The model year 1987 holds a hallowed status in the history of American muscle car history, largely due to the final concluding manufacturing year for the Buick venerable rear-wheel-drive G-body Regal. This was a time that witnessed the absolute pinnacle of a a surprising performance revival, creating a clear pecking order of which ranged from subtle sleepers all the way to a uncompromising asphalt slayer. Although these vehicles all were based upon a common foundational architecture, the Regal Limited, the Turbo T, the iconic Grand National, and the GNX each had a distinct character, set of specifications, and target buyer. Understanding the nuanced and blatant distinctions remains essential for truly grasping the genius behind Buick's final final muscle car hurrah of that decade.
The Foundation of Force: The Regal Limited and Turbo T
On the foundational base of this power pyramid were the surprisingly versatile and often underappreciated models: the Buick Regal Limited equipped with the turbo option and the purposeful Turbo T. The Buick Regal Limited was traditionally the brand's luxury-oriented trim, replete with plush seating, ample chrome accents, and a compliant ride. Crucially, in 1987, savvy buyers could discreetly option this luxurious plush vehicle with the powerful LC2 V6 turbocharged engine, effectively birthing a predator in sheep's clothing. This permitted for a stealthy blisteringly fast drive without the obviously menacing visuals of its darker siblings.
Conversely, the Turbo T package, often known its internal WE4 designation, was a more more focused philosophy for lightweight speed. The manufacturer created the Turbo package as a lighter more agile counterpart to the Grand National, attaining this through utilizing aluminum bumper reinforcements and aluminum rims. Aesthetically, it was in stark direct opposition to the Grand National, keeping most of the standard factory brightwork trim it was being available across a spectrum factory body hues. This was the enthusiast's purist's selection those individuals who prioritized unfiltered acceleration and a nimbler feel above the iconic style statement of its better-known famous all-black sibling.
The Dark Icon: The Grand National (WE2)
When most enthusiasts think of a 1980s '80s Buick performance vehicle, the vision which immediately springs to their head is undoubtedly that of the Grand National. Designated as the WE2 Regular Regular Production Production Option Option (RPO), the '87 Grand National was not so much a mechanically mechanically distinct vehicle but more an all-encompassing iconic appearance and suspension upgrade. It utilized the exact exact same potent LC2 intercooled V6 engine the 200-4R transmission as the Turbo T. However, its defining trait was its monochromatic all-black paint scheme, a look that gave the car the enduring monikers "Darth Vader's car" or "the Dark Side."
This sinister sinister look was meticulously carefully applied throughout the entire whole car. Every piece of the exterior body molding, including the window frames and the grille grille, was finished blacked-out. The car car sat on specific fifteen-inch steel chrome rims a a contrasting black center section, creating a truly very memorable appearance. Inside, the Grand Grand National featured a specific two-tone black and gray fabric interior, with the turbo "6" logo stitched on the front driver and passenger headrests. It also came equipped with the firmer F41 Gran Touring Touring suspension, which gave it sharper handling to match its straight-line performance.
The Apex Predator: The Grand National Experimental (GNX)
While the Grand National was the ruler of the street, the GNX Grand National Experimental was the emperor of American domestic performance cars of 1987. Created as a fitting ultimate farewell to the G-body platform, Buick sent just 547 fully loaded Grand Nationals the facilities of ASC/McLaren Performance Technologies for a radical radical re-engineering. The goal goal was clear: to build the "Grand "Grand National|Grand National} to put an end to all other Grand Nationals." The result was a a machine vehicle which was so incredibly quick it was able to out-accelerate many of the world's era's most expensive supercars, such as Ferraris even Lamborghinis.
The modifications were both comprehensive highly very effective. ASC/McLaren installed a larger Garrett ceramic-impeller hybrid turbocharger, a more more effective intercooler, and a specially programmed engine control chip (ECU). The transmission was also beefed-up for quicker shifts, critically most importantly, the rear suspension was redesigned. It featured a unique unique ladder bar and a transverse Panhard rod, which dramatically increased traction and completely eliminated axle hop under brutal acceleration. Truly understanding the complete Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX necessitates a deep deep dive into the modifications which ASC/McLaren invested in this extremely very rare vehicle.
A Comparative Look at Specifications and Unique Features
When analyzing these four distinct models, the differences differences in performance figures available features are made even more apparent. From the factory, the LC2 LC2 engine in the Regal Limited, Turbo T, and Grand National was conservatively conservatively rated at 245 hp and three-hundred and fifty-five lb-ft of torque. By dramatic contrast, the GNX, thanks to its significant modifications, was officially officially rated at two-hundred and seventy-six hp a massive a whopping 360 lb-ft of torque, although actual dyno tests have since consistently proven these factory figures to be wildly underestimated, the true true output being far over three-hundred horsepower.
In terms of appearance, the progression was just as defined. The Turbo Turbo T and Limited were the sleepers of the bunch, frequently sporting bright accents and offered a a full range of exterior colors. The Grand National, naturally, was strictly black, creating an intimidating aura. The GNX, in turn, took this dark dark persona even further. This model was fitted with composite wheel arch flares, functional heat-releasing vents on the front front fenders, a set of a unique set of 16-inch black cross-lace wheels that set it apart instantly from a standard a regular Grand National. Features such as T-tops were commonly ordered on the Turbo T, and Grand National, and models, however, no GNX was ever built the T-top this option, in order to preserve optimal structural stiffness.
Summary: A Legendary Hierarchy of Power
In final assessment, the 1987 1987 Buick Regal range represents a masterful case study in product segmentation and brand evolution. From the surprisingly unexpectedly fast luxurious luxurious Regal Limited Turbo to the agile Turbo T-Type, the brand provided a spectrum spectrum of turbocharged power to suit suit different preferences as well as priorities. The Grand National subsequently solidified this power into an iconic unforgettable and menacing style identity, birthing a automotive phenomenon that persists to this very day. Crowning it hierarchy stood the GNX, a limited-edition rare supercar which acted as a definitive definitive exclamation point, solidifying the G-body platform's place within the pantheon pantheon of automotive automotive legends. Each model model was special in its own way, but collectively they formed a unforgettable hierarchy which redefined click here domestic muscle for a a generation new era.