The 1981 Buick Regal received styling updates that resulted in a more aerodynamic profile that made it more suitable for NASCAR competition. During the 1981 NASCAR season, Richard Petty drove a Regal to victory in the Daytona 500, and the car won the majority of the races during the 1981 and 1982 seasons and won the NASCAR manufacturers title in 1981 and 1982.

The 1981 Buick Regal was part of the Second Generation of styling, introduced in 1978 and built through 1987. Compared to the First Generation, the '2nd Gen' was smaller with a 108.1-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 200.6-inches, compared to a 112-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 212-inches of the '1st Gen' (the sedans had a length of 216-inches). Buick's new 196 cubic-inch V6 engine became standard equipment and a revised version of the 231 cubic-inch V6 was optional. The 231 CID V6 became standard for 1980. A three-speed manual transmission was initially standard but was later replaced by an automatic gearbox. Initially, body styles were exclusively coupes but gained a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon in the early 1980s when the Century was replaced by an all-new car on the front-wheel-drive A platform. The wagon was dropped after 1983 and the sedan followed a year later.

Styling updates for 1981 included a raked front end with a new grille, downward-sloping hood, and a taller rear end with a spoiler-type cutoff. The grille had vertical bars and angled sharply outward, with Buick - in block letters - inset into the upper horizontal bar. The name 'Regal' - in script - was positioned at the lower corner. The grille was flanked by dual, square headlights and rested above the integrated bumper. Wide horizontal parking and turn lamps were integrated into the bumper. In the back were full-width, wraparound taillamps. There was a redesigned reinforced plastic wheelhouse panel that contained a battery tray and a new side-lift frame jack.

A special Somerset Limited Edition trim was offered on the 1980 and 1981 Regal. It received unique tan and dark blue designer exterior paint, sport mirrors, chrome Somerset badging, and wire wheel covers. The interior had brushed chrome trim, Somerset badging, and tan and blue plush velour upholstery. The 1981 Somerset Edition wore unique dark sandstone and Carmel exterior paint, turbine wheels, and sport mirrors. The velour upholstery was finished in camel and dark brown piping.

The Buick Regal Limited trim level wore new wheel covers, optional cornering lights, and bodyside wide rocker panel moldings that traveled from ahead of the front wheels to the back of the rear wheels. A new blue crest was located on the hood. The interiors were done in new soft knit velour fabric and new fur-like carpeting extended to the lower door sections. The standard seating was 55/45 with a fold-down center armrest but could be optioned with the new 45/55 seating configuration.

The Decour Package came with sport mirrors, a sport steering wheel, turbine wheels, and was offered in four colors and each had a silver lower section. There were a black-trimmed grille, headlamps and taillamps, and turbine-style wheels, a sport steering wheel, and wide bright center rocker molding.

The 1981 Buick Regal coupe had a base price of $7,550 and the Regal Sport Coupe with the turbocharged V6 listed for $8,530. The Regal Limited was priced at $8,025. The standard engine was an overhead-valve V6 with a cast-iron block and head, a 231 cubic-inch displacement, a compression ratio of 8.0:1, four main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel Rochester carburetor, and delivered 110 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 190 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPM. The optional turbocharged version had 170 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The optional 265 cubic-inch V8 built by Pontiac had an 8.0:1 compression ratio, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel Rochester carburetor, and delivered 119 horsepower at 4,00 RPM and 203 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 RPM. The engines were backed by a Turbo Hydramatic transmission with a converter clutch, and stopping power was provided by the front disc and rear drum brakes. Standard equipment continued to include the sport mirrors and fast-ratio power steering. When the turbocharged engine was installed, the hood received a 'Turbo 3.8-Liter' emblem proudly proclaiming what was lurking underneath.

New standard equipment included a lighter weight battery and low-rolling-resistance tires. New options included the electronically-tuned radio with Extended Range speakers and the Gran Touring suspension.

The total Buick Regal coupe production, including the turbocharged Sport Coupe, for 1981 was 123,848 units, plus 116,352 units of the Regal Limited coupe.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Coupe

For the 1981 season, Richard Petty quickly realized that after returning to Dodge, the Mirada would not be competitive on the super-speedways like Daytona and Talladega, so he opted to buy a Buick Regal for the season-opening Daytona 500. With 25 laps remaining in the race, Petty used a 'fuel-only' pit stop to outwit Bobby Allison, which allowed him to take home his seventh Daytona 500 trophy - a record that still stands today (as of 2010).

Frequently sharing the same body and power-train as the Century, the Buick Regal was a mid-size vehicle that was produced by General Motors' Buick division from 1973 through 2004. Slow to react to develop in the lower priced mid-size personal luxury market, Buick wanted to market to compete against the Olds Cutlass Supreme, the Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo.

The Regal was introduced in 1973 as a top line coupe located in the GM intermediate A-body line, the Century. This same year also marked the unveiling of the first major restyling of the GMs intermediate A-body design since 1968. This was also the first major restyling for the intermediate based G-body that was used in both the Monte Carlo and the Grand Prix.

