Turbo Coupe Terrific! 1978 Buick Regal
Before there was the fabulous Buick Grand National, there were turbo-charged Regals like this very clean 1978 Sports Coupe version. While the turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine was new and standard equipment in the ’78 Regal Sport Coupe, the entire car was a new, downsized version of its former self. The listing details are light but the seller claims this Regal has only rotated 46K miles, hmm, OK, let’s take a closer look. This coupe is located in Allegan, Michigan and is available, here on craigslist for $6,500. Pat L. gets the credit for this discovery.
OK, so powder blue and a white vinyl top don’t exactly evoke a sinister nature, say, in the way the GN’s murdered-out look does. This car is more of an innocuous suburban dweller and I think, a much-improved design compared to its oversized colonnade (’73-’77) predecessor. It’s a Michigan resident now but it doesn’t appear as a long-term citizen of the Wolverine state unless it has been garaged and only driven on fair days. There is absolutely no sign of salt-induced rust – the bane of many Michigan motorists, or signs of crash damage, finish fade, or even normal road rash.
Inside is an attractive matching blue fabric upholstery environment with a simple bench seat, column shift arrangement and not the sportier bucket seat layout that would later take up residence in the GN. The very angular dash and instrument panel is a design that would define the rapidly approaching ’80s. And speaking of that dash it shows no signs of cracks, amazing for a car of this era. Also, note the light blue carpet – it’s a bear to keep cut pile carpeting, that light a shade, clean for any length of time – perhaps a testament to the unauthenticated mileage claim? The “Turbo Power V6” boost gauge is a cute reminder of the fascination brought about by turbocharged engines.
Under the hood is a 165 net HP. 3.8 turbocharged “Buick” V6. I stress the “Buick” moniker because GM had gotten pretty sideways in the late ’70s by stuffing engines made by one of their divisions under the hood of a car made by a differing division – recall the Chevy engine in an Oldsmobile 88 debacle. Our Regal is equipped with a four-barrel carburetor as opposed to the two-throat variety which yields fifteen fewer horsepower. I wish I could tell you how it motivates but there’s no word from the seller on that front.
OK, so maybe this Regal really isn’t a real hot footin’ performance car but it is certainly a well-perserved example from a time when auto manufacturers, in their quest for better fuel mileage while maintaining some semblance of power, were willing to try something a little different. So, wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick? One like this? you bet!
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Comments
I love these… but not so much in the light blue. This from a guy who owned light tan Regal Limited in the same year.
A set of Buick 14″ (or earlier) 15″ inch chrome rallys with whitewalls or white letters would wake it up!
worked at a Buick dealer when these were new. Turbo six were more fun to “test” drive than the 305 V-8 Buick Regals. Nearly impossible to remove the rear spark plug on the passenger side of the Turbo V-6 engine.
Sorry, but a bench seat is great,
especially when you want your corgi to sit next to you.
A couple of questions came to mind when I looked at the pictures. I wonder where the very first picture outside the building was taken? Looks like a palm tree in the foreground, and I don’t think that there are any such trees that could survive in Michigan! And the carpeting looks so good I wonder if it was original or recently changed? But I wouldn’t let that dissuade me from checking out the car in person if I was close enough to wherever it’s located. Overall, it looks VERY original – even the original selling dealer logo is still on the trunk lid. The bumper fillers are intact, the paint and upholstery look beautiful, and the engine and trunk compartments are clean. I’m betting an in person inspection will put to rest any doubts as to what this car is, and will reveal a true low mileage original. Wish I was close enough to do so – I’d probably end up coming home with it!
My Mother bought the new downsized 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with powder blue interior and exterior. The white vinyl top on this Regal helps to break the excessive amount of blue her car had.
Jim, I think you mean Wolverine state.
Yes, I goofed and apologize to all Michiganders.
JO
Hated the 3.8L.
with good reason !!
3800 was one of the best engines GM ever made. With the turbo, it was a screamer.
The hood was best part,under hood not so much.
Michigan is the wolverine state.
Wisconsin is the badger state.
Ooops, fixed, thx.
JO
Only about 10-15% the price of a similar GN!
And only about 99% less mean looking!
My old boss (still work with him) worked in the factory that took these and applied all the decals, vinyl top, etc. I didn’t believe him until he busted out brochures and pictures. Can’t remember the name, something “Concepts”. I’ll send this to him. Good find.
I had a 1979 3.8 standard V6 in Royal Blue. Other than the colour and the Turbo, mine could have been a clone to this one. Comfy car but it constantly cost me $$, from front brake lines (too short) to about 3 water pumps. Loved the center shelf on the dash, perfect to put a couple of “pop” and let the A/C keep them cold! This one could have been a 1979! Identical to them..
“There is absolutely no sign of”… “…crash damage.” Drivers’ door is banged up — probably not a crash but a sideswipe of a stationary object at very low speed.
While perhaps not the optimal color choice, throwing on a set of Buick Rally wheels would certainly serve to subdue the paint color.
It’s in beautiful condition, and in today’s prices, a bargain.
If money were no object, I would restomod it…I’d rip out the engine, rear end, and transmission, install a crazy built GN drivetrain, then go troll every hot new car I ran across. After I dusted them, I’d remind them it does say “turbo Buick” on the car.