This is my first time posting. I am considering a project. I would like to know if anyone has ever done a V8 Regal conversion to look like an early 1980s NASCAR racer. I'd like to use a 455 regal but then do it up with some steel Bart wheels and handling upgrades. I also would like to use it for an occassional autocross run on the weekends but maintain it as a fully streetable car. :Brow: Any tips or suggestions? I have an image of what I'd like to do. Steven Ide first car 1979 Regal went out in a blaze of glory
Buick did a run of Skoal Regals for sales reps. They were basically a standard Regal with the Skoal paint scheme. Might be fun. For handling try Global West front end and a Hot Rods to Hell center drive conversion. You will want a side exit exhaust anyway.
Saw one or two of the skoal bandit cars back in the 80's but they were just decal jobs (and not the most realistic at that). If you are considering autocross, I would think twice about a 350 as opposed to a 455 because of the extra weight of the big block. As far as what car to clone the 4 most memorable ones were Booby Allison #22 Miller High Life; Harry Gant #33 Skoal Bandit; Darrell Waltrip #11 Mountain Dew and of course Richard Petty.
I would think twice about a 350 as opposed to a 455 because of the extra weight of the big block. but; there isn't any aftermarket support for the 350 aside from the alum intake, headers or cams. put aluminum heads, intake and headers on a 455 and you'll be as light as a chevy small block anyways. a BBB is at a weight disadvantage to a SBB but not too much else.
I don't have any suggestions other than "DO IT!!" I think it'd be cool! When we had our dirt street stock Cutlass, all of us on the team always wanted to do a street version that was really more race than street. If only open headers were street legal...
Here is a great web site that has most, if not all, of the NASCAR Buicks with pics. I thought of doing one of these also. I'm sure the cops around here would just love it. http://home.flash.net/~rjgeorge/
A few more ideas Thanks for all your quick responses. I was hoping to make some upgrades to the suspension and handling. I really like the Hot Rods from Hell Truckarm conversion for the rear end and (when I find out I have a rich uncle ) I really like the SC&C G5 handling package for the front end. I was also thinking about a 5-speed Richmond transmission with a custom clutch pedal and maybe a Howe Hydralic Throwout Bearing. :Brow: As far as the body, I would like to add the adjustable NASCAR type spoiler on the back. Does anyone make a nosepiece like the ones the old NASCAR regals had? It would need to be modified for airflow at lower speeds but would look real nice. How about bulging out the fenders and quarters like the race cars had? How could that be done? I am also leaning towards the 455 with some lightweight parts. I know the original cars were using the corporate (chevy) motor, but no reason I can't 'fix' that little oversight on the factory's part. :Brow: I live in Texas so I want to keep the A/C and some of the amenities inside the car but still give it a race car flair. I also want to keep the back seat for the kids when we go on a nice Sunday drive. :3gears: I was thinking about a silver color to show off the lines of the Regal. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming. Afterall, this is a project car that will be evolving over time and can always accept a few changes as time goes on. I attached a few pics of what I was thinking about. :grin: What do you think? o No: Steve
Check this out Hi Guys. Thanks for all your great ideas. I was searching the net and look what I discovered. I found some pics of an earlier Regal done up like a NASCAR racer. :3gears: The car belongs to another Steve named Steve Bertone. Does anyone know more about this car? I would really like to know how he got the fenders done. Anyone know of any shops or techniques?? o No: I know I can count on you guys for help.
With all of the regals that get sent to stock car racing (dirt track or otherwise, the local stuff), there's got to be some fiberglass fenders like that made by some one. I'd look around for that type of stuff.
That looks to be a '78 or '79 Regal done up for the street. While a lot of Regals do end up on the local dirt tracks, the only fiberglass body panels that I know are made for circle track are for Monte Carlos (SS-style front clips and rear extensions) and Cutlasses. It looks to me, though, that if you were to go the route that the fellow above has done, it would not be too hard to have a sheetmetal fabricator make up some fender extensions or flairs as are on that car. Personally, I think that a car painted up like a NASCAR simply with GNX fender flairs installed would look pretty legit.
My v8 Regal NASCAR clone Victory Lane Dover Victory Lane New Hampshire Victory Lane Richmond My Car is a 1985 Regal painted like Kyle Petty's 1981 Stock Car. It has a 2004 GTO LS1, 373 gears, 9 inch rear. Tons of fun to drive and 100% street legal. Yes even the King approves.
I've also thought of doing mine in the NASCAR theme, but with the full flared fenders and quarters, but not as drastic as the above red 1978 Regal, and with 17" NASCAR rims and tires. ( but honestly would love to go old school and run 15"s) Side fill fuel openings on both quarters, boom tube exhaust, and also a 455 Buick breathing through a cowl plenum air cleaner, with FAST EFI's EZ-EFI backed by a strong T56. Proper but user friendly full cage, cruise and A/C, Bigger brakes, and of course my homemade adjustable rear spoiler. Maybe even go full on with a streetable stock car chassis like this and slide a Regal Body shell over it, http://www.breezeautomotive.com/images/pdf/EzeStreet-Development-Update-5-16-08.pdf But unfortunately this company has opted not to pursue this.