The original Regal shared the front and rear styling of the Century, though subtle distinctions separated them and included differing grilles and taillight lenses. The same 'Colonnade' pillared hardtop roofline and greenhouse were shared with the Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Cutlass Supreme, and the lower-priced Buick Century Luxus coupe. The newly fashionable opera windows were also featured in the Buick Regal rather than the traditional roll-down windows. A new four-door Colonnade sedan was debuted in 1974 until 1977, while the Colonnade hardtop coupe was featured in the Regal line in 1973.

More often, Regal interiors were found to be much more luxurious than lesser Century models and featured wood-grain trim on both dashboard and door panels, and notchback bench seats with center armrests with velour, cloth or vinyl upholstery, and door-pull straps. A 60-40 split bench seat with armrest was featured as an available option, and for 1976 and 1977 the coupe showcased the S/R option with included reclining bucket seats with corduroy upholstery.

Very minimal changes were made for the first five years. A substantial facelift was given to the coupe only in 1976, the sedan kept the original sheetmetal from 1973 through 1977. These changed included square headlights that were recently legalized and were horizontally-mounted on coupes, and vertically on sedans.

Standard equipment in 1973 and 1974, the Buick's 350 in³ (5.7L) V8 was made optional from 1975 through 1977 while the larger 455 cubic-inch V8 was optional in 73 and 74 only. Previously offered on the Skylark from 1964 through 1967, the 231 cubic V6 engine from Buick became standard for both Regal and Century models beginning in 1975. Buick Regal's and Century's became the only mid-sized vehicles to offer V6 engines from 1975 to 1976. In 1975, the Century designation was dropped from the Regal line.

Showcasing a newer version of Buick's venerable 231 in³ (3.8L) V6, a downsized Regal appeared in 1978 and lasted for the next nine years. Giving an unexpected reputation for performance, the Regal was still unfortunately held back with a soft suspension, the unavailability of a manual transmission and small wheels and tires. This was mainly due to the fact that the Regal was targeting the intermediate personal luxury market rather than the sports car segment.

A new, aerodynamic profile was given to the Buick Regal in 1981 along with a much needed facelift. This facelift prepared the Regal for competition on the NASCAR racing circuit. As the V6 was growing in popularity, V8s for street use were still available, but they had shrunk to 265 in³ (4.3L). A new Century appeared on the market in 1982 and was featured on the front-wheel drive A-body, but the Century sedan and wagon, former rear wheel drive were not discontinued. Re-badged as Buick Regals, these new models were featured for the first time with the name on a full model lineup. A 307ci (5.0L) V8 was offered as an option in 86 and 87.

Aiming at the performance market, T-Type Regal coupes were showcased in 81. This was minor in comparison to the introduction of the Regal Grand National, named for the NASCAR Grand National racing series that was featured in 1982. With a 4.1 liter V6 with 125 hp or an optional 180 hp turbocharged 3.8 V6 engine, the Grand National didn't appear again until 1984. Remaining standard, the turbocharged 3.8 continued to be refined with fuel injection and inter-cooling, and in 1987, it reached 245 hp (182 kW).

A lightweight WE4 (Turbo T) option, an extremely rare option today, was available in 1987 with only a total of 1,547 units of this variant produced. Featuring the same blackout package as the Grand National, these units were painted black, including the bumpers, head light, grill and tail light trim. The interior trim package, exterior badging, aluminum bumper supports, aluminum rear brake drums and the wheels were the main differences that set apart the base Grand National and a WE4.

Gaining a reputation as a modern muscle vehicle, the Grand National was acquiring quite a popular status by 1985. Unfortunately the days of the G-body was drawing to a close. The GNX was featured for its final year in 1987 at a US$11,000 premium. Advertised as the 'Grand National to end all Grand Nationals,' the GNX was under-rated by Buick at 275 hp with a substantial 360 lbf-ft of torque. The following years model converted the chassis to front wheel drive which wouldn't be able to put down that much power.

The plug was eventually pulled on the GNX as Buick didn't want one if its own vehicles outperforming their flagship, the Corvette. Though the muscle cars of the 1960s had the power to beat the GNX, the tires of the time couldn't transform this into speed.

Appearing on the GM W platform, a new Regal appeared in 1988 in a version which both departed and returned to the traditional Regal style. Returning to the original concept, being offered as a coupe only, and aimed specifically to the personal luxury buyer, the new Regal became the first front wheel model and had no serious performance option or edition. This new model also did not have a V8 engine, and the V6 no longer offered a turbocharger.

In 1990, the Regal once again had a four-door sedan version that ran with few changes for the next nine years. A Grand Sport appearance package was added in 1991, and the Regal was offered in both base Customer and upscale Limited trim lines. Giving the vehicle some performance that would differentiate it from the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and the Pontiac Grand Prix, the 3.8 L V6 was unique to the Buick W-body. In 1992, anti-lock brakes were made a standard option on all but the base Custom cars and the following year the grille was redesigned. At the same time, an electronically-controlled automatic transmission and LeSabre-like rear lights and bumper was added.

