Turbo and T-Tops: 1986 Buick Regal T-Type
When it came to turbocharged muscle cars of the 1980s, Buick had the market covered in spade with no less than four offerings. The most well-known today was the Regal-based Grand National (1982-87), but there was also the Turbo T and GNX (both 1987 only), and the T-Type (1983-86). You needed a scorecard to keep track of which was which. The seller has a 1986 near driver-quality T-Type that will need some mechanical and cosmetic TLC. Located in Yadkinville, North Carolina, this bold Buick is available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $9,199.
The intermediate Regal T-Type packed a 3.8-liter V6 engine under the hood which – with its turbocharger – produced 230 hp. It differed from the better-known (and greater produced) Grand National in terms of interior trim, wheels and badging, and the use of aluminum bumper supports and aluminum rear drum brakes. The latter changes reduced weight slightly and added a bit more in performance delivery. The color range was wider with the T-Type as the Grand National is known for its signature black paint (one of only two colors offered). Ranked by total production numbers, there were 30,022 Grand Nationals, 22,806 T-Types, 1,547 Turbo T’s, and 547 GNXs. And that excludes nearly 60,000 1978 and 1979 “plain” Regals that also had turbocharged engines. For GM, Buick seemed to be the place to go in those days (move aside Pontiac?).
The seller has owned this 1986 T-Type for at least five years and it was one of 1,921 built in that annual run. The car’s inter-cooled turbo has been recently rebuilt and other new parts include a fuel pump, alternator, and a partial tune-up. But for some reason, the automobile does not perform at what should be its peak, so the buyer is going to have to sort that issue out. It’s been sitting more than it’s been used, so perhaps starting with the fuel tank, and working your way forward, is the path to take.
Inside the Buick, the interior is quite nice, though the driver’s power seat does not move yet the motor whirs. The T-Type has T-Tops and there’s no mention of any current or prior leaks. The body is solid – though not perfect – and the seller suspects the white paint could be original. At least one headlight bezel and the grille will require repair at some point. Depending on your point of view, the switch to Chevy Rally wheels is either a plus or a minus, and the whereabouts of the Regal’s factory wheels are unknown. This works out to be an almost driver-quality car with 96,000 miles, one that you might be able to own for less money than a GN. Check out this seller-provided video.
Comments
Not exactly my kind of whip but I do like the wheels.
Like Chevy Rallies A.
Looks fast even standing still
one of the few gms i would run being more of a mopar/amc guy.
nice looking ride
I had one (1987) and the common issues with the turbo Buicks are blown headgaskets often caused by weak fuel pumps. Then there is the powermaster brake system that is known to stop working without any notice until your brake pedal is hard as a rock and you can’t stop. Not to mention not just anyone can work on these; it takes a special person with the know how. New owner might want to make sure the valve springs aren’t weak or it’ll float on the top end when the boost kicks in. Otherwise these cars can go easy low 12’s in the ¼ mile without having to open the engine and change anything out.
Not a fan. Sister car Monte Carlo had this set up as an option. The ignition firing overtime would cause the piston to get a hole blown in it. Knew a couple owners had the engines replaced by GM under the 36,000 mile warranty. One owner pulled the engine/ trans out after the second engine failure & was replaced with a buick 350 & 3 speed trans. Turbos work today due to computer controls. Just didnt back in the 80s.
What in the world are you talking about?
You must be referring to the early carbureted turbo cars that had very little in common with the SFI Turbo engines from ‘84-‘87? Not even close to what you’re looking at here
Cool ride 😎, comfortable very fast, nice hwy machines when that turbo is spooled up on boil.
Nice ride… the power train was quite a another GM engineer joke… the current bid should be the final selling price
This car reminds me of the prototype for the GNX.
The much more costly Grand National was really only a trim option based on the T-Type. Mechanically they’re the same car. I actually like the T-Type more as there were color options. This is a helluva deal for someone who’s after Grand National performance without the Grand National “tax”!
In 1985, the turbo 6 produced 200 hp at 4,400 rpm and 300 lb.ft. torque at 2,400 rpm. In 1986, it produced 235 hp at 4,000 rpm and 330- lb.ft. torque at 2,400 rpm. In 1987, those figures were boosted to 245 hp at 4,000 rpm and 355-lb.ft. torque at 2,400 rpm.
Ridden hard and put away wet.
I was lucky to place an order in February 87 for WE4 Buick Turbo – radio delete, manual locks and windows – etc – can confirm the brake issues mentioned above – added 160 thermo and Kenne Belle chip – put on about 75k mikes till it was stolen in 1992
You ordered my favorite. Love the rims on that model. 😍
Ive seen pics of turboTs even with a column shift 🙌
Car is beat up pretty bad. Great cars if you buy from someone who looked after it and knew how to take care of it. Same driveline as a GN but with color options. I had one for years, never an issue but if it’s beat up it’ll cost you. That being said some tweaks they’re rockets
I have never seen this car in white. Black is the way to go , but the white is surprisingly wicked, awesome way to stand out from the crowd
In ’86, I was looking for a T-Type Turbo, but a GLH-T showed up at a local dealership and I grabbed that instead. No regrets.
I like the stock looking wheels much better than what is on it now. And I don’t recall if those front extensions were stock or not, but I would prefer them off.