43k-Mile Survivor: 1983 Buick Regal

The General Motors G-Body platform is chameleon-like in its adaptability; after all, few other platforms achieved such diversity. For example, in the Buick camp, this sedate Regal V6 is fundamentally the same car as Darth Vader himself, the sinister Grand National. For those whose hobby involves modifications, the G-Body is a blank canvas; however, it would be a shame to cut up this original Regal, even if it’s almost begging for it.

Yes, the ’83 Regal is underpowered by today’s standards: The standard 3.8 was rated at 110 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque, with a Rochester two barrel supplying the fuel mixture. With a mere 43,000 miles, however, this engine may not need major work for decades to come. The seller says that it was one-family-owned until he bought it from the estate; the air conditioning even works.

The inside is just as red as the outside, with that cozy velour that made 1980s living so enjoyable. Also present is the standard GM sagging headliner that vaguely resembles a canopy bed, which is not as convenient when you’re trying to drive rather than sleep. Fortunately, replacing these headliners isn’t the same punishing chore one will find in a ’50s or ’60s car with headliner bows.

There’s plenty of fake wood inside as well, and the silver gauges and Buick-specific steering wheel offer me a whiff of nostalgia. My parents owned a spectacularly unreliable 1983 LeSabre when I was a young guy, and one of the many cars the dealer lent my dad was a Buick Regal of this vintage. It was a nice car, and unlike the LeSabre, it didn’t break down.

Although the seller doesn’t include any undercarriage photos, they do include this picture of the trunk, which is about as nice as it was in 1983. According to the ad, the seller couldn’t find any rust anywhere on the car. The non-original paint is described as a “7 out of 10,” and the “bumpers have fade.” On the plus side, the bumper fillers themselves seem to be in one piece, which is rare for an ’80s GM car.

This Tennessee-based Regal is currently on eBay, and the high bid is $3,850 at the time of this writing. Being a stock Regal that sold like crazy in 1983, it does not have rarity or performance on its side, but it does have its solid, honest condition to recommend it. Tell us what you think it will sell for!