Turbo Buick verification

[Maytag]

Hi folks,

If I posted this to the wrong forum, I apologize in advance!

I am new to the forum. Tonight I purchased an 86 Regal, which my buddy described as being a T-Type. It is black, has Grand National wheels, typical rear spolier, Turbo 6 hood insulation, 3.8 fuel injeced/Turbo, console, grey leather wrapped sport wheel, and, I am told an intercooler & limited slip rear, though I was not able to visual identify either. Also, I did not get to the SPID sticker in the trunklid. It was dark outside and the car was covered and had some snow on and around it, so I did not get the full visibility to the car I would have liked. The price was right and the car looked pretty intact. The VIN on the car is 1G4GJ47A2GP444351. Is there anyway to identify these cars from the VIN via a VIN registry, or is the SPID sticker the way to truly identify what the car is?

The car has not driven in some time so I will have to perform a resurection. The car does turn over by hand, will fire wih spray shot in the plenum, digital dash will power up with a battery etc. Believed to not be getting fuel from the tank, and is thought to need a fuel pump in the tank. Also has a broken black plastic bumper filler on the left side between the header and the bumper.

Thanks!
Maytag

 

["Turbo-T"]

I can tell you by the vin you gave you have a former 2 bbl carbureted V6 car, and not an original turbo 6 car...unless your vin has been swapped.

The vin code for a turbo 6 car for '86 would be a 7, and not an A. It's the 8th digit in the vin that decodes the engine.

Look at the spid label....a turbo 6 car has codes "LC2" for the turbo 6 engine used in the T type and Grand National and there would also be a "Y56" code for the touring package, which was mandatory on the turbo 6 cars.

Of course a trunk lid swap could happen too....

 

[GNBRETT]

does it have grand national emblems or t-type emblems? what emblem is on the steering wheel and what color is the grill? 1986 t-types didnt have spoilers unless u put one on

 

[Maytag]

Thanks for the replies. The grille is black and the car has the rear spolier and lower front black air deflector running under the bumper and the front fenders. The car also had a colorful horn cap with red and yellow on the gray leather wrapped factory appearing steering wheel, but I only looked in the window with a flashlight due the car being covered up and having snow around it. The left side of the decklid had a Turbo emblem, and I did not get around to the right side to see if it said T-Type or not. Once I get a flat bed there to pick it up after some snow meltage, I will take a bunch of pictures so we can figure the entire situation out, but here is my take based on the replies.

This was an original Buick Regal that someone put on some Turbo Regal parts, including rims, hood, trunklid (SPID wont match VIN on dash), lower air damn (maybe entire doghouse?) 3.8 FI motor/200r4 trans, 8.5" rear, digital dash (could a regular Real get a digital dash?), console, etc. The car looks the part from what I viewed, so somebody must have loved this car at some point and sold it to the current owned in 1997. He drove it until 2004 when he had fallen on hard times and did not know what to do when it stopped running due to lack of fuel, so he parked it in hopes of repairing it one day. He hopes I fix it up, bring it back to him so he can see it and cry, so he has some sentimental attachment to the car. The sheet metal looks good and clean, including the doors, which can add to my parts for the Olds 442/Hurst Olds lineage, so I am thinking this could make a fantastic parts car. Part of me wants to fix it up a bit and drive it, but being a clone at best makes me think the parts route is the best way to go. Either way, I cant wait to get it! Pics to come when the ice age ends!

Thanks for the help!
Maytag

 

[Blazer406]

If it is in fact a TR clone..... these are really the best cars to modify and beat on. If all the parts are there and functioning..... not a hack job.... I'd definately consider getting it going and not parting it out.

If the car would require thousands to make it nice again.... like to turn it to daily driver status... then maybe you might want to part it out.

Either way... a turbo regal is a blast..... most don't suspect these cars were that quick..... especially the "newer" generation....

 

[WH1_T-Type]

1986 t-types didnt have spoilers unless u put one on

NOT TRUE!!!!

