Why This Car Is Special

The 1987 Buick Regal Turbo represents the final year of one of the most underrated performance stories in American automotive history. While the muscle car era is typically associated with big-block V8s and raw carburetion, Buick took a different path with its turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 — and the results were genuinely fast. The factory-rated 235 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque from the sequential fuel-injected turbo engine made the 1987 Buick Regal T-Type and its sibling, the Grand National, capable of running mid-to-high 13-second quarter-mile times in stock form. That was quicker than most V8 cars of the era, including the contemporary Mustang GT and Camaro Z28.

What you're looking at here is a 1987 Buick Regal that has been thoughtfully built on top of that already-capable platform. The owner added an upgraded turbocharger and an Alky Control methanol injection system — two of the most proven performance modifications in the Buick turbo community. Methanol injection serves a dual purpose: it cools the intake charge and acts as a detonation suppressant, allowing the ECM to run more boost without the knock retard that limits factory power. The ScanMaster gauge mounted in the dash lets the driver monitor O2 millivolts and knock retard in real time, which is essential data when you're pushing a turbocharged engine beyond its stock calibration. This car is set up by someone who understood what they were doing, not just throwing parts at it.

The 1987 model year also holds a specific place in Buick history as the last year the turbocharged Regal was produced. After 1987, General Motors ended production of the G-body platform, and with it, the turbo Regal lineup. That makes all 1987 turbocharged Regals inherently collectible, and well-built examples with legitimate go-fast modifications are increasingly difficult to find in honest, driver-quality condition.

Features List

• 3.8L SFI Turbocharged V6
• Upgraded aftermarket turbocharger
• Alky Control methanol injection system
• 700R4 4-Speed Automatic transmission
• Dual exhaust
• ScanMaster turbo monitoring gauge
• Aftermarket boost gauge
• Knock retard gauge
• Glass T-tops
• Vinyl Landau top
• Chrome Rally wheels
• Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires
• Power steering
• Power front disc brakes
• Air conditioning
• Tilt steering column
• T-Type sport steering wheel with red "T" center cap
• Center console
• Power windows and locks
• Rear window defroster
• Pioneer stereo head unit
• Turbo 3.8 Litre hood ornament
• Body by Fisher sill plate badge
• Clean undercarriage

Mechanical

The heart of this 1987 Buick Regal is the 3.8-liter sequential port fuel-injected turbocharged V6, which Buick developed through the late 1970s and refined significantly by 1984 when intercooling was added to the production cars. By 1987, the engine featured a ceramic-element MAF sensor, a Garrett turbocharger in stock form, and an ECM that managed boost, fuel trim, and spark timing simultaneously. This particular car departs from stock with an upgraded turbocharger and the Alky Control methanol injection system — a well-regarded kit in the Buick turbo world that uses a dedicated reservoir, pump, and nozzle to spray a methanol-water mixture into the intake stream under boost. The result is a significant drop in intake air temperature and a reduction in detonation that allows more aggressive timing and boost levels than pump gasoline alone would permit.

The 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission backs the engine. This transmission was a known weak point in high-output Buick turbo applications, and the fact that this car has the 700R4 is worth noting for any serious buyer — those planning to run this car hard should be aware of its torque limits and factor in the possibility of a future transmission upgrade. The dual exhaust system and the dual side-exit muffler setup visible in the undercarriage photos indicate that spent gases are flowing more freely than in a stock configuration, which complements the upgraded induction side.

The undercarriage photos tell a very good story. The floorpans, frame rails, and suspension components are clean, with no visible rust or rot. The rear axle housing, control arms, and coil spring perches all look solid. For a nearly 40-year-old car, especially one that has been driven with some enthusiasm, this is exactly what you want to see when the car goes up on the lift.

Interior

The interior of this 1987 Buick Regal is finished in blue cloth throughout — seats, door panels, carpet, and headliner all carry the same coordinated blue color scheme. The split front bucket seats with individual headrests are in good condition, and the rear bench seat shows the same level of care. The door panels retain their original cloth inserts with chrome trim accents and power window switches, and the Body by Fisher sill plate is present and intact — a detail that collectors specifically look for on these cars.

The dashboard is largely factory-correct, with the flat black instrument panel, Buick Regal identification on the passenger side, and the horizontal speedometer with an integrated turbo boost gauge that was standard equipment. Sitting in the center of the dash, where the factory radio once lived, is a Pioneer stereo head unit, with the ScanMaster mounted in the space below — positioned where the driver can read it without looking away from the road. The ScanMaster displays critical engine data including O2 sensor millivolts, knock retard, boost, throttle position, and battery voltage. It's the single most important gauge for anyone tuning or monitoring a Buick 3.8 turbo.

An aftermarket boost gauge and a knock retard gauge are mounted on the A-pillar pod near the driver. Combined with the ScanMaster, this car gives its driver more real-time engine data than most modern sports cars provide. The T-Type sport steering wheel with its red "T" center cap is present and correct, mounted on a tilt column. The center console houses the 700R4 shifter, and the floor mats display the Buick turbocharged logo embroidery. Air conditioning controls are visible and operable, and the rear window defroster rounds out the comfort equipment.

Exterior

The exterior of this 1987 Buick Regal is finished in Dark Blue-Green Metallic, a color that reads differently depending on the light — in direct sun it shows strong green undertones, and in shade it pulls toward blue-gray. It's a factory color that suits the understated look of this generation Regal well. The vinyl Landau top covers the rear roof section in the traditional formal coupe style that was a factory option on the Regal, and it appears to be in solid condition without visible cracking or lifting at the edges.

The glass T-tops are in place, and the roof area around the openings looks clean. T-top cars from this era frequently show wear or water intrusion at the header seals, so this is an area to inspect closely during any in-person evaluation. The Turbo 3.8 Litre hood ornament sits on the leading edge of the hood, an exterior identifier that distinguishes turbocharged Regals from their naturally aspirated counterparts.

The chrome Rally wheels are in good shape with a polished finish, and they're wrapped in Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires, a classic-look radial that works well aesthetically on this generation of GM intermediate. The chrome front and rear bumpers are straight and reflective, and the body panels appear straight with consistent panel gaps. The Buick's signature waterfall grille is present and intact at the front, and the full-width taillamp treatment at the rear is a clean factory design that held up well over the years.

Conclusion

The 1987 Buick Regal Turbo was the last of its kind when it rolled off the line at the Flint, Michigan assembly plant, and well-modified examples like this one are getting harder to find as the years go by. This car has been set up intelligently — upgraded turbocharger, Alky Control methanol injection, dual exhaust, and a full suite of monitoring gauges — which separates it from cars that look fast but haven't been properly developed. The undercarriage is clean, the interior is intact, and the exterior retains the subtle, understated character that made the Buick turbo cars so effective at going fast without advertising it.

If you've been looking for a 1987 Buick Regal Turbo that's been built with purpose and maintained with care, this is worth a serious look.

Call Skyway Classics at 941-254-6608 to get more information or to schedule an in-person inspection.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.