The model year 1987 holds a hallowed place within the history of American performance history, primarily thanks to the final manufacturing run for the Buick legendary rear-wheel-drive G-platform Regal. It was a year that saw the pinnacle of a surprising performance renaissance, creating a clear pecking order of models that spanned from understated sleepers to a all-out supercar slayer. While they all were based upon the same basic chassis, the Regal Limited, the Turbo T, the Grand National, and the mythical GNX each had a completely distinct character, set of of specifications, and target buyer. Understanding their nuanced and not-so-subtle distinctions remains key to truly grasping the brilliance behind Buick's last performance hurrah of that decade.
The Turbocharged Starting Points: Regal Limited and the Turbo T Package
At the bottom of this power ladder sat the more more versatile and often overlooked variants: the Regal Limited equipped with the turbo option as well as the Turbo T. The Regal Limited was primarily traditionally the comfort-focused package, replete with cushy seating, ample chrome trim, and a compliant ride. However, in 1987, astute buyers could quietly spec this luxurious plush coupe with the powerful LC2 3.8-liter V6 intercooled powertrain, effectively creating a wolf in sheep's attire. This permitted for a blisteringly fast drive without the overtly aggressive styling of its darker stablemates.
Conversely, the Turbo T package, often known by internal WE4 RPO code, was a more purpose-built approach to stripped-down speed. Buick designed the Turbo T as a more agile counterpart to the Grand National, achieving this by utilizing aluminum bumper supports and aluminum rims. Aesthetically, this model stood in stark stark opposition to all-black Grand National, keeping most of the standard brightwork trim it was being available in a wide variety factory body hues. This variant was essentially the enthusiast's purist's selection for those who valued raw performance a a slightly more responsive chassis above the unmistakable visual presence of more famous better-known famous all-black counterpart.
The Menace in Black: Understanding the Grand National
When many enthusiasts think of a 1980s '80s Buick muscle car, the vision which immediately springs to their head is that of the menacing Grand National. Designated as the WE2 WE2 Regular Regular Production Option Option, the Grand National was fundamentally less of a mechanically distinct model and rather an all-encompassing iconic appearance and trim package. This model utilized the exact same powerful LC2 3.8L turbocharged V6 the 200-4R automatic transmission found in the Turbo T. However, its unmistakable trait was its its single-color all-black exterior scheme, a look that earned it the famous monikers "Darth Vader's car" or "the Dark Side."
This menacing look was meticulously carefully enforced throughout the entire vehicle. All of the exterior molding, including the door surrounds to the grille, was finished finished in black. The car vehicle sat upon specific 15-inch chrome-plated chrome rims a a black-painted inset, lending a truly very distinctive appearance. Inside, the Grand National featured a specific two-tone black and grey cloth interior, the addition of the turbo "6" logo stitched into the front front seat headrests. The model also was equipped the the firm-riding firmer F41 Gran Touring suspension package, which gave it sharper road manners in order to complement its impressive accelerative prowess.
The Apex Predator: The Grand National Experimental (GNX)
If the Grand National was the king of the boulevard, the GNX Grand National Experimental was nothing less than the pinnacle of all American American performance cars of 1987. Developed as a fitting ultimate send-off for the G-body chassis, General Motors shipped just 547 fully optioned Grand Nationals to ASC/McLaren Performance Technologies for a radical comprehensive re-engineering. The goal goal was simple simple: to build the "Grand National|Grand National} that would end all Grand Nationals." The resulting result was a a machine that was so incredibly quick it could was able to out-accelerate most of the world's era's most exotic supercars, including Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
The extensive modifications were both extensive and very effective. The engineers fitted a larger larger Garrett hybrid turbo, a more effective intercooler, a a specially custom programmed engine management unit (ECU). The transmission 200-4R was also beefed-up for firmer shifts, critically critically, the entire rear axle setup was completely redesigned. This new setup included a unique unique torque arm and a Panhard rod, which dramatically improved traction virtually completely eliminated wheel hop under brutal acceleration. Fully understanding the complete complete Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX necessitates a deep deep examination of the bespoke engineering that ASC/McLaren poured into this extremely extremely limited-production vehicle.
A Comparative Look at Specifications and Unique Features
When analyzing these four variants, the differences their specifications available features become all the more more apparent. From the factory, the LC2 engine found in the Regal Limited, Turbo T, and Grand National was understatedly rated at 245 horsepower with three-hundred and fifty-five lb-ft of torque. By dramatic contrast, the GNX GNX, with its significant upgrades, was officially rated at two-hundred and seventy-six hp a massive a staggering 360 lb-ft of torque, although actual dyno readings have consistently proven these figures to have been wildly underestimated, with true power being well over 300 horsepower.
In terms of appearance, the hierarchy hierarchy was equally equally clear. The Turbo T the Limited were chameleons of the group, frequently wearing chrome accents being available in a variety of wide range of colors. The Grand National, naturally, was check here exclusively strictly black, creating an intimidating aura. The GNX, in turn, took this dark dark persona a step further. It featured lightweight wheel arch flares, working heat-releasing vents in the front front fenders, and a unique style of 16-inch 16-inch black mesh cross-lace rims that set it apart instantly from even a Grand National. Options such as T-tops were widely ordered for the Turbo T, and Grand T, but models, however, not a single GNX was officially built with this feature, in order to maintain optimal chassis rigidity.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Buick's Turbocharged Fleet
In the concluding analysis, the 1987 1987 Buick Regal lineup stands as a masterful masterful case study of product segmentation and performance evolution. From the surprisingly surprisingly quick and luxurious Regal Limited to the agile Turbo T, Buick provided a spectrum of turbocharged power to suit suit varying tastes as well as priorities. The Grand National subsequently codified this performance performance with an unforgettable and menacing visual package, birthing a cultural legend that endures even this day. At the very top of it all was the GNX, a limited-edition limited-edition supercar which served as a a definitive final statement mark, cementing the Buick Regal's platform's status within the pantheon halls of automotive performance legends. Each model car was special in its own way, yet collectively they created a unforgettable lineup that redefined domestic performance for a generation new era.