I bought one new that had the Buick 350,. On the way home I thought I had made a big mistake, low power, sucked gas. The next week I took it to a local muffler shop and had the exhaust converted to dual exhaust. Changed the car completely, plenty of power, big increase in gas milage, got 25 mpg, several times in freeway driving. These cars handled extremely well. Buick equipped these with GM’s F41 suspension, basically the police suspension.