Image of 1981 Buick Regal, sourced from bringatrailer.com , Image Link.

Introduction

The 1981 Buick Regal stands as a testament to the era of personal luxury coupes, a time when style and comfort were as important as the road ahead. Born from the stables of General Motors, this mid-size sedan was part of Buick's enduring legacy, offering a blend of elegance and practicality. With its origins tracing back to the early 1970s, the Regal quickly became a household name in American automotive culture. A unique fact that car enthusiasts may find intriguing is that the 1981 Regal served as a pace car for the NASCAR's Daytona 500, cementing its place in motorsport history.

Design and Innovation

The exterior styling of the 1981 Buick Regal exuded sophistication with its aerodynamic lines and signature long hood/short deck proportions. Chrome accents and quad headlamps provided an air of luxury that was unmistakably Buick. Inside, occupants were greeted with plush seating and an array of woodgrain and chrome finishes that spoke to the vehicle's upscale aspirations. For its time, the Regal featured advancements such as an optional onboard computer known as the 'Driver Information Center,' which displayed fuel economy and trip information. Color options ranged from traditional hues like White and Dark Blue to more vibrant choices like Red and Light Green, with Dark Blue being a particularly popular choice among buyers. The coupe body style was prevalent, especially when equipped with the Landau vinyl top option.

Historical Significance

The 1981 Buick Regal made its mark by balancing luxury with performance at a time when fuel efficiency began to dominate the automotive conversation. It stood out among contemporaries for its refined design language and commitment to comfort without sacrificing power. The introduction of turbocharged engines in some models paved the way for future performance-oriented Buicks, such as the legendary Grand National.

Performance and Handling

Performance-wise, the standard 1981 Regal came equipped with a V6 engine that provided adequate power for daily driving. However, it was the optional turbocharged V6 that truly gave this car its legs, allowing it to reach 60 mph from a standstill in a respectable amount of time for its era. Handling was smooth, with a suspension tuned more for comfort than corner-carving agility. Drivers often noted the quietness of the cabin and how well-insulated it felt from road imperfections.

Ownership Experience

The Regal was versatile enough to serve as both a reliable daily driver and an occasional showpiece at local car meets. Its maintenance needs were typical of vehicles from this period—straightforward enough for DIY enthusiasts but not without their quirks. Reliability was generally good, though some components like turbochargers in higher-performance models required extra attention.

Fun Facts

A lesser-known fact about the '81 Regal is that it shared its platform with other GM G-body vehicles like the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Pontiac Grand Prix, making parts relatively easy to come by. While not known for breaking speed records, it did break sales records for Buick at the time. Criticisms often centered on its modest base engine performance and fuel economy compared to smaller imports.

Collector's Information

In today's collector market, a well-preserved 1981 Buick Regal can fetch anywhere from $5,000 to over $20,000 depending on condition, mileage, and options—with turbocharged models commanding higher prices. While exact production numbers are elusive, it's estimated that tens of thousands were produced during this model year. The value trend for these vehicles has been appreciating slowly over time as nostalgia for this era grows among collectors.

Conclusion

The 1981 Buick Regal remains an emblematic figure in American automotive history—a bridge between eras where luxury met evolving performance expectations. Its lasting influence on design and technology can still be felt today in modern luxury coupes that strive to capture that same balance of elegance and power.

1981 Buick Regal Rear Suspension Bushing. Each-BC 202Rear Suspension Bushing. Each

1981 Buick Regal Front coil-spring insulator-BN 110Front coil-spring insulator. Fits '41-'60 Oldsmobile and '50-'83 GM passenger models. 5-3/8 in. OD x 3-3/4 in. ID x 3/4 in. high with 13/16 in. wide bottom flange 1/4" thick, 12 flutes. Each.

1981 Buick Regal Automatic brake pedal pad fits '78-88 GM A, Spec A, G Body-CB 101-DCB 101-D replaces the automatic brake pedal pad on many 1978-1988 General Motors A, Spec A and G body models. Also fits many 1982-1991 GM J, L, N and P body models. 4-1/2" wide X 2-1/2" long. Each

1981 Buick Regal Hood and cowl seal-CS 13-GHood and cowl seal. Fits '78-'88 GM A-body, A-Special (A-SPEC) and G-body 2-door hardtop coupes with rear wheel drive (RWD). Dual-durometer extrusion with flexible metal core. Easy to install; fits over pinchweld. Replaces OEM# 20255857 and 25505704. Made in the USA. Each.

1981 Buick Regal T-top Side Seals. Each piece 25" long. Pair-ELP 5020T-top Side Seals. Each piece 25" long. Pair

1981 Buick Regal Auxiliary T-Top Sealing Strips-ELP 5020-BAuxiliary T-Top Sealing Strips. For models with factory t-top option. 51" in length per side, adhesive tape backing. Replaces OEM #20139617. Pair

1981 Buick Regal Trunk Seal (Imported). Made with steel cores-IS-MW00101Trunk Seal (Imported). Made with steel cores. 1-3/8" X 3/4" X 17'. Each

1981 Buick Regal Molded Door Seals. 2-door coupe-LM 16-JRMolded Door Seals. 2-door coupe. Replaces OEM part numbers 20201220/1. Pair. R&L.

1981 Buick Regal Lower Door Sill Seal, 78-88 GM G Body 2 Doors, Pair-LM 16-JSLower Door Sill Seal, 78-88 GM G Body 2 Doors, Pair. Replaces OEM # 20376226. These seals fit in between the panel and the lower part of the doors.

1981 Buick Regal Trunk Liner. Loose weave, jet black. 50" wide-M 30Trunk Liner. Loose weave, jet black. 50" wide. Sold by the foot

1981 Buick Regal Trunk seal-MW00101Trunk seal. Also replaces '75-'79 Buick Skylark hatchback seal. Made with steel cores. 1-3/8 in. x 3/4 in. x 17 ft. L. Each.

1981 Buick Regal Basic kit. ’71-’87 Buick Regal 2-door coupe-RKB 1900-101Basic kit. '71-'87 Buick Regal 2-door coupe. Door (LM 16-JR), roof-rail (RR 5020-M) and trunk (MW00101) seals. 5-piece set.

1981 Buick Regal Basic kit-RKB 1900-117Basic kit. '81-'87 Buick Regal, '81-'88 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 2-door coupes with T-top roof option. Door (LM 16-JR), T-top main body (TP 5020), T-top side panels (ELP 5020) and trunk (MW00101) seals. 7-piece set.

1981 Buick Regal Brake Master Cylinder Cover Seal. Replaces OEM #5470861-RP 2-EBrake Master Cylinder Cover Seal. Replaces OEM #5470861. 5" X 2-1/2". Each

1981 Buick Regal Molded Roof Rail Seals, for 2-Door Hardtop. Pair R&L-RR 5020-MMolded Roof Rail Seals, for 2-Door Hardtop. Pair R&L

1981 Buick Regal Glove Box Bumper. Each-SB 78-AGlove Box Bumper. Each

1981 Buick Regal T-Top to Body Seals. Fits models with factory T-top option-TP 5020T-Top to Body Seals. Fits models with factory T-top option. Replaces OEM #20211820/20211821. For matching T-Top Side Rail Seals, see ELP 5020. Pair

1981 Buick Regal Rear Windshield Reveal Molding Clip. Made of steel-WF 211Rear Windshield Reveal Molding Clip. Made of steel. 15/16" X 3/4". Each

1981 Buick Regal Lower Side Window Reveal Molding Clip. Made of nylon-WF 214Lower Side Window Reveal Molding Clip. Made of nylon. 1-1/4" x 3/4". Each