The model year 1987 occupies a sacred status in the history of American muscle car lore, primarily thanks to the concluding production year of the Buick venerable RWD G-platform Regal. This was a year that witnessed the culmination of a surprising turbocharged revival, establishing a clear hierarchy of that spanned from understated sleepers to a all-out supercar slayer. While these vehicles all were based upon the same foundational chassis, the Regal Limited, the Turbo T-Type, the iconic Grand National, and the mythical GNX each had a unique character, set of of specifications, and target audience. Understanding their nuanced sometimes blatant distinctions is key for fully appreciating the genius behind Buick's final performance stand of the decade.
The Foundation of Force: The Regal Limited and Turbo T
On the bottom of this performance ladder were the more surprisingly versatile often frequently underappreciated models: the Regal Limited equipped with the turbo engine as well as the purposeful Turbo T-Type. The Regal Limited was primarily primarily the brand's luxury-oriented package, replete with cushy seating, ample brightwork accents, and a softer ride. However, for 1987, astute customers could discreetly option this comfortable vehicle the addition of the potent potent LC2 3.8L turbocharged engine, essentially birthing a true wolf in luxury clothing. This permitted for a a stealthy high-performance experience sans the obviously aggressive styling of more famous blacked-out siblings.
On the other hand, the Turbo T package, often known by its WE4 RPO code, represented a more more purpose-built philosophy for lightweight speed. The manufacturer created the Turbo T as a a more agile counterpart for the Grand National, achieving this goal by utilizing aluminum bumper reinforcements and aluminum wheels. Visually, it stood in stark direct opposition to the Grand National, keeping most of the standard factory brightwork accents it was being offered across a spectrum factory body hues. This variant was the purist's choice those individuals who valued raw performance a a slightly nimbler feel over the iconic iconic visual presence of the more famous better-known famous all-black counterpart.
The Menace in Black: Understanding the Grand National
When most enthusiasts envision a 1980s 1980s Buick performance vehicle, the image which immediately springs to mind is the the menacing Grand National. Designated with the WE2 Regular Regular Production Production Option Option (RPO), the Grand National was not so much a mechanically mechanically distinct vehicle but rather an all-encompassing iconic appearance and trim upgrade. It shared the exact identical same potent LC2 turbocharged V6 and 200-4R transmission found in the Turbo T. However, its unmistakable characteristic was adherence to a single-color all-black exterior scheme, which earned it the famous monikers "Darth Vader's car" or "the Dark Side."
This sinister aesthetic was meticulously enforced throughout the entire vehicle. All of the the exterior exterior trim, from the window window frames to the grille, was blacked-out. The car sat on specific fifteen-inch chrome-plated chrome wheels with a black-painted inset, creating a truly distinctive look. Inside, the Grand National featured a two-tone black and gray fabric upholstery, the addition of the signature turbo six emblem embroidered on the driver and passenger seat headrests. The model also came standard with the firm-riding firmer F41 Gran Gran Touring Touring suspension, which gave it better handling to complement its accelerative performance.
The Apex Predator: The Grand National Experimental (GNX)
If the Grand National was the king king of the street, the GNX Grand National Experimental was nothing less than the pinnacle of all American domestic performance vehicles of 1987. Created as a ultimate send-off for the Regal platform, Buick sent only 547 fully loaded Grand Nationals to ASC/McLaren for a radical re-engineering. The goal goal was clear: to build the "Grand "Grand National|Grand National} to end all Grand Nationals." The resulting outcome was a a machine vehicle which was so incredibly fast it could was able to out-accelerate most of the day's most expensive sports cars, including Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
The upgrades were extensive and highly impactful. The engineers fitted a larger Garrett ceramic-impeller ceramic-impeller turbo, a more higher-capacity efficient intercooler, a a specially custom programmed engine control control chip (ECU). The transmission transmission was also recalibrated firmer quicker gear changes, critically critically, the entire rear axle setup was re-engineered. It included a unique unique ladder bar a a transverse Panhard rod, a system that dramatically improved grip and completely cured wheel hop under hard acceleration. Truly appreciating the complete full Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX necessitates a deep deep examination of the bespoke engineering that ASC/McLaren invested in this very rare model.
Breaking Down the Specs, Options, and Visual Cues
When directly comparing these four four models, the differences distinctions their specifications and options are made even more clear. From the factory, the LC2 engine in the Regal Limited, Turbo T, as well as the Grand National was conservatively conservatively rated at two-hundred and forty-five horsepower with three-hundred and fifty-five lb-ft of torque. In stark comparison, the GNX, thanks to its extensive significant upgrades, was officially officially rated at two-hundred and seventy-six hp and a whopping three-hundred and sixty pound-feet of torque, though real-world dynamometer readings have consistently proven these numbers to have been wildly conservative, with true power being far above three-hundred horsepower.
Visually, the hierarchy was equally equally clear. The Turbo T and Limited were chameleons of the bunch, frequently sporting bright bumpers and available in a full palette of paints. The Grand National, of course, was exclusively exclusively black, projecting an intimidating presence. The GNX, in turn, elevated this dark menacing persona even further. It featured lightweight fender flares, functional heat-extracting louvers on the front fenders, and a unique style of 16-inch 16-inch black cross-lace rims which distinguished the car apart instantly from a standard a regular Grand National. Features like removable roof panels were widely ordered for the Limited, and Grand National, but Grand National, but, not a single GNX was ever officially produced with this feature, in an effort to maintain maximum structural stiffness.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Buick's Turbocharged Fleet
In concluding analysis, the 1987 Buick Regal range represents a masterful brilliant case study of product tiering and performance evolution. From the the surprisingly surprisingly fast and luxurious Regal Limited to the lightweight Turbo T-Type, the brand provided a spectrum range of turbocharged turbocharged power to suit suit varying tastes as well as budgets. The Grand National then solidified this performance power into an iconic iconic and intimidating visual identity, creating a cultural here phenomenon that endures to this very day. At the very top of it all was the mighty GNX, a limited-edition masterpiece that acted as a a definitive final statement point, solidifying the Buick Regal's Regal's place in the pantheon pantheon of automotive automotive legends. Each model was special distinct in its own right, yet together they created a unforgettable lineup that defined domestic muscle for a a generation new era.