The 3.8L turbocharged V6 engine that powered the Grand National and GNX was a unique creation in an era still recovering from the muscle car collapse. Unlike most performance cars of the time, it didn’t rely on a big V8. Instead, Buick engineered a torquey, boost-happy V6 that could blow the doors off cars with twice the displacement (1987 GNX #51 produced of 547 built - lead photo).

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).

The Buick Regal, introduced in 1973 (1978 Regal shown above), emerged during one of the most tumultuous eras in American automotive history. Stretching across the tail end of the muscle car era into the smog-choked malaise years, the first few generations of the Regal prioritized style, comfort, and luxury over outright performance. From 1973 through 1987, the Buick Regal became a case study in how government regulations, economic shifts, and changing consumer tastes could transform a car from a potential performer into a cruiser fit more for Sunday drives than drag strips.

The Buick Regal is a legendary nameplate in the world of American muscle cars and luxury coupes. From its introduction in 1973 to its final models in 1987, the Regal underwent numerous changes but remained a beloved symbol of performance, refinement, and innovation. Whether you're restoring a 1973 Buick Regal, modifying a 1980 Regal Turbo, or enhancing your 1987 Regal Grand National, the Classic Industries 1973-1987 Buick Regal Parts and Accessories Catalog is a must-have resource. This catalog offers a wide selection of parts that cater to all generations of the Regal, from OEM-style replacements to performance upgrades and custom accessories.

The 1987 Buick Grand National is a car that needs no introduction among enthusiasts. The GN's turbocharged and intercooled 3.8L V6 engine produced 245 horsepower, a figure that was extremely impressive at the time (and greater than that of the Corvette's 5.7L V8). Its "experimental" sibling the GNX pushed the limit even further, outrunning Ferraris and Porsches to become one of the world's fastest production cars. This year at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, world-renowned custom builder Ringbrothers showed off their approach to building the ultimate Buick Grand National resto-mod.

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.

What do you get when you squeeze two more cylinders, nearly double the displacement, and a second turbo into the engine bay of a 1987 Buick Grand National? In the case of Roadster Shop's custom '87 GN,  you get six and a half times the original power output. Yes, you read that right. The original 3.8L turbocharged V6 in this car produced 245hp, which made it very quick compared to most other cars of its era. The car seen here produces more than 6.5 times as much power with its 1,600hp 7.0L twin-turbo V8.

The Buick GNX was General Motors' ultimate turbocharged variant of the G-Body Buick Regal, and a mere 547 original GNXs were produced in 1987. Due to the difficulty and expense involved in finding an all-original GNX today, many classic car buyers and restorers have sought out its closest sibling, the Grand National. However, this wasn't the only other high-performance, turbocharged Regal variant. In this article, we'll take a look back at two other performance-oriented, forced-induction Buick Regal models, the Regal T-Type and Turbo T.

The year was 1987, and General Motors was preparing to phase out the popular rear-wheel-drive G-body chassis. In order to give this legendary platform a fitting send-off, Buick engineers got to work to create what some have called one of the most menacing cars to ever roll out of Detroit. The result was known as the Buick GNX, short for Grand National Experimental. A total of 547 GNXs were produced, and each began life as a fully-optioned Grand National. So, what's the difference between a Grand National and GNX? Read on as we take a detailed look at the '87 Buick GNX specs.

Interest in classic cars is often tied to the vehicles we owned (or aspired to own) when we were in our teenage years, so it should come as no surprise that cars from the 1980s are steadily increasing in popularity. The 1978-87 Buick Regal, Buick Grand National, and legendary Buick GNX are great examples of this trend. These G-body vehicles have always had a cult following in the lowrider and drag racing communities, but we're glad to see them developing an even broader appeal. The Regal has always been an excellent platform for affordable restoration and customization.