We all know and love (well, most of us) the Buick Grand National for its impressive performance and 80s-era charm. The trouble is, the prices for high-quality examples has spiked dramatically in recent years, and thanks to GM’s marketing genius, other options exist. Turbocharging was not unique to the Grand National as Buick also used the same drivetrain in standard Regal models, like this rare WE4 example. This car is basically a Grand National in slightly different duds and actually sports some advantages over the GN. Find it here on eBay with bids to $11,200 and the reserve unmet.
In almost every way, this Regal looks identical to a Grand National. And with the black paint job – which is recent, by the way – it looks even more like the classic high-performance 80s model. The Regal WE4 also has a few other tricks up its sleeve in the form of aluminum T-Type wheels and aluminum bumper braces that help shed a few pounds over the Grand National, a point the seller is quick to point out. Truth be told, I like the T-Type wheels better, myself.
There are some differences inside the cockpit that may turn off some Grand National fans, as the interior really does feel and look like a standard Regal interior that wasn’t anything to write home about. The Grand National has the custom embroidery on the headrests that serves as a reminder that you own a limited-production performance model, whereas the clues to the WE4’s rarity are a bit more obscure. This Regal’s interior is in excellent condition thanks to new upholstery and carpeting.
The Regal sports some nice upgrades and encouraging maintenance, with the seller noting that both the engine and transmission have been rebuilt. The Buick is also equipped with a performance chip and exhaust and Bilstein shock absorbers all around. The A/C compressor is dead but that’s a fairly minor concern in the grand scheme of things. Overall, this WE4 Regal is a desirable option for anyone building an 80s domestic performance car portfolio, and an appealing alternative to a C4 Corvette or Mustang.
I’ve always like these better than the grand nationals. I feel the wheels have a much cooler look.
No liner under the hood that looks like it came from a silver or gray car. Probably the one the seats came from? Console looks wrong and back bumper looking funky. For 12k… Ummm nope
It has the right seats and console, I had a new black 87 T-Type with WE4. Only thing is only the GN had the black bumpers and headlight surrounds though.
Meant to say correct style seats and console. Bad fit on dash cluster, no emblems on fenders or trunk lid as thunk should have the long description emblem. Lots of red flags.
Looks like a “parts car” to me. Blue dash, gray seats. Door jams blue.
New water bottles under the hood. Different front clip? I’d have to look it over really good.
Different color panels on the doors inside. Just might be a junkyard dog in fresh paint?
This Turbo has 118,000 miles on it. As John pointed out the interior colors are 2 different shades. The front seats are gray while the rear and dashboard looks a lite blue . Front seat could of been replaced. Under the hood overflow and washer bottles looks new. I seen cars well taken care of have 100,000 miles . My personal 2010 Honda Pilot had 150,000 miles and it looked like 50,000 miles. I had people ask me it looks new. What did you do? Wash wax interior cleaning stay on top of things and it will always look near new. So this Buick looks very good but not telling the whole story. Things where replaced. The bid at over $12,000 not at reserve yet. Maybe $15,000 or $20,000 that is realistic price. As long this Turbo sound and rides great. Buyers need to be careful what they are looking at and if they can see it in person before placing a bid. Buyer beware!! 🐻🇺🇸
Reading through content painted such a rosy picture. You’d think the guy doing the write up was the seller. Thanks John for pointing out this T-Type was thrown together from multiple donor cars.
Yeah it’s a hodgepodge of yard parts. At least 3 different cars here plus probably some aftermarket Chinese fenders. Shows all the signs of a yard dog. Which would be ok if done right. But from what I see here it was a quick 💩 polishing. At least spray the jams. And make the carpet match the seats.
Wouldn’t touch it with a 20 foot pole. Even free would end up costing you big in the end.
A nice machine but i got red flags popping up. Dash color v/s inside. Door panels look dirty ( or is it just the pic quality ) and yes John same feeling about the console. Underhood no pad and an aftermarket air cleaner plus coil pack. If its an original that was re-assembled from donors and was done right could be worth it but this one needs an extensive medical exam to get a clean bill of health.
In the eBay ad is the car history report that mentions branded title and odometer issue…
As mentioned above, this car likely was a worthy project that needs some fine tuning.
I always shake my head when I see the 85 mph speedometer on these cars, the highway speed limit in much of Texas is 85; imagine looking at the pegged speedometer for miles and miles.
The National speed limit was 55 until late 87, even in Texas, when it was updated to 65 on certain interstates.
I hate those speedos too though.
Officer: Do you know how fast you were going.
No, sir. The speedometer only goes up to 85. :)
1 yr only offering from the General. 1987.
Great rims, so clean w out spoiler. These came no power seats or windows available, only power locks.
The trunk should have a sticker w codes indicating this rare pkg option.
The listing has a pic of it, but I can’t decode it, perhaps someone could report back? I’m not sold on it being a parts car, perhaps originally blue and repainted to resemble a Grand National.
You are wrong, my new one had power seats, windows, all the good stuff. WE4 was the intercooled turbo and handling option and was available on the T-type as well as the Limited Regal.
Something definitely fishy… could be a very nice car. Needs a in person inspection.
Never seen anyone selling a turbo Buick with 3 different brand used tires on it.