Buick Regal
Submitted by Jayhind2k8 - 26 February 2008
Background
The Buick Regal was an automobile manufactured under the Buick division of General Motors from 1973 up until 2004. The car debuted as a personal luxury car for its first six years. It was later overhauled as a more conventional mid-size car which was available in coupe and sedan versions for the majority of its production. In general, the Regal's design and engineering placed a greater emphasis of sporty ride capability and characteristics than most other Buick's built during it production. Throughout the history of the Regal, four generations of cars were built, showcasing many of the changes in automobile technologies in the more than three decades of its existence. It was also a car very much influenced by changes in the corporate structure, and evolution of both General Motors and the United States into an automaker of the 21st Century.
The Personal Luxury Era (1973 to 1977)
The Regal served as one of GM's first personal luxury cars. Automobiles of this type were designed to meet the needs of the driver, offering most amenities and creature comforts at the wheel, rendering the rest of the interior of the car somewhat conventional. This emphasis on both control and simplicity was very popular upon introduction.
The model itself was built on GM's A-body in a RWD/Longitudinal Layout. The Regal had a choice of three powertrains:
- 231 in³ V6
- 350 in³ V8
- 455 in³ V8
The V6 engine made its way into the market in 1975 and was a predecessor to GM's legendary 3800 Series V6 engines. The introduction of the option can be see as an early response to the increased fuel prices after 1973. The Regal was notably amongst the first mid-sized cars equipped with a V6 engine, a momentous change in a class of automobiles that typically carried V8 engines. Soon after the American auto industry as a whole would retool for major V6 powerplant production.
Updated by Bill Bowman 14 August 2008
Downsized Era (1978-1987)
The Regal was trimmed down for 1987 and its 231 CID V6 was reduced to 196 CID for the lighter-weight Regal. Also a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 gave the Regal an unexpected reputation for performance. The Turbo Regal included a firm handling suspension with larger tires and sport wheels.
The Regal had an aero restyle for 1981, making it possible for the car to compete on the NASCAR racing circuit, where it won the manufactures title in 1981 and 1982.
In 1982, the Regal Grand National debuted with a 4.1 liter V6 engine or an optional 180 HP turbocharged V6. There was no Grand National in 1983, but it returned in 1984 in all black paint. In 1987, a WE4 lightweight version option was available along with the GNX, which was created to be the "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals". The GNX was claimed to be the
fastest production sedan ever built, at the time.
The 1987 rear drive Regal, reaching the end of its long production run, was still a popular Buick, available in Regal, Regal Limited and Regal Grand National.
Front-Wheel Drive Era (1988-1996)
In 1988 a new front-wheel drive Regal was introduced on the GM W platform. It had no serious performance option or editions. There was no V8 engine and the V6 no longer offered a turbocharger. It was offered as a coupe only until 1990 when a 4-door sedan was introduced.
The Regal was offered in base Custom and upscale Limited trim lines, with a Gran Sport appearance package added in 1991. The 3.8-liter V6 was unique to the Regal. In 1994, the Limited coupe was dropped from the lineup. For 1996, the last year for this model, 35 horsepower was added and only the Custom and Gran Sport coupes remained.
The Last Regals (1997-2004)
In 1997, the Buick Regal and Buick Century became versions of the same car, offered only as a 4-door sedan on a revised W platform. As the up market version, the Regal offered larger engines and fancier trim, and a newer version of the 3.8-liter V6. Most of the differences were cosmetic.
The Buick Regal GS was a supercharged version that produced 240 horsepower. All Buick Regals were assembled at the Oshawa Car Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. The final 2004 Buick Regal rolled off the assembly line on June 1st, 2004.
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