This page is dedicated to the Buick T-Type/ Grand National.

The Regal was introduced in 1978 as Buick�s entry in the intermediate category. The nameplate goes back to 1973, but those early cars are radically different from the newer ones discussed here. It was introduced as an A-body in 1978, but its designation was changed to G-body in 1982, when the front-drive intermediates were introduced. All of the really hot turbo cars were introduced after this switch, so it is common to generalize and call the Turbo Regals (often abbreviated as TR�s) G-bodies.

All G-bodies ride on a 108.1 in wheelbase. Despite the changes in car shapes over the past 15 years, the Regal is still a mid-size car. It is, for all intents and purposes, the same size as, say, a Ford Taurus. It seats 2 in front (or 3, depending on front seat options) and 3 in back. Turbo Regals typically weigh between 3500 and 3900 lbs. It�s difficult to say precisely what a particular specimen weighs, as there was such an array of options available through the years. But in any case, you�re dealing with nearly 2 tons of car.This heft helps give it a Buick ride. Buick engineers have been deeply involved in developing suspensions that delivered both a smooth ride and good handling, dating back to the early 60�s, if not before. All of Buick�s G-bodies benefit greatly from this heritage. The various suspension packages required over the years with the turbo motor option firm up the ride a bit, to give handling more to the enthusiast�s liking without a drastic loss of comfort.

Turbo Regals came in a wide variety of flavors over the years. The most common were Grand Nationals (the black beauties) and T-Types (available in any color in that year�s Fisher Body rainbow). In the last years of the G-body run, the engine package was available as a Regular Production Order (RPO LC2) on any Regal. A TR could be had with just about any option available on a naturally-aspirated G-body. However, since a suspension upgrade was a mandatory option, the selection of factory wheels is dictated by the suspension package for a given year. This is also why TR�s always came with wider tires (which were always a part of the suspension package).

Because of the nature of turbocharging, the TR�s deliver admirable fuel economy in "normal" use. The EPA published estimates were 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. As you peruse the articles on this site, you will see that low-20�s highway mileage is a reasonable expectation. Coupled with an 18-gal fuel tank, a cruise range of well over 300 miles between fill-ups is typical.

As for the availability of power, the GM engineers really got the TR�s dialed in. By the time the 1986 versions hit the street, turbo lag (the bane of the existence of many earlier turbo cars) had been banished. In reality, all that�s needed from a standing start to bring in all the ponies is some power braking. This will literally spool up the turbo and leave a cloud of rubber smoke behind when the brake is released. Buick had been working on the concept since the mid-70�s to provide big-block power without the big block�s appetite.

The turbo V-6�s of the late 70�s delivered reasonable power, but the lag was an issue. With each successive model year, the boost came on quicker. In the early 80�s, with the advent of fuel injection and on-board computers, Buick could take the final steps (leaps?) in this process. Since the price of gas stabilized in the early 80�s, the entire turbo project shifted. Instead of simple daily-driver V-8 power, how about muscle-car power? The results speak for themselves. The nice thing is that, unlike the big-block power of old, the TR and the gas station are not necessarily close acquaintances.

Total Production numbers.

Total Regal Grand Nationals produced from 1982 to 1987 was 30,022.

Total Turbo Ts produced: 1,547 in 1987 only.

Total Regal T Types produced was 22,806.

Total Turbocharged Regal Sport Coupes produced from 1978 to 1979 was 59,896.

Rarest Models Produced.

Rarest Grand National: The 1982 with only 215 produced.

Rarest Turbocharged Grand National: The 1984 with 2000 produced.

Rarest Turbocharged Regal (non GNX): The 1987 Regal Limited with only 1,035 produced.

Second Rarest Turbocharged Regal: The 1987 Turbo-T with only 1,547 produced.

Rarest Regal Sport Coupe: The 1982 with only 2,022 produced.