In the haze of underwhelming American cars of the 1980s, Buick—a brand long associated with elderly buyers and soft luxury—did something unthinkable. It unleashed a pair of performance monsters that tore through quarter miles and took down Corvettes, Mustangs, and even European sports cars. These were the Buick Grand National and the ultra-rare, legendary GNX (1987 GNX in lead photo).
Above: 1982 Buick Grand National
Born from the embers of an era obsessed with fuel economy and emissions control, these blacked-out turbocharged Regals became cult classics and remain some of the most respected American performance cars of the decade.
Performance Variants of the Buick Regal from 1978-1987:
- 1978-82 Regal Sport Coupe – The first turbocharged Regal models, laying the groundwork for future performance variants.
- 1982 Grand National – The debut year for the GN; some models were naturally aspirated, while others featured a turbocharged V6.
- 1983 T-Type – Replaced the Grand National and Sport Coupe for a single year. The T-Type name continued until 1986 across multiple Buick models, including the Century, Skylark, and Riviera.
- 1984-1987 Grand National (Standard with Turbo V6, blacked-out appearance)
- 1987 Regal Limited Turbo – A rare combination of luxury and performance, featuring the same turbocharged engine as the GN but with a plush Brougham-style interior, 60/40 split bench seat, and column shifter.
- 1987 WE4 Package – A stealthy alternative to the Grand National, featuring an all-black exterior with a gray cloth interior. It was rumored to be quicker due to aluminum bumper supports and brake drums, though final curb weight was similar to the GN.
- 1987 GNX (Limited to 547 units, the most powerful Regal variant)
Origin Story: 1982 Regal Grand National
The Grand National story began in 1982 with a limited-production special edition to celebrate Buick’s success in NASCAR. Only 215 units were made, and most had the standard 4.1L V6—far from a speed demon.
Key Details:
- Named after NASCAR's Grand National Series
- Most had 125 hp 4.1L V6s
- A handful received the 175 hp turbocharged 3.8L V6
- Came in various colors, not just black
- Mostly an appearance package (stripes, spoilers, badging)
It was more of a hint of what was to come than a true performance car.
1984–1985: The Grand National Comes into Focus
Above: 1984 Buick Grand National - all in black
Buick brought back the Grand National in 1984, this time in all black—a look that would become iconic. These cars were built on the G-body Regal coupe, but now performance was catching up to the aggressive looks.
1984 Grand National:
- 3.8L Turbocharged V6
- Intercooled? Not yet
- Output: 200 horsepower / 300 lb.-ft. of torque
- 0–60 mph in ~7.5 seconds
1985 Grand National:
- Improved turbo plumbing
- Still non-intercooled
- Output: 200 horsepower / 300 lb.-ft. of torque (claimed, but some say underrated)
Buick was quietly building one of the fastest American cars of the era—but the real storm was coming.
Above: 1985 Buick Grand National
1986: Intercooling Changes Everything
1986 was the year the Grand National got serious. Buick added a Garrett intercooler and made several engine tweaks. Suddenly, the Regal was no longer just “fast for a Buick”—it was fast, period.
1986 Grand National:
- 3.8L Turbo V6, now intercooled
- Output: 235 horsepower / 330 lb.-ft. of torque
- 0–60 mph: ~6.1 seconds
- Quarter mile: ~14.2 sec @ 97 mph
It was faster than the Corvette. And the Mustang. And nearly anything else in its price range.
Above and video below: The 1986 Buick Grand National received an intercooler for the turbocharger, which enabled better performance.
Video: 1986-1987 Buick 3.8L Intercooled Turbo V6
1987: The Final Year and Birth of a Legend – The GNX
Buick went all in for 1987. It was the final model year for the rear-wheel-drive Regal, and Buick wanted to go out with a bang.
1987 Grand National:
- 3.8L Intercooled Turbo V6
- Output: 245 horsepower / 355 lb.-ft. of torque (underrated)
- 0–60 mph: ~6.0 seconds
- Quarter mile: 13.9 sec @ 98 mph
But then came the GNX—a collaboration between Buick and ASC/McLaren, limited to just 547 units.
1987 GNX: The Ultimate Sleeper
Above: Here's the engine of the last built 1987 GNX, number 547
The GNX (Grand National Experimental) was everything a muscle car fan could dream of—stealthy, fast, and exclusive.
GNX Upgrades:
- Ceramic-coated turbocharger (Garrett T3)
- Larger intercooler with better airflow
- Reprogrammed ECU
- Reinforced transmission and differential
- Unique rear suspension with torque arm for better traction
- Analog Stewart-Warner gauges
- Numbered dash plaque (each GNX is a collectible)
Above and below: Interior of a 1987 GNX with 16 miles driven - This GNX is number 227 out of 547 built, according to its dash plaque.
Performance:
- Factory-rated at 276 horsepower / 360 lb.-ft. of torque
- Real-world dynos suggest closer to 300+ horsepower / 400+ lb.-ft. of torque
- 0–60 mph: 4.6 seconds
- Quarter mile: 13.4 sec @ 104 mph
Let that percolate in your brain: in 1987, a Buick—not a Corvette or Camaro—was the fastest production car General Motors offered. And it beat everything short of supercars.
Legacy and Impact:
Despite its short run, the Grand National and GNX earned massive respect from gearheads, collectors, and drag racers alike. It was the ultimate sleeper—a blacked-out Buick coupe with no V8 under the hood, just a howling V6 that could humiliate V8s all day long.
Pop Culture and Collector Status
- GNX prices have skyrocketed (clean examples go for $150,000+)
- The GN and GNX have appeared in movies, TV shows, and video games
- They’ve inspired generations of turbocharged performance cars
Above: Window sticker of the 1987 GNX that had just 16 miles on the odometer
The Last American Muscle Car?
The Grand National and GNX weren’t just fast—they were rebellion in a black suit. They proved that performance wasn’t dead in the ‘80s. And they made the Regal name—once synonymous with boring luxury—into something feared at stoplights.
For some, the 1987 GNX wasn’t just a high point for Buick—it was the last true muscle car of the 20th century.
Get Your Grand National or GNX Groovin' with Parts and Accessories from Classic Industries
Above: 1982 Buick Grand National (photo courtesy of Old Cars Weekly)
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.
Classic Industries Archives of Buick Regal: Grand National, GNX, Limited, T-Type, Turbo T, and Sport Articles
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!
- Buick Regal T-Type & Turbo T: The Grand National's Turbo Siblings
- 1985 Buick Regal - A Tribute to Mom
- 1981 Regal Pace Car - The GN's Precursor
- Roadster Shop's 1,600 Horsepower Buick Grand National
- 1987 Buick Grand National - The Dark Side
- Ringbrothers INVADR: The Ultimate Buick Grand National Resto-Mod?
- An American Legend: Throttle House's Retro Review of the Buick GNX
- Mint '87 Buick GNX Sold for $200,000
- A Story of Style Over Speed - 1973-1987 Buick Regal - at First
- Essential Buick Regal Parts Catalog: 1973-1987 Restoration Guide
Above: 1987 GNX - same car as the lead image (photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions)
