1981 Buick Regal Parts & Accessories

1981 Buick Regal

The Buick Regal was the top-of-the-line Buick Century when it was introduced in 1973. The Regal became its own line when the Century name was dropped in 1975. In 1978 the Regal was downsized as it shared the A-body platform with other intermediate GM products, available as both a two-door coupe and four-door sedan. Turbocharged V6s were always an option for the Regal, which included firmer suspensions with larger tires and sport wheels. Buick was eyeing NASCAR as a means to “win on Sunday, sell on Monday.” So in 1981 the Regal received a major facelift that sloped the front end down for better aerodynamics, helping Richard Petty win the 1981 Daytona 500. With Buick winning the NASCAR manufacturer’s title in both 1981 and 1982, to commemorate they produced the limited production Grand National Regal, which brought back performance to the marketing of Buick. To this point Buicks were considered grandma cars—not anymore. In 1983 Regal got their own “T-Type”- a Buick performance variant found on other lines. Grand National was back in 1984 running through to the end of this body in 1987. In 1987 both a lightweight “WE4” turbocharged Regal, and a modified Grand National called “GNX” were added to Buick’s performance lineup. 1987 was the last year for the A-body Regal, replaced in 1988 by the new W-body front wheel drive platform.

1981 Buick Regal

Regal received its first facelift, partially to minimize frontal area to better compete in NASCAR. A sloping nose, arches around the wheel openings, and four headlights were the main changes. The front and rear bumpers were better integrated to the body than in previous years.

Available Models:

• Body Style:
• 2-Door Hardtop

• Engine Options
• 231ci 3.8-L V6, 110hp
• 231ci 3.8-L V6 Turbo
• 252ci 4.1L V6
• 265ci 4.3-L V6, 120hp

1981 Regal VIN Decoder:

First Character: Country

• 1 ~ USA

Second Character: Company

• G ~ GM

Third Character: Division of GM

• 4 ~ Buick

Fourth Character: Restraint System

• A ~ Manual

Fifth Character: Type

• J ~ Regal
• K ~ Regal T-Type
• M ~ Regal

Sixth and Seventh Characters: Body Style

• 47 ~ Regal 2-Door

Eighth Character: Engine

• A ~ 231ci 2bbl-V6
• 3 ~ 231ci 2bbl-V6 SFI
• B ~ 231ci V6
• 4 ~ 252ci 2bbl-V6
• S ~ 265ci 2bbl-V6

Ninth Character: Check Digit

• X ~

Tenth Character: Year

• B ~ 1981

Eleventh Character: Plant

• H ~ Flint, Michigan

Twelfth-Seventeenth Characters: Production Sequence

• 400001/Up