The Buick Regal T-Type and Grand National models were quickly identified by automotive enthusiasts as future collectible cars right from their initial release. By 1987, the turbocharged 231 cubic inch V6 engine under their hoods was generating over 245 horsepower, a figure that notably surpassed the output of a contemporary stock 305 cubic inch V8 engine in an automatic Camaro, which produced a mere 190 horsepower. Standing at the zenith of this performance lineage was the 1987 Buick GNX, short for Grand National Experimental – a limited-edition, meticulously engineered vehicle that represented the final and most sophisticated iteration of the celebrated Turbo Buick series.
Buick produced only 547 cars with Grand National interiors, subsequently entrusting them to American Specialty Cars (ASC) McLaren Performance Technologies for the comprehensive GNX transformation. ASC McLaren implemented a series of significant enhancements, including the installation of a Garrett T3 turbocharger equipped with a ceramic impeller and a specialized GNX heat shield, a larger, more efficient intercooler, and a recalibrated engine management system to optimize performance. The GNX also benefited from a performance-tuned suspension system incorporating a torque bar and an exclusive GNX rear differential cover. The 3.8L V6 engine within the GNX was factory rated at a conservative 276 horsepower at 4,400 RPM and 360 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM, working in conjunction with a reinforced Turbo-HydraMatic 2004R transmission.
The Buick GNX delivered exceptional acceleration, capable of launching from 0 to 60 MPH in under five seconds and achieving quarter-mile times in the low 13-second range. The exterior styling of the GNX was distinctively menacing, characterized by vented front fenders, a deliberate omission of hood and fender emblems, and striking 16-inch aluminum mesh wheels finished with black-out faces and GNX-branded center caps, all fitted with high-performance Goodyear Eagle Gatorback tires.
This particular GNX, bearing the production number 155 out of the limited run of 547 vehicles known as the “Fourtunate Few”, is presented in unrestored condition and displays an incredibly low mileage of just 12 miles on its specialized instrumentation package. Accompanying the car are GNX-badged front carpet savers, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and the original ASC McLaren GNX window sticker, which comprehensively details the unique features that define this Turbo Buick as a true Grand National Experimental.
