Put An LS In It! 1983 Buick Regal Wagon

As I’m sure you all know, old or older station wagons have really gained in popularity over the last ten years or so. I’m sure there are many reasons such as their virtual disappearance from the domestic auto scene, their ability to have been outfitted with the same powertrain options as hardtops and convertibles, and generally, a lower trading price in a very over-heated market. While Chevrolet Impalas and Nomads, along with Ford Country Squires and mid-fifties two-door models seem to be the recipients of most long-roof interest, GM’s G-body intermediates from the ’80s don’t often make the cut. Well, that’s changing today as Tony P. has discovered the listing for a most unusually equipped 1983 Buick Regal wagon. It’s located in N. Seattle, Washington and is available, here on craigslist for $25,000 – firm.

GM downsized their A-body intermediates in 1978 and then shifted their designation to “G-body” for ’82 as a result of the introduction of new front-wheel drivers like the Chevrolet Celebrity and Buick Century. The new G-body cars maintained a rear-wheel drive architecture and expressed themselves in two and four-door body styles along with station wagons and pickups (El Camino/Caballero). Buick’s Regal took a run at the station wagon variant and gave up after two years with about 30K copies being produced in ’82 and ’83. Exciting? Hardly, wispy V6 engines, or horror of horrors, an Oldsmobile diesel V8 comprised the powertrain lineup. To make matters worse, the rear door windows were fixed in place – but I’m getting ahead of myself…

This wagon is unremarkable looking and still has a very clean, stock bearing about itself – especially with its wire wheel covers – a styling touch that was all the rage in the ’80s. The white finish is consistent, the chrome shines, and there’s no sign of rust or crash damage. One thing, however, this Regal looks like a ground scraper, notice that?

Well, there’s a good reason for that and it’s due to the Ridetech air ride system and two-inch drop front spindles. Who’d a thunk it? I’d expect that kind of get-up on a ’64 Impala but not a Buick Regal station wagon.

Often, when I ask our readers what they would do with a particular subject car, there’s usually someone who proclaims, “Put an LS in it!” Well, you asked for it, you got it. No V6 here, instead, this enterprising seller ditched the original lethargic V6 for a GM 5.3 liter “LS” V8, married up to a 4L60, four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Unfortunately, no word is uttered as to how this amped-up wagon runs and drives but I imagine it’s a palpable improvement over originality.

The interior is upholstered in typical GM red woven material but it’s definitely in clean, unworn condition. The entire environment appears to be stock with no modifications. The plastic cargo area side panels have the usual faded/brittle look about themselves but that’s normal with plastics in this era of GM cars. The seller tells us that everything inside is original except for the headliner which has been replaced – it all looks good.

There you have it, I would have never suspected what lurks beneath this Buick’s hood – talk about a sleeper!  It’s also amazing to recall where GM was in the ’82-’83 era compared to where they ended up fifteen years later – much of that improvement thanks to the LS engine in all of its variations. Buick was on a sound path in the ’80s with their Turbo Regal and GN, but boy, talk about kicking things up a notch, right?