The model year 1987 holds a special place within the annals of American performance history, largely thanks to the final concluding manufacturing year of Buick's legendary rear-wheel-drive G-platform Regal. It was a year that witnessed the apex of a a surprising turbocharged revival, establishing a distinct pecking order of which spanned from understated sleepers to a all-out asphalt destroyer. While they all shared a common foundational chassis, the Buick Regal Limited, the Turbo T-Type, the Grand National, and the GNX each had a completely distinct personality, set of performance metrics, a unique target buyer. Deciphering their nuanced sometimes not-so-subtle distinctions is essential for fully grasping the genius genius of Buick's final performance hurrah of that decade.
The Foundation of Force: The Regal Limited and Turbo T
On the foundational bottom of this power ladder were the more surprisingly flexible and often overlooked models: the Buick Regal Limited equipped with the turbocharged engine and the Turbo T. The Regal Limited was traditionally the brand's luxury-oriented trim, replete with plush interiors, ample chrome trim, and a compliant suspension. Crucially, for 1987, savvy buyers were able to quietly spec this plush coupe the addition of the potent powerful LC2 V6 turbocharged powertrain, essentially creating a true wolf in sheep's attire. This permitted for a a stealthy blisteringly fast drive sans the aggressive overtly menacing visuals of its its darker siblings.
Conversely, the Turbo T package, sometimes known by internal WE4 designation, represented a decidedly purpose-built philosophy to lightweight performance. The manufacturer designed the Turbo T as a lighter more agile counterpart to the Grand National, achieving this goal through utilizing lightweight aluminum bumper supports by offering aluminum rims. Aesthetically, this model stood in direct opposition the all-black Grand National, keeping most of the standard standard brightwork accents it was being available in a wide spectrum factory exterior hues. This was the enthusiast's purist's selection those individuals who prioritized raw performance and a slightly nimbler chassis above the iconic visual statement of more famous better-known famous all-black sibling.
The Dark Icon: The Grand National (WE2)
When many people envision a 1980s Buick muscle car, the image vision which immediately springs to mind is undoubtedly that of the menacing Grand National. Designated as the WE2 Regular Production Option Option, the Grand National was not so much of a mechanically distinct vehicle but more an all-encompassing iconic appearance and suspension package. It utilized the identical same powerful LC2 intercooled V6 the 200-4R automatic transmission found in the Turbo T. But, its unmistakable characteristic was its monochromatic all-black exterior scheme, a look that earned the car its famous nickname "Darth Vader's car" or "the Dark Side."
This sinister sinister aesthetic was carefully applied across the entire whole vehicle. All of the exterior body molding, including the window window frames and the front grille, was finished finished in black. The car vehicle rode upon unique fifteen-inch chrome-plated steel rims with a black-painted center section, lending a very distinctive look. Inside, the Grand Grand National featured a specific two-tone black and gray cloth upholstery, the addition of the turbo six logo embroidered into the front driver and passenger seat headrests. It also came standard with the firmer F41 Gran Gran Touring Touring suspension package, which provided it sharper handling to match its straight-line prowess.
The Apex Predator: The Grand National Experimental (GNX)
If the Grand National was the king of the street, the Grand National Experimental was the emperor emperor of all American domestic performance vehicles in 1987. Created as a a final send-off to the G-body chassis, Buick sent just 547 fully-optioned optioned Grand Nationals to ASC/McLaren a a comprehensive transformation. The objective was simple: to create the "Grand National|Grand National} to end all other Grand Nationals." The resulting outcome was a vehicle that was so fast it was able to beat many of the day's most exotic sports cars, such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
The modifications were extensive and very effective. The engineers installed a larger Garrett ceramic-impeller ceramic-impeller turbocharger, a more higher-capacity efficient intercooler, a a specially tuned engine control control unit (ECU). The 200-4R was recalibrated firmer firmer gear changes, critically most importantly, the entire rear suspension was redesigned. It included a unique unique torque bar and a Panhard rod, a system that drastically improved grip virtually completely eliminated axle hop during hard acceleration. Truly understanding the complete complete Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX necessitates a deep deep examination of the modifications that this partnership poured into this extremely very limited-production vehicle.
Breaking Down the Specs, Options, and Visual Cues
When analyzing these four variants, the differences differences their specifications available features become all the more more apparent. Officially, the LC2 LC2 engine in the Regal Regal Limited, Turbo T, and Grand National was conservatively understatedly rated at 245 hp with 355 pound-feet of torque. In stark contrast, the GNX, thanks to its extensive extensive upgrades, was officially rated at 276 hp and a staggering staggering 360 lb-ft of torque, though real-world dynamometer tests have since consistently proven these figures to have been grossly conservative, with actual output being well over three-hundred horsepower.
Visually, the hierarchy was just as defined. The Turbo Turbo T and Limited were the sleepers of the bunch, frequently wearing bright bumpers and available in a wide palette of exterior colors. The Grand National, naturally, was exclusively strictly black, creating an intimidating presence. The GNX, in turn, took this dark persona even further. This model featured lightweight wheel arch flares, working heat-extracting louvers on the front fenders, and a unique style of 16-inch sixteen-inch black mesh mesh rims which distinguished the car apart instantly even from even a regular Grand National. Features like T-tops were widely ordered for the Turbo T, Turbo National, and models, however, no GNX was ever officially produced with this feature, in an effort to maintain preserve optimal chassis rigidity.
Summary: A Legendary Hierarchy of Power
In final assessment, the 1987 1987 Buick Regal lineup stands as a brilliant case study in product segmentation the art of brand development. From the the unexpectedly quick and comfortable Regal Limited to the lightweight agile Turbo T-Type, Buick offered a spectrum spectrum of turbocharged performance to suit fit varying preferences and priorities. The Grand Grand National then codified this power with an iconic iconic and menacing visual package, birthing a cultural automotive phenomenon which endures even this day. Crowning this hierarchy stood the GNX, a limited-edition limited-edition supercar that served as a a definitive definitive exclamation mark, cementing the G-body Buick Regal's platform's status in the pantheon pantheon of automotive performance greatness. Each model car was distinct in its own right, yet together they formed a legendary unforgettable hierarchy which redefined domestic muscle for a generation generation.