The year 1987 occupies a special place within the history of American performance history, primarily thanks to the final final production run of Buick's legendary RWD G-platform Regal coupe. This was a year that witnessed the culmination of a surprising performance renaissance, establishing a clear pecking order of which ranged from subtle performers all the way to a uncompromising asphalt destroyer. While they all were based upon the same foundational chassis, the Regal Limited Turbo, the Turbo T, the iconic Grand National, as well as the GNX each possessed a completely distinct personality, set of of specifications, and target audience. Deciphering the nuanced and not-so-subtle differences remains essential for fully grasping the genius brilliance of Buick's final final muscle car hurrah of the 1980s.
The Foundation of Force: The Regal Limited and Turbo T
On the bottom of this performance ladder sat the more more versatile often often overlooked variants: the Regal Limited equipped with the turbocharged option as well as the Turbo T-Type. The Buick Regal Limited was traditionally the comfort-focused package, featuring cushy seating, generous brightwork accents, a a more compliant suspension. However, in that final year, astute buyers were able to discreetly spec this luxurious plush coupe with the potent powerful LC2 3.8L intercooled powertrain, effectively birthing a true wolf dressed in luxury attire. This combination allowed for a a stealthy blisteringly fast drive without the aggressive obviously aggressive visuals of its its blacked-out stablemates.
On the other hand, the Turbo T, sometimes identified its its WE4 RPO code RPO code, was a more focused philosophy to stripped-down speed. The manufacturer designed the WE4 package as a a lighter alternative for the Grand National, achieving this goal by employing lightweight aluminum bumper supports and alloy wheels. Aesthetically, it stood in direct contrast the the Grand National, retaining much of the factory brightwork accents it was being offered across a wide spectrum factory exterior colors. This variant was the purist's selection for individuals that prioritized raw acceleration a a slightly nimbler feel above the iconic iconic visual statement of the more famous better-known infamous all-black sibling.
The Dark Icon: The Grand National (WE2)
When many people think of a 1980s Buick performance vehicle, the vision which instantly springs to their head is that of the Grand National. Designated with the WE2 Regular Production Production Option Option, the '87 Grand National was fundamentally not so much a mechanically mechanically distinct vehicle and more an all-encompassing all-encompassing appearance and trim package. This model shared the exact same potent LC2 3.8L turbocharged V6 and 200-4R transmission found in the Turbo T. However, its unmistakable characteristic was its adherence to a single-color all-black exterior theme, a look that earned the car its enduring nickname "Darth Vader's car" or "the Dark Side."
This sinister look was meticulously meticulously enforced throughout the entire entire vehicle. Every piece of the the exterior trim, from the window window surrounds and the grille, was finished finished in black. The car car rode upon specific 15-inch steel steel rims a a contrasting black-painted center section, creating a truly very memorable look. Inside, the Grand Grand National came with a dual-color black and grey cloth upholstery, with the signature turbo "6" emblem embroidered on the front front headrests. It also came equipped the the stiffer F41 Gran Gran Touring Touring suspension, which gave the vehicle better road manners in order to match its impressive straight-line prowess.
The Ultimate Expression: Enter the GNX
If the Grand National was considered the king of the boulevard, the Grand National Experimental was nothing less than the pinnacle of all American American muscle vehicles of 1987. Created as a fitting final send-off for the Regal platform, Buick shipped only five hundred forty-seven fully-optioned loaded Grand Nationals to ASC/McLaren a a radical radical re-engineering. The goal was clear: to create the "Grand National|Grand National} to put an end to all Grand Nationals." The result was a vehicle that was so incredibly fast it was able to beat many of the day's most exotic sports cars, such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
The modifications were both comprehensive highly highly effective. The engineers installed a larger more efficient Garrett ceramic-impeller turbo, a higher-capacity effective intercooler, and a specially specially tuned engine management chip (ECU). The transmission transmission was beefed-up firmer firmer shifts, critically most importantly, the entire rear suspension was re-engineered. This new setup included a unique ladder arm and a transverse Panhard rod, which dramatically increased grip virtually completely eliminated axle hop during brutal acceleration. Truly understanding the complete Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX requires a thorough dive of the bespoke engineering which ASC/McLaren invested into this extremely limited-production vehicle.
Breaking Down the Specs, Options, and Visual Cues
When comparing these four distinct models, the differences distinctions in performance figures available features are made all the more more apparent. From the factory, the LC2 in the Regal Limited, Turbo T, and Grand National was conservatively conservatively rated at 245 hp with 355 lb-ft of torque. By stark comparison, the GNX, with its extensive extensive modifications, was officially officially rated at 276 hp a massive a staggering 360 lb-ft of torque, though real-world dynamometer tests have repeatedly shown these factory numbers to have been wildly underestimated, with true power being well over three-hundred horsepower.
Visually, the hierarchy was just as clear. The Turbo Turbo T the Limited were the sleepers of the bunch, frequently sporting chrome bumpers and available a a variety of wide palette of paints. The Grand National, of course, was exclusively exclusively black, projecting an unmistakable unmistakable aura. The GNX, in turn, elevated this dark theme even further. It was fitted with lightweight wheel arch flares, functional heat-releasing louvers in the front fenders, and a unique set of 16-inch 16-inch black mesh mesh rims which set the car apart immediately even from a standard a regular Grand National. Features such as T-tops were widely available for the Limited Turbo T, and Grand T, and models, however, not a single GNX was ever ever built the T-top this option, in order to maintain preserve maximum chassis stiffness.
Summary: A Legendary Hierarchy of Power
In final assessment, the 1987 Buick Regal range represents a masterful brilliant case study in product tiering and brand development. From the the surprisingly quick luxurious comfortable Regal Limited Turbo to the agile Turbo T-Type, the brand provided a spectrum range of turbocharged power to suit fit varying tastes and priorities. The Grand Grand National subsequently codified this performance performance into an iconic iconic a menacing menacing style identity, creating a cultural automotive legend which persists to this day. At the very top of it hierarchy was the mighty GNX, a limited-edition rare supercar that acted as a definitive statement mark, solidifying the G-body Regal's status within the halls of automotive performance greatness. Each model car was special in its own right, but together they formed a unforgettable hierarchy that redefined domestic muscle for a a generation new era.