The 1987 Buick Grand National GNX

The Buick Grand National was a two-door, rear wheel drive performance car using a turbocharged 3.8L V6, being offered from 1982 to 1987 (the 1982 models also came with a 4.1L naturally aspirated V6). When it was decided that 1987 would be the final year for the G-body based Regal (in 1988 the Regal became a FWD model), General Motors wanted to end the Grand National’s run with an exclamation point. The 1987 Buick Grand National GNX provided that grand encore for the high performance Buick’s and the GNX has become one of the most sought after 1980’s American cars as well as one of the most collectable Buick’s.

Each 1987 Buick GNX started off as a fully loaded, all black 1987 Grand National but they were then shipped off to ASC/McLaren Specialty Products for the X-treatment. The GNX received few cosmetic changes with the GNX logos and the unique 16” wheels being the only readily visible differences from the standard Buick Grand Nationals. The rear wheels were wider than the front wheels and helping to make the most of those wide tires was a modified suspension setup utilizing a longitudinal torque ladder bar with a panhard rod with a GNX embossed rear differential cover adding additional reinforcement.

Under the hood was where the 1987 GNX really stood apart from the basic Grand National. When you open the hood, the most prominent feature is the GNX Turbo heat shield proudly displaying the logo of the special package. The GNX featured a Garrett hybrid turbocharger using a lightweight ceramic impeller and low friction turbine shaft seals to help reduce spool time and “turbo lag”. A high flow dual exhaust setup adds exhaust flow (so more power) and an audible difference from the basic Turbo Regal. The improved turbo forced 15psi of air into the engine after passing through ceramic coated charge piping and the GNX-unique air-to-air intercooler with the full complement of engine upgrades allowing the 1987 GNX to make an incredible 275 horsepower and 360lb-ft of torque. Compare that to the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette making 240 horsepower from its standard V8 engine, and you have an idea of just how “high performance” the ’87 GNX was for that time. All of that power was sent through a beefed up Turbo Hydramatic 200-4R automatic transmission with an improved torque convertor and firmer shifts than the standard Grand National automatic transmissions.

Finally, the GNX received chassis upgrades to make the car more rigid with bracing added behind the rear seat and steel reinforcement bars running between the chassis rails. This helped the prevent chassis flex during a hard launch or under hard cornering and helping to make the GNX an amazing all-around performance car.

The performance capabilities of the 1987 Buick Grand National GNX were the key reason for its popularity over the years but its low production volume – with just 547 units produced – makes it an incredibly rare vehicle (and the subject of a great many clones).