Anyone ever put a regal frt clip on a century wagon

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by gsdave, Sep 13, 2004.

  1. gsdave

    gsdave FAST WITH CLASS

    I have found a 78 Century wagon that has been hit in the right front, took out the fender, hood, and header panel. The rest of the body is excellant. The ac on the car still worked.


    I have heard rumors that a regal clip will bolt on this body style. Has anyone done this before? I would like to put a 85-87 stlye on it.

    Still trying to decide weather to big block it or put a 350 in it. I plan on using this for a cruser.
    Will post some pics when I get the car home. :3gears:
     
  2. GoldBoattail455

    GoldBoattail455 462 -> TH400 -> Posi

    No i've never seen it done, but it would be interesting. A regal wagon. Good idea. :TU:

    I had a weird dream about a Grand National hearse. It looked really cool. :cool:
     
  3. ShadowWolf

    ShadowWolf Well-Known Member

    an idea thats been floating in my head for years wold be a regal el camino. put a couple of windows behind the doors graft the tail lights and throw on a buick front end. after a buick tansplant you have a buick parts runner. :Brow:
     
  4. Madcat455

    Madcat455 Need..more... AMMO!!!

    Is the Century the same frame as a Regal??? I ask, because Buick made regals in 78... and they also made regal wagons (don't know if in 78 tho), so that makes me believe that the Century might be a larger version of the regal, meaning that the panels wouldn't fit... Like putting a Regal front end on a LeSabre.

    If in 78 Buick just called the Wagon version a Century, and its the same frame as the Regal then I'd have to say that it'd go on allright... Little problems like the newer clip having 4 headlights... Don't The 78's only have 2. You are still sticking with the same basic front end, I don't think GM changed much on the front of those cars over the years (along the lines of core supports, and inner stuff).. so the newer panels should bolt on, just make sure the fender lines match up with the rest of the car.

    I once put a 81 Olds cutlass front clip on a 85 Regal... Closer years, so it bolted right on. Was a sight to see thats for sure :eek:

    Good Luck
     
  5. Madcat455

    Madcat455 Need..more... AMMO!!!

    There is a local guy with an 81-84 Camino with a GN fron clip on it.. Looks nice, but I didn't get a close look at it. Just rember it looks out of place enough for me to notice :Brow: . Think he kept the Camino tailights tho.
     
  6. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    The 1978 Century Wagons will take any GN or Regal front clip. You will need to use the Regal doghouse and hood though. IMHO the Century front clip looks way cooler. Any spare parts left over from the hit I'll take `em!!

    Here's a pic of what you're thinking about doing:

    Grand Wagon

    Some Wagon info for ya:

    The G-body Wagons (Century and Regal) were produced from 1978-1983 when they were still called A-bodies. The Century was the base model, while the Regal and Regal Estate were the full optioned cars. A fully optioned Century is somewhat unheard of. All the wagons have the same 101" frame you'll find on any Grand National. A Century Wagon, the lowest base model, weighed in 300 lbs LESS than a Coupe Regal. Excellent weight balance and weight transfer combined with an easy to work on and tough frame make them sought after cars for drag racing conversions.

    I can also tell you that a 455 drops right in and makes the local ricer crowd carry a change of underwear!
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2004
  7. 83regal455

    83regal455 Guest

    that pic might just make me go out and buy a wagon. There's something cool about wagons doing wheelies too :Brow:

    thanks
    Dustin
     
  8. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    ...nothing like lining up against an 80k sports car whos owner laughs at you... then handing them thier :moonu:
     
  9. 83regal455

    83regal455 Guest

    so what kind of times does that beast turn? That wagon would look good in the members section under burnouts :3gears: Just think roast them long enough and people won't even know it's a wagon :Brow:

    Thanks
    Dustin
     
  10. gsdave

    gsdave FAST WITH CLASS

    Since someone mentioned the regamino idea, I remembered that there was one done last year at the Buick vs. Ford meet in Noble Oklahoma. I had forgot all about that one.It had a complete GN drivetrain, really cool. :grin:
    I also have a regal stage2 project that I will unleash more info at a later date. :Brow:
    So I am not looking for another race car type project. I am leaning towards a 350 with maybe an overdrive. I even toyed with the idea of a 472 caddy motor.Whatever engine I go with I want the AC hooked back up.
    I have a couple of leads on regals one is a 79 turbo cp, but I think that if I do not find a nice 85-87 clip I will probably go back with a century clip.

    Here is one other idea, I know that they made malibu's with a stick. So how about 4spd wagon,probably won't happen because this is going to be a budget project, but who knows. :Do No:
     
  11. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    ...it would certainly be the only 4-speed Century Wagon, very cool idea :TU:
     
  12. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    Last time I had her at the track was 2 years ago when I blew up the aging 71 455. It was getting a consistent 13.8's on street tires and pump gas back then. That engine had 50% blowby, stock valves, hogged out manifolds and not much in the top end. I was seeing 350HP if I was lucky. The new 464 topped out at 480's and I've upgraded the switch pitch transmission since.

    New tires early next week I hope. burnout pics to follow... :TU:
     
  13. 83regal455

    83regal455 Guest

    you've inspired my wife. i have always liked the old wagons at the drag strip, i keep telling her every time i see a neat wagon that is her next car. i catch hell for a couple days but thats about it. I showed her the pic of your wagon and she said she would actually drive so we have a winner. I am now looking at wagons. :beer

    Thanks
    Dustin
     
  14. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    :beer I got got 500k out of mine. Just drop a 455 in there huh? I sill have ablast driving this old stocker:
     

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  15. Revvin Rivvy

    Revvin Rivvy ReGaLsRiViErAsWw2wArBiRdS

    I believe a four door clip would be the only one for looks, the two doors have an upper seam that your wagon doesn't have.
     
  16. Floydsbuick

    Floydsbuick Well-Known Member


    My four speed conversion went like this,

    Wrecked 80 ElCamino $100
    SB Buick Flywheel $80
    Transmission $90 (first one was free for welding)
    Custom bell Tig welding $Free (got some friends)
    Hurst Comp plus shifter $5
    new pedal pads $5 (auto zone)


    So can it be done on a budget? YUP!!!!!!!
     
  17. gsdave

    gsdave FAST WITH CLASS

    Thanks for the inspiration Dan, for the low buck effort. Just waiting to get this thing home so I can figure out what I need.
     
  18. dyermullet

    dyermullet Member

    I like the regal camino idea.

    This past weekend at the midwest challange someone had a cutlas with a regal front clip on it. I didn't like the way that looked.

    I know the cutlas and regal fenders are the same, but are the regal and camino? Maby if you changed the doors too.
     
  19. gsdave

    gsdave FAST WITH CLASS

    Well looks like I will be going the big block route, just found a really nice 75 455, complete with trans. Pures like a kitten.
     
  20. buickdav

    buickdav Kris' other half.


    Back stabber................ git' out my town. :blast: :moonu: :TU:
     

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