In 1994, the motorized seatbelts remained a standard, and a driver's-side airbag was the new addition. The Limited coupe was taken off the lineup, standard ABS was deleted on all models, along with power windows. The following year, the Buick Regal featured a brand new interior along with dual airbags. Gaining an additional 35 hp in this large engine, though 1996 was the final year of this model, production remained the same into 1997. Only the Custom coupe remained in 96.

Simply morphing into versions of the same vehicle by 1997, both the Regal and the Century were built on the same revised W platform as the Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevrolet Impala and the Oldsmobile Intrigue. Mostly cosmetic difference separated the Regal and the Century, though the Regal kept a longer length, and a four-door sedan was the only model available. The Regal was considered to be the up-market version, and featured larger engines along with fancier trim, and a newer version of the 231 (3.8 L) V6. The Regal showcased a variety of amenities that included expansive interior space, a Monsoon 8-speaker surround system, dual climate control, and heated leather seats, while the Century became mainly a reliable, economy-based vehicle based upon the W-body. Throughout this version's seven-year run, very few changes or updates were made.

by Jessican Donaldson

BUICK CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF REGAL

DETROIT – The addition of the Regal nameplate to the Buick family goes back 40 years, but even today, the Regal's heritage as a sporty, mid-size luxury vehicle is strong as ever.

Introduced in 1973, the Century Regal, as it was originally called, served as an upmarket model in the Century line and one of GM's first 'personal luxury' cars. Designed with sporty suspension characteristics and luxuries aimed primarily at the driver, the '73 Regal coupe sold 91,557 units helping Buick surpass its 1955 all-time sales record.

Launched with a standard 350 cu. in. V-8 engine, the Regal would soon carve a niche as a powertrain innovator. Among one of the first to react to the initial Arab oil embargo, the 1975 Buick Regal was the only mid-size vehicle in the United States to forego a standard V-8 engine in favor of a V-6.

'The Buick team was on the leading edge and reacted to the need of more fuel-efficient engines,' said General Motors Heritage Center manager Greg Wallace. 'Engineers worked around the clock to get the V-6 program up and running in a fraction of the time it typically took, while making sure to retain Buick's reputation for reliability.'

Just a few years later, beginning with the 1978 Regal, Buick would lead a vanguard on turbocharging for better fuel economy. This expertise would later be used in creating Regals that would be recognized as some of the most powerful and significant cars of the 1980s.

Throughout four decades, and now in its fifth generation, the Regal carries on its sweeping design, dynamic driving experience and powertrain leadership. Today's Regal is equipped with its most-powerful standard engine, a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder producing 259 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of toque. To help make the most of traction in all driving conditions, it is also available with advanced all-wheel-drive system that incorporates an electronic limited-slip differential and HiPer Strut front suspension.

A 2.4L engine with eAssist light electrification technology is also available, delivering EPA-estimated ratings of 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

With today's focus on all-passenger comfort, safety and technology, the latest Regal comes standard with an eight-inch color touch display featuring IntelliLink in-vehicle connectivity. Leather-appointed seating surfaces, heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control are all standard. A host of new radar- and camera-based safety features are available, including Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Collision Mitigation Braking.

Generation 1 – 1973-1977

Large swooping body lines and opera windows were among Regal's fashion cues at the start of the personal luxury era. The 1975 Regal was the only mid-size car in the United States to come standard with an efficient V-6 engine while maintaining comparable V-8 performance.

Generation 2 – 1978-1987

Downsized from the previous generation, the 1978 Regal offered a 3.8-liter turbocharged V-6, making Buick the first mainstream brand to offer a turbocharged engine. This ingenuity would pave the way for iconic Buick's of the 80s including the highly desired Grand National and legendary GNX.

Generation 3 – 1988-1996

Continuing the trend of scaled down cars in the U.S., the Regal's third generation was again smaller and would usher in front wheel drive. Power would come from an all six-cylinder engine lineup including the award-winning 3800 V-6 engine.

Generation 4 – 1997-2004

Back to its roots, the 1997 Regal again became an upmarket version of the Buick Century. The '97 Buick Regal GS debuted with the brand's first supercharged V-6, rated at 240 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.

Generation 5 – 2009-2014

After a brief hiatus, the Regal would first return to the Chinese market for 2009, following a year later in the U.S. A high-output, dynamically optimized GS model would return for 2012. Introduced in 2013, the 2014 model is the first Regal to offer all-wheel-drive. Combining sport sedan handling with some of the most power-dense and technically advanced engines in the brand's history, the Regal is helping to attract younger, new buyers to Buick.

About Buick

Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new Encore crossover. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick, on Pinterest or at www.facebook.com/buick

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