The '86 WH1's came with a spoiler.... :wink: Splitting hairs..I know lol

 

[1quick6]

If it is in fact a TR clone..... these are really the best cars to modify and beat on. If all the parts are there and functioning..... not a hack job.... I'd definately consider getting it going and not parting it out.

If the car would require thousands to make it nice again.... like to turn it to daily driver status... then maybe you might want to part it out.

Either way... a turbo regal is a blast..... most don't suspect these cars were that quick..... especially the "newer" generation....

I agree. If it was well done and you can get everything working, it will be just as much fun as the real thing. It's not like you were going to return the car to concours condition. Get it going and enjoy the heck out of it. There are a lot of people here to help you on your way.

 

[GNBRETT]

NOT TRUE!!!!

The '86 WH1's came with a spoiler.... :wink: Splitting hairs..I know lol

yes, WH1's did

 

[kh440]

NOT TRUE!!!!

The '86 WH1's came with a spoiler.... :wink: Splitting hairs..I know lol

Well to REALLY split hair the 84 and 85 WH1's did also....:biggrin:

But seriously, fix it or part it? Depends on how much the car needs. A fuel pump is relatively inexpensive, ALL Regals need bumper fillers sooner or later. It's hard to give advice on this without maybe some pictures being posted.

 

[WH1_T-Type]

Well to REALLY split hair the 84 and 85 WH1's did also....:biggrin:

:biggrin::biggrin:

 

["Turbo-T"]

If all checks good I wouldn't part it. So what if it's a clone. Doesn't make it any less cool.

 

[GN FAN]

If all checks good I wouldn't part it. So what if it's a clone. Doesn't make it any less cool.

+2 my second turbo car is a clone......a really nice clone but a clone nonetheless.....that's why it's gonna get a cage and the AC is getting taken out lol! seriously, see if you can get it going for a reasonable amount and try to get some enjoyment out of her.

 

[A2000RICH]

Thanks for the replies. The grille is black and the car has the rear spolier and lower front black air deflector running under the bumper and the front fenders. The car also had a colorful horn cap with red and yellow on the gray leather wrapped factory appearing steering wheel, but I only looked in the window with a flashlight due the car being covered up and having snow around it. The left side of the decklid had a Turbo emblem, and I did not get around to the right side to see if it said T-Type or not. Once I get a flat bed there to pick it up after some snow meltage, I will take a bunch of pictures so we can figure the entire situation out, but here is my take based on the replies.

This was an original Buick Regal that someone put on some Turbo Regal parts, including rims, hood, trunklid (SPID wont match VIN on dash), lower air damn (maybe entire doghouse?) 3.8 FI motor/200r4 trans, 8.5" rear, digital dash (could a regular Real get a digital dash?), console, etc. The car looks the part from what I viewed, so somebody must have loved this car at some point and sold it to the current owned in 1997. He drove it until 2004 when he had fallen on hard times and did not know what to do when it stopped running due to lack of fuel, so he parked it in hopes of repairing it one day. He hopes I fix it up, bring it back to him so he can see it and cry, so he has some sentimental attachment to the car. The sheet metal looks good and clean, including the doors, which can add to my parts for the Olds 442/Hurst Olds lineage, so I am thinking this could make a fantastic parts car. Part of me wants to fix it up a bit and drive it, but being a clone at best makes me think the parts route is the best way to go. Either way, I cant wait to get it! Pics to come when the ice age ends!

Thanks for the help!
Maytag

last time i encountered a car that sounds like yours it was actually a gn-------turned out it was stolen and had a regular regal vin attached to it-------i have actually seen this done on three different cars-------its alot of work to TOTALLY convert one of these cars from a carb to a turbo car--------if everything looks too correct you should be careful-------look carefully at the vin tag to see if it has been removed/replaced-------the rivets are VERY unique------they are "flowered" in order to make them hard to copy-------and if you still aren't sure the original vin is stamped on the frame rail.............RC

 

[just plain john]

I see a 7 in the VIN as you described it. Perhaps it was copied incorrectly. I find it unlikely that an owner who can't change a fuel pump is capable of pulling of an LC2 conversion. The spid sticker will tell you everything you need to know. If you can get a pic of it and post it here we can dechipher it for you.

