All in all, the 1986 Buick Regal never lost its elegance. Amazed by its durability, many Buick Regal enthusiasts still preserve this model. A couple of modifications will jack up the performance level of this original muscle car. In 1986, Buick added Intercooling to their Turbo Regal Lineup, boosting power levels to 235hp and 330ft lb of torque. Approximately 5500 Grand Nationals and 2400 T-Types were made this year.

 

Additionally, in 1986, Buick released the only other carline to carry the Grand National emblem, the LeSabre Grand National, powered by a 3.8 SFI Non-turbo engine driving the front wheels. At 112 models made, this is the rarest of the cars wearing the Grand National emblem. Powered by a 3.8 Liter engine with a roller valve train, aluminum 15' wheels, FE1 suspension, front spoiler, dual exhaust, bench front seat, no gauges, and not even a LeSabre badge other than on the dash.

 

The GN Badge on this model differed from the Regal GN in that the Turbo-6 was all red, instead of the traditional Yellow/Red as on the Regal GN. Rumor is this was done to differentiate turbo'ed and non-turbo'ed vehicles. Solid, reliable: The 86 Regal is very solid with good amount of steel everywhere. Doors are heavy enough to close with a "thud" and the body holds up well in fender-benders.

 

The chrome bumpers had a plastic strip on it, so little bumps with immovable objects did nothing to the car. There is rear visibility all around: The rear window is excellent in that it is almost flat and perpendicular to the ground, which makes backing up a cinch.