The rebirth begins

[2sloUknow]

I bought my first turbo regal, an 87 GN t-top car back in 92. I was the third owner. I was young, stupid, etc. When the engine blew at just over 100k I parked it and started taking it apart.

She came with me to 3 homes, and when we came to our current home in 2002 I parked the gn on the side of my shed, on dirt. Silly me thought I would have time, money and motivation to start the rebuild then. Well, this is not the case.

She emerged from her dirt prison today, pictures below. 14 years off the tarmac, 20 years undriven. I was shocked how intact the frame and floorboards were, nothing but surface rust. I guess it helps our "soil" is more sand than anything, it doesn't hold the moisture. Worst parts are the t-top valleys and the interior, due to severely leaking tops.

I will update this thread, slowly! Time and money are not the best, but my sanity needs this car reborn.

 

[TurboWh1]

Good luck fellow Turbo Regal Brother! There is hope.

 

[Justin85]

Pull the interior to start and pressure wash everything

 

[mikes86ttop]

SAVE HER!!!!...Mike

 

[rag231]

May the force and motivation be with you!

 

[Powertechn2]

Looks like the body held up pretty well.

 

[2sloUknow]

Looks like the body held up pretty well.

Surprisingly yes. The worst rot is around the ttop valleys. And some in the trunk valley on the driver's side. Other than that, it's solid. Going to work on getting the passenger ttop off, it's frozen, and start on interior teardown. Carpet, seat coverings, they gotta go.

 

[Dhos1]

Like everyone says good luck with it. I would first star with a wash to see what i have under the dirt. My patience would not allow a project of that magnitude..i would get disgusted quickly. Good luck.

 

[Dhos1]

Like everyone says good luck with it. I would first star with a wash to see what i have under the dirt. My patience would not allow a project of that magnitude..i would get disgusted quickly. Good luck.

 

[needforspeed150]

You should be applauded for not just letting it go and selling for scrap. I see this all the time with a interesting vehicle as are our turbo buicks are just trashed. I see a lot of money and time but if you have the motivation it could end up great. I have been in similar situations on my projects and not enough time but I always go back to them in the end. I hope the best for your old 4 wheeled friend

 

[2sloUknow]

Like everyone says good luck with it. I would first star with a wash to see what i have under the dirt. My patience would not allow a project of that magnitude..i would get disgusted quickly. Good luck.

I cleaned her up Thursday. Here is an in progress pic with a "clean" passenger and dirty driver side

 

[2sloUknow]

You should be applauded for not just letting it go and selling for scrap. I see this all the time with a interesting vehicle as are our turbo buicks are just trashed. I see a lot of money and time but if you have the motivation it could end up great. I have been in similar situations on my projects and not enough time but I always go back to them in the end. I hope the best for your old 4 wheeled friend

I would NEVER scrap her out. I have an 85 ttype which could always use spares, plus the parting value is greater than the scrap value. Honestly if I found major rot in the frame or around the body bushings I would have been considering parting her out. But she is shockingly clean.

 

[rag231]

As far as bringing a car in that condition back to life is the paint job. I started an 87 Astro roof project very similar that had a cheap plastic tarp over it. Water penetrated thru and trapped the moisture causing rust. I had budgeted 2500 for paint, by the time the car was ready the average price for paint was 5000. That is actually a great project car to start and with the dirt removed I am sure that you got a better assessment. Remember to reach out to fellow Buick owners for help if you feel like you're in a rut. NJ should be full of them.