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The Buick Grand Nationals were performance icons from 1982 to 1987. But, Buick upped the ante with the 1987 GNX. Whereas the ’86 GN made 235 hp, with 330 ft. lbs. of torque at 4,000 rpm, and the ’87 GN made 245 hp, with 355 ft. lbs. of torque at 4,000 rpm, the GNX made 276 hp, with 360 ft. lbs. of torque at 4,400 rpm. Buick wrung about as much out of its Grand National series as was possible and still keep it street legal. In 1987, a driver of this sinister-looking, black road-rocket could look up Corvettes and dust them off handily. This was definitely not your father’s Buick!
The 1987 GNX image from GMP is virtually identical to the excellent 1987 Grand National that preceded it. But, the chromed steel wheels have been replaced by larger diameter, alloy wheels (with black, faux-wire centers) and wider tires. (For you tech-types, the GN’s tires were Goodyear Eagle GT P215/65 R15, versus the GNX’s Goodyear Eagle Gatorback 245/50/VR-16 front and 255/50/VR-16 rear.) All exterior logos and script, with the exception of the GNX on the grill and trunk, have been removed. Two raised (functional on the 1:1 car), black cooling vents on the upper front fenders, just in front of the doors, replace the original Grand National logos. There are flares on the front and rear fenders to accommodate the larger tires. All of this manages to give the GNX a meaner, more purposeful look. This time, the rear (Georgia) license plate says “87 GNX.” The under-hood detailing is right up there with the previous release, showing an engine that’s essentially the same, with only a subtle difference in the turbo housing. The interior’s also virtually the same, but with a slightly different dash and GNX logos on the floor mats. There’s light gray (instead of black) “carpeting” in the trunk, this time with a cover over the spare tire. The undercarriage details are slightly different, with twin mufflers replacing the single, crossover unit. The differential’s also different, with a suspension link and torsion bars replacing the standard stabilizer bar. All of the above is done with the usual GMP flair for excellence, and a meticulous attention to the smallest detail.
The Buick Grand Nationals were breakthroughs in the performance market of the Eighties. And the GNX was the pinnacle of the series—the comfort and class of a Buick coupled to the blazing power of a true muscle car. Though this is a second rendition of GMP’s first image (a white, Buick Regal Turbo T is next), that’s not to say it lacks anything that matters for the avid collector. But, do you need two of them? You be the judge.
(10/29/2004)
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