1988 Buick Regal Promo's

[Scuderia]

I don't know if anyone is familiar with these, but I haven't seen them in kit form and I'm intrigued. Does anyone know whom manufactured these? Also, is there a chassis in kit form that can sit under to add an engine? Thanks.

Also, there was a Buick Reatta similar to this.

Edited October 16, 2013 by Scuderia

[disabled modeler]

I had one of those Regal promos once think they were done by ether AMT or Ertl ....pretty nicely done too in my opinion even though I am a 60s to mid 70s guy myself in kit or promos...I like restoring them.

[Eshaver]

I have the same Buick. I wanted the Reatta too, but I had only the money for one when I did buy the promo . The guy sold what he had before I was able to ever find any more . I haven't a clue as to who did the cars ..............

[Scuderia]

Thanks guys, from just some crude internet pics i wonder if the AMT Beretta guts would fit; but the box on the Regal says 1/24 scale hmmm

[ZTony8]

I have them both and they look like 1/25th scale to me.I believe they were molded in China but nowhere on the boxes or models does it indicate for whom they were produced.

BTW-don't let anybody convince you that these are rare or uncommon promos and are worth a small fortune.They're not-they're maybe a $10 item.I bought my Regals 10 years ago at the Buick club national meet in Flint for $5 each.GM donated some to the Sloan Museum as fund raising material and there was a large quantity available.I found the Reatta a few years later as a slightly scratched item at a local hobby shop for $7.

Edited October 16, 2013 by ZTony8

[Erik Smith]

I have them both and they look like 1/25th scale to me.I believe they were molded in China but nowhere on the boxes or models does it indicate for whom they were produced.

BTW-don't let anybody convince you that these are rare or uncommon promos and are worth a small fortune.They're not-they're maybe a $10 item.I bought my Regals 10 years ago at the Buick club national meet in Flint for $5 each.GM donated some to the Sloan Museum as fund raising material and there was a large quantity available.I found the Reatta a few years later as a slightly scratched item at a local hobby shop for $7.

My box says 1/24 scale and "Made in the U.S.A.", but other than that, nothing about who manufactured them. The underside has a Buick Motor Division copyright.

Agreed, they are not worth much - atleast, you can get them cheap. They are probably less expensive now than when they were new.

Overall, it's a pretty decent car model. There are clear lenses on both ends and it's molded relatively crisp(ly?). The scripts are very faint, however, and would likely disappear under any paint. Mine has sink mark in the center of three of the Buick wheels.

[kratvmnd]

Maybe the chassis from the Revell(?) '90 Grand Prix would be a good fit. I don't know if it is 24th or 25th scale though.

[Scuderia]

Great info and history here on these promos. found some on the 'Bay but not real excited about the price at the moment. I have a spare GP Turbo chassis, so that might be an option as well didn't think of that one.

Edited October 16, 2013 by Scuderia

[Casey]

Great info and history here on these promos. found some on the 'Bay but not real excited about the price at the moment. I have a spare GP Turbo chassis, so that might be an option as well didn't think of that one.

The Revell Gran Prix chassis should work withe the Regal as they are both GM W-body platform. The Reatta is more difficult as there are no kits I'm aware of based scale based on the GM E-body platform, and none of the Allante which was the Reatta's sibling. An MPC Fiero might work if you're going custom.

[Scuderia]

The Revell Gran Prix chassis should work withe the Regal as they are both GM W-body platform. The Reatta is more difficult as there are no kits I'm aware of based scale based on the GM E-body platform, and none of the Allante which was the Reatta's sibling. An MPC Fiero might work if you're going custom.

I would be open to a stock, engine, and custom build if I could get a comfortable price on three at once certainly lol. That'd be a pretty wild Buick huh?

[ZTony8]

The Grand Prix chassis is the one with which to begin.That vintage Regal didn't use the Buick 3.8 v-6 until 1990.It used the Chevy 60 degree v-6 which can be sourced from a Citation kit or a Beretta kit or strip off the turbo equipment of the G.P. Turbo and modify the intake setup.

BTW,the Allante and the Reatta use different platforms.The Allante is a "V" body( a V67),the Reatta is an "E" body (an E97 or an E67 if it's a convertible).That's todays RDA of GM body designation trivia.

Edited October 17, 2013 by ZTony8

[Scuderia]

I have a spare GP kit with no hood that I could use as a source so that sounds good, thanks a bunch Tony

[Casey]

 

[Motor City]

thank you for the link, Casey; I searched yesterday, but got too many hits on NASCAR Regals and gave up!