The model year 1987 occupies a truly special place within the annals of American performance lore, largely thanks to the final final production run for the Buick legendary rear-wheel-drive G-platform Regal. It was a time that witnessed the absolute pinnacle of a surprising performance revival, establishing a distinct hierarchy of models which spanned from subtle performers all the way to a uncompromising asphalt slayer. Although these vehicles all shared the same basic chassis, the Buick Regal Limited Turbo, the Turbo T, the Grand National, and the mythical GNX each possessed a completely unique personality, set of of specifications, and intended audience. Deciphering the subtle sometimes blatant distinctions remains essential to truly grasping the genius behind Buick's final last performance hurrah of that 1980s.
The Turbocharged Starting Points: Regal Limited and the Turbo T Package
At the base of this performance ladder were the more surprisingly versatile often often overlooked models: the Buick Regal Limited with the turbocharged option and the purposeful Turbo T-Type. The Regal Limited was primarily the comfort-focused trim, replete with cushy interiors, ample brightwork accents, a a softer ride. Crucially, in that final year, astute buyers could quietly option this plush coupe with the potent LC2 3.8L turbocharged engine, effectively creating a wolf in sheep's attire. This combination allowed for a a stealthy high-performance experience without the aggressive obviously aggressive visuals of its its blacked-out siblings.
On the other hand, the Turbo T, sometimes identified its its WE4 RPO code, represented a decidedly focused approach for stripped-down performance. Buick designed the Turbo T as a a more agile counterpart to the heavier Grand National, achieving this goal through employing lightweight aluminum bumper reinforcements and alloy wheels. Aesthetically, it stood in stark opposition the all-black Grand National, keeping much of the standard standard chrome trim it was being available in a variety of body colors. This variant was the purist's selection those individuals who prioritized raw performance a a slightly nimbler chassis above the iconic visual statement of the its more famous all-black sibling.
The Dark Icon: The Grand National (WE2)
When most most people envision a 1980s '80s Buick performance vehicle, the image vision which immediately comes to their head is the the menacing Grand National. Designated with the WE2 WE2 Regular Production Option Option, the '87 Grand National was fundamentally less a mechanically mechanically distinct model and more an all-encompassing all-encompassing appearance and suspension upgrade. It shared the exact exact same potent LC2 intercooled V6 engine and 200-4R automatic transmission found in the Turbo T. However, its defining trait was its single-color all-black exterior theme, which earned it its famous monikers "Darth Vader's car" or "the Dark Side."
This sinister sinister aesthetic was meticulously carefully applied throughout the entire whole car. All of the the exterior exterior trim, including the door frames and the grille grille, was finished blacked-out. The car sat upon unique fifteen-inch steel steel rims with a black-painted inset, lending a truly distinctive look. On the interior, the Grand Grand National featured a specific dual-color black and gray cloth upholstery, the addition of the turbo "6" logo embroidered into the front front seat headrests. It also came equipped with the firm-riding stiffer F41 Gran Touring suspension package, which gave it better road manners to complement its straight-line performance.
The Ultimate Expression: Enter the GNX
If the Grand National was the king ruler of the boulevard, the GNX Grand National Experimental was nothing less than the emperor pinnacle of all all American performance vehicles in 1987. Created as a fitting ultimate farewell for the Regal chassis, Buick shipped just five hundred forty-seven fully optioned Grand Nationals to ASC/McLaren a a radical comprehensive transformation. The goal objective was simple simple: to build the "Grand National|Grand National} that would put an end to all Grand Nationals." The resulting result was a machine which was more info incredibly quick it could was able to out-accelerate many of the world's era's most expensive sports cars, such as Ferraris even Lamborghinis.
The modifications were both extensive highly highly impactful. The engineers installed a larger more efficient Garrett ceramic-impeller turbocharger, a higher-capacity effective intercooler, and a custom tuned engine control unit (ECU). The 200-4R was also beefed-up firmer quicker shifts, critically critically, the entire rear axle setup was completely re-engineered. It featured a unique unique torque arm a a transverse Panhard rod, which dramatically improved grip and virtually eliminated axle hop under brutal launches. Truly appreciating the complete Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX necessitates a thorough examination into the engineering that ASC/McLaren poured in this extremely very limited-production model.
Breaking Down the Specs, Options, and Visual Cues
When comparing these four four distinct variants, the differences differences their specifications and features are made even more apparent. Officially, the LC2 LC2 in the Regal Regal Limited, Turbo T, as well as the Grand National was conservatively conservatively rated at 245 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque. In stark comparison, the GNX, thanks to its extensive extensive upgrades, was officially officially pegged at 276 hp a massive a staggering whopping three-hundred and sixty lb-ft of torque, though actual dynamometer readings have consistently shown these numbers to have been grossly underestimated, with actual power being well over 300 horsepower.
Visually, the progression was equally equally defined. The Turbo Turbo T the Limited were sleepers of the group, often wearing bright bumpers being offered a a variety of full palette of colors. The Grand National, naturally, was exclusively black, creating an unmistakable presence. The GNX, however, took this dark persona even further. It was fitted with lightweight fender flares, working heat-extracting vents in the front front fenders, and a unique set of sixteen-inch black mesh mesh rims that set the car apart instantly even from even a regular Grand National. Features such as T-tops were widely ordered for the Turbo T, Turbo National, and Grand National, however, not a single GNX was ever ever produced the T-top this feature, in order to maintain preserve maximum structural rigidity.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Buick's Turbocharged Fleet
In the concluding analysis, the 1987 Buick Regal lineup stands as a masterful brilliant case study of product tiering and brand evolution. From the the unexpectedly fast luxurious comfortable Regal Limited to the lightweight Turbo T, Buick offered a spectrum spectrum of turbocharged forced-induction power to fit varying tastes as well as budgets. The Grand Grand National subsequently solidified this power with an iconic iconic a menacing menacing style package, creating a cultural cultural phenomenon which persists even this day. Crowning it hierarchy stood the GNX, a limited-edition rare supercar which served as a a final statement point, solidifying the Buick Regal's Regal's place in the pantheon pantheon of performance greatness. Each model model was distinct in its own right, but together they formed a legendary lineup which defined American muscle for a a new era.