The Buick Grand National gets all the attention but a buyer could also order a Turbo-T (formerly called a T-Type) Regal in 1987. This is example is located in Fort Worth, Texas. It was recently listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $31,500. This car was bought three months ago from the original owner who was in his 80’s. In 1987, Buick produced 20,193 Grand Nationals, but the Turbo T models are significantly rarer (6,850 Turbo-Ts and 1,547 WE4 cars). While black was the dominant color for any turbo car that year, finding a Charcoal over Silver combination with these mechanical credentials is a true find.
Unlike many Turbo-Ts that have been modified over the decades, this find is a refreshingly stock survivor. It retains the legendary 3.8-liter Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) Turbo V6, designated by the LC2 engine code. Underneath the factory heat shield sits the original Garrett TB0348 turbocharger, still breathing through the stock air-to-air intercooler. Because it hasn’t been tampered with, the engine bay is a time capsule of 1980s engineering—right down to the factory-correct hose clamps and vacuum line routing. The power is sent through the mandatory 200-4R four-speed automatic transmission, which was specifically calibrated with the BRF valve body for the turbo cars. This particular Buick is equipped with the heavy-duty 8.5-inch rear end, featuring the RPO GU6 3.42 gear set and the G80 Limited Slip differential, ensuring it still puts the power down exactly as the engineers in Flint intended.
Step inside, and you aren’t greeted by the standard two-tone bucket seats found in the Grand National. This car features the cleaner Silver/Grey interior (Trim Code 15I), which provides a sleek, monochromatic cockpit that matches the exterior perfectly. The dashboard remains crack-free, and the factory 85-mph speedometer—a quirky reminder of the era—sits behind the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. It’s a cabin that feels more “Regal” and less “Race Car,” until you notice the boost gauge start to climb.
While the Grand National relied on a menacing, monochromatic look, this Turbo T is the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing. The Code 15 Charcoal/Grey metallic paint presents well, accented by the correct T-Type aluminum wheels (which were lighter than the GN’s steel versions). The body lines are crisp, and the owner notes that while it’s a high-quality driver, it retains the soul of a survivor. It lacks the flash of its more famous siblings, making it the perfect platform for someone who wants to surprise a few modern sports cars at a stoplight.
Thanks BJ. One of my favorite cars. The intercooler equipped T-Type. Buick didn’t miss much with these, neither did the owner grabbing the optional posi rear.
3.42 gearing helped these heavy coupes move off the line, then shortly after that the Turbo spooled up, and you were gone. 🏁 ↩️
Great cars indeed. In my imaginary car collection i’d have one of these over a GN. Heavy is relative though. Compared to todays cars these were featherweights. A Buick like this tipped the scale at around 3550 lbs. Same weight as the smaller F body GTAs and 350 Irocs. Today a new Mustang weighs 3950 lbs.
The original owner must have loved this car. Super clean!