Tell me about Buick in NASCAR in 86 and 87.

[turbofish38]

Harry Gant was their primary driver. I remember '83 Buick Regal painted in skoal bandit colors with number 33 on the doors. At least one was in Omaha in the 80's.

The Skoal Bandit was a decal option for the Regal and later the GP. The part numbers for the decals are still in the 44W parts catalog. Here's a link to one of those replicas. BEFORE BLACK - Skoal Bandit Buick Replicas
I can remember seeing one of those cars running around Omaha. The weird thing about that city was with SAC HQ down south of the area the Air Force guys were always bringing in something different into the area. I dont recall ever seeing one sitting at a local dealer anyway.

 

[kh440]

The Bandit cars were cooked up between US Tobacco and 7-11 for use as promo cars, mostly used by the route sales people. Had heard of some being auctioned or raffled off but can't swear to it. If you look through an OLD GM parts catalog they do show the part numbers for all the logos (long since discontinued though) Kinda surpised me that Mountain Dew didn't have something similar to celebrate the 81 and 82 WC titles.

 

[turbofish38]

The more I look at the car in the link the more I think that is not a factory decaled car. I need to find an old 80's vintage HOTROD. There used to be an ad for some contest and it showed one of those cars. The reason I dont think the link car is factory is that decal on the sail panel. It should say Burt and Hals according to the 44W. Plus the gold stripes down the side look a little funky.

 

[aminga]

and how did the V-6 fare in the Busch Grand National races? I had read that the Indy V-6's would rip out of the pits faster than the other cars, but the V-6 wouldn't hold up over the entire race? Not sure if thats true.

I remember a quote from someone driving the Buick Indy V6. They said it was a torque monster compared to the consworths and Ilmores. You could just put your foot down coming off the corner at Indy and it would just pull.

If you were listening you could definatly tell the difference in the sound.

 

[MeanBuicks]

Here's some cool pics from Bobby Allison's Web site:

Also, check out this Stock Car Racing article: Buick Glory Days - The History Of - Stock Car Racing Magazine

 

[turbofish38]

That middle photo. Look at the heads of the drivers. They must be pulling some G's. NASCAR needs to go back to thier roots. Back when stock cars looked like stock cars. None of this BS they have today.

 

[kh440]

That middle photo. Look at the heads of the drivers. They must be pulling some G's. NASCAR needs to go back to thier roots. Back when stock cars looked like stock cars. None of this BS they have today.

Amen to that...can't remember the last time I actually sat through a whole race on TV, much less actually see one in person

 

[MeanBuicks]

NASCAR needs to go back to thier roots. Back when stock cars looked like stock cars. None of this BS they have today.

Yep. Now, stock cars look like ricers: