In 1973, medium-sized cars at General Motors A-platform underwent a complete redesign, which in the case of "Buick" name change was accompanied by a model. Former names of Skylark and GS declined, new medium-sized model became known as Century and Regal ("Regal"). The latter name was an entirely new, but the name was used already in the Century 1936-1942 and 1954-1958 years. for "intermediate" (but still full) model with a powerful motor and a small wheelbase.
Model Regal, which had the same body, positioned as a "fancy" compared to the Century. In the first year of the Regal was manufactured exclusively in the 2-door version, occupying a niche "personal luxury coupe." Generally, to be honest, this piece of history from the Buick the scarcity of sources is known relatively poorly
That looked like Regal in 1973:
In those days it was the rage, and GM models on the A-platform, enjoyed great success. In 1974 model year, the exterior has changed very slightly Century.
4-door Regal appeared in 1974 and produced until 1977, figuriruya called "Colonnade Hardtop Sedan". These hardtop while the withdrawal of U.S. producers of lines, so as no longer meet federal safety standards. However, the audience, apparently, is still pecking at the word "hardtop", so this box was invented - "Colonnade hardtop", with a central reception, but deprived of door glass frames, as in the normal hardtop. As for the lower model, then, of course, that is not present, the Landau (or landau, landolet, landaulet), characterized in that it has lowered the rear of the roof. Just at that time in America was the name of some luxury coupe in the assembly, which included a vinyl top over the rear of the cabin.
Century model of the same year:
In 1976,
Century and Regal were serious feysliftu. Sedans were paired rectangular headlamps, arranged one above the other ("staked"), and the coupe - a completely different, more angular, front and heel.
1976 Buick Regal Coupe (rear does not differ from Century Coupe)
In 1977, Century Coupe and Regal Coupe practically retained their appearance. Sedans, too, actually has not changed.
There was also a 1977 Buick Century station wagon - the car these days is very rare.
In 1978, medium-sized "Buick", keeping its rear-wheel drive A-platform, at the same time have been redesigned as part of the "great uzhato" American cars. Since then, the Regal is available only in 2-door version, finally occupying the niche of personal luxury coupe (though not forever). A Century gets unsightly body angular hatchback, which the then managers of General Motors considered trendy. But they miscalculated. Machines with this body (which is officially called the Aerodeck) Americans do not like. Whether it was in a bad design, or even mid-size cars in hatchback (which by European standards still were large and very large) is inappropriate. True, like Century was this generation and conventional notchback (according to other sources, it appeared only in 1980).
In 1981 he finally stopped production of Century with a body Aerodeck. In the lineup were just a normal three-volume sedans (and wagons).
Regal also held this year and got a serious feyslift aerodynamic nose "shovel", and with what was produced without major changes until 1987.
Century is in the next year has undergone a complete redesign and switched to front wheel drive.
Regal was manufactured until 1987 without any changes. The only major difference - the new taillights, a 1985 split in two white horizontal line.
Nevertheless, this machine is quite remarkable, since its base the Buick Grand National (formally it is not considered a separate model, and the only complete set), which gained a reputation as a "modern muscle car'a." He offered to customers in 1982 and 1984-1987. All Grand National'y painted only in black, and for this, as well as for its aggressive look got the nickname "Darth Vader car." They installed a 3.8-liter V6 with a turbocharger and intercooler, which in 1987 amounted to 245 hp power Currently, they are very popular among collectors.
With machines of this generation Buick Regal, in addition to changing the name of the platform, linked another confusion. The fact that the old rear-drive Buick Century and continued to publish after 1982, but now also called the Buick Regal. Sedan was manufactured in 1982-1987 years. And wagon - in 1982-1983., Until the front wheel drive station wagon Century.
Buick Regal (Grand National)
Features at a glance
The first generation
Other names of Buick Century Regal
Years 1973-1977
Body 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan
Platform A-body
Engines 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6
350 cu in (5.7 L) V8
455 cu in (7.5 L) V8
CAT 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic
Relatives of the Buick Century
Chevrolet El Camino
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Pontiac Grand Am
Pontiac Grand Prix
Second generation
Years 1978-1987
Body 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon
Platform A-body (1978-1981) G-body (1982-1987)
Engines 196 cu in (3.2 L) Buick V6
231 cu in (3.8 L) Buick V6
252 cu in (4.1 L) Buick V6
265 cu in (4.3 L) Pontiac V8
301 cu in (4.9 L) Pontiac V8
305 cu in (5 L) Chevrolet V8
307 cu in (5 L) Oldsmobile V8
CAT 3-speed manual
3-speed THM200 automatic
4-speed THM200-4R automatic
Base 108 in (2743.2 mm)
Relatives of the Buick Century
Chevrolet El Camino
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Pontiac Bonneville
Pontiac Grand Am
Pontiac Grand Prix
Pontiac LeMans
Buick