A recent batch of images posted in the CC Cohort by RJ offered up a nice selection of 1980s and 1990s curbside classics still out there running. As a twist on the usual theme, these particular finds were spotted in Estonia, which makes for a somewhat unexpected mix of survivors. Let’s take a look.
Let’s start with perhaps the least expected find in this region of Europe: a 1980s G-body Buick Regal Turbo. With some badges missing, it’s hard to say exactly what we’re looking at here. It still wears the “T” emblem used on the later Turbo models, but no indication to it being a Grand National or GNX, etc. I’ll leave the finer detective work to Buick Turbo fans, but there’s no denying that the all-black trim looked menacingly cool in the ’80s—and still does the job today. If you must revisit Buick’s 1980s turbo chapter, we have a nice entry from Aaron S., and a dusty one found by Tatra87 in Tokyo.
For a different flavor or classic, a 1990-1993 Ford Sierra, with its very early nineties sober aesthetics. To revisit “Peak Sierra”, THIS entry by Tatra87 is a must.
I’ve said this before, but I’ll keep saying it; I do miss seeing the shape of Saabs on the roads (Nope, none are found near me). This late-eighties early-nineties 900 model seems to still be in really good condition.
Not many of these 1993-1997 Daimlers (or related XJ40 Jaguars) are found on the roads nowadays.
I assume that in Estonia, this extended cab C/K Chevy truck is exotic material.
This W123 Mercedes-Benz hardtop coupe line ran from 1977 to 1985, with little stylistic changes throughout. For all I know, this could be a late 1970s model, but whichever the case, the shape has been embedded as a 1980s one in my mind ever since.
To close, definitely a non eighties/nineties silhouette, but rather one from the 1930s that’s still familiar to this day.
Very neat! I love the Buick – I looked it up, and it’s a 1987 Regal Turbo T, imported to Estonia in 2016. Great car, especially being a last-model year example.
And I, also, desperately miss the sight of Saabs on the roads. Most of the surviving 900s are convertibles, so it’s great to see this base-model 900 still out there.
Always wanted a dark, blue, “Saab”, convertible.
Always wanted a dark blue Jaguar XJ.
Yep! A Regal Turbo-T. I see one for sale now on Autotrader Classics of that year in a really neat grey-blue for something different. Otherwise it looks just like a Grand National down to blackout highlights and black diamond cross lattice wheels (I had those on my 1988 Trans Am GTA in gold and they were no fun to keep clean from brake dust!).
The coolest Turbo Regal I ever saw was honestly hideous in hearing aid beige, but all the performance goodies – from the factory – to bring it to Grand National spec. I think the owner probably cranked the boost a bit but it was totally stock otherwise. It’s been about 20 years since I saw it but do recall he had a window sticker proving its provenance. Definitely the coolest flesh colored car ever.
That would be my ideal Regal Turbo – in a color like that, and also modestly equipped. I believe even up to ’87, you could still order Regal Turbos without options like power windows.
Estonian women are gorgeous.
I’ve never been there, but if I went, I don’t think it would be for the cars.
Loving that SAAB and the MB coupe!
In 1972 I had a high school girlfriend who’s mother was a WWII Estonian war bride, the daughter I dated was beautiful, I wonder where she is now and how she looks, her mother at 50Y.O. +/- was still a hottie .
I like these, especially the European W123 Coupe, I had an ’84 U.S.A. coupe in diesel format, I changed it to European spec. lighting, bumpers and so on, rebuilt the turbocharger and added a little bit of boost, wow was that thing fast . it’d chirp the rear tires going into 2nd when I was romping the Foot Feed =8-) .
-Nate
Those Estonian blondes are something, aren’t they? A girl at my high school was half Estonian and definitely a stand-out.
“…no indication to it being a Grand National or GNX, etc. I’ll leave the finer detective work to Buick Turbo fans”
Buick still was building turbo T-types in 1987, except they called it the Turbo-T that year. The 1986 T-Type and 1987 Turbo-T were essentially a Grand National without the badges. If you want an affordable Grand National without the price, you can find many survivors out there on well-known classic car outlets. A real sleeper bargain that will draw attention at your local weekend breakfast car meet.
Regarding the Grand National (and T-Type/Turbo-T) vs. the GNX, the easiest way to tell the difference at a glance is the wheels. The GNs/Ts had 215/50s on 15 inch wheels, and the GNXs had bigger 16″ wheels with 245/50s on the front and wider 255/50s on the rear. That’s assuming any you see are factory correct by their owners!
I’m not sure I understand.
A Sierra! Well that’s made my day! Looks like a bit of a bitser with parts from different years, but still great to see. Reminds me I need to swap the battery in mine and see if it’ll start. Also nice to see the XJ40 Daimler, hardly any of those left here too – I was never sure about their styling (especially the huge rectangular headlights) when they were new, but in some respects they look more modern nowadays than their successor.