The 1984 Buick Regal Limited isn’t a particularly rare car, and it doesn’t seem a prime candidate for preservation. However, our feature Regal is something genuinely extraordinary. It is an almost entirely unmolested survivor that has never seen rain. It has 43,000 miles on the clock and would suit an enthusiast keen on recapturing the heady days of the 1980s. Its next journey could be to a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Cicero, New York. Bidding has raced past the reserve to $12,300 as a result of intense interest.
The styling of the Second Generation Regal was considered refreshing when Buick unveiled it in 1978. Manufacturers were only beginning to adopt the more square and aggressive appearance that would define many cars from the 1980s. It aged well during its production life and manages not to look dated nearly forty years after this car rolled off the line. The original owner ordered the vehicle in Code 19 Black, with the seller indicating it is an unrestored survivor. The paint retains an impressive depth of color and shine, which is a notable achievement considering it emerged when car companies struggled with new paint technologies that weren’t as resilient as first expected. The panels are as straight as an arrow, but the lack of rust could be the ace up this car’s sleeve. The seller claims it has never seen wet weather, remaining in dry storage whenever things look unfavorable. Climbing under the car reveals items like the original exhaust tags, further supporting the mileage claims. The sparkling chrome perfectly contrasts the paint, the wheels look flawless, and there are no visible glass issues.
The seller supplies no engine shots, but the VIN confirms this car’s original owner ordered it with the 3.8-liter V6 and a three-speed automatic transmission. With 110hp and 190 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, that is hardly a recipe for excitement. However, the bulletproof nature of the drivetrain components and the odometer reading of 43,000 original miles means it should offer the winning bidder years of reliable and relatively economical motoring pleasure. It is in excellent mechanical health, and the new owner could fly in and drive this baby home. The seller offers an intriguing possibility worth considering. Transforming this Regal into a Grand National clone would be straightforward, with the required parts available off the shelf. The process would be more affordable than splashing the cash on the real deal because their values continue climbing at an alarming rate. It would undoubtedly make this car a blast to drive, but would you be willing to sacrifice this Buick’s originality on such a venture?
The interior shots reveal the only apparent modification to this classic. The factory AM/FM radio has made way for a more modern CD player. Otherwise, it is as it left the showroom floor. The seats wear rich Burgundy cloth covers, with the remaining upholstered surfaces finished in matching vinyl. There are no signs of deterioration, wear, or abuse. The seller describes the car’s overall condition as near mint, and the inside of this classic does nothing but support their mileage claim. The upholstery and carpet are spotless, there is no cracked plastic, and the faux woodgrain is in as-new condition. It doesn’t just look good because it is highly optioned in a 1980s context. The winning bidder receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, three-speed wipers, a tilt wheel, and a remote driver’s mirror.
It is easy to underrate classics like this 1984 Buick Regal Limited, but it offers possibilities for potential buyers to consider. Preservation is the most obvious, and its owners have done an admirable job of that. The thought of a Grand National clone and the performance potential could prove irresistible. That makes me wonder what the future holds for this classic. It has attracted an impressive thirty-three bids in six days, making it apparent that people like what they see. Would you consider joining the bidding war? What would be your plans if you became this Regal’s new owner?
Had one. Put a 69 GS 350 in it. What a sweet sleeper car. Lite up the 5.0 mustangs like nothing lol
I’d leave it just as is. Ok tempted to put the GN intercooler motor in it. But I’d really want to leave it as is and enjoy it
I wish they would still make cars like this not these things that are on the road today!
Unfortunately Al, you and I are in the minority these days. Everyone wants SUVs and trucks. Stupid I know. The manufacturers love it though, the profit margins are fat. But hey, you can bid on a forty year old car and take your chances. It is a sweet ride.
I am about 1/2 hour away from where this car is located. If you would like me to check it out I would be happy to set up an appointment with the seller if they are willing. And maybe get some photos of the engine bay, the front end that seems to be missing in the eBay ad. If you google the address they posted in the ad you can see the car, or at least a car that looks like this, sitting in the driveway. While I know nothing about this particular car, I am a long-time GM, Buick, Classic, and all-around car guy.
The one thing missing is the “Limited” emblem from the quarter panel at least on the left rear side. I haven’t looked at the eBay ad.
Kind of odd car has no power seat what with the power locks and windows. Wonder if the trunk has a power opener.
These were everywhere when I was a kid. This one is very nice, and the Limited with the pillow-top seats were very comfortable. That V6 is underpowered, though, and they were not long lasting unless babied.
Unless you’ve been in one, you may not understand the pillowy, comfortable cruising these kind of cars provided.
Cloud ☁️ mobiles.
All I see is a black on black gnx clone, would be very cool
I had a beautiful Ice Blue 1978 Buick Regal that was gorgeous. It had the Buick V6. I put a set of Crager S/S mags on it and really made it pop. I sold it to my brother in law because I bought my sister in laws 1978 Monte Carlo that was a gorgeous shade of blue AND a rare factory 4 Speed. That is a car that I wish I would have kept!!
