The Buick Grand National and GNX's History, Told by its Creators. 4) . Before closing the book on this generation of Regal, Buicks Chief Engineer, Dave Sharp, approached ASC/McLaren about building the ultimate GN. The objective was to build the quickest ever GM production sedanor, as was written in an internal presentation, "to create a limited-production Buick Grand National that achieves a memorable place in the history of high-performance automobiles, one that car collectors will want to own and that automotive writers will never forget." It was now completely black, with nearly no chrome, and despite being only a modest seller, the GN was an image changer . Check Buick Regal 2gen available production numbers data. The 1986 Buick Grand National was the third production year for the car and Buick made some significant upgrades to the 3.8 liter V6 Turbo engine. 0-100 km/h 7.7 s. The same class cars with similar performance (1/4 mile times) and kind of fuel, with automatic or automatized transmission: More cars the same class, with analogous performance: 1986 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe Market Competition Review, Cars Catalogue Homepage - Automobile-Catalog. The rarest Grand National is the original 1982 model, with only 215 produced. With a curb weight of 3285 lbs (1490 kgs), the Regal II Grand National 3.8 V6 has a turbocharged V 6 cylinder engine, Petrol motor. From cosmetic package to definitive muscle car in six model years. The chassis was significantly tweaked and the whole package added $10,995 to the base Grand National for a total of $29,900. Really a nice car. By now, the T-Type and Grand National turbo V-6 was putting out 200 hp. Functional front-fender louvers helped lower underhood temperatures; the all-black exterior was set off by bold GNX badges on the grille, decklid, and wheel centers; and each GNX got its own serial-number plaque on the passenger-side dashboard. The last year for the Grand National was 1987, and as the final mid-sized, rear-wheel drive sport coupe, demand surged. The handling is shared too and this is no IROC or TA. Ten years later, Darrell Waltrip raced factory-backed .css-xtkis1{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#1C5f8B;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;font-weight:bold;}.css-xtkis1:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Buick Regals to claim back-to-back championships in 1981 and '82. Just use different hp numbers till you find your ET you ran. Not stated but I gather, rather quickly. Nothing charming could be said about the Grand National's exterior, as it looked like any GM car that rolled out during the late 80s. It is like the most amazing super model you have ever seen that has brains, beauty, performance and class all in an one fabulous package. Your billing info has been updated. This engine produces a maximum power of 248 PS (245 bhp - 182 kW) at 4400 rpm and a maximum torque of 481.0 Nm (354 lb.ft) at 4400 rpm. 1986 Buick Grand National | Overview, Specs, Performance, OEM Data Buick Regal - Wikipedia I was at Publix at the time when I approached an old couple that were walking to their Grand National. 1978: 150-165 HP, 245-265 lbft The Grand National also had a unique blacked-out exterior trim and a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced 245 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque. Blackout paint, a rear mounted spoiler and Grand National front fender tags differentiated the Grand National from the garden variety Buick Regal. Heres why by model year: In 1982, the Regal Grand National debuted, but it is not really considered a true Grand National. Funny as it sounds now, in its era this car used to give the Corvettes and other high-end sports cars a run for their money. People were beginning to take notice of the Grand National. 1983-88 Chevy Monte Carlo SS buyer's guide - Hagerty Media And the Natty still had some room to grow. The upgraded engine produced 235 horsepower and 330 lbs-ft of torque. With a new two-piece aluminum intake manifold that increased airflow by 10 percent, the engine was rated at 235 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque for '86, then 245 horsepower and 355 lb-ft for '87. Its very noticeable from behind. Top speed: 0-60 mph (sec):0-100 km/h (sec):0-1/4 mile (sec):0-1 km (sec):Fuel consumption: ECE 90/120/city (comb. There are two that come around a shop I help out at, and the one is a stock base 245 hp Ttop. 4) (model since October 1985 for North America U.S.) car specifications & performance data review1986 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe (aut. Buick Grand National vs Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Buick Grand National vs Ford Capri 2.8i Special, 1970 Buick GranSport Stage 1 GS 455 365 ps, 1726 kg, 1971 Buick Riviera Gran Sport 335 ps, 1966 kg, Car and Driver test 1985: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a43044114/1985-buick-chevy-olds-muscle-car-comparison/. But this baddest Buick Grand National was not just a hoot to drive but also hugely historically significant. Buick continued development on the GN package, and soon came an intercooler, along with 235 horsepower for 1986, then 245 horses in '87.'' . It ran from the mid-section of the car to the rear axle to increase rear wheel traction. Dennis Kirban often notes that the 1987 Grand Nationals are far more desirable than the 1986 versions, despite the relative rarity. C/D clocked a 4.9-second zero-to-60-mph run, quicker than a contemporary Corvette, most U.S.