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Would love to go to that event but oddly a Google search doesn't find the Buick Parade at Shady Acres. Hmm.
My buddy has a GN (but no double wide... yet). It's quick and torquey, and reminds me of my dad's GS400 from when I was a kid. The exhaust rumble is very shark-like even with the V6. A very fun and, yes, classic car.
Would love to go to that event but oddly a Google search doesn't find the Buick Parade at Shady Acres. Hmm.
My buddy has a GN (but no double wide... yet). It's quick and torquey, and reminds me of my dad's GS400 from when I was a kid. The exhaust rumble is very shark-like even with the V6. A very fun and, yes, classic car.
And that's why I saw tons of them at the Buick Parade, at the Shady Acres Trailer Park & Self Storage lot.
Unlikely they were GNs. Maybe lookalikes, or tribute, but the real GNs are pretty well looked after. An even more rare car than the GN is the Buick T-Type(86-87, Regal). Basically the same drivetrain, but has T roof panels, and not in black. Similar performance, but fewer out there. If you find a T-Type and it's not molested, it's a real value proposition.
Like all Buicks, the GN doesn't really turn anyway, so why have bolsters? True nostalgia - I think it's hard to find bench seats even in a pickup now.
Grand Nationals did not have bench seats. Buckets in the front, only, with full console. They were two-tone cloth.
The seats were comfortable, and had reasonable bolstering. Early Grand Nationals could be had with a sport seat, including addl. lumbar and thigh support.
Easy "fix" to getting the cars to do more than just go in a straight line, was to ditch the skinny tires for a set of 245-width tires, all around.
Unlikely they were GNs. Maybe lookalikes, or tribute, but the real GNs are pretty well looked after. An even more rare car than the GN is the Buick T-Type(86-87, Regal). Basically the same drivetrain, but has T roof panels, and not in black. Similar performance, but fewer out there. If you find a T-Type and it's not molested, it's a real value proposition.
You are right about many of the intercooler turbo Buicks being cared for. 1986-1987 were the intercooler versions. T-Type was the nomenclature for 1986 cars "in colors" vs. the all black GN. In 1987, they became the "T" model. Had nothing to do with the T-top option though, and could also be had standard with hardtop, or an Astroroof.
The 1986 and 1987 GN model was neat, and a well-defined package. But strangely enough, G80 Positraction was an option, much like on our 928s. Odd, in a performance car.
The Turbo Regal was a free for all engine option to the Regal, and could be had in base trim, all the way to the Limited model with pillowed interior and leather, coach lamps, cornering lights, and so much more - or less - even with crank windows and bench seats with column shift.
These cars were very fast, and for little money, "recipe" cars were cooked-up to run in the 12s, or quicker. But they were flying bricks. Brakes were okay, suspensions softer than they should've been, but with looks to kill. I'd own another, adding to my collection of 1980s performance cars.
You are right about many of the intercooler turbo Buicks being cared for. 1986-1987 were the intercooler versions. T-Type was the nomenclature for 1986 cars "in colors" vs. the all black GN. In 1987, they became the "T" model. Had nothing to do with the T-top option though, and could also be had standard with hardtop, or an Astroroof.
The 1986 and 1987 GN model was neat, and a well-defined package. But strangely enough, G80 Positraction was an option, much like on our 928s. Odd, in a performance car.
The Turbo Regal was a free for all engine option to the Regal, and could be had in base trim, all the way to the Limited model with pillowed interior and leather, coach lamps, cornering lights, and so much more - or less - even with crank windows and bench seats with column shift.
These cars were very fast, and for little money, "recipe" cars were cooked-up to run in the 12s, or quicker. But they were flying bricks. Brakes were okay, suspensions softer than they should've been, but with looks to kill. I'd own another, adding to my collection of 1980s performance cars.
Sorry, you're right on the T tops. I thought they all had that because I saw a few of them at a rally somewhere and they all had that weird top option. But it wasn't a requirement from the build. I tried to buy a T-type a few years ago in TX. When I got there, the guy started to interview me like I wasn't 'worthy' of his car. I left, and the car was on CL for months later, going down in price each time renewed. Sad.
Sorry, you're right on the T tops. I thought they all had that because I saw a few of them at a rally somewhere and they all had that weird top option. But it wasn't a requirement from the build. I tried to buy a T-type a few years ago in TX. When I got there, the guy started to interview me like I wasn't 'worthy' of his car. I left, and the car was on CL for months later, going down in price each time renewed. Sad.
I never understood the "owner interview", either. I mean, if my money is green, so what... Although I've "interviewed" a few sellers, only to learn they are wing nuts, and I would not buy their cars at any price. LOL
Here's my 1987 GN (old scratched-up pic of a pic). It had T-Tops, which are something I would not do again - t-tops, or the black paint... But find me a "T" in a different hue, and I am in. Provided the doors, etc. aren't rotted.
Aren't the doors cheap and easy to change? Cool car you had, I liked them and the Turbo Trans Ams with the same engine too.
Pretty sure the Trans Am with turbo was the 301 V8. Different chassis, diff suspension, trans, and engine. Might have shared the rear end, but not much else.
01-23-2018, 11:09 PM
928s in an ad, not sure of real, or chop...
