photos by: the author
GM EFI Magazine Catches Up with West Coast TR Owners of Buicks at Bates
A good car show is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. It should be about camaraderie, making new friendships, continuing old ones, and sharing your pride and joy with like-minded individuals. If you’ve ever attended a car show where you’re not enjoying it, then maybe you should get back to the basics: cool cars, people, and friendship.
Buicks at Bates gets it. Organizers Mike “Spoolfool” Barnard and Eric Brown didn’t disappoint as Buick enthusiasts came from as far as Utah and New Mexico to gather in the San Diego, Ca area at the Bates Nut Farm for this 25th-Annual gathering. Filled with lots of shade trees and plenty of open fields for lots of cars, the setting was perfect along with the gorgeous weather.
Since they’ve been at it for 25 years, their experience is readily apparent, as this shindig went off without a hitch! Back when it all began in 1992, there were eight cars in attendance. This year, it’s as large as it’s ever been at 80 cars, with 72 being Turbo Regals, so they must be doing something right! Admission to the show is free, another added perk, and the attendance numbers makes Buicks at Bates the largest gathering of Turbo Buicks West of the Mississippi!
Bates has its own burger stand and convenience store, so show attendees had the choice of purchasing food there, or bringing their own. Raffle prizes from custom valve covers to electric exhaust cut outs were well worth the price of the tickets, and everyone simply enjoyed being in the company of other Buick enthusiasts. There was even a bouncer for the kids, and face painting provided by Julie’s Party People (she even painted the turbo “6” logo on you if you if you wanted!).
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- Kids don’t (usually) drive Buicks, but they LOVE face painting and jumpers!
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- Julie Leo of Julie’s Party People kept the children entertained with a jumper and face painting.
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- Even some of the adults got their faces painted, as Lucy Hayhurst shows off her turbo “6” logo!
In the sea of black Grand Nationals and GNXs, were T-Types, a pair of Turbo Trans Am Pace Cars, two old-school Buick Grand Sports, one Chevelle Malibu, a GMC Typhoon, and one Challenger Hellcat. Yes—I said Challenger Hellcat, which was driven by “Turbo Lou” Czarnota! The two cool things about the Hellcat was that: 1 – he had the stones to bring it, and 2 – everyone loved it! Which is what these car shows are all about!
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- – Who says it has to be stock to look nice? Cisko Lopez slammed his ’87 GN with an air bag suspension and rolls on 22’s. Other mods include 2010 Camaro Brembo brakes, and a stunning black paint job. If you look closely, you’ll notice that all of the emblems are shaved off, and the “Buick” ghosted on the rear quarters—a nod to the original ’82 Grand National.
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- Typhoons are the coolest SUV ever! Too bad there was only one at the show. This stunning ’92 is owned by Randy Laslo.
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- If you’ve never heard of a WE4, then you’re not a true enthusiast! It’s the rarest tubo Regal out there with only 1,547 units produced. Graig (yes—with a “G”) Hayhurst is the second owner of this beautiful ’87 WE4. With just 16K miles on the odometer, Graig only takes it out on sunny days to let is modified 3.8 stretch its legs. It runs 11.68 with only minor mods to the stock engine.
When Buick developed the Turbo Regal, they had no idea what a following this fabulous G-body would generate. I believe they underestimated the bond that can be formed between a car and its owner; and the Turbo Regal is the kind of car that can not only endear to your heart from the first drive, but can also pull together a gathering of long-time enthusiasts that will forge friendships for decades to come.
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- There were TWO turbo Trans Ams in attendance!
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- You gotta admit, Turbo Regals look GOOD in red!
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- When was the last time you saw a ’77 Skyhawk THIS nice? Heck, when was the last time you saw a ’77 Skyhawk??
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- Lee Westorope’s stunning example shows off the turbo 3.8 under the hood that’s backed by the 200R4 trans. The swap is so nice, it looks factory!
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- John Seleeby’s owned his ’87 GN for 26 years.
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- It sports a bigger turbo, bigger intercooler, and a cold air kit.
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- Reg West’s ’86 GN puts 620 hp on the ground, can run mid 10’s, yet its street manners are tame enough to where he drives it three times a week. He drove it from Apple Valley, which is a 2.5-hour drive!
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- Reg’s engine is just as potent as it is stunning!
License Plates: You’ve got to describe your car, and do it using seven letters or less! GO!
Living in Richmond, Tx, PJ Rentie has been in the automotive industry for more than 30 years. This former Assistant Editor at Vette Magazine also spent time with companies like NOS, Edelbrock, Hillbank Motorsports, Classic Industries, and was an automotive instructor for Cypress College for ten years. In his spare time, PJ hopes to one day bring his Fox Body Mustang out of the back yard and back onto the street!