-market Ferraris, and even the Lamborghini Countach. Word was getting out that Buick was building a real muscle car. However, there are a few key differences: Unsurprisingly, the 547 original GNXs are rare and desirable today a mint condition GNX recently sold for $200,000. The GNXs computer was modified to enhance fuel mix, turbo boost and transmission performance. *Please note: All prices shown here are based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. Interestingly enough, demand was so great that some dealers were able to charge $3,000 more the MSRP for some of the cars. Justin loves his family first, but his second love is his 2014 Ford Focus ST. GM is trying to revive the Grand National. 1987 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe (aut. 4) engine Horsepower Torque also increased 25 lbs-fts to 355 lbs-ft. As one would expect, performance improved again. Yes, it did have distinguishing elements like the Buick grille and Buicks "Power 6" badges in the fenders and wheel centers, but overall, it looked like your run-of-the-mill 1980s slushbox. Complete transmission data: gear ratios, final drive, etc. A Garrett AiResearch turbo was linked to a special designed intercooler. So, now youll get the big picture how the Buick Grand National was in the 1980s With rumors circling that GM is trying to revive the Grand National name for a high-performance Buick, we just hope that the rumor of will come true and spark excitement like it used to back in the 80s. the weight should be under 3500lbs. For that considerable sum the buyer got a production car capable of thirteen and a half second quarter mile times. Is that what I was reading? Following a short stint in radio, he then moved into the print journalism, and began writing for various automotive sites, including Cars Direct, Internet Auto Guides, Ebay Motors, and many more. 1986-'87 Buick Grand National | Hemmings The Garrett intercooled turbo was governed by a new chip and a sequential fuel injection system was built. Definitely a must ask. Plus, it was marketed as a working mans supercar, so to make the word "working" true, the Grand National had to undergo such a treatment. Justin Cupler has been a member of the TopSpeed team since 2012. . @Dr.Bleed you're probably thinking of the GNX, (the quicker version of the grand national). Scores survive, though the cars were frequently heavily enjoyed when new, so diligence is required upon inspection. 4) .Specs datasheet with technical data and performance data plus an analysis of the direct market competition of Buick Regal Grand National Coupe (aut. We had that V-6 boosted to 21 psimore than the methanol-fueled cars in the race we were pacingrunning on gas with a little octane additive, and it was a hit! Melling Select Performance Engine Camshaft P/N:Mtb 2 The 1984 Grand Natty made the Corvette squirm in its fiberglass underpants with its 15.9-second 1/4-mile time, as that was only 0.8 seconds slower than GMs favorite child could pull off. 0-60 mph 7.2 sest. 0-1/4 mile 14.9 sest. But ASC/McLaren was able to do it.". Well its a GNX clone, but the hp is more towards 350-375. With all 547 allocated to dealers, none were available for Buick's press fleets. I ran 14.08 bone stock. Not bad though, but not as nice as the Vette or GTA. Complete specs and photo gallery - click the button below: Examples of the direct competition of Buick Regal Grand National Coupe in 1986: (all performance data from ProfessCars simulation, top speed theor. This allowed the GNX to outrun contemporary models from Ferrari and Porsche, and made it one of the world's fastest production cars at the time. The V6 turbo was upgraded with special bearings, rods and a strengthened valve train. This insanity came in the form of the Mustang II, which was little more than a Pinto with a cool name and a body kit. I dont know if any of you have raced, or are in the scene of it; but in the street drag racing scene its a legend. From the outside the only difference between the Grand National and the GNX was a different set of wheels. Through improved engine controls, freer-flowing heads, low-restriction exhaust, and upgrades to the (Garrett AiResearch) turbochargerincluding a lightweight, faster-responding ceramic turbine wheeloutput was boosted to a muscular 276 horses and 360 lb-ft of torque. The 1986 Grand National's 3.8L V6 turbo engine now produced 235 