There is no question that Buick's Grand National and Turbo Regal have proven themselves on the dragstrips and back roads of America. The combination of modern technology wrapped in a classic musclecar package lends itself to quick elapsed times and a very loyal following. Street/strip use generally dictates a customary set of modifications that leaves the cars with a fairly standardized look. In fact, it's surprisingly difficult to build (or find) a truly unique Turbo Regal in the street/strip vein.
While there's certainly nothing wrong with the dragstrip warrior look, there are those that want something that stands out in the sea of black and gray cars (that are mostly on big 'n' littles, DOTs 'n' frontrunners). With the ever-growing g-machine movement, building an open-road racing style car presents a fresh chance to build a car with a look all its own. Nowhere is this opportunity more overt than when applied to a Turbo Regal.
Phoenix car builders Rick Elam and Heath Elmer are two guys that understand this. They have each taken one of these Flint Flyers and transformed them into what they believe to be the ultimate bad ass Buick. These two cars are the total package. Have a look; we think you'll agree. "This car is totally a work in progress," says Rick Elam. "I've owned the car for more than four years, and I'm just now getting it to where I want it." What is it he wants? "I didn't want to limit myself to a certain type of performance with this car. I wanted to be able to run the car at the strip, then drive it to a cruise night and show it. I guess you could say I want it all."
Elam is very quick to say that he drew much inspiration from Elmer's old car (see "Subtle as a Sledgehammer," GMHTP May 2000). "It just so happens that Heath and I have very similar tastes. My goal was not to build a car identical to the black one. I built the car the way I wanted it--for me. I'm not really interested in what others think," he tells us.
Any g-machine worth its salt needs proper motorvation, so Halderman Marine and Performance was enlisted to resuscitate the original, tired mill. They bored the venerable 231 .020-inches before adding forged JE pistons, an RJC girdle, ARP studs and a billet roller cam. T&D roller rockers were added to the ported cylinder heads that were also treated to 1.77/1.50 Manley valves. Cotton's Performance sent a big CPT-66P turbo while a Charged Air Systems front-mount intercooler moderates the intake air temperature. An Innovative Turbo Systems electronic boost controller controls the Innovative Pro-gate, which in turn keeps the boost in check. Elam's fuel system includes an Aeromotive external pump and MSD 75 lb.-hr. injectors. ATR stainless steel 4-bolt headers and downpipe along with a Cotton's performance 3-inch dual exhaust ensure the V6 can exhale freely.
Bob Floyd took care of the 200-4R rebuild that employs a Mallender trans brake and an Art Carr 91/2-inch lock-up 3600-rpm converter. The stock rear end has been updated with a set of 3.73 cogs and an Auburn limited-slip differential.Since workdays find Elam reporting for duty as a technical sales representative at Baer Brakes, you would rightly expect to find a set of the firm's venerable binders behind the big hoops. Elam installed a Pro+ system up front, which consists of a pair of huge four-piston Alcon calipers and upgraded slotted and zinc-washed 14-inch rotors. Out back, he went with the Touring+ system that features two-piston PBR calipers and upgraded 12-inch zinc-washed rotors. To show off the epic brake system, Elam selected a foursome of Simmons eighteen inch, three-piece wheels and wrapped them with huge Yokohama AVS Sport tires. Eibach springs get the stance just right, while KYB shocks and HP Motorsports boxed lower control arms are there, too.
Body mods include a set of GNX flares, a GN rear spoiler, a pair of third-generation Camaro mirrors and a shaved hood emblem. Inside, Elam opted for Recaro SE chairs, a B&M shifter and more Autometer Ultra-Lites than you can shake a stick at. Elam credits Buick From Hell Products for the super-detailed interior panels.
"Everyone thinks Heath built this car, but that's not true. While it was once owned by Heath, I've done all the work to get the car where it is today. With the exception of the paint and bodywork (which Heath did do) I built the car myself." That said, the way we hear it, the car is nowhere near finished. Elam tells us an elaborate roll cage designed for significant chassis reinforcement is about to be installed. He is also in the process of building a burly Stage 2 engine that he expects to propel the car deep into the tens on slicks. Mark our words: you haven't heard or seen the last of this car.
