Strange Frankenstein Buick Regal Is All Lexus Underneath
Who would have guessed that a 2JZ powerplant and full Lexus GS300 interior fit so perfectly in an ’80s GM G-Body?
Obviously, 2JZ swaps are nothing new. Toyota’s versatile, legendary engine has earned its place in the modern world of hot rodding, seeing itself wedged in all sorts of things. But have you ever seen a Lexus engine shoehorned into an early ’80s Buick? Well, neither have we, until now. For reasons unknown, somebody chose to infuse this rather sad looking old school GM with Lexus power. And they didn’t stop there with this hand-built Craigslist special, either.
No, the mad scientist behind this Buick crossover also went to the trouble of swapping an entire 1999 Lexus GS300 interior into the thing. We can’t even begin to imagine how much work went into that process. Nor what would possess anyone to even try. But what’s truly amazing about this Lexus/Buick hybrid is the fact that everything actually fits. What are the odds of that?
If nothing else, the new duds certainly give this old Buick a much more modern feel inside. The original interiors on these GM G-Body cars were about as good as it got in the ’80s, which means terrible quality and acres of cheap plastic, albeit comfy cushioned seats. And hey, it doesn’t even really look out of place or awkward. Which is truly amazing when you think about it.
Sure, it would have been easier just to slap a small block Chevy in this thing and call it a day. But we salute the visionary who discovered that Lexus, Toyota, and Buick parts could all work together harmoniously. And in the process, they built something truly unique that we hope the new owner can see through to completion!