The seller of this lovely 1987 Buick Regal Turbo makes some interesting assertions about the car, most of which are likely true but that I hadn’t thought of before. For instance, he notes that this model made extensive use of aluminum components, making it – in effect – a light-weight version of the Grand National. It sports the desirable turbocharged six-cylinder and is a more affordable alternative to the sometime-six figures GNX. Find it here on craigslist for $20,000, or about $1K for every year the seller has owned it.
The seller says the only deviation from stock is an aftermarket radio, but the original head unit is included. The interior presents quite well, even though it’s just gray mousefuzz inside. The cabin didn’t deviate that much from the standard Regal, although the “T” on the floormat told you that this example has a livelier powerplant under the hood. Dash plastics look good too, and I’m surprised not to see fake woodgrain inserted somewhere.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Levi Andrus for the find. The specific uses of aluminum the seller references include aluminum bumper reinforcements, wheels and rear brake drums. Whether these were installed solely for the purpose of saving weight is something I’ll let the experts suss out, but regardless of its intent, it’s hard to fault how good this Regal looks. The sellers notes some additional rare features include the WO2 designation, or exterior blackout package, and the ASC glass moonroof installed at the factory.
As you can see here, it appears the backseat was never used. The seller says this is the quickest turbocharged Buick of the era, aside from the real-deal GNX. I haven’t heard much about the Regal in this configuration, so researching its exclusivity is a bit of homework for any potential buyers. The unusual options and largely preserved condition make this one interesting as-is, but it’d be even more so if we found out that Buick knew what they were doing when they built this “light-weight” GNX. Do you remember this car posing a challenge to the real-deal GNX when new?
Can’t afford a full-size turbocharged Buick? We’ve got four Buick Grand National Hot Wheels up for grabs over in the Barn Finds Store, so be sure to snag one before they are sold out!
Don’t know much on these but is this a we4 option car? Whether it is or not that is one solid ride.
Yes, it is a WE4.
https://images.craigslist.org/00C0C_30GQRTM6l0G_1200x900.jpg
Yep, didn’t even check the add, thanks. 1 of about 1550 built like this.
Connecticut State Police used HIs or T Types for awhile back in the day. I think the Feds/FBI snapped up the last bunch of the T Types.
If I recall correctly, they snatched up GNX’s
No feds or staties picked up gnx’s. I can assure you of that. Nor some gnx clone.
No that’s false. No GNX’s were ever sold to the Feds or FBI. All sold through dealers which in turn sold them at a substantial mark up.
It sure is a black beauty of a car, I like it, as far as the price I don’t know so I’ll keep quiet.
A friend, I worked with in 1989 had one of these. With a Computer chip and removal of the catalytic convertor it would run a consistent 13.50 quarter and still maintain over 20 MPG.
It was his wifes daily driver through the week and his toy on the weekend.
The wheels on this T-type are factory installed. The GNX has a more desirable rear end suspension, but this is a very desirable T-type.
It’s a 1987 WE4 Turbo T. GM dropped the T-😵Type name on Regals after 1986.
A car like this and no photos of the underhood bits that make this car special?
Nothing underhood was different than any other Turbo T/ Grand National. It was the lightweight components that made it different.
I was working as a technician at a Buick dealer when these were out. Indeed, the local FBI had purchased 8 of this exact model. They would bring them to me to mod the transmission as they were prone to failing with these guys at the wheel. We were on a first name basis.
One day, they dropped one off and I was already under it pulling the transmission when the agent comes up to me and asks if I can let the car down off the lift to get something out of trunk he forgot. “Sure thing” I replied. He opens the trunk and removes a very large black zippered bag he could barely carry. Out of one end, an M16 is poking out. “Boss was not happy I left this” as he loads the bag into another car. True story.
What did u do to transmission . It may help me with my GN.
I see more black and gray Buicks here on BF than on the streets.
That would be due to the fact that these are highly collectible vehicles. No one is going to wear them out driving them to work. I graduated from high school and remember seeing one of these at least once a week. Same way with Monte Carlo SS and later the Impala SS. When was the last time you saw one of those daily driven. I have lusted after the GN/ Turbo T for years, and had to settle on a car on the same G body platform, a 70 Malibu that now sports a 468 BBC/ 200r 4 and 8.5 3.73 posi out of a 442. It is faster than the stock GNs were, but I will still swap someone straight across for a decent not hot air GN/ T Type
Looks like a very nice car! Why don’t people remove the dash cover for pictures it sure is very easy to put back in place!
The use of aluminum in the WE4 cars were the front and rear bumper inserts, brake drums and of course the aluminum T wheels where the Grand National used steel. This in turn made the WE4 cars lighter and in theory quicker than the heavier Grand National. Bear in mind that the Turbo T non WE4 cars could have these aluminum pieces also depending on how they were optioned too.
Even a more rare option on this car is the factory pwr moon roof. Interesting as why would one order a lightweight and then add weight with an option moon roof?
The car is only being called lightweight because it is being sold.
The car was not ordered as a lightweight.
Can you imagine the problems GM would have had by offering a lightweight car?
The wouldn’t have survived the crash tests.
Any sub-60 option turbo Regal is a true lightweight. The “lightweight” BS GM labeled WE4’s as is nonsense. Only around 130# is saved with aluminum wheels/bumper supports/& brake drums.
T types and the later turbo t’s such as this were not lightweight cars, just a little lighter than a grand national. The only real difference between the Grand National and the T types other than the obvious trim and two tone interiors was the aluminum bumper supports. The Grand nationals were steel which in turn made them heavier cars. The rest of the mechanicals were identical. I have owned 4 turbo regals and love them all. My current car is bastardized with a turbo ls but it has been the most reliable of all.
“Buick wanted to promote Regals with the WE4 Turbo ‘T’ option as being similar in appearance to the Grand National, minus the rear spoiler. All Special Turbo ‘T’ Package Regals would be identical with a blacked-out exterior, all-gray interior trim package, special exterior badging that included a red ‘T’ on the front fenders, aluminum wheels, aluminum bumper supports and aluminum rear brake drums as opposed to the Grand National’s cast-steel drums. All of this would make the Regal WE4 Turbo ‘T’ lighter and hence, faster than a Grand National, and for a lower price.”
I wish the ad had been archived! The ad link is no longer valid.
Steve, here’s the post.