IndyStar.com's view

Twenty five years is a long time to be doing anything. In the automobile industry, producing one model over that time span virtually represents an eternity.

That, however, is not the case at Buick Motor Division, as 1998 will see the introduction of a Buick Regal 25th Anniversary model. As a specially styled set of wheels, the 25th Anniversary Regal will be available at Indianapolis area Buick dealerships in March.

First introduced in 1973 as a line extension of the Buick Century, the 25th Anniversary sedan is based on the Regal LS model, with special exterior and interior treatments.

The car is being given a color-keyed grille to go with the exterior color selection of Santa Fe red, Jasper green, white or black. Further exterior enhancements include black-accented side body cladding, and a distinctive 25th Anniversary Medallion on the taillamp.

Three content packages provide flexibility in ordering 25th Anniversary 16-inch chrome wheels, a power sunroof, or both.

I wouldn’t say the ’98 Regal breaks any new aerodynamic ground. It pretty well follows the standard theme of a low front end/short rear deck. But the anniversary treatment immediately defines the car as being different from the regular Regals, and on balance it’s a sharp looking motor car.

The same can be said for the interior where the standard upholstery is leather in either Taupe or gray.

Other features include a leather wrapped steering wheel that mounts stereo controls, a six-way power driver’s seat, and an AM/FM stereo with a cassette and CD player.

It’s all designed to add to the pleasure of motoring, with emphasis on comfort and convenience.

This is achieved courtesy of Buick engineers having the good sense to make the Regal larger for greater comfort. The wheelbase is 109 inches, the overall length 196.2 inches, dimensions that provide almost 37 inches of legroom in the back seat.

The basic Regal is front-drive powered by a V-6 engine, and this, of course, is carried over to the 25th Anniversary model.

As might be expected with a Buick, there is no manual transmission offered. That might have been okay in founder David Dunbar Buick’s time, but a four-speed automatic has been the transmission for a number of years.

The four-speeder is General Motors’ 4T65E model with overdrive and an electronically controlled clutch.

Power is via Buick’s 3800 Series V-6 that produces 195-horsepower and 220 foot-pounds of torque.

The 3800 designates 3.8-liters, or 231-cubic inches, but that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story about the engine.

In a day when overhead cams and multi-valve motors seem to be the “in” thing, the 3800 retains the rather basic design of one camshaft in the block that actuates push rods, rocker arms, and two valves per cylinder.

It’s a concept that’s been around since Year 1 in automotive engine design. It’s simple, virtually fool proof, and will almost run forever.

While certainly not the most high-tech configuration, Buick has added its own engineering touch to the 90 degree V-6 by offset individual split crankshaft pins 30 degrees from each other so as to achieve an even 120 degree firing order. The result is a motor that is as smooth as a V-8. Driver’s would never know the difference if they didn’t know a V-6 was under the hood.

Once the V-6 fires up and the 25th is underway, control of the front-drive is enhanced by a Gran Touring suspension, with 16-ich touring tires putting down a fairly wide footprint on the pavement.

The 25th Anniversary Regal has many of the comforts of home, including a full complement of power accessories, ease of entrance and exit front and back, and controls that are marked so that even a first time driver has no problem acclimating to the layout.

The car is a five-seater, with the traditional seating being 2/3. The console separating the two front bucket seats is a little different in that it has a pronounced front-to-rear upward rake. The power window controls ar e mounted on the console as well as it being the base for the shift quadrant.

Unlike many special models that requires hocking the kids and the house to buy the thing, the 25th has a moderate manufacturer’s suggested price of $23,995, and that includes $550 freight and a $500 special edition package discount. That’s not bad for a commemorative vehicle that celebrates 25 years of doing things right.