fast friday: '69 Stage 1 vs '85 T-Type Turbo

This one is a battle of the Titans.

The Big Block Stage 1 High Performance 400 engine was introduced in the 1969 Buick GS400. The brain child of legendary Buick Powertrain engineer Dennis Manner, the Stage 1 produced 345 hp. It featured a high-lift cam, 11.0:1 compression heads (instead of 10.25:1), a larger carburetor, specific fuel pump, and larger low-restriction exhausts. Like all '69 GS400 models, the hood scoop was actually functional and part of Buick's Cold Air Induction system. Dennis' mantra was "Fast for the Street", so the engine developed huge amounts of low end torque in order to launch away from the stop light.

The T-Type was a child of a different era. Lloyd Reuss developed the V6 as an economical powertrain and put a turbocharger on it in 1978 in order to provide performance more befitting a V-8. Despite pacing the 1976 Indy 500, the Buick V6 wasn't regarded as much of a performance engine until 1984, when a SFI version produced 200 hp. The Grand National was introduced that same year, and the performance hit its peak when the Intercooled version was introduced for 1986-87. Buick released a performance figure of 245 hp, but it is widely known to be understated, and is net hp compared to the gross rating of the '69.

So now our unscientific test- both cars are modified but street legal, so it's really just for fun. Can a little turbo 6 stand up to a 400 Stage 1?

Just remember they don't call it the 'little engine that could" for nothing.

10,000 miles in 5,000 minutes

It was a great way to get around a sticky PR problem. The Automobile Manufacturers Association had banned factory participation in racing, or advertising race outcomes, back in 1957 as a way of trying to combat street racing. But everyone knew "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" was the mantra of the industry. So manufacturers in the late '50s looked for increasingly clever ways to display the performance potential of their automobiles.

Enter Jerry Rideout, Buick's legendary PR Guru and Dean of the Buick Open. He thought that an extended high speed Buick speed test would get around the ban and testify to the high speed capabilities of the new 1960 Buick automobile. So a pair of red and white Invicta hardtop was ordered and specially prepared.

The Buick team descended on Daytona. They had two "durability" cars, a high speed refueling Invicta (to eliminate fuel stops) and a stable of famous drivers including Marvin Panch, Tiny Lund, Ralph Moody, Larry Flynn, Bobby Johns, Larry Frank, and Fireball Roberts.

After a false start, the event was a success and the Invicta ran 10,000 miles in just under 5,000 minutes- three and a half days basically nonstop at an average speed of 120.186 mph- for 10,000 miles!

After the event, Jerry Rideout was told NOT to promote the event- it was too similar to racing- but he was not easily deterred. he simply "leaked" the story to the Detroit News, Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated and a few others. There was even an 18 minute film prepared by GM Photographic that told the story and highlighted the safety and durability of the 1960 Buick. It is presented here in two parts.






And you can read more about it here.

Sometimes it's better to ask forgiveness.

monday mailbag

One of the benefits of being in business for ninety six years now is that we have a lot of rich history, and since we've been representing Buick and GMC in Covina and West Covina the the entire time, we have a lot of ties to local businesses, families and schools.

Our founder, Irven G, Reynolds, was a man of letters and chose to preserve many of the interesting letters he received over the years. So for our Monday Mailbag Series, we will choose a different letter each week and discuss it.

This weeks letter came from the Howard Automobile Company, who were the wholesalers for Buick in California at that time. The letter thanks him for attending a dealer meeting with Senior GM Management Harlow Curtice and William Hufstader, and advised that a commemorative photo was also enclosed.

It is worth remembering that the Mr. Howard was also into horse racing, and owned a legendary race horse named Seabiscuit.

The 2011 Buick Regal is Affordable Royalty

The National Automobile Dealers Association Guides(NADA Guides) provides a helping hand for people looking for a car by supplying information on prices of new and used vehicles as well as what to look for when purchasing one. NADA Guides recently presented the award for September 2010’s "Car of the Month" to the 2011 Buick Regal. The Regal was given this award due to its innovative technology, increased power, and MPG. Not only that, this vehicle redefines the already prestigious Buick brand.

The features on the 2011 Buick Regal are numerous, each providing functionality and luxury. With regards to safety, the Regal utilizes StabiliTrack with Traction Control, plus Anti-Lock Brakes with Brake Assist, ensuring the vehicle has full control and complete stability in all road conditions. The safety features also include Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist as well as full airbag protection on the front, back, and sides. For the technology-oriented consumer, the Regal sports Bluetooth connectivity, ONSTAR, a USB port for MP3 devices, and voice activated navigation, plus a multi-function controller to optimize the user interface. The comfort of the vehicle is also unparalleled, with 12-way power heated seats, as well as Auto Dual-Zone Heating and Air controls, so that the driver and passenger each may set their desired temperature levels.

Brian Sweeney, the U.S. Vice President of Buick & GMC Sales and Service stated, "The Regal delivers a dynamic driving experience that competes with the best import sport sedans in the mid-size sport car segment and is available at Buick dealerships now." Don Christy, Jr., president of NADA Guides, made it clear that "The 2011 Buick Regal is changing the way consumers perceive Buick vehicles and the brand is making a statement with this vehicle: everything you need and want for a very affordable price". The 2011 Buick Regal is competitively priced for its class at $26,245.

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Buick Reinvented: The 2011 Buick Regal

Much buzz has been going on about the new 2011 Buick Regal, General Motors’ newest addition to its Buick line-up. Though the Buick brand has long been thought of as a sedan your grandfather would drive, the 2011 Regal is set to bring back Buick to the mainstream. The 2011 Buick Regal is a mid-sized sedan with an ample 37.3 inches of rear legroom, and 14 cubic-feet of trunk space, perfect for an executive who is a weekend golfer.

What sets the Buick Regal apart from the Honda Accord, Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat, and the Chevy Malibu is its luxurious interior and its elegant finish. It has more soft-touch plastic surfaces, satin-metal door pulls, and piano-black trim than the competition. 

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that produces 182 hp and has a torque of 172 lb-ft powers the GM’s 2011 Buick Regal. Also available as an option is a turbocharged 2.0-liter in-line four, producing 220 hp and 258 lb-ft torque. Both engines feature direct-injection and are paired with standard six-speed automatic transmissions with manumatic shifting. The turbocharged engine also comes with the option of a 6-speed manual transmission.

The 2011 Buick Regal has a MacPherson-strut front and multilink rear suspension, with aluminum lower control arms all around. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, with an option to upgrade to 19s.

The Regal has a wheelbase of 107.8 inches, a length of 190.2 inches, 73.1 inches wide, and a height of 58.4 inches. The manufacturer’s estimated weight is 3600 lb.

Based on reviews, the 2011 Buick Regal is a pleasant drive. It boasts of stability and comfort, taking away the “floaty boat” feel of its predecessors. The 2011 Buick Regal is climbing up the luxury sedan category, in terms of its looks and class-competitive performance.

Once thought of by some as a brand that had long been forgotten and ignored, this mid-sized sedan is doing its best to change that perception. In fact, the 2011 Buick Regal is handsome and hip, bringing the brand back into the spotlight.