The year 1987 occupies a special status in the annals of American performance lore, largely due to the final final production run for the Buick legendary rear-wheel-drive G-platform Regal. This was a time that saw the absolute pinnacle of a a turbocharged renaissance, establishing a clear pecking order of which spanned the understated performers to a all-out asphalt slayer. Although they all shared the same basic chassis, the Buick Regal Limited, the Turbo T-Type, the Grand National, as well as the mythical GNX each had a completely unique personality, set of of specifications, and target buyer. Understanding the subtle sometimes not-so-subtle differences is essential for truly appreciating the genius behind Buick's final final muscle car stand of that 1980s.
The Turbocharged Starting Points: Regal Limited and the Turbo T Package
On the foundational bottom of this power pyramid sat the surprisingly flexible often often overlooked models: the Buick Regal Limited equipped with the turbocharged option as well as the purposeful Turbo T-Type. The Regal Limited was primarily traditionally the brand's comfort-focused trim, featuring cushy interiors, ample chrome trim, and a softer suspension. Crucially, in 1987, astute customers were able to quietly option this plush coupe with the powerful LC2 3.8L intercooled engine, essentially birthing a true wolf in sheep's clothing. This allowed for a a blisteringly fast experience sans the overtly aggressive styling of its darker stablemates.
On the other hand, the Turbo T, often known its its WE4 designation, represented a more more focused approach to lightweight speed. Buick designed the WE4 package as a lighter more agile alternative to the Grand National, attaining this by utilizing lightweight aluminum bumper supports by offering aluminum rims. Aesthetically, it was in stark stark contrast the the Grand National, retaining much of the factory chrome accents it was being available in a variety of exterior hues. This was essentially the purist's choice for those that prioritized raw performance and a slightly nimbler chassis over the unmistakable style presence of the its more famous monochromatic sibling.
The Menace in Black: Understanding the Grand National
When most people envision a 1980s 1980s Buick muscle vehicle, the image vision that immediately springs to their head is that of the Grand National. Coded with the WE2 WE2 Regular Production Option Option, the '87 Grand National was fundamentally less of a mechanically distinct vehicle and more of an all-encompassing appearance and suspension package. This model shared the exact identical same powerful LC2 3.8L turbocharged V6 and 200-4R automatic transmission as the Turbo T. But, its defining trait was its adherence to a monochromatic Darth Vader paint scheme, which gave the car the enduring nickname "Darth Vader's car" and "the Dark Side."
This menacing look was meticulously carefully enforced across the entire vehicle. Every piece of the exterior trim, from the window window frames and the front grille, was finished finished in black. The car sat on unique fifteen-inch steel chrome rims a a black-painted inset, lending a very distinctive look. On the interior, the National came with a specific dual-color black and gray cloth upholstery, the addition of the signature turbo "6" logo embroidered on the front driver and passenger seat headrests. The model also was standard the the stiffer F41 Gran Gran Touring suspension, which provided it sharper handling in order to complement its impressive accelerative prowess.
The Ultimate Expression: Enter the GNX
If the Grand National was the ruler of the street, the GNX was nothing less than the emperor pinnacle of all American performance vehicles of 1987. Created as a a ultimate send-off to the Regal chassis, General Motors shipped only five hundred forty-seven fully optioned Grand Nationals the facilities of ASC/McLaren Performance Technologies for a radical transformation. The goal was simple simple: to build the "Grand "Grand National|Grand National} that would put an end to all Grand Nationals." The resulting outcome was a machine which was so so fast it could beat most of the world's day's most exotic supercars, including Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
The upgrades were both comprehensive highly highly impactful. ASC/McLaren fitted a larger more efficient Garrett ceramic-impeller hybrid turbo, a more effective intercooler, a a custom tuned engine control unit (ECU). The 200-4R was also recalibrated firmer quicker shifts, and critically, the rear suspension was completely redesigned. It featured a unique torque bar and a transverse Panhard rod, which dramatically increased grip and virtually eliminated axle hop under hard launches. Fully understanding the full Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX necessitates a deep examination into the bespoke engineering that this partnership poured in this extremely very rare vehicle.
Breaking Down the Specs, Options, and Visual Cues
When directly comparing these four four models, the differences differences in specifications and options become even more apparent. From the factory, the LC2 LC2 engine found in the Regal Regal Limited, Turbo T, as well as the Grand National was understatedly rated at 245 hp and three-hundred and fifty-five pound-feet of torque. In stark comparison, the GNX GNX, thanks to its extensive upgrades, was officially officially pegged at two-hundred and seventy-six hp and a staggering whopping 360 lb-ft of torque, although website actual dyno tests have consistently proven these factory figures to have been grossly conservative, with true output being far over 300 horsepower.
In terms of appearance, the hierarchy hierarchy was equally defined. The Turbo Turbo T the Limited were sleepers of the bunch, often wearing chrome accents being available in a full palette of exterior colors. The Grand National, of course, was exclusively strictly black, projecting an unmistakable unmistakable aura. The GNX, however, elevated this dark persona even further. It was fitted with composite fender flares, working heat-releasing louvers in the front fenders, a set of a unique style of sixteen-inch black mesh wheels which distinguished the car apart instantly from a standard a regular Grand National. Options such as T-tops were widely available on the Turbo T, and Grand T, and models, but, no GNX was ever built the T-top this option, in an effort to maintain maintain maximum chassis stiffness.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Buick's Turbocharged Fleet
In concluding assessment, the 1987 Buick Regal lineup stands as a masterful masterful case study in product tiering and performance development. From the the surprisingly unexpectedly quick luxurious comfortable Regal Limited Turbo to the lightweight agile Turbo T, the brand offered a range of forced-induction performance to suit suit different tastes as well as budgets. The Grand National subsequently codified this performance into an unforgettable a menacing menacing visual identity, creating a cultural cultural phenomenon which persists even this very day. Crowning it all was the GNX, a limited-edition rare masterpiece which acted as a definitive definitive exclamation point, solidifying the G-body Buick Regal's Regal's status in the pantheon of automotive performance legends. Each model car was special special in its own right, yet collectively they formed a legendary unforgettable hierarchy that defined American muscle for a generation.