Is this one of the best OEM “sleepers” ever made? The story started in 1978 when Buick sold its Sport Coupe with a turbocharged 3.8 liter V6. Output was a moderate 150 hp but torque was great, and the whole package was more fuel efficient than loading up the engine bay with a V8. Then in 1982, Buick launched the Grand National. Mostly, the early GN was a cosmetic tribute to the division’s NASCAR win. By 1984, that old turbo-V6 had been refined: with 200 hp on tap, it became the GN’s standard engine. The Grand National has carved out a healthy fan base of its own, but for rarer ride, look no further than the Regal Turbo, later christened the Turbo-T. Offered in 1987, this model gave buyers the turbocharged and intercooled ” ‘Vette getter V6 “, by now rated at 245 hp, along with optional Y56 trim and performance features. This 1987 Buick Regal Turbo-T, painted in modest silver shades, looks for all the world like grandpa’s grocery rig. It’s listed here on eBay with bidding at $17,100 in a no-reserve auction. The new owner can retrieve the car from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Despite a modest appearance, the Regal Turbo could launch from zero to sixty in about six seconds. Top speed was certainly in excess of the speedometer’s 85 mph maximum notch. This example’s odometer is showing 95,000 miles, but the car’s underhood appearance is still quite nice. Its AutoCheck report shows eight owners, with the last acquisition date recorded on 9/2024. It’s clocked about 1000 miles from then to now. The seller’s very short description gives no details other than to say the car runs and drives as it should. All Turbo-Ts came with GM’s 200-4R four-speed overdrive automatic, and the “T” package gave the buyer tuned touring suspension, just a hair softer than the Grand National’s.
No electric windows or power seats here – of course the lack of motorized accessories leads to a lighter curb weight. The front upholstery is decent though slightly wrinkled; the rear seats look unused. Nice carpets, unmarred dash, bright gauges and that chunky leather-wrapped steering wheel – it’s an appealing package demonstrating that this car’s prior owners took care of this rare beast.
Speaking of rare, 4268 Regal Turbos were made in 1987, against over 20,000 Grand Nationals. Of course, if you’re in serious pursuit of the top-of-the-line Buick from ’87, you’d be looking for a GNX or a WE4 – each of which are faster than this car, and each of which are much more scarce. These numbers were not augmented by Buick in later years, either: 1987 ended the division’s experiment with rear-wheel drive performance machines. The redesigned ’88 Buick was sleek, but meek – back to its roots as a grocery getter.
That 150HP turbo 3.8 sounds humble today, but in 1978, it was nothing short of a sensation. It was joined part-way through the model year by a 165HP 4-bbl version. By the 1979 model year, the 2-bbl version was gone, the 4-bbl was up to 170HP, and Buick never looked back.
Those low profile tires above are going to roughen the ride on poor roads – they sure don’t look like 215-65-15s which came even on GNs!
Odd there’s a tach, but no temp, oil press, or voltmeter gages – could you order the latter 3 on these or a GN?
a boost gauge? Intercooler?
The more rare T-Type is the T-Type Limited.
I wonder if the steering wheel is wrapped. Looks a little thick to me.
Nice color combo.
Not too many details about the shape of the drivetrain or anything else.
These V6 Buicks really got serious in 86′ and 87′. ↩️🏁
Split bench in velour? Cool. When everyone else has a GN here’s a looker.
At least one or two of those eight owners have taken some liberties with that car. It’s almost certainly been repainted (I don’t recall two-tone paint being an option in ’87, and the “T” emblems wouldn’t have been hugging the door/fender gaps from the factory, as they are on this car), and those Grand National wheels were not available on the T models.
The T-Type was also available with the Y code Oldsmobile 307.
better look at those #s on the odometer. somebody had been in there monkeying around. buy beware
In 1987 I often wondered why these were so overlooked. Admittedly, the GN is a little sexier and handles a little better, but these were the definition of “more bang for your buck”. Cool car, and while I don’t follow the prices of these, it seems to be reasonably priced.
Totally agree Rodder. The T types are great.
One of the reasons they were overlooked is that they were hard to find.
When looking for something fun as a daily driver in ’86, the T-Type Turbo was on my list. I was not interested in ordering a car because I needed to get something quickly. I could not find one of these around my area, and wasn’t interested in paying extra for a same-as-everyone-else’s GN.
I ended up finding and buying a GLH-T, which certainly wasn’t as good looking, but it sure was a blast!