1987 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.
1987 Buick Regal
Retailing for $29,900 was the Grand National GNX, the ultimate Grand National Buick, of which 547 were made. A reprogrammed 200-4R automatic transmission, bigger tires, unique instrumentation, and other features distinguished the GNX. This was the last year of the 108-inch wheelbase A-body platform Regal.
Available Models:
1987 Regal
- Engine Options
- 231ci 3.8-L V6, 110hp
- 231ci 3.8-L V6, 180hp
- 231ci 3.8-L V6 Turbo, 245hp
- 231ci 3.8-L V6 Turbo, 276hp
- 231ci V6 Diesel, 85hp
- 307ci V8, 140hp
1987 Regal VIN Decoder:
First Character: Country
Second Character: Manufacturer
Third Character: Make
Fourth and Fifth Characters: Restraint System
- GJ ~ Regal
- GK ~ Regal T-type
- GM ~ Regal t-Type
Sixth Character: Body
Seventh Character: Restraint
Eighth Character: Engine
- A ~ 3.8L V6
- 3 ~ 3.8L V6
- 7 ~ 3.8L V6
- H ~ 5.0L
- Y ~ 5.0L V8
Ninth Character: Check Digit
Tenth Character: Year
Eleventh Character: Plant Code
Twelfth-Seventeenth Characters: Serial Number
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