The Buick Regal is a favorite for many classic car enthusiasts, and its Grand National variant became a legend as a result of its intimidating appearance and high-performance turbocharged V6 engine. Some purists would say the turbo V6 is the heart and soul of the GN, but what happens when one of these cars is built from the ground up to go toe-to-toe with modern supercars? That's a question the Hemmings crew set out to answer as they built a supercharged-V8-powered Grand National for Grammy-award-winning rapper Killer Mike.
Killer Mike's Grand National Project
If the engine is the heart of this car, this Grand National received a heart transplant, and now it's stronger than ever. It's powered by an LT4 supercharged V8 from a C7 Corvette Z06 which produces 650 horsepower — and that's without any aftermarket modifications. That engine is paired with a built 4L80E automatic transmission.
The car rides on a full QA1 suspension system, and Baer 6-piston big brakes provide dramatically improved stopping power.
A set of black wheels with polished lips gives the car a modernized look, and it's finished off with custom "Grind National" badges with an integrated 8 logo to reflect the new motor.
Thankfully, the body was in good shape, so a thorough detail was all that was needed to revitalize the shine of its black paint. As for the interior, it remains mostly original as well, except for a set of original-style seat upholstery and headrest covers from the Classic Industries Regal catalog.
Killer Mike picked up the car on the day of the Grammy Awards show, and drove through the streets of LA to walk the red carpet. He even did a few burnouts to feel the difference with 650 horsepower under the hood.
Above: That's the face of a man who enjoyed the first drive in his new V8-powered Regal.
Check out the full 6-part video series on the Hemmings YouTube channel, or watch the final episode below:
Looking for Parts for Your Buick Regal Project?
Classic Industries is the leading source for restoration parts for a variety of classic vehicles, including the Buick Regal, T-Type, Grand National, and GNX. We'd be happy to help you with your project, whether it requires a few hard-to-find items or a complete frame-off restoration. Click the button below to get a free full-color Buick Regal restoration parts catalog:
