1984 Buick Regal Limited Coupe
• 252 CID V-6 engine
• Four-speed automatic transmission (code THM200-4R) and 3.08 gearing
• Medium Dark Royal Blue (code 27) over Light Royal Blue (code 22)
• Dark Royal Blue velour interior (code 22D)
• Air-conditioning (code C60), power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks (code AU3), power seat (code AG1), cruise control, driver’s sideview mirror, tilt steering column
• Delco-Bose AM/FM stereo with presets
• Factory wire wheels and rally sideview mirrors
• 108.1-inch wheelbase
By 1984, General Motors’ personal luxury cars (Buick’s Regal, Chevrolet’s Monte Carlo, Oldsmobile’s Cutlass Supreme and Pontiac’s Grand Prix) were on a roll, with Buick selling more than 166,000 Regal coupes in 1984 alone. This came three years after a major facelift for 1981 gave the Regal a much more aerodynamic profile, helping make it possible for the car to compete on the NASCAR racing circuit. The sloping hood and nose of the car made it the favorite of several NASCAR teams and reduced the drag coefficient by 18 percent.
This example was made in General Motors’ Flint, Michigan factory. It is finished in Medium Dark Royal Blue (code 27) over Light Royal Blue (code 22). The paint and trim are in good, original order, however, this car needs some TLC and would make a good weekend project car. The car’s rear bumper filler is missing on the right rear corner but the bumpers are others fit tightly to the body and the right bodyside molding is missing. The engine bay is in good, original order.
This Buick rolls on Toyo Extensa radials, size P215/70R14 at all four corners and each one is mounted to a steel wheel, topped with a factory wire wheel cover. Like all G-bodies at that time, this car rides a 108.1-inch wheelbase.
Under the hood is a 252 CID V-6 engine, this was the first naturally aspirated GM V-6 to feature a four-barrel carburetor. In response to rising gas prices, a larger 252 CID version of the 3.8-liter LD5 V-6 was produced from 1980 through 1984 and marketed as an alternative to a V-8. The bore was enlarged to 3.965 inches and this engine was used in many large rear-wheel drive Buicks. Backing the motor is a four-speed automatic transmission (code THM200-4R) and a 3.08:1 rear end. Driver convenience features include air-conditioning (code C60), power recirculating ball steering, power disc/drum brakes, power windows, power locks (code AU3), power seat (code AG1), cruise control, remote driver’s side mirror and tilt steering column.
Inside is a Dark Royal Blue velour interior (code 22D). The front split-bench seat is in good, original order, as is the rear bench. One of the sun visors and the rearview mirror need to be replaced but the dashboard is in good, original order with its faux, burled wood trim. That wood trim is repeated on the inner door panels.
A downsized Regal appeared for the 1978 model year with Buick’s new 196 CID V-6 engine as standard equipment and a revised version of the venerable 231 CID V-6 as an option (which became standard for 1980). Initially, a three-speed manual transmission was standard but this was later replaced by an automatic. At the time of introduction, Regals were available exclusively as coupés with the Century nameplate applied to standard equipment sedans and station wagons. It was the first time the name appeared on a full model lineup. The wagon was discontinued after 1983, and the sedan dropped from the lineup the next year. This generation Regal lasted 10 years. The base model was equipped with softer-riding luxury suspension and did not offer a manual transmission in later years.
Competition to this Buick in 1984 included Buick’s Century Coupe, Chevrolet’s Monte Carlo, Dodge’s 600, Ford’s Thunderbird, Honda’s Prelude, Mercury’s Cougar, Oldsmobile’s Cutlass Ciera and Cutlass Supreme, Pontiac’s 6000 coupe and Grand Prix.
If you’re looking for one of General Motors’ personal luxury coupes from the 1980s that needs s