1981 Buick Regal Pace Car Edition

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Huntsville, Alabama — or “Rocket City,” as we know it — is home to NASA rocket-propulsion research and development. This special offering is once again a presentation of the unique, with American Muscle, British class, heavy post war iron, and race cars from multiple platforms all on offer. These cars are ready for blastoff, and all will be launched to new homes and garages as all lots are presented with NO RESERVE.  

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The 1981 Buick Regal Pace Car Edition was a limited-production model created to commemorate Buick’s role as the official pace car for the 1981 Indianapolis 500. Buick collaborated with American Sunroof Company (ASC) to build two actual pace cars for the race, featuring custom convertible roof sections, a modified 4.1-liter V6 engine, and a striking silver and maroon paint scheme with orange decals. 

To capitalize on the publicity, Buick partnered with Cars and Concepts of Brighton, Michigan, to produce 150 replica Pace Car Editions for public sale. These cars retained the distinctive exterior styling—complete with T-tops, gold alloy wheels, and Indianapolis 500 decals—but were mechanically standard, powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. 

Each car came with a numbered dash plaque and a commemorative jacket and cap, enhancing its collector appeal. Though lacking the performance upgrades of the actual pace cars, the replicas served as a precursor to the high-performance Buick Grand National, which debuted the following year. Today, the 1981 Regal Pace Car Edition is a rare and cherished piece of Buick and Indy 500 history — and this one is number 27 of the 150 produced and showing just 19,466 miles. 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Rocket City Collection 

• Number 27 of 150 Regal Pace Car Editions produced 

• Finished in Silver Metallic (16) and Maroon Metallic (79) 

• Indianapolis 500 Official Pace Car decals 

• Maroon Custom Cloth (79C) interior 

• Buick’s famed 3.8-liter V6 engine 

• Three-speed automatic transmission 

• T-Tops with removable glass panels and storage pockets 

• Clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report  

Features 

• Numbered dash plaque: “65th Indianapolis 500, May 24, 1981, Car #027” 

• General Ameriway XT 205/70R14 tires 

• Gold alloy wheels unique to the edition 

• Six-way power driver’s seat 

• Power windows and locks 

• Cruise control and tilt steering wheel 

• Remote exterior mirrors 

• Rear window defogger 

• AM/FM radio 

• Air conditioning 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint chips up front (near headlights) 

• VIN plate is rusting 

• Interior windshield trim is sunbaked 

• Trim has separated in rear passenger window 

• Driver’s carpet floor mat is worn 

• Clock does not work 

• Steering wheel center badge is scraped  

Included 

• Spare temporary tire 

• Original title 

• Indy 500 parking pass 

• History of “The Buick V6 Logo,”  

• Commemorative jacket and cap 

Ownership History 

This 1981 Buick Regal Pace Car Edition is one of many collector cars that make up the ever-evolving Rocket City Collection, is offered from an established Alabama car enthusiast who enjoys the pursuit and trade of great cars in equal measure to the curation of the same. The accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report places it in Texas, Mississippi, and Iowa. 

Additional Notes 

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty. 

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096‬ email: rpotts@hagerty.com