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101 Cars: 87 Buick GNX
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
07/28/2008
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
The GNX became an instant collectible the day it was built. (Photo: GSNationals.com) ยป More Photos

The American performance car movement was left for dead after about 1973 but began a comeback with the reborn Mustang GT 5.0 and an all-new Camaro and Firebird in 1982. But, believe it or not, one of the hottest games in town came from Buick. GM's supposedly conservative marque began playing the turbocharged V-6s in 1978, and it all came alive with the Regal-based Grand National in 1984. A few serious car guys within Buick teamed up with ASC and McLaren to create the ultimate Grand National for 1987, which would be the last year for the then-current Regal platform.

The result was the GNX, and each became an instant collectible the day it was built. The GN's 3.8-liter turbo V-6, already good for 200-235 horses, was cranked up to 276 horses. There were larger wheels and tires, flared fenders, vents in the front fenders, a further-revised suspension, and almost no chrome, other than the polished wheel rims, everything was basic black. A 5.5-second 0-60 time and mid-13-second quarter-mile runs are fast now, but they were unheard of from an American sedan with a six-cylinder engine and an automatic trans.

Specifications
Engine: 3.8-liter turbocharged OHV V-6
Horsepower: 276
0–60 mph: 5.5 seconds
Top Speed: 125 miles per hour
Price New: $29,290
Value Now: You won't find a perfect stock example for less than $40,000
1987 Buick GNX Photos



Claim to Fame

Proved that vision and teamwork could make something special happen, even at mid-1980s GM


Soundtrack

"I Get Around" by The Beach Boys ("We always take my car 'cause it's never been beat...")


Perfect Passenger

H.J. Koehler, a New York Buick dealer, who drove a Buick to its first competition record in 1904


Behind the Wheel
Muscle car buffs have begun hoarding them, so they're tough to find. Good backup bet is to buy a regular 1984-1986 Grand National and upgrade it to GNX performance specs.


Did You Know?
Buick only intended to build 200 GNXs, but demand forced a revised estimate to 500. Ultimately, 547 were built.


The Perfect Drive
Milan Dragway in Milan, Michigan, where the original GNX prototypes were tested.



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