Buick Regal I (A-body) gallery (1973–1977)
The first-generation Buick Regal was introduced in 1973 as a mid-size personal luxury car built on the GM A-body platform.
The first-generation Buick Regal debuted for the 1973 model year as an upscale luxury version of the Buick Century intermediate line, positioned firmly in the growing personal luxury car segment. Built upon General Motors' rear-wheel-drive A-body platform with full perimeter frame architecture, it featured the iconic Colonnade body style with frameless door glass and fixed opera-style quarter windows. Initially sold strictly as a two-door notchback coupe, a four-door sedan body style was added to the lineup for 1974. Powertrain choices included Buick's venerable 3.8-liter (231 cu in) V6, a 5.7-liter (350 cu in) V8, and the top-tier 7.5-liter (455 cu in) big-block V8, all mated to three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmissions (THM350 and THM400). In 1976, the Regal received a significant mid-cycle refresh featuring a new front-end header panel with horizontally stacked dual rectangular headlights. Primarily targeted at North American consumers in the United States and Canada, the first-generation Regal established the nameplate as a benchmark for interior comfort, distinctive plush seating, and smooth ride quality.
