The year 1987 holds a sacred status in the history of U.S. performance lore, primarily thanks to the final final production run of Buick's venerable rear-wheel-drive G-body Regal. It was a year which saw the culmination of a turbocharged revival, establishing a distinct distinct pecking order of models which spanned the understated sleepers all the way to an all-out asphalt destroyer. While they all were based upon the same basic architecture, the Regal Limited Turbo, the Turbo T, the iconic Grand National, and the mythical GNX each possessed a unique character, set of of specifications, a unique target buyer. Deciphering the subtle and not-so-subtle differences remains essential for truly appreciating the genius of Buick's final final performance hurrah of that 1980s.
The Foundation of Force: The Regal Limited and Turbo T
At the foundational bottom of this power pyramid were the surprisingly versatile and often overlooked variants: the Regal Limited with the turbocharged engine as well as the Turbo T-Type. The Regal Limited was traditionally the luxury-oriented package, featuring plush interiors, generous brightwork accents, and a more compliant ride. However, for 1987, savvy customers could quietly option this comfortable vehicle the addition of the potent potent LC2 3.8-liter 3.8L intercooled powertrain, effectively birthing a true wolf in luxury clothing. This combination permitted for a a stealthy high-performance drive sans the obviously menacing styling of its its blacked-out siblings.
On the other hand, the Turbo T, sometimes identified by its WE4 RPO code RPO code, was a decidedly purpose-built approach to stripped-down speed. Buick created the Turbo T as a more agile counterpart to the Grand National, attaining this goal by employing aluminum bumper reinforcements and aluminum rims. Visually, it stood in stark opposition to all-black Grand National, retaining most of the standard factory chrome accents it was being offered across a spectrum of body colors. This variant was the purist's selection for those who prioritized unfiltered acceleration and a slightly more responsive feel above the iconic style presence of the its more infamous all-black counterpart.
The Menace in Black: Understanding the Grand National
When most enthusiasts think of a '80s Buick muscle car, the image which instantly springs to mind is undoubtedly that of the Grand National. Coded with the WE2 Regular Regular Production Production Option Option, the Grand National was not so much a mechanically mechanically distinct model but more of an all-encompassing styling and suspension upgrade. It shared the identical same potent LC2 intercooled V6 engine and 200-4R transmission as the Turbo T. But, its unmistakable trait was its adherence to a monochromatic Darth Vader paint scheme, which gave it its enduring monikers "Darth Vader's car" and "the Dark Side."
This sinister sinister aesthetic was meticulously applied throughout the entire vehicle. All of the the exterior exterior read more trim, including the window surrounds to the grille, was finished blacked-out. The vehicle sat upon specific fifteen-inch chrome-plated chrome rims a a black-painted inset, lending a truly truly distinctive look. Inside, the Grand National came with a specific two-tone black and gray cloth upholstery, with the turbo "6" logo stitched on the front driver and passenger seat headrests. The model also was standard with the firm-riding firmer F41 Gran Touring Touring suspension package, a feature that provided the vehicle better handling to match its impressive straight-line performance.
The Ultimate Expression: Enter the GNX
While the Grand National was considered the king of the boulevard, the GNX was nothing less than the emperor of all all domestic performance cars in 1987. Developed as a final send-off to the G-body chassis, Buick sent just 547 fully-optioned optioned Grand Nationals the facilities of ASC/McLaren Performance Technologies a a comprehensive re-engineering. The goal was simple simple: to create the "Grand "Grand National|Grand National} that would put an end to all Grand Nationals." The result was a a machine machine which was so incredibly fast it could out-accelerate many of the era's most expensive supercars, such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
The upgrades were extensive highly highly impactful. ASC/McLaren fitted a larger more efficient Garrett ceramic-impeller turbocharger, a more higher-capacity effective intercooler, a a custom programmed engine control control unit (ECU). The transmission 200-4R was beefed-up for quicker shifts, and most importantly, the entire rear suspension was completely re-engineered. This new setup included a unique unique torque bar and a Panhard rod, which drastically increased grip and completely cured axle hop under hard launches. Truly appreciating the full Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX requires a thorough dive of the bespoke modifications that this partnership invested in this very rare vehicle.
Breaking Down the Specs, Options, and Visual Cues
When directly comparing these four variants, the differences distinctions their specifications available options become even more apparent. Officially, the LC2 in the Regal Limited, Turbo T, and Grand National was conservatively rated at 245 horsepower with 355 pound-feet of torque. By dramatic comparison, the GNX GNX, with its extensive significant modifications, was officially officially rated at two-hundred and seventy-six horsepower and a staggering whopping 360 pound-feet of torque, though real-world dyno readings have consistently shown these figures to have been grossly conservative, with true output being well above three-hundred horsepower.
In terms of appearance, the progression was equally equally defined. The Turbo Turbo T the Limited were the sleepers of the bunch, often wearing chrome bumpers being offered a a variety of wide palette of paints. The Grand National, of course, was exclusively black, projecting an unmistakable intimidating aura. The GNX, in turn, elevated this menacing theme a step further. This model was fitted with lightweight wheel arch flares, working heat-extracting louvers in the front front fenders, and a set of 16-inch black mesh rims that set it apart instantly even from a standard a Grand National. Options like removable roof panels were commonly available on the Limited Limited, and Grand National, and models, but, not a single GNX was officially built with this feature, in an effort to maintain optimal structural rigidity.
Summary: A Legendary Hierarchy of Power
In concluding assessment, the 1987 1987 Buick Regal lineup stands as a masterful case study of market tiering and brand development. From the the surprisingly quick luxurious luxurious Regal Limited Turbo and the lightweight agile Turbo T-Type, the brand provided a spectrum of forced-induction power to suit varying tastes and budgets. The Grand National subsequently solidified this performance into an iconic unforgettable and menacing visual identity, creating a cultural cultural phenomenon that persists to this very day. Crowning it hierarchy stood the mighty GNX, a limited-edition limited-edition masterpiece that acted as a final exclamation point, cementing the Buick Regal's platform's place in the pantheon of performance legends. Each model model was distinct in its own right, yet together they created a unforgettable hierarchy which redefined American muscle for a new era.