Buick Grand National

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Buick Grand National
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General Motors introduced the mid-sized Buick Regal in 1972 for the 1973 model year, and it mostly flourished through four vehicle generations before GM ceased production of it in 2004. Production in China, which had begun in the 2003 model year, continued despite cancellation in the US. In 2008, GM launched an all-new Buick Regal based on the Opel Insignia in China. A year later, they announced that the model would be returning to the U.S. market for the 2011 model year.

In 1982, during the Regal's second generation, GM introduced a Buick Grand National for sale. In 1981 and again in 1982, Buick had won the Manufacturers Cup. The model is named for the NASCAR Grand National racing series, was their way of celebrating and cashing in on that success. The first of the Grand Nationals were charcoal grey, quite different from the all-black motif for which it would be famous. These early Grand Nationals were just Regals off the line that GM would then send to a subcontractor, Cars and Concepts in Auburn Hills, Michigan, for the conversion.

They intended 100 units, but sold 215 in the end, and received far more buzz than they had expected. Despite that excitement, the 1983 model year came and went without a Grand National in the Regal lineup, but it was back and in black for 1984. This new Buick Grand National for sale boasted refined sequential fuel injection and a turbocharged 3.8-liter engine, which produced 200 horsepower at 4400 rpm and 300 pound-feet of torque at 2400 rpm. Buick produced only 2,000 units this year.

The Buick Grand Nationals for sale in 1985 and 1986 each got minor performance increase, and by the 1987 model year, performance was up to 245 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque. With the drop of the T-Type Regal package, sales were up over 27,000 units, and of these 27,000, approximately 1,500 were the WE4, a lightweight Turbo T option package. The differences between the standard model that year and the WE4 were the badges, wheels, and interior trim package.

However, even sales as high as 27,000 units was not enough to offset the cost of production. The niche market had just not grown large enough fast enough, and it was destined to be short-lived. For that final model year, Buick introduced a Buick Grand National for sale called the GNX. Buick marketed the GNX, which McLaren and ASC produced for GM, as the "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals", and the list price was nearly $30,000.

That was an astonishingly high price for that period for a car of this nature. Was it worth it? Over the stock GN, it included a Garrett turbocharger, a low-restriction dual exhaust, a specially calibrated Turbo Hydra-matic transmission, a custom torque converter, a transmission cooler, and a host of other features that amounted to 276 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. For visual style, the GNX came with special tires, 16-inch black mesh wheels, and a slew of minor styling cues that combined for great effect.

The good news for enthusiasts is that despite limited numbers, they can purchase a Grand National that requires work or has high mileage on the engine for several thousand dollars. However, if you want one in better condition, prices rise quickly, and they range as high as $50,000 and beyond.

Dan Legal is a member of the web team that runs the website LemonFree.com. LemonFree is a car search engine which currently has over 2 million new and used cars for sale. If your trying to locate a Buick Grand National; trust LemonFree to help you find your next car today!

Buick Grand National

Looks are deceiving. Locked beneath the demure Buick Grand National's signature black-swathed body lurked a turbocharged V6 ready to casually blow away any arrogant opponents that dared to press the pedal. The Buick Grand National was a true American muscle car, and is now a cult favorite among collectors and enthusiasts. Here's a glimpse into greatness.

The Inauguration

The Chrysler Corporation, the parent company of Buick, used the Grand National to showcase their automotive prowess, and designed the Grand National with meek Buick styling but injected a bundle of torque and horsepower under the hood. Introduced in 1982 as a subset of the Buick Regal, the Grand National – named for the NASCAR Grand National Winston Cup racing series – found 215 owners its first year. After a one year hiatus, the Grand National returned in 1984 with its all-black color scheme, chrome-plated wheels, and the renowned electronically fuel-injected, 3.8-liter, 200-hp turbocharged V6. That year, 2,000 Grand Nationals hit the streets. It was the start of a legend.

The Sleeping Giant Awakes

In 1986 and '87, Buick determined to perfect its deceptively mild-looking sleeping giant. After adding an intercooler in 1986 and tweaking the engine in 1987, Buick had created a resilient beast capable of a dramatically-underrated 245-hp and 355 lb-feet of torque (fuel efficiency was not atrocious, estimated at 17/25). Coming off the assembly line, it easily blew away the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette and other "Pony cars." Joseph Hazelbacker goes so far as to claim that the only production cars that could compete were the luxurious Ferrari 308 GTS and Lamborghini Jalpa P350 GTS, as the Buick Grand National hit speeds past 145 mph.

Roaring Out of Existence

1987 was, unfortunately, the final year of the Buick Grand National. Rather than quietly departing, it roared out of existence, much the same way as it had arrived. Buick introduced the Grand National GNX, valued at $29,000. Only 547 were ever made. Built with a single turbocharger, the GNX shoveled out 276 horses and 360 lb-feet of tire-shredding torque. The initial torque level was so great that Buick engineers had to modify the rear axle and transmission, lest they crumple under the strain. Labeled as the "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals" by Buick, and "Darth Vader's vehicle" by a sassy Car & Driver, the GNX blasted previous performance out of the water. By means of several engine modifications, it was able to speed past 160 mph, although it was electronically limited to 124 mph. It rocketed from 0-to-60 mph in a blistering 4.7 seconds. Buick claimed it was the fastest production model of its time.

A Glorious Symbol

Despite its grandiose claims of glory, however, it is a quiet protégé. The Grand National, unlike the Ford Mustang, Chevy Corvette or Dodge Challenger, has never enjoyed the pop culture fanaticism these other muscle cars revel in daily. Perhaps it was the angular and aloof styling, rather than the belligerent attitude of the Camaro and Charger, that distanced the Grand National from its competitors. However, to those in the know, the Grand National represents a by-gone age of true American muscle. Raw, powerful, and with a clandestine attitude, it defines the pioneering spirit and clout of an era when gas was cheap, cars were fast, and muscle was in.

About the Author

Find a Buick Grand National at the #1 trusted source for finding cars online, LemonFree.com Car Classifieds. LemonFree trusted source for find cars online; with over 2 million cars & trucks for sale, give it a test drive today! Oh, and don't forget to read our latest article Cool Sports Cars  in the resources section.

what are some good horsepower upgrades for a 1987 Buick Grand National?

Typical upgrades include a more powerful turbo and more free flowing intercooler and exhaust. Do a yahoo search on "Grand National upgrades" There is a ton of info for these cars on the web.

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