A 1987 Buick Grand National GNX expert might be able to confirm that Omar Navarro's '87 GNX tribute isn't one of the 547 real ones that Buick manufactured, but it would have to be a GNX guru. The reason for this is that Omar took his solid original 1987 Buick Grand National and purchased an original GNX as a parts car from a car auction in Nevada that had been in a roll over crash.
The owner was able to retain numerous components from the rolled over GNX, like all the original badges, the seat covers, the vehicle specific GNX longitudinal torq ladder bar rear suspension with the GNX aluminum drum rear brakes, the original independent front suspension with coil springs, and the genuine 16-inch GNX wheels.
Omar then upgraded the front brakes with Wilwood two-piston calipers with drilled rotors and Wilwood steel braided brake lines. Other improvements include an aftermarket front mount intercooler, TA headers, and down pipe, stainless steel dual exhaust, a Turbonetics turbo, 42-pound fuel injectors, an Alky control Methanol kit, a built and beefed up transmission, and the same sort of rebuild and beefed up treatment for the GNX sourced rear end.
As is evident in these photos and even more in three-dimensional real life, the jet black body and paintwork are superb. The chosen black hue for the GNX tribute's respray was Mercedes Black. The body and paint appears as if it's liquid black ink, miles deep and as smooth as the finest silk.
Omar's Grand National GNX tribute looks every bit the genuine road ripping GNX. However, with the enhancements he made to the Buick, it likely goes much better than one of the 547 that were originally constructed.
What's more, he's probably not afraid to drive it now and then. These Grand Nationals and GNX's run too well and look too good to just be sitting in a garage, in a museum, or at an event.
Above: When is the last time you saw a cassette tape frozen in air?
Above: The original 16-inch wheels are shod with Toyo Proxes radials, 245/50/16's in the front and 255/50/16's in the rear.
It doesn't matter whether you're a Buick Grand National owner or a Buick GNX collector, Classic Industries offers an abundance of components for GNX and Grand National gearheads. You can request a Buick Regal Parts and Accessories Catalog for free. You can also search for Grand National or GNX components on the Classic Industries Buick Regal shopping page and the other sub models online: Limited, T-Type, Turbo T, and Sport.
But wait, there's more - There's a growing library about the Buick Regal and the various sub models: Grand National, Limited, T-Type, Turbo T, Sport, and GNX - for your entertainment, education, inspiration, and information. Have fun in the CI library!