| Well it only took 32 yrs, but I finally got my first taste of the legendary Turbo Buick 6! I've owned just about every other 80's GM performance car (442, SS, GP, C4 Vette, Formula, T/A), but never a Turbo Buick. I came VERY close to getting mom into a then-left over 87 GNX from our local dealer.
The original plan was to use this as a development car for 2 primary products: a modern GM ECM/harness management system upgrade and, of course, a 6 speed auto upgrade. But we're not talking about a 6L80 bc that would require gutting the interior and cutting the floorpan. That's not how TBM does things. Nor are we talking about TCI's 4L80 6X bc that unit is a heavy monster with a high (numerically low) first gear and low (numerically high) O/D. None of which aids in performance of fuel economy. No, TBM will be introducing it's compact 6 speed auto in our Turbo T making the journey to 11 seconds and 30 MPG even easier. Plus the ability to tune the transmission electronically vs with hard components that need to be swapped out of you 200R4!
So this car is interesting as clues do not lend themselves to present this as a run of the mill 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T ordered by an enthusiast. It is a late 1986 build with the known/rumored FBI spec options. Base Regal with LC2, split bench seats, column shift, tilt, A/C, PW, PDL, AM/FM/Cassette. Aluminum front and rear bumper support along with aluminum rear drums, but no G80 posi rear.
It gets even more curious. The last window inspection sticker shows 2012. The odometer shows 17k. It's a car from the south and when first titled it shows 7 miles, but odometer reporting exempt! Then, despite the State of Virginia requiring annual inspections, this car somehow went 7 years before the very 1st report of an emissions inspection in Fairfax, VA; nearly 70,000 miles later!! It's 3rd data entry, 6 years later in 1999, shows another inspection in Woodbridge, VA, but with no mileage reported. Finally in 2001, it shows over 100k miles and a new owner is reported. One year later, a 3rd owner reports 45k and only then are annual inspection reportings shown but with no mileage be it EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS.
As we restore it back to roadworthy condition, we will find clues of just how original it is. The rear aluminum bumper brace has been replaced with steel. There are several performance upgrades. Maybe an accident or engine issue kept it off the road? Time will tell.
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