Heath Elmer's Black & Silver Turbo Regal
By now, Heath Elmer is a name familiar to most Turbo Buick enthusiasts. The Arizona Auto Trim owner has constructed innumerable rad rides, most notably his '87 GNX clone. That car (otherwise known simply as "The Black Car") broke much new ground in the Buick community. Never before had someone so carefully crafted a corner-carving Turbo Buford. Outwardly, this car may look like a simple re-do, but in fact, it differs significantly from its progenitor. "Instead of gutting it like I did with the black car, my emphasis here was to build a driver," explained Elmer. That meant that everything was retained--the heater, the radio and most importantly (especially in Arizona!) the air conditioning. Whereas the black car had lightweight but flimsy (and not-so-street-legal) fiberglass bumpers, this car has smoothed steel pieces. Other body mods consist of a shaved hood ornament, a subtle Grand National rear spoiler and a pair of third-generation Camaro mirrors. Elmer also added a quartet of GNX flares and a pair of fender vents for a slightly more aggressive appearance. With the body modifications complete, he laid down a two-tone black and silver motif reminiscent of the WH1 Designer Package Regal T-Types. Check out the detail on that longitudinal stripe and accompanying 'X'. That's no decal, that's paint, folks.
A look through the deep tint will reveal a Finishline Performance-built six-point cage and a pair of Recaro SE seats. Elmer even re-upholstered the back seat in matching Recaro fabric. Also populating the interior is a brace of Autometer Ultra-Lite gauges.
"This car has the same look as the black car, but is much more driveable. That black car was almost too nice to drive," he chuckled. "I spent a lot of time tweaking things so this car doesn't run hot with the front mount intercooler and the air conditioning blasting, even in Phoenix's 110*-plus summers," he told us. Engine mods were performed with the goal of maximizing airflow, and keeping with the driver theme, the components chosen were relatively sedate.
Halderman Marine and Performance was again asked to freshen the stock short-block and fortified with a set of TRW forged pistons and a full complement of ARP fasteners. The Halderman crew also ported Elmer's cylinder heads and added big valves as well. Cotton's Performance supplied the CPT-66P turbocharger and a dual-port wastegate. Boost is pegged at exactly 27 psi by an Innovative electronic boost controller. A Precision Turbo and Engine front-mount intercooler brings the air charge back near ambient. The stock headers have been HPC coated, and a Houston Performance 3-inch stainless steel downpipe dumps into a Pro Dyno fabricated dual 3-inch exhaust system with a pair of Dynomax Race Magnum mufflers.
While the engine was at the machine shop, Elmer delivered the 200-4R transmission to Chuck's Transmissions in Mesa. Chuck's performed a performance rebuild utilizing Art Carr internals. The beefed slush box is coupled to the stout V6 with a Precision Industries 91/2-inch Vigilante torque converter. The converter provides 3200 rpm of stall speed and features a single-disc clutch. The remainder of the drivetrain is standard GM issue, with a stock driveshaft twisting 3.42 gears in a 10-bolt housing.
The ultra-aggressive stance is courtesy of Rancho coil springs while suspension movement is controlled by a pair of Rancho sway bars and KYB shocks. Baer Track 13-inch front brakes and Touring 12-inch brakes peek out from behind the big Simmons three-piece wheels, which are wrapped in Yokohama rubber. It is interesting that in a time when people are going to ridiculously large wheels, Elmer reverted back to 17s. "The car rides so much better with the 17s as compared to the 18s on the old car."
Neither car is drag raced on a frequent basis, but both Rick Elam and Heath Elmer have firm plans to visit Firebird Dragway as soon as the summer heat fades. Both cars are encountering teething problems on new turbo combinations but are expected to go low 11s at a bare minimum once those issues are resolved. We will keep you posted on the progress of each since so much interest has been shown.
Few will argue that the g-machine concept applied to the Turbo Regal is a winner. In fact, Editor Hunkins digs the look so much he has made arrangements for Old Gray to make the trip to the Arizona desert for a make over of its own. Stick around and see what shakes out!