Buick has a rich history of producing distinctive vehicles that have captured the hearts of many car enthusiasts. Some models quickly transitioned from production to coveted collectibles, showcasing unique designs and performance capabilities. Here are seven Buicks that collectors started chasing almost immediately, each with its own story worth exploring.
1. Buick Skylark Gran Sport (1965)
The 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport is a prime example of mid-60s American muscle. With its powerful 401 cubic inch V8 engine, it delivered an impressive 325 horsepower, making it a formidable competitor on the road. The Skylark Gran Sport was also notable for its sleek design, featuring a distinctive front grille and sporty body lines that appealed to a younger demographic looking for performance and style.
Due to its limited production run and high-performance capabilities, the Skylark Gran Sport has become a sought-after collectible. Many enthusiasts appreciate its blend of classic aesthetics and raw power. Today, well-preserved models can fetch significant prices at auctions, reflecting its status as a classic American muscle car.
2. Buick Riviera Convertible (1983)
Buick added a convertible to the Riviera lineup in 1982, just as the American ragtop was being revived after disappearing in 1976. American Sunroof Corporation in Lansing, Michigan, handled the conversion, cutting off the roof, reinforcing the body, fitting a smaller rear seat, and adding a white vinyl top. The job took more than 300 parts and about 10 hours of labor per car.
The price reflected that effort. In 1982 the convertible cost $23,944, about 56 percent more than the coupe. Most were powered by Oldsmobile’s 307-cubic-inch V8, and a Riviera convertible paced the 1983 Indianapolis 500 to mark the model’s 20th anniversary.
Buick built 1,750 convertibles for 1983, then cut output to 400 a year for 1984 and 1985. Owners tended to treat them as special-occasion cars from the start, so many survive in pampered condition.
3. Buick Regal Sport Coupe Turbo (1978)
The 1978 Regal Sport Coupe was the opening act of Buick’s turbocharged performance story. It arrived with the newly downsized Regal, which shed 650 pounds and more than a foot of length, and it carried a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 at a time when only Buick, Porsche, and Saab offered turbos in production cars.
Two versions were offered. The two-barrel LC5 made 150 horsepower and 245 lb-ft, while the Quadrajet-fed LC8 made 165 horsepower and 265 lb-ft, and most buyers chose the latter. A knock sensor and electronic spark control kept detonation in check, and Buick claimed the turbo six was faster than its own 5.0-liter V8.
Buick sold 30,507 Regal Sport Coupes for 1978, but unmodified first-year cars are scarce now, and collectors value them as the root of the Grand National family tree. A well-kept example sold for $26,400 at Mecum’s Indianapolis auction in 2025.
4. Buick Century Free Spirit (1975)
Buick earned the honor of pacing the 1975 Indianapolis 500 with a Century, and it marked the occasion with the Free Spirit, a pace car replica sold through dealers. The actual pace car, driven by actor James Garner, used a 455 V8, while the replicas carried Buick’s 350-cubic-inch V8, rated at 165 horsepower.
What set the Free Spirit apart was its look. GM stylist Gary Smith designed the graphics, and their bold flag-inspired colors landed as the country headed toward its Bicentennial. Inside, the replicas got a console-mounted floor shifter for the automatic that Buick offered only on the Free Spirit that year.
Production was small. Pace car historian Jim Cavanaugh put the total at about 1,813, and a shortage of decals may help explain the limited run. That scarcity, plus the unmistakable mid-1970s graphics, is why Free Spirit replicas draw a crowd at shows and auctions today.
5. Buick Regal Indy Pace Car (1981)
Buick returned to the Indianapolis 500 in 1981 with a Regal, and the two cars ASC prepared for the track were serious hardware. They used specially built, naturally aspirated 4.1-liter V6 engines with 12.5:1 compression, good for 281 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, along with partial-convertible roofs and Recaro seats.
The replicas sold to the public were far milder. Cars and Concepts built just 150 of them for Buick, using a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 and skipping the special roof and seats. They did get the pace car’s silver and maroon paint with orange decals, T-tops, and a dash plaque showing each car’s sequence number.
With such a tiny run, the 1981 Regal pace car was rare from the start, and every one was used at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in some capacity before being sold. Only a handful are known today, and the package is often seen as a precursor to the Grand National.
6. Buick LeSabre T-Type (1986-1990)
The Buick LeSabre T-Type, produced between 1986 and 1990, is another model that has carved a niche for itself among collectors. Known for its blend of luxury and performance, the T-Type version featured a turbocharged engine that provided a unique driving experience. Its smooth ride and comfortable interior made it a popular choice among buyers looking for a family car with a sporty edge.
As the demand for classic American cars has surged, the LeSabre T-Type has gained traction as a collectible. Many enthusiasts appreciate its unique features and performance capabilities, which set it apart from other sedans of its time. With a growing community of collectors, the LeSabre T-Type continues to be celebrated for its contributions to Buick’s legacy of performance and style.
7. Buick Riviera S-Type (1979)
The 1979 Riviera was a turning point for Buick: its first front-wheel-drive production car, built on the E-body platform shared with the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado. The S-Type was the sporting version, priced at $10,960 and fitted as standard with a turbocharged 231-cubic-inch V6 and blacked-out exterior trim.
The turbo six was carbureted and had no intercooler, yet it ranked among the more powerful American engines of 1979. Road & Track timed an S-Type at 9.5 seconds to 60 mph and 17.5 seconds in the quarter mile, and measured 0.704 g on the skidpad, respectable numbers for a luxury coupe weighing 3,950 pounds.
Buick built 52,181 Rivieras for 1979, and about 5,900 S-Types were ordered with an Oldsmobile V8 instead of the turbo. That makes the turbocharged S-Type the one collectors seek out, an early chapter in the Buick turbo story that led to the Grand National.