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque with the help of an intercooler and a sequential port fuel injection system. Next, complete checkout for full access to Motorious. The $1,282 package bumped the Regal T-Types sticker price up to $13,400, and included suspension modifications, a different rear axle ratio, and overdrive. - click the button below:Tire size:1986 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe standard and alternative wheel and tire sizes. The GNX did that on the testing grounds, in weather that made it ACTUALLY SLOWER, while blowing away the fastest corvette made in the 80's, and the driver (who worked for a very popular magazine) had his wife and two kids in the car at the time. Quarter mile times were under fourteen seconds and zero to sixty times of less than five seconds were recorded. The quarter mile mph are a bit high for TRs, but the 1/8 mile times are close on my numbers. The Buick boys saw red and came back the following year. When we went to Lloyd's office and gave him the update, he said, 'Can we do it or not?' Those wanting a GNX would have to shell out $29,900. I said, 'Yes!' 0-60 in 4.9 is unrealistic for a 6 cylinder engine? Its hard to put your thumb on exactly what kind of car it is. 4) .Specs datasheet with technical data and performance data plus an analysis of the direct market competition of Buick Regal Grand National Coupe (aut. 1986: Buick: Regal: Grand National Coupe 2-Door: 3.8L 3800CC 231Cu. The year was 1987, and General Motors was preparing to phase out the popular rear-wheel-drive G-body chassis. What top speed ? The OER tail lamp parts pictured above are some of the latest items we offer for the Buick Regal and GNX. The 1987 Grand National and in particular the 1987 Buick GNX were about to rewrite muscle car history. Never raced by me. Its an interesting and intimidating sight. The standard Buick slide-rule speedometer and warning lights were replaced with a full complement of Stewart-Warner, The seats were standard-issue Grand National type, but the interior was accented with special. Sales were comparatively brisk for the GN, and 20,193 were built in 1987, 10,000 being ordered in the last 6 months. First up is the engine, it is stated as a 4.1-liter aluminum stroker V6 with a guru devised ECU and methanol injection. Motor Trend put the Grand National to the test for their August 1987 issue. The GNX happened because thenchief engineer Dave Sharpe, advanced concepts manager Mike Doble, and project engineer Chuck Jensen badly wanted it. V6 GAS OHV . In 1987, with Chevy breathing down Buicks neck about its precious, Buick decided to shelf the Grand Natty the following year. 1987 Buick Grand National: 100 Cars That Matter "I thought it was the end of my career. Just for comparison, a 1986 Corvette cost $27,027 and a 1986 Camaro IROC-Z cost $12,561. The 1978 Buick Regal, now only offered as a two-door coupe, was slightly smaller, slightly lighter, and received more squared-off lines and fewer design effects. 0-1 km 28.3 sest. 1986 Buick Regal Grand National Values | Hagerty Valuation Tool Really it was leaps and bounds over the 84. Power was still down from its 1970 height as we had been through major Federal air quality regulations and two fuel shortages. Power comes from a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine, rated at 235 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. Instead of going out with a whimper, Buick went all in, the 1987 Grand National returned with ten more horsepower but the real news was the earth chattering Buick GNX. Violations of copyright will be prosecuted under the fullest extent of the law.The full Terms and Conditions of using this website and database can be found here. The biggest, baddest gun west of the Pecos is loose in the streets, and there's gonna be some shootin'." 0-100 km/h 7.7 s, 1986 Saab 900 Turbo 16 3-doorEurope 215 km/h / 134 mphest. The Buick Grand National was daft but brilliant. A total of 547 GNXs were produced, and each began life as a fully-optioned Grand National. The Buick Turbo Engine Group developed an intercooler and a sequential port fuel injection system that noticeably increased both the horsepower and the torque of the Grand National. 1978-1987 Buick Regal 2nd generation all versions catalogue, 1986 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe Horsepower/Torque Curve, 1986 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe Detailed Accelerations, Performance Review, 1986 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe Tire Sizes, The same class cars with similar performance: 1986 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe Market Competition Review, How much horsepower ? . "The next significant improvement was in 1986, when Ron Yuille and the Turbo Engine Group engineered an intercooler for the 3.8 Turbo SFI V-6," wrote Martyn L. Schorr in his book, Buick GNX. This 1987 Buick Grand National has been under the ownership of a Buick collector for the last 28 years.