Had two of these. One 78, one 82. The 78 had if I remember right a 305. Maybe a 307 but I don’t think so. Very good shape with only 34,000 miles. The 82 on the other hand had if I remember right the 3.8 L v6. Man talk about a pig. It also had some where in the 30,000 mile range on it also so it was also near new as well and so much better than the 78 in every way except for the motor. It was just like riding on a cloud just like Stan said but the problem was is it was a very slow cloud. Was going to pull the motor out of the 78 and put it in the 82 but couldn’t bring myself to tear the 78 apart. Even way back then I still had some sense anyway. Turned around and sold the 78 and gave the 82 to my wife because she loved everything about it and that’s all that mattered to me and went out and bought me a 77 Camaro LT. 350 small block. Gray velour Diamond tuck interior with a darker gray on the outside and black piping around the edges of the seats. It had the diamond tuck on the door panels, on the speaker tray behind the seat, and down on the kick panels. It had just the gray material for the headliner and the car itself was painted an Ice pearl white. Had the good old Cragar SS 50s and 60s on it but the whole car sat a little bit higher than usual all the way around so it didn’t have the stink bug look. The back end was high enough to accommodate the 50s that were on the back and the front end was high enough to where it was just lower than the back so it looked like a hot rod that maybe had a small four wheel drive unit in it. I know it sounds funny but it looked really good. Got nothing but compliments on that car. Found it in a car lot put a transmission in it was driving it to work and back when I got a knock at our door at the shop I was working at and a guy came in and begged for his car back. He had traded it in to buy something for his wife and missed it everyday since then. Since I only bought the car for $450 because it did need a new transmission. I turned around and sold it to him for $3,500 and back in 87 I believe it was that was a pretty good deal even though the car had everything done to it you know dual exhaust Edelbrock intake Holley carburetor chrome valve covers headers a cam roller rockers had all the goodies done to it everything was done and done right it really was a nice car it wasn’t built to be a super fast hot rod. It had a Dairy Queen cam in it. The kind that when you pull into Dairy Queen you can hear the Kachunka Kachunka Kachunka as you drove into the parking lot. Great Sound that. I took the money and bought a 61 Chev short bed Fleet side pick up but that was another story for another time. Wouldn’t mind getting this one and building it the way I want to as opposed to giving it to my wife. Who knows?
I had an 81. Beautiful car. Light green exterior and interior. Had the V6. Was the only thing I didn’t like about it. I may be the odd man out, but it would have been a better car with a straight six.
Find a wrecked ‘89 turbo trans am donor, swap the drivetrain, refinish the gold GTA mesh rims to black, black out the regal chrome trim, leave the cushy red velour interior, and then nothing but smiles.
I personally was never a fan of these cars, the 70s and 80s were dark days for GM IMO Plastic and velour junk.
Find a late model Camaro or Firebird with the longitudinal 3800 engine and 4 speed auto. Probably the cheapest way to get more power and economy.
Has a Turbo hood.
Surprised it wasn’t mentioned earlier. You win a trip to Oz.
IMO the 1981 refresh was a huge improvement over the ’78-’80 droopy rear quarters and the more upright grille.
In 2008 I flew from Dallas to Portland to get 83 Regal limited with 38k on it. Absolutely mint. Was medium blue. Drove it back. Still have paperwork documenting mileage. Sold it in 2016 to make room for a 67 Nova. I don’t those Rims are original to that car.
Has a turbo hood and the headlight surrounds were painted black. They were fake chrome originally. That engine is slow but it is deadpan reliable and ez to work on. These were really comfortable-smooth cruisers in their day. Nice car!
70s and 80s may have been dark days but it was nothing compared to what they are today. The same can be said with Chrysler and Ford. Nothing of what they once were. I personally liked the 70s cars but anytime the government interferes the results will not be good.
I worked in the service department in new car service when there vehicles were new
Often times changing a air filter would lean out the air/ fuel mixtures and cause hesitations until the engine was warmed up.
Buick was the first to have a turbo charger on this engine
I hated seeing the next generation in a front wheel drive car .
My dad had an ‘81 Olds Delta 88 and the RF fender power antennae failed shortly after warranty expired. It was so difficult to get to and therefore very expensive dealer repair, that he never bothered. 189k+ miles in 7? Years, all with that burned out antennae stuck up or down, depending upon whatever. It likely explains why rear mount on this.
Has a Turbo hood and dealer installed rear power antenna,factory power antenna was on RF fender.Also missing the Limited badges.
Mike
I made an earlier comment about the missing Limited emblems.
I didn’t notice the rear power antenna. Ewww! Painfully reminds me of the same mistake I made with my ’72 Caprice with the windshield antenna. I thought it was cool to have that along with my Pioneer cassette in ’77. Cassette was ok, but not the stupid hole I made in the rear quarter panel. I did somewhat redeem myself when I moved the switch from under the dash to the place where the rear window defogger switch would be.
I had a 1979 regal it was tripple blue car was mint in and out. I paid 150 bucks for it in 1986. It had a v6 with a bad rod knock. So I did what any responsible 19 year old would do and plopped a 1970 455 w-30 motor in from a wrecked 442. Talk about a fun car. Brutally fast with class.