Minneapolis Street Sighting: Buick LeSabre T-Type

 Continuing our 1980's theme set by yesterday's post, tonight we'll look at another 1980s "icon". Okay, so it isn't quite an icon, but these cars do have a (limited) following. Launched in 1987 and remaining in production through the1989 model year, these cars were, like the Grand National LeSabre (yes, you read that right), a limited edition. 

Unlike the Grand National Lesabre, the T-Type did not have a rear opera window, and it came in colors other than black. Like the rear-drive Grand National, and its front-drive namesakes, these T-Types were also motivated by a 3.8L V6, unfortunately without any sort of forced induction. All is well, however, because even without being "fast", these were arguably the best looking H-Bodies.

1987 cars were the only ones to receive black and gray interior trim, and this example features black and gray interior trim, making this particular car a 1987 exactly.

I don't think I've ever seen one of these in white, and certainly not this nice. The only other ones I've seen have been maroon, and one of those I'm now certain was a clone.  On the surface, this example seems seriously well-kept, especially given the climate it lives in. I've also never seen this particular car in the same spot, so I'm certain this one is a daily driver.

The paint is very nicely kept, though as with all cars of this vintage, the plating on the badges and has flaked, and the grille has been pitted; as a daily driver, those two facts are not surprising.  Another thing I notice about this  example is the (probably recent) wheel swap; honestly, in this case, its for the better. The stock wheels aren't the most elegant examples, but being a 1980s GM product, what else do you expect? I feel that these American Racing generic specials suit the T-Type far better than the stockers do, and thankfully the owner agrees.

Does the owner know what he drives? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it's cool to see a rare vehicle that isn't locked in some old fart's garage. I can only hope that while it does get driven, it also gets regularly taken care of. I certainly don't want this rare LeSabre to fall victim to the ever-so-destructive tin-worm.