West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional example of this fully documented 1987 Buick Regal Grand National GNX (#477 & 1 OF ONLY 547 EVER BUILT) 3.8L 276HP V6 Turbo coupe with only 21K original miles and fully loaded with factory options and finished in its beautiful 'Black' color paint with it's original 'Gray' cloth bucket seats interior with factory options including:
3.8L SFI Turbo V6 with Intercooler
Automatic transmission with Overdrive
Fast ratio power steering
Power front disc brakes
Aluminum wheels
Air conditioning
Steel belted tires
Gran Touring suspension
Leather wrapped steering wheel
Dual horns
AM radio
Fixed mast antenna
Bumper guards
Turbo boost lights
Tachometer
Left remote mirror
High mount stop light
MSRP: $17,865.00
& added factory ASC options of;
GNX Package $10,995.00
includes:
Eagle Gatorback Tires
Aluminum 16" wheels
GNX Modified engine
GNX modified transmission
Performance rear suspension
Engine air vents
Body modifications
Instrumentation package
GNX emblems
T2L Special Handling for GNX
A90 Electric Trunk Release
B34 Front carpet savers w/inserts
B35 Rear carpet savers w/inserts
B48 Trunk trim covering
CD4 2 speed windshield wiper delay
C49 Electric rear window defogger
C95 Front reading lights
D64 Lighted visor vanity mirror passenger side
D68 Body colored mirrors left & right remote
G80 Limited slip differential, Lamp Group Complete, Inside hood release, Dual Horns, High mount stop lamp, Freedom Battery
K34 Electronic Cruise Control
LC2 3.8L SFI Turbocharged with Intercooler
N33 Tilt Steering Column
TT5 Tungsten Halogen Headlamps
T63 Headlamps On Indicator
UA1 Heavy Duty Battery
UA6 Theft Detterent System
U57 Automatic power Antenna
UW4 Concert Sound Speaker System
UX1 Delco GM Graphic Equalizer Cassette Tape AM/FM Stereo
VK3 Front license plate mounting
WE2 Regal "Grand National Package" Includes Turbo V6 engine, 4 spd auto trans, performance suspension, sport mirrors, air conditioning, specific interior & exterior
WG1 Power 6 way drivers seat
19U Exterior color - Black
Trim 583 Bucket seats in Gray cloth
Destination Charge: $430.00
Total: $29,290.00
The original ASC Limited Warranty covered the GNX Equipment Package upgrades including:
Rear Axle Cover, Gasket compound, Ladder bar, Panhard rod, Frame bucket, Frame reinforcement rod, Rubber bushings
Rear seat frame crossmember brace
Transmission
Transmission oil cooler & oil cooler lines
Exhaust system including mufflers, tailpipes & exhaust pipes
Turbocharger & Turbocharger cover
Intercooler, Hoses & clamps
Electronic control module prom
Gauge cluster & associated harnesses
Aluminum wheels
Front fender vents
Fender/Quarter wheel flares
GNX badges - Grille/Decklid
Instrument panel trim plate
In 1986, the Buick Regal and its virtually identical cousin the Regal Grand National, wasn't selling in big numbers (only 2,384 T-Types, 5,512 Grand Nationals; built in 1986) but it was destined from the start to become a collectible classic car as it was attracting enthusiasts into Buick showrooms with its dramatic looks and turbo-charged 3.8L V6 engines with sequential fuel injection rated at 235 bhp. Virtually identical cousins, the T-Type had a clone but a clone with a twist, a T-Type with the Grand National package; it boasted a 'Darth Vader' look in monotone black only and retailed for an extra $635 and included the same turbo-charged engine, quick ratio power steering, an instrumentation group, sports mirrors with left-hand remote control, a four-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning and P215/65R15 black sidewall tires!
These Turbo Buick's became one of the top muscle cars of the 1980's, as eventually demonstrated by the top-of-the-line renown and now legendary 1987 Grand National GNX (Grand National Experimental), made in partnership with 'McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC', of which only 547 were built and which boasted a further reportedly 41HP for a total of 276HP, although Buick famously underrated the GNX as actual output was closer to 300HP! A bigger turbo-charger and inter-cooler along with other enhancements gave this hot rod over 300 bhp and "Car & Driver's" test showed 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds, which amongst factory 1987 cars meant that only Porsche' 911 Turbo could match the GNX's acceleration!
In 1981, a major facelift to the second generation Regal gave it a more enhanced aerodynamic look and the car started competing on the NASCAR racing circuit where it fast became one of the favorites of several NASCAR racing teams. It won the Daytona 500 in the same year and a majority of the 1981/2 seasons races and the NASCAR manufacturers title in those same years. With its firm handling suspension, larger tires and sports wheels the car was an instant classic and marked the end of an era as the last of Buick's legendary muscle cars. 1984 was the first year of the Sequential Fuel Injection engine and Distributor-less ignition and considered by enthusiasts as the ultimate development of these legendary intercooled Regal's and Grand National's. The performance of these engines was well ahead of their time and the "small six"could easily match virtually any V8! Quarter mile performance was listed at 15.9 seconds compared to 15.1 for the Corvette!
In 1986 a modified engine design saw significant mechanical changes along with the already beneficial sequential fuel injection and distributor-less ignition system that included a new air to air intercooler, adjustments to its Garrett turbo, improved upper and lower intake manifolds and a redesigned exhaust system that boosted the performance even further from 200HP to a newly impressive 235HP + and 330 lb/ft of V8 slaying torque and by 1987 it had reached 245HP before sadly Buick dropped the T-Type package for both the Regal and the Grand National in 1987. The car's drag strip scorching performance would not only best GM's own Camaro and Corvette but also prove to catapult it to the forefront of 80's performance!