 

[Maytag]

Regal Clone pics [was: Turbo Buick verification]

Hi folks,

Now that almost all the snow is gone here in Mass, I was able to check out that Regal clone I posted about a couple of months back. I forgot my nice camera, but the cell phone came through in a pinch. I took some pics, which I will put in my next (4th) post.

Vin rivets do not appear tampered at all, but based on the light of day, I am further convinced the car is a clone:
- incorrect spoiler on trunklid - not a fan of that & missed that previously.
- 87 grille on 86 model year car (I think thats an 87 grille)
- some spare parts in trunk, including another 87 (I think) grille
- tail pipes exit under rear bumper instead of behind rear wheel.

And what is up with that console? Never seen that before. Could the front and rear bench seats and console been swapped out from some other non Buick G-body car?

The car has the turbo 6 steering wheel and the what looks like the correct speedo cluster with boost gauge, and that front air dam. I always liked the factory equalizer radio, same that came in some of my Olds 442s/Hurst Olds.

Likely scope of work might be something like tune up, fluid change, tire change, tune up, address any brake/exhaust/engine accessory issues I'd expect the car to have, carpet & haedliner, door panel bottom swap, paint touch up, front and rear plastic facias, and of course the fuel pump. The car fires if you hook up a battery & shoot starting fluid in the plenum, and the 2004r trans is suppsoed to be good, though its been sitting... Still thinking of parting the car out, but feel free to tell me your opinions. Could make a good father/son project, and my son is ready for the challenge as seen in the pics haha

Thanks!
Maytag

 

[Maytag]

Hi folks,

Now that almost all the snow is gone here in Mass, I was able to check out that Regal clone I posted about a couple of months back. I forgot my nice camera, but the cell phone came through in a pinch. I took some pics, which I will put in my next (4th) post.

Vin rivets do not appear tampered at all, but based on the light of day, I am further convinced the car is a clone:
- incorrect spoiler on trunklid - not a fan of that & missed that previously.
- 87 grille on 86 model year car (I think thats an 87 grille)
- some spare parts in trunk, including another 87 (I think) grille
- tail pipes exit under rear bumper instead of behind rear wheel.

And what is up with that console? Never seen that before. Could the front and rear bench seats and console been swapped out from some other non Buick G-body car?

The car has the turbo 6 steering wheel and the what looks like the correct speedo cluster with boost gauge, and that front air dam. I always liked the factory equalizer radio, same that came in some of my Olds 442s/Hurst Olds.

Likely scope of work might be something like tune up, fluid change, tire change, tune up, address any brake/exhaust/engine accessory issues I'd expect the car to have, carpet & haedliner, door panel bottom swap, paint touch up, front and rear plastic facias, and of course the fuel pump. The car fires if you hook up a battery & shoot starting fluid in the plenum, and the 2004r trans is suppsoed to be good, though its been sitting... Still thinking of parting the car out, but feel free to tell me your opinions. Could make a good father/son project, and my son is ready for the challenge as seen in the pics haha

Thanks!
Maytag

Trying to put a link to pictures below:

Maytags Turbo Regal trying to be a T-Type

Thanks again for all the suggestions and replies.
Maytag

 

[turboc87gn]

Thats strange it appears you have a regal limited turbo t with the blackout trim but theres been badges added and moved here and there...I think the turbo t is 87 only tho it was t type till then...The interior is def a limited interior console and all..Your bezels are wrong they shouldnt be woodgrain..The spoiler is off a monte ss...The underhood has a lot of factory lookin stuff to be a clone..hmmm im sure someone else will chime in...The wheels look like 84 gn wheels...

 

[charlief1]

Not sure but it looks like it's got hydroboost on it.

 

["Turbo-T"]

The grille on the front of the car is an 84-86 grille...the one in the trunk (wider bars) is an 87 grille.

 

[maxcom]

The vin is from an 86 regal, 3.8 6 cyl