The Buick Regal Grand National as we know it was produced from 1984 to 1987, the Grand National being little more than an appearance package prior to 1984. As the mid-size rear-wheel-drive platform was nearing its end, Buick wanted to send the Grand National off with a bang. Working with ASC/McLaren (yes, that McLaren), they created the King of the Grand Nationals, the 1987 Buick GNX (Grand National Experimental).
From the outside, a Buick GNX doesn’t look radically different from a standard Grand National. However, the GNX had plenty of secret sauce added to its mix. Heads that flowed more freely, improved engine management controls, less restrictive exhaust, and an upgraded turbo, all combined to boost output to 276 horsepower and 360 pound feet of torque. The Buick GNX laid down a zero-to-60 time of 4.6 seconds, and continued on through the quarter mile in the low 13-second range. Pretty heady stuff in 1987, crushing that year’s Corvette times.
The Buick GNX received a transmission oil cooler, and composite fender flares. The body of the GNX was stiffer than the stock Grand National, the rear suspension design was improved, springs and stabilizer bars were stiffer. The Buick GNX was equipped with larger basket-weave 16-inch black wheels with polished aluminum lips. Gauges were changed out for Stewart-Warner analog units, with oil pressure, coolant temp, and boost level gauges included in a modified cluster. Function louvers were added to the front fenders, helping hot air to escape the engine bay. GNX badges appeared in the grille, trunk lid, and on the wheel center caps. Each Buick GNX had a serial number plate that was mounted on the passenger side of the dash.
Only 547 Buick GNXs were ever built. The example we see here is #22. It has covered only 7,675 miles from new. It is accompanied by all the original Point of Sale documentation, as well as the original window sticker, dealer invoice, dealer service manual, owner’s manual, cassette radio, wheels and tires. It comes with a GNX jacket that has never been worn, other assorted apparel, literature, and spare parts. This one is headed to the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in March.
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Comments
The most exciting Buick on sell today from old Buick. The new FWD CUV Buick company would never make something like this again. Good luck in the future with attracting buyers born past 2K.
Or, Buick may have a new BEV that’s faster than any Buick in history. And many more exciting models to come
Faster not always better and EV no matter which way you look at it will never have the thrill and adrenalin rush that good old combustion provides, the vibration, inhale of air through the carbie and exhale and music out of the exhaust as you put your foot down or the low rumble as you cruise the boulevard these are things that our grand kids may never get to experience
Another overpriced Dinosaur 🦕.
Another overpriced Dinosaur 🦕.
Now here is one of the classiest cars ever produced, with style, presence and get up and boogie showed up many a highpo V8 back in the day and still a looker putting many a modern car to shame, just goes to show what can be achieved when you put a bit of effort in its a shame that there are not to many around to be appreciated
Grand National production which looks pretty much the same as a GNX to most people was 20,000+. Many T-type cars in various colors out there too… Because of their perceived value today, more cars are being preserved and many rusty buckets are being restored. So although not typically regularly used on the roads as daily drivers these days, GNs and their “close cousins” are out there – especially at enthusiast gatherings and cars and coffee events.
10 times more exciting than the sluggish frumpmobile CUV only lineup currently available.
Maybe one of you guys that doodles with computer rendered design could come up with a modern styled version of the GNX
One could do styling exercises like that, but it would be a waste of time. It’s federal regulation that dictates the basic shape of cars today – and that will never include a boxy looking car like a GN. Note the short side windows in a modern Camaro, Corvette, etc. that make it extremely hard to see out the side of those cars. That’s not accidental. It’s done that way so they could raise/increase the belt line metal to meet side impact standards. And to increase/maintain fuel economy and keep that GM CAFE number low, we’re basically stuck with wedges and “potato” vehicle shapes from now on… If you like old GNs, buy one when you get the chance. All you need is one good one. I’ve got mine…!
I am not a GM guy but that GNx is the bomb 💣
Another platform GM stupidly killed by going fwd. Ten years later they killed the Impala. Another brain dead move.
The Connecticut State Police had a few of these assigned to the Traffic Division…. Unsuspecting violators were really shocked when a GNX appeared in their rear view mirror with grill lights flashing and the head lights in the “wig wag mode” Those were the days. What a GREAT Car.
They were regular Grand Nationals, not GNX’s
Joe, you are right they were the regular Grand Nationals, not the GNX’s
Mike
Your wrong about the GNX having different heads than a regular GN or T-Type which I owned. The engine is basically the same in all turbo models with a little tweaking on the GNX. My T-Type with a chip change, and a cold air ram system would destroy any Corvette on the road.
Not sure why a car enthusiast with any appreciation for history would “dis” “dinosaurs” that led the pack in the 80s in both performance and technology. After all, back then GNXs, GNs and the 1989 Pontiac 20th Anniversary Trans Am had turbochargers, electronic fuel injection and inter-coolers. Most engines today are still not even turbocharged. About the only thing that Buicks didn’t have back then is direct injection – which is used mostly to improve emissions, not so much performance.
The GNX and GNs were “really something” for their time. They’re “really something” today and will continue to be far out into the future. About every other time I drive my 1987 GN and stop at a traffic intersection, some guy in a pickup truck or service vehicle rolls down their window to yell “NICE CAR”. People in luxury cars similarly yell: “NICE CAR – DO YOU WANT TO SELL IT”? Kids on bicycles yell: “I like your car”! A woman in a grocery store parking lot stared at my car for quite a while, then asked me: “What kind of car is that”? So yes these were “really something”. But in my experience their looks are pretty much “timeless”.
Here is the test. 30 years from now will there be anyone snapping up or reminiscing about the NEW homogenous electric CUVs? Will any of them sell for more than they cost new?
How very true
Down here in Australia there is an online auction selling is one of the great Holden HSV Maloo GTSR W1 series utes (think El Camino)
they sold new for around $170,000 the latest bid is over $1,000,000 as you say I doubt this would ever happen with any vehicle built from now on