A few days ago, we featured a Buick LeSabre T-Type which showcased some of the confusion the company had in terms of its identity. Was it a luxury car company intended for older buyers who didn’t want to buy a Cadillac? Was it a brand known for its performance cars that was attracting younger shoppers into showrooms? Or was it going to integrate some European flare to make it a compelling purchase by BMW shoppers? Well, some of the confusion can be traced back to this car, the Buick Regal, which was a performance car in an era sorely lacking for such models, and this 1985 T-Type listed here on eBay for $25,000 or best offer may be one of the most honest examples left.
The T-Type trim, unlike many of GM’s special edition offerings, actually got you a car with decent performance. First, there was the turbocharged 3.8L V6 under the hood, which was a honey of an engine and perhaps one of the first bright spots on the performance car landscape coming out of the malaise era. You also got an upgraded suspension, the slick black-out trim, a three-spoke steering wheel, and some variation of unique alloy wheels. It was a total package, in many respects, certainly far better than most limited edition models the General had offered shoppers in the past.
You didn’t get sport bucket seats, however, and this was an aspect of performance car building that GM continued to shun for years outside of its most popular muscle cars. Yes, you could eventually get Recaros in a Trans Am, but outside of that, the rest of the lineup had to make do with whatever the standard seat option was, even with the impressive performance of the turbocharged V6. Now, for those of you asking why the seller is asking such a tall number for this car, it might have something to do with photos like this, which reveal just how minty fresh it appears to be. The seats have been re-done, along with a long list of mechanical improvements and repairs, so the seller clearly has some money invested in this turbocharged Regal.
Mechanical work includes a rebuilt transmission, replacement rear shocks, and a list of new parts that includes headers, tires, battery, fuel injectors, fuel pump, window motors, trailing arms, and much more. Overall, he hasn’t wasted time with silly modifications or spent too much money on performance tweaks, instead choosing to get this 110,000 mile example back into reliable mechanical shape. Fortunately, the bodywork still appears to be quite nice, so there’s hopefully no cosmetic sorting left to do. Yes, it’s a lot of money for a non-Grand National, but you can’t really touch those cars for much less than $40K these days – so this T-Type may be the next best option for a turbocharged Buick fan.
Ah, the very slick FBI special! Raised a lot of eyebrows when they were found to have a hot super coupes. Nice one here, and the ubiquitous 3.8 was a great engine from what I’ve read on most of BF.
The Buick of today needs a history lesson-they don’t even sell a real car here anymore. Yes, everyone seems to be buying mini station wagons, AKA SUV’s/ cross overs/whatever but a real car? Only available in China..sad.
This one is a nice ride. Though it’s “only”276 HP if you got the hot setup, it’s still a better bargain than most of the new stuff in the same price range and much more distinctive-you’d never confuse this with much of anything in the grocery store parking lot.
Nevada, the intercooler equipped models 86,87 were the real fast ones. I drove an 85 t-type, nice highway car. Spool up the turbo and pass w ease. Had the cool digital boost on the dash. Cruised around effortlessly, but by no means real fast. I believe these were rated at 200hp when they left the factory.. but could be wrong. Interesting that a limited slip wasn’t standard, even on the 86-87s. Lovely car.
You are correct, 200 hp.
This year HP rating was 200, not 276. No intercooler on the 85.
And 276 was also specific to the ’87 GNX (although these were rumored to be higher than that). The “basic” intercooled turbo in ’86-’87 was 235 and 245 HP respectively. The intercooler’s main advantage was the reduction of turbo lag, which was probably more noticeable than than additional top end.
The real thing with these engines was the torque. Near big block level at 355 ft lbs.
The collectors want the 86-87’s Grand Nationals, they always have and always will. Someone may want this, but what will they be willing to pay the asking price? I had several friends buy brand new Grand Nationals and T-Types, the T-Types were sleepers, but they also lacked some amenities standard on the GN, this will likely limit their appeal too.
Steve R
Some photos show a console, and others don’t. Interesting.
Looks like the console was removed when the seats were repaired, and not replaced.
Very nice T-Type, which I actually prefer over the GN, and wanted to buy one when I went car shopping back then.
Black would have been the last color I would have picked for a T-Type. I love black cars, but black is like having a lamer looking GN.