The model year 1987 holds a hallowed place in the history of American muscle car history, largely thanks to the final manufacturing run of Buick's venerable rear-wheel-drive G-body Regal coupe. This was a year that saw the absolute apex of a turbocharged revival, establishing a distinct distinct pecking order of models that ranged from understated performers to an all-out asphalt destroyer. Although they all shared the same basic chassis, the Regal Limited Turbo, the Turbo T, the iconic Grand National, and the GNX each had a completely unique personality, set of performance metrics, and target audience. Understanding the subtle and blatant differences is essential for truly grasping the genius of Buick's final final muscle car hurrah of that decade.
The Turbocharged Starting Points: Regal Limited and the Turbo T Package
On the base of this performance ladder were the surprisingly flexible and frequently underappreciated models: the Buick Regal Limited with the turbocharged option as well as the purposeful Turbo T-Type. The Regal Limited was primarily the comfort-focused trim, featuring plush interiors, generous brightwork trim, a a more compliant suspension. Crucially, for 1987, savvy buyers were able to quietly option this luxurious plush vehicle the addition of the potent powerful LC2 3.8-liter 3.8L turbocharged powertrain, essentially birthing a wolf dressed in luxury clothing. This allowed for a high-performance drive sans the aggressive obviously menacing visuals of more famous darker siblings.
On the other hand, the Turbo T package, sometimes known by internal WE4 RPO code RPO code, represented a more focused philosophy for stripped-down speed. Buick designed the WE4 T as a lighter lighter counterpart for the Grand National, attaining this goal by utilizing aluminum bumper reinforcements and aluminum wheels. Aesthetically, it was in stark contrast the all-black Grand National, retaining most of the standard chrome accents it was being available across a wide spectrum factory exterior colors. This was the enthusiast's purist's selection for those that prioritized raw acceleration a a slightly nimbler feel over the iconic iconic style presence of the its better-known famous all-black counterpart.
The Dark Icon: The Grand National (WE2)
When many enthusiasts think of a 1980s 1980s Buick muscle car, the vision that immediately comes to mind is undoubtedly the the Grand National. Designated as the WE2 WE2 Regular Production Option Option (RPO), the '87 Grand National was less a mechanically mechanically separate vehicle and rather an all-encompassing all-encompassing appearance and trim upgrade. This model shared the exact exact same potent LC2 intercooled V6 the 200-4R transmission found in the Turbo T. But, its unmistakable trait was its single-color all-black exterior theme, a look that earned the car its famous nickname "Darth Vader's car" and "the Dark Side."
This sinister menacing look was meticulously carefully enforced throughout the entire entire vehicle. Every piece of the exterior trim, including the door frames and the grille, was finished finished in black. The vehicle sat on specific fifteen-inch chrome-plated steel rims with a black center section, creating a truly memorable appearance. Inside, the Grand National featured a two-tone black and grey fabric interior, with the signature turbo six logo embroidered on the front seat headrests. It also came standard with the stiffer F41 Gran Gran Touring Touring suspension, which provided the vehicle sharper handling to complement its straight-line performance.
The Apex Predator: The Grand National Experimental (GNX)
If the Grand National was the king ruler of the street, the GNX Grand National Experimental was the emperor of all all American performance vehicles of 1987. Created as a fitting ultimate send-off to the G-body chassis, General Motors sent only five hundred forty-seven fully-optioned optioned Grand Nationals to ASC/McLaren a a radical comprehensive re-engineering. The objective was simple: to create the "Grand National|Grand National} to end all other Grand Nationals." The outcome was a a vehicle which was so so fast it could was able to out-accelerate many of the world's era's most expensive supercars, including Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
The extensive modifications were comprehensive and very impactful. ASC/McLaren installed a larger Garrett ceramic-impeller hybrid turbo, a more more efficient intercooler, and a specially specially programmed engine control control unit (ECU). The transmission transmission was recalibrated firmer firmer shifts, critically critically, the entire rear suspension was redesigned. This new setup featured a unique ladder bar and a transverse Panhard rod, which drastically increased grip virtually completely cured axle hop during hard launches. Truly appreciating the complete Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX requires a deep thorough dive of the bespoke modifications that this partnership poured into this extremely extremely rare model.
Breaking Down the Specs, Options, and Visual Cues
When comparing these four distinct models, the distinctions their specifications available features are made even more clear. From the factory, the LC2 LC2 in the Regal Regal Limited, Turbo T, and Grand National was conservatively rated at 245 hp and 355 pound-feet of torque. In stark contrast, the GNX, with its extensive significant upgrades, was officially officially pegged at 276 hp and a staggering three-hundred and sixty pound-feet of torque, although real-world dyno tests have repeatedly proven these factory numbers to be grossly underestimated, with actual output being far above three-hundred horsepower.
In terms of appearance, the hierarchy was equally just as defined. The Turbo T and Limited were the chameleons of the group, often wearing chrome bumpers being offered in a full palette of paints. The Grand National, of course, was exclusively exclusively black, projecting an unmistakable presence. The GNX, in turn, elevated this more info menacing theme a step further. It featured composite wheel arch flares, functional heat-releasing louvers in the front fenders, and a unique style of sixteen-inch black cross-lace wheels that set the car apart immediately even from even a Grand National. Options like removable roof panels were commonly ordered for the Limited Limited, Turbo T, and models, however, no GNX was ever produced the T-top this option, in an effort to maintain maintain maximum chassis stiffness.
Summary: A Legendary Hierarchy of Power
In the concluding assessment, the 1987 1987 Buick Regal lineup stands as a brilliant case study in product segmentation the art of performance evolution. From the the surprisingly fast luxurious comfortable Regal Limited Turbo to the lightweight agile Turbo T-Type, Buick provided a spectrum range of turbocharged performance to suit varying tastes as well as priorities. The Grand National then codified this performance power with an unforgettable a menacing menacing style identity, birthing a cultural cultural phenomenon that endures even this very day. At the very top of it hierarchy stood the GNX, a limited-edition rare supercar that served as a definitive definitive exclamation mark, solidifying the G-body platform's place within the pantheon of automotive performance greatness. Each model car was special in its own way, but together they formed a legendary legendary lineup which defined American performance for a generation new era.