1987 Buick Regal Turbo-T Limited, one of 1,035, 50k miles
A rare Grand National cousin with the Limited trim and leather, but it has a body kit and the A/C needs work.
1987 Buick Regal Turbo-T Limited
Sold Rare The listing says this is one of 1,035 Turbo-T Limited models built for 1987, the only year the Turbo-T was offered.
Why we picked it
The Turbo-T Limited combines the 245 hp turbocharged 3.8 V6 and 200-4R automatic from the Grand National with the chrome trim and plush interior of the Regal Limited. The listing says Buick built 1,035 of them, all in 1987. This one is Dark Red Metallic with dark red leather. The VIN (1G4GM1170HP) decodes as a Regal Limited with the turbo 3.8, and the seller provides a clean CARFAX and a Wisconsin title.
The seller has added an aftermarket body kit, 16-inch wheels, an intake filter and an exhaust, and says the A/C needs service. Those changes cost collector value, which is why it fits our site: it is a cheaper way into a rare turbo G-body. The bid is $8,500 with the reserve not met and about 10 days left. Watch where the reserve sits compared with the $24,000 to $39,000 that recent Turbo-Ts have sold for.
The value check
When we found it, the bid was $16,250. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $24,000–$39,000, so the middle of the market is about $31,500. That put this car 48% under.
Recent 1987 Turbo-T sales on classic.com: $38,500 (original, 54k miles, May 2026), $39,250 (modified, 81k, Sep 2026) and $24,000 (modified, 71k, May 2026). One modified car sold for $16,000 in May 2026. The $8,500 is a current bid on a reserve auction.
What to check
- Confirm the factory equipment with the trim tag and the RPO sticker in the trunk, if it is still there.
- Check the turbo for shaft play and oil smoke, look for a leaking intercooler and coupler, and make sure the boost is at the stock setting.
- The 200-4R is the weak link behind more boost: check the shift quality and the TV cable adjustment.
- G-body rust spots: the rear window channel, the trunk floor, the lower quarters behind the rear wheels, and the frame near the rear control arm mounts.
- Find out whether the body kit can come off cleanly and whether the original wheels and trim come with the car.
Making it drive like new
The turbo 3.8 responds well to a modern ECU or chip, a bigger intercooler, a fuel pump and injectors, plus a built 200-4R or a 4L60E/4L80E swap. On the chassis side, add boxed rear control arms, a rear sway bar, better shocks and bigger brakes from the GN/Turbo-T aftermarket. Keep the original parts so the Limited can go back to stock.
2 builders make a complete chassis for the 1978–88 GM G-body (Monte Carlo, Regal, Cutlass, Grand Prix). Compare them side by side, along with what it takes to stiffen the factory frame.
How it ended
It sold for $20,865 on Oct 13, 2026, against a market value of about $31,500 when we found it.
What 1978–88 GM G-body (Monte Carlo, Regal, Cutlass, Grand Prix) cars sell for
| Condition | Sales | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | 10 | $7,300 | $17,125 | $24,250 |
| Collector | 1 | $24,000 | $24,000 | $24,000 |
Recent sales
| Car | Condition | Result | Date | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 El Camino Conquista | Driver | $9,900 | Jul 23, 2026 | Mecum |
| 1986 El Camino Conquista | Collector | $24,000 | Jul 22, 2026 | Bring a Trailer |
| 1984 El Camino | Driver | $7,300 | Jul 15, 2026 | Bring a Trailer |
| 1984 El Camino Choo Choo SS | Driver | $14,250 | Jun 11, 2026 | Bring a Trailer |
| 1983 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds | Driver | $23,100 | May 10, 2026 | Mecum |
| 1983 Hurst/Olds 15th Anniversary Coupe (GAA) | Driver | $20,000 | Apr 11, 2026 | Elsewhere |
| 1982 El Camino Conquista | Driver | $7,600 | Feb 25, 2026 | Cars & Bids |
| 1978 Chevrolet El Camino (Corvette 5.7) | Driver | $8,560 | Nov 7, 2025 | Hagerty Marketplace |
