Many enthusiasts look back on the 1960s and early 1970s as the heyday of American muscle cars. Indeed, big-block ground pounders unhindered by safety and emissions regulations peaked in that era. Not to be missed, however, was the twin revolutions of turbocharging - opens in new window or tab. and fuel injection - opens in new window or tab. that came in the 1980s.
Detroit’s poster child from this is none other than Buick, which took their venerable V-6 and boosted it.
The big-dog Grand National - opens in new window or tab. and limited-production GNX - opens in new window or tab. get all the raves (and six-figure price tags.) But the Turbo Six made its way to other cars. For example, the 1987 Buick Regal T-Type sold on eBay has nearly all the performance of the Grand National—but at significant savings.
The Last of the Old-School Chassis
The turbocharged Regal and offshoots—like the Grand National and GNX—offered a bunch of horsepower and torque. These cars with a rear-drive chassis can get down the line in a serious hurry. Pair that with a ride and style that is very much on-brand for Buick, and this is an exciting car.
The ‘87 Regal T-Type has the important LC2 production code on the build sticker. The LC2 took the original 3.8-liter turbo V-6 and gave it an intercooler - opens in new window or tab., allowing more boost. The official rating was 245 horsepower, but that’s a low estimate. Perhaps more importantly, its 355 pound-feet of torque light up the rear tires.
The Regal T-Type is like a sleeper version of the Grand National. And that’s saying something because the Grand National hides behind its menacing blacked-out trim.
This Regal, conversely, wears a more traditional chromed grille and bumpers. The condition looks even better than the low 59,000 miles indicates. There is some wear on the undercarriage and a bit of discoloration on the steering wheel leather. Otherwise, it looks like a new car inside and out.
A Staid American Family Car (Plus Tons of Power)
The only modification we can notice is the open-element air filter. That also helps with power. These 3800 V-6 engines are renowned for how much power they can produce when tuned. A tripling of the factory horsepower ratings is not unheard of.
If you want to modify a Turbo Buick, this would be the one. Collectors are falling over themselves to snatch up and preserve the Grand National and GNX models. If that’s your plan, be sure to check eBay Motors for high-performance tires - opens in new window or tab. to get the power to the ground safely.
This 1987 Buick Regal T-Type is a beautifully preserved example of one of the triumphs of the American auto industry. It’s part of the long-standing tradition of taking a staid family car and making it awesome by throwing a ton of horsepower at it. This Buick Regal T-Type is truly something special and deserves to be driven—and driven hard.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.