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1987 Buick GNX

Zap

Zap

Elite Member
BuickGNX.jpg


http://jalopnik.com/274485/buick-gnx

Official specs
276 horsepower
360 torque
5.7s 0-60
only 547 made
$30k new in 1987

Unofficial specs
~300 horsepower
~400 torque
4.5s 0-60
now worth $60-80k

A lot of us already know about the GNX, right? So why am I posting about it now?

I think I saw one the other day (Saturday, 3/3). I'll get the pic off my phone later and post it here. Here's the Google Street View location of where I saw it. I was driving West on highway 64 (W. Main St.) and happened to stop right next to it, waiting for the red light.

Coincidentally, a few minutes later I saw a yellow Lamborghini Gallardo going the opposite way. Kind of interesting to see nice cars out and about, especially since there were snow flurries that day.
 
Zap said:
BuickGNX.jpg


http://jalopnik.com/274485/buick-gnx

Official specs
276 horsepower
360 torque
5.7s 0-60
only 547 made
$30k new in 1987

Unofficial specs
~300 horsepower
~400 torque
4.5s 0-60
now worth $60-80k

A lot of us already know about the GNX, right? So why am I posting about it now?

I think I saw one the other day (Saturday, 3/3). I'll get the pic off my phone later and post it here. Here's the Google Street View location of where I saw it. I was driving West on highway 64 (W. Main St.) and happened to stop right next to it, waiting for the red light.

Coincidentally, a few minutes later I saw a yellow Lamborghini Gallardo going the opposite way. Kind of interesting to see nice cars out and about, especially since there were snow flurries that day.
Click to expand...

You saw a nice car, a Lamborghini, and one hideous box on wheels (above)
 
my dad has a picture of me sitting in a brand new GNX on the showroom floor back in 87. i wouldve been 6 or 7. he was buying a Turbo T, new. still has it too. i bought my own GN back in 2000. i need to drive that thing. been sitting all winter 🙁 looks like this guy had no problems taking his baby out in the snow though.
 
Would love to see mfg's putting out limited edition hot rods like this again:

For the final year, 1987, Buick introduced the GNX at $29,900. Produced by McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC, Buick underrated the GNX at 276 hp (206 kW) and a very substantial 360 lb·ft (488 N·m) of torque.[5] This was created to be the "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals." Changes made included a special Garrett T-3 turbocharger with a ceramic-impeller blowing through a more efficient and significantly larger capacity intercooler with a "CERMATEL (Ceramic/Aluminum) coated" pipe connecting the intercooler to the engine. A GNX specific EEPROM, low-restriction exhaust with dual mufflers, reprogrammed Turbo Hydramatic 200-4R transmission with a custom torque converter and transmission cooler, and unique differential cover/panhard bar included more of the performance modifications. Exterior styling changes include vents located on each front fender, 16 inch black mesh style wheels with VR-speed rated tires, and deletion of the hood and fender emblems. The interior changes of the GNX included a serial number on the dash plaque and a revised instrument cluster providing analog Stewart-Warner gauges, including an analog turbo boost gauge. Performance was measured with a quarter mile time of 13.5 seconds at 102 mph (164 km/h) and a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.7 seconds. [6] GNX #001 is the 1986 prototype currently owned by Buick and sometimes makes appearances at car shows around the US. The GNX had a ladder bar that ran from the mid-section of the car to the rear axle, so as to increase traction. This is also the reason why a GNX will actually lift the rear end up when the car is about to launch heavily.
 
LTC8K6 said:
It was 1987. You really can't compare, although I know you will anyway. Comparing it to a Gallardo, as you did, is silly.

This car is legendary over here.
Click to expand...


OK let's compare it to this:

F40_wp0_1024.jpg


Why?!

What's legendary about it, it's literally a box, it looks like someone has drawn it using only a ruler and a pencil.
 
HAL9000 said:
OK let's compare it to this:

F40_wp0_1024.jpg


Why?!

What's legendary about it, it's literally a box, it looks like someone has drawn it using only a ruler and a pencil.
Click to expand...
Because it looks like every other ugly piece of sh*t made in the late 80's and yet even now would still trounce most cars at the lights.
 
Homer Simpson said:
my dad has a picture of me sitting in a brand new GNX on the showroom floor back in 87. i wouldve been 6 or 7. he was buying a Turbo T, new. still has it too. i bought my own GN back in 2000. i need to drive that thing. been sitting all winter 🙁 looks like this guy had no problems taking his baby out in the snow though.
Click to expand...

Very cool. Any pics of either car?
 
HAL9000 said:
OK let's compare it to this:

F40_wp0_1024.jpg


Why?!

What's legendary about it, it's literally a box, it looks like someone has drawn it using only a ruler and a pencil.
Click to expand...

Yes, let's compare it to a car that was ~15X the price...and not much faster to 60...
 
"Only thing was, the GNX's factory numbers were bullshit. GM being GM, it didn't want any of its vehicles outperforming the Corvette. So Buick was forced to fib. When the press cars were handed out, journos discovered actual power was closer to 300 horses and an unbelievable 400 lbs. ft of torque. The ASC/McLaren boys also went to work on the chassis, essentially building a dragster for the street. They ditched the rear control arms in favor of a ladder bar/panhard rod setup. The back of the ladder bar attaches to the passenger side of the differential (to prevent left-side up, right-side down twisting during brake stands) and the front attaches to a frame crossmember. For further stability they added a stamped diagonal brace behind the rear seat. All this tuning added up to a shocking zero-to-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds and quarter-mile best of 13.26 at 104 mph. Essentially, those were Countach numbers from a Buick sedan (although the Regal had just two doors, its structure and interior volume made it a sedan, technically – this is still being argued). These numbers are competitive even today; a Shelby's GT500 takes 4.5 to hit 60 mph and covers the 1/4 mile in 12.9."


Big part of why the car was legendary.

"Fastest Sedan in the World" it was called at the time.
 
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