Back when new, the Buick Regal T-Type and Grand National turbocharged cars were clearly destined for classic status. By 1987, Buick had refined the turbocharged 231 CI V6 engine to produce over 245 horsepower. This was a significant figure, especially when compared to a contemporary stock 305 CI V8 in an automatic-equipped Camaro, which only managed around 190 horsepower. The pinnacle of this performance lineage arrived in 1987 with the Grand National Experimental, or GNX – a limited-edition model representing the ultimate evolution of the turbo Buick concept.
Buick produced just 547 Grand Nationals with specific interior features and then shipped them to American Specialty Cars (ASC) McLaren Performance Technologies for the transformation into the GNX. ASC McLaren implemented several key upgrades, including a Garrett T3 turbocharger with a ceramic impeller and a distinctive GNX heat shield. They also installed a larger intercooler, reprogrammed the engine management system, and enhanced the performance suspension with a torque bar and a unique GNX rear differential cover. Despite these enhancements, the 3.8L V6 engine in the GNX was conservatively rated at 276 horsepower at 4,400 RPM and 360 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM. This power was delivered through a specially prepared Turbo-HydraMatic 2004R transmission.
The GNX delivered truly impressive performance figures. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in under five seconds and achieve a quarter-mile time in the low 13-second range, figures that were remarkable for the era. The GNX’s exterior was just as striking as its performance. It featured vented fenders, intentionally lacked hood and fender emblems for a stealthier look, and rode on unique 16-inch aluminum mesh wheels with blacked-out faces and GNX center caps. These wheels were paired with Goodyear Eagle Gatorback tires, further emphasizing its performance intent.
The example described is GNX number 155 of the “Fourtunate Few,” a testament to its rarity. It boasts an incredibly low 12 miles on the odometer, as displayed on its special instrumentation package, making it a true time capsule. The car is also equipped with GNX-badged front carpet savers, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and includes the original ASC McLaren GNX window sticker, detailing all the exclusive features that defined this exceptional turbocharged Buick as a Grand National Experimental. This low-mileage example underscores the 1987 Grand National GNX’s significance as not just a performance car, but a highly collectible piece of automotive history.
