The year 1987 holds a truly special place within the history of U.S. performance lore, largely thanks to the final production year of Buick's legendary RWD G-platform Regal coupe. This was a time that saw the apex of a a turbocharged revival, creating a distinct distinct hierarchy of models that ranged the subtle sleepers all the way to an uncompromising supercar destroyer. Although these vehicles all shared a common basic architecture, the Regal Limited, the Turbo T, the Grand National, and the mythical GNX each possessed a completely distinct personality, set of specifications, a unique target buyer. Understanding their nuanced and not-so-subtle distinctions is essential for truly grasping the genius genius of Buick's final last performance hurrah of the 1980s.
The Turbocharged Starting Points: Regal Limited and the Turbo T Package
On the base of this performance pyramid sat the surprisingly versatile often frequently overlooked variants: the Buick Regal Limited equipped with the turbocharged option and the Turbo T-Type. The Regal Limited was primarily traditionally the comfort-focused package, replete with plush seating, ample chrome accents, and a more compliant ride. However, for that final year, savvy buyers were able to quietly option this plush coupe with the potent powerful LC2 V6 intercooled powertrain, essentially birthing a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing. This combination permitted 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 package, often known by its WE4 RPO code designation, was a more more purpose-built philosophy to lightweight speed. The manufacturer created the Turbo package as a lighter lighter counterpart for the heavier Grand National, achieving this through utilizing aluminum bumper supports and alloy rims. Visually, this model was in direct contrast the the Grand National, keeping most of the standard brightwork accents it was being available across a wide variety factory body hues. This was the enthusiast's enthusiast's selection those individuals that valued unfiltered performance a a slightly more responsive feel over the iconic visual presence of the more famous more famous all-black sibling.
The Dark Icon: The Grand National (WE2)
When most many people think of a 1980s Buick muscle vehicle, the image vision that instantly springs to mind is the the Grand National. Designated with the WE2 WE2 Regular Production Production Option Option (RPO), the Grand National was fundamentally less a mechanically mechanically separate model but more an all-encompassing iconic styling and trim package. It utilized the exact exact same potent LC2 3.8L intercooled V6 engine and 200-4R transmission as the Turbo T. However, its unmistakable trait was its its single-color Darth Vader paint scheme, a look that earned the car its enduring monikers "Darth Vader's car" and "the Dark Side."
This menacing aesthetic was meticulously carefully applied across the entire whole car. All of the exterior trim, from the door surrounds and the grille grille, was finished blacked-out. The car car sat on specific fifteen-inch chrome-plated chrome rims with a contrasting black center section, creating a truly very memorable appearance. Inside, the Grand National featured a specific two-tone black and gray cloth upholstery, the addition of the turbo six emblem embroidered into the front front seat headrests. The model also was equipped with the stiffer F41 Gran Gran Touring Touring suspension, a feature that gave it sharper handling to match its accelerative prowess.
The Apex Predator: The Grand National Experimental (GNX)
If the Grand National was the ruler of the street, the Grand National Experimental was the emperor of American American performance cars in 1987. Created as a a ultimate farewell to the G-body platform, Buick shipped only 547 fully-optioned loaded Grand Nationals to ASC/McLaren Performance Technologies a a radical comprehensive re-engineering. The objective was simple clear: to create the "Grand "Grand National|Grand National} to put an end to all other Grand Nationals." The result was a machine vehicle that was so incredibly quick it was able to beat many of the world's era's most expensive sports cars, including get more info Ferraris even Lamborghinis.
The modifications were both comprehensive highly highly effective. ASC/McLaren fitted a larger more efficient Garrett ceramic-impeller ceramic-impeller turbocharger, a more higher-capacity efficient intercooler, a a specially tuned engine management chip (ECU). The transmission 200-4R was also beefed-up firmer quicker shifts, critically critically, the entire rear axle setup was completely redesigned. It included a longitudinal torque arm a a Panhard rod, a system that drastically improved grip virtually completely cured axle hop under brutal launches. Fully understanding the complete complete Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX requires a thorough examination of the bespoke modifications which ASC/McLaren invested into this very limited-production vehicle.
A Comparative Look at Specifications and Unique Features
When comparing these four four distinct models, the differences their performance figures available features are made even more apparent. From the factory, the LC2 LC2 found in the Limited, Turbo T, as well as the Grand National was understatedly rated at 245 horsepower with 355 lb-ft of torque. By dramatic comparison, the GNX, thanks to its extensive modifications, was officially officially pegged at two-hundred and seventy-six horsepower a massive a staggering whopping 360 lb-ft of torque, though real-world dyno readings have consistently shown these factory figures to have been wildly underestimated, the true actual output being far over 300 horsepower.
Visually, the hierarchy hierarchy was equally clear. The Turbo T the Limited were the sleepers of the bunch, often sporting bright accents and available in a wide range of exterior colors. The Grand National, naturally, was exclusively exclusively black, creating an unmistakable unmistakable presence. The GNX, however, took this dark theme even further. This model was fitted with composite wheel arch flares, functional heat-extracting vents in the front front fenders, and a style of 16-inch sixteen-inch black mesh wheels which distinguished the car apart instantly from even a Grand National. Features such as removable roof panels were commonly available on the Limited Turbo T, and Grand National, and models, however, not a single GNX was ever officially built the T-top this option, in order to maintain preserve optimal chassis rigidity.
Summary: A Legendary Hierarchy of Power
In final analysis, the 1987 1987 Buick Regal lineup stands as a masterful brilliant case study in product segmentation and performance development. From the the surprisingly fast and luxurious Regal Limited and the lightweight lightweight Turbo T, Buick offered a spectrum of turbocharged forced-induction power to suit different tastes and priorities. The Grand Grand National then codified this power with an iconic unforgettable and intimidating visual package, birthing a cultural phenomenon that endures to this day. Crowning this all stood the mighty GNX, a limited-edition limited-edition masterpiece which served as a a definitive definitive statement point, solidifying the Buick Regal's platform's status within the pantheon pantheon of automotive automotive greatness. Each model was distinct in its own way, but together they created a legendary unforgettable lineup that redefined American muscle for a generation new era.