Working with ASC/McLaren Performance Technologies, Buick created the King of the Grand Nationals, the 1987 Buick GNX (Grand National Experimental). Composite fender flares, functional fender vents over the front tires helped cool the engine compartment, larger basket-weave 16-inch black wheels with polished aluminum lips, and GNX badges appeared in the grille, trunk lid, and on the wheel center caps. The Buick GNX wore the same sinister gloss black exterior as the Grand National but a number of exterior details set it apart from its more mundane stablemate. The Buick GNX had freer flowing heads, improved engine management, less restrictive exhaust and an upgraded turbo, all combined to boost output to 276 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. In addition to the engine mods, there was a transmission cooler, stiffer body, an improved rear suspension design with stiffer springs and stabilizer. A bulge was added to the hood to accommodate the increased dimensions of all the performance goodies. The improvement was undeniable. The Buick GNX laid down a zero-to-60 time of 4.6 seconds, and rocketed through the quarter-mile in the low 13-second range. The interior of the Buick GNX featured a number of unique details. A serial number plate was mounted on the passenger side of the dash, and standard gauges were swapped for Stewart-Warner units, with gauges for oil pressure, coolant temp, and boost level housed in a modified cluster.
To commemorate the last year of the Regal on GMs G-body chassis, Buick created the extraordinarily rare GNX for the 1987 model year only, that year Buick built 20,193 Grand Nationals but only 547 GNXs were made. Thats what makes the GNX so rare. Before McLaren started building its own supercars in the 1990s, it was the go-to company for performance and racing know-how. Its expertise traces back to the early 1960s when Bruce McLaren founded a Formula 1 group that would race to victory later in the decade. Recognizing that Buicks internal team could only take an amped-up version of the Grand National so far, management brought in McLaren and American Speciality Cars (ASC) to help.
Buick had stated its goal was to build the fast GM production car and to create a limited-production Buick Grand National that achieves a memorable place in the history of high-performance automobiles, one that car collectors will want to own and that automotive writers will never forget. McLaren and ASC got to work on not only improving the GM V-6 but reworking the suspension as well. To counteract the drawbacks of this at-best adequate platform, Buick made improvements to the GNX suspension a priority (along with engine upgrades). These steps included a beefier rear axle, additional chassis support, and extra bracing behind the rear seat. Not only did this help with handling, but the GNX was well-planted at the back which enabled full power launches.
The 3.8-liter V-6 underneath the GNXs hood was no ordinary engine. Sure, it started out as one, but a Garrett turbocharger with an intercooler made all the difference. In addition, the setup featured beefier turbo components, a reworked transmission, a less-restrictive dual exhaust, and a reprogrammed engine control module (ECM). It resulted in a potent powertrain with 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque with GM famously downplaying the engines actual output. Independent testing revealed that this turbo V-6 really kicked out 300 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. That meant the GNX could hit 60 mph from a standstill in 4.7 seconds, according to Car and Driver. To put that in perspective, this was faster than the fastest of its day, including Corvettes, Ferraris, Porsches and even the Lamborghini Countach. For a brief period, the fastest production in the world was the Buick GNX.
In GMs hierarchy, Buick has always been positioned in that low-premium position. Below Cadillac, but above Chevy. This was no different in the 1980s. However, the GNX was a rule-breaker even when it came to cost. For instance, the base Regal Grand National was priced at $16K (approximately $42K today). Add in all the options, and the total rises to about $18K (approximately $48K in 2022 money). But the pricing for the GNX was off the scale. With a sticker of $29,290 (over $80K today), To help justify the GNXs substantial premium over a regular Grand National, Buick also had to provide cabin upgrades. To start, the run-of-the-mill GM instrument cluster was swapped out for a complete Stewart-Warner gauge package. This enhancement featured a 160 mph speedometer, an 8,000 rpm tachometer, and individual gauges for turbo boost, oil pressure, and water temperature. While the black and grey seats were a carryover for the Grand National, every GNX was fitted with a numbered commemorative plaque on the dashboard. Interestingly, unlike the lesser Grand Nationals, the GNX was unavailable with a sunroof or T-tops (Buick was concerned with structural integrity)
This particular example is a rare and unabused surviving example of a fully loaded with factory options and completely stock non-smoking long time family owned factory 1987 Buick Regal Grand National GNX with 21K original miles. It was owned until 2016 by one owner who kept meticulous documentation of its mileage and service history by hand as seen in the photos below and the car will be sold with all its original owners handbooks & GNX supplements including the original Buick Motor Company letter confirming the ASC Limited Edition GNX package & Limited Warranty dated 11/11/1987. The car is also listed as one of the 'Fortunate 547' in the 'Official Buick GNX Registry'.
The original 'Black' color paint is in exceptional condition throughout as is the original interior and the car drives exactly like such a well maintained and an extremely low mileage car should and must be seen and driven to be fully appreciated! The engine is extremely strong with spectacular acceleration and shows no oil leaks, the automatic transmission is very smooth shifting and the temperature always remains cool. The car is all stock and all the options work as they should including the air conditioning.
You will surely look long and hard to find a finer and extremely rare unabused and unmolested fully loaded and stock example of this fully documented and exceptionally clean and increasingly collectible and desirable last of Flint's coveted final factory hot rods, a 1987 Buick Regal Grand National GNX 3.8L S.F.I. V6 Turbo Coupe with only 21K original miles available anywhere else!
