The term "survivor" is often used to refer to a classic car that has been preserved in completely original condition since it was brand new. Few cars fit that description better than this 1987 Buick GNX — not only did it survive in flawless condition, but it never even left the showroom! "It still has the window sticker. This has sat at a Buick dealership since 1987," remarked Jay Leno in surprise as he looked over this pristine GNX. Leno spoke to Brad Willingham, the owner of Boulevard Buick, about the interesting story of this rare vehicle.
A Gloss Black Time Capsule from 1987
Enthusiasts will surely know the importance of the name GNX. It stands for Grand National Experimental, and represented the pinnacle of the turbocharged Buick Regal platform — arguably the pinnacle of turbocharged production cars in general at the time, since it was faster than anything Ferrari or Porsche had to offer in 1987. Only 547 Buick GNXs were ever built, so it's incredible to see one that is truly brand new still.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Leno spoke to Willingham about why this car never left his family's dealership. The original window sticker still shows a price of $29,389, which equates to roughly $88,500 today. Willingham said they had some interest, but the potential buyers couldn't quite afford it, so — knowing the rarity and significance of this car to the Buick brand — they just decided to keep it.
Above: The GNX emblem on the blacked-out grille meant you were looking at one of the fastest production vehicles of the 1980s.
At the time of recording, this car had just 184 miles on the odometer, and had never been titled to a single owner. Outside of a museum, you're unlikely to ever see a cleaner example.
Leno recalled that this was an unusual engine for what was effectively an American muscle car. "Being a V6 was unique back in the day. America was not known for V6s, but this one certainly blew off its share of Corvettes and Porsches." With the special Garrett turbo, intercooler, and 15psi of boost, this 3.8L made the GNX one of the fastest production cars in the world in 1987.
The GNX's modifications also went far beyond engine upgrades and cosmetics. It also had a beefed-up TH200-4R transmission, functional fender vents for improved cooling, 16x8-inch black mesh wheels with wider rear tires, and a lightweight reinforced rear axle housing with a torque ladder bar.
Check out the video below to hear Leno's thoughts on the cultural significance and driving experience of one of the coolest cars of the 1980s:
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