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Time Capsule 26-Mile 1987 Buick GNX Being Auctioned

The turbo Buick Grand National was built for the 1984 to 1987 model years. Before 1984, the Grand National was little more than an appearance package with minimal consideration given to improved performance. 1987 was the final year of the Grand National due to GM abandoning the rear-wheel-drive G-Body platform. Rather than going quietly into that good night, Buick decided to give the Grand National fans something truly special in the form of the Buick GNX.

Side view of the 26-mile 1987 Buick GNX currently up for auction.

The Buick GNX was the Grand National taken to the next order of magnitude. Partnering with McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC, the GNX received an upgraded turbo, freer flowing heads and exhaust, and an improved engine management system all combined to give the GNX a laughably underrated factory output of 276 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque that allowed it to stomp that year’s Chevy Corvette by laying down a truly impressive 4.6 zero-to-sixty time and a low-13-second quarter mile. The 1987 Corvette with its 240-horsepower, 345-pound-feet L98 and a manual transmission could only muster a 5.8-second zero-to-sixty and 14.4-second quarter mile. Being that the GNX tipped the scales at 3,552 pounds versus the Corvette’s svelte 3,216 pounds, it would seem the GNX was making a bit more than Buick let on.

There were other differences between the Buick GNX and the garden-variety Grand National. The GNX had composite fender flares, functional vents in the front fenders that pulled heat out of the engine bay, sixteen-inch basket-weave black wheels with polished rims, Stewart Warner analog gauges that kept track of oil pressure, boost level, and coolant temp. GNX badges in the grille, on the trunk lid, and on the wheel center caps also let the public know there was a beast in their midst. In addition to the outward appearance, the GNX benefitted from a stiffened body, improved rear suspension, stiffer springs, stiffer anti-sway bars, and a transmission oil cooler. There was even a plaque mounted on the passenger side of the dash letting you know which of the 547 GNXs you were driving.

Our feature 1987 Buick GNX is #450 of the 547 built. It is an absolute time capsule, having been driven just 26 miles from new. It is finished in its factory glossy Regal Black over the two-tone Sand Gray and Black cloth interior. It is equipped with the numbers-matching 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 backed by the four-speed automatic transmission. The GNX is well equipped with air conditioning, cruise control, remote mirrors, a Delco AM/FM/cassette with equalizer, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. This GNX is positively pristine, with only the plastic interior covers missing from new.

This like-new Buick GNX is currently being auctioned on Bring a Trailer with the sale concluding Monday, July 1st.

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Comments

  1. This will command some bucks. Beautiful.

    Reply
  2. It was an outstanding effort by Buick, back before Buick morphed (aka shrunk and shriveled) into a company that has almost zero in common with a rich history. THE foundational brand of General Motors, reduced to selling what the Chinese dictate Buick’s homeland (reminder: American) customers should be offered.

    Reply
    1. Buick today has nothing in common with the glory days of Electra 225s, Rivieras, Wildcat GS, GNX, GS Stage I cars. Today Buick is foreign/import Korean/Chinese car company with the lone exception being the Enclave which is barely an American SUV. It’s simply a pathetic effort by GM.

      Reply
      1. I really believe that Buick will be China-only by 2030.

        Reply
  3. I bought mine after the first spike and it continues to increase in value. It was top dollar back then. And to think that I almost sold it a few years ago. If you can afford it now, BUY IT. This car has so much significance and is way undervalued. Stay tuned!

    Reply
  4. Current bid $150,000 !

    Reply
    1. Do I hear $300k, $400k, $500k?!!

      Reply
  5. I always wanted a 1986 or 87 GN, which sold for an MSRP of $17k, but I had to settle for a Pontiac 20th anniversary Trans Am using the 3.8V6 turbo in the 1989 model year. The lighter aerodynamic Firebird was the real deal when the boost kicked in! The rear suspension couldn’t handle the power without bouncing up and down, it had an MSRP of about $32k, not much less than a Corvette. Expensive considering cars didn’t even have ABS & air bags yet! The GMC Syclone in 91 and Typhoon in 92 were other examples of GM performance vehicles in their heyday! Those days seem to be in the rear view mirror now.

    Reply
  6. It’s kind of a waste that no one got to enjoy driving this machine over the past 37 years.

    Reply

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