The model year 1987 occupies a truly sacred place within the annals of American performance lore, primarily thanks to the final manufacturing year for the Buick venerable RWD G-platform Regal coupe. It was a time that witnessed the pinnacle of a turbocharged revival, establishing a distinct clear pecking order of models that spanned the subtle sleepers to a all-out supercar slayer. Although they all were based upon the same foundational chassis, the Buick Regal Limited Turbo, the Turbo T, the iconic Grand National, and the GNX each possessed a unique character, set of specifications, and intended buyer. Deciphering the nuanced sometimes not-so-subtle distinctions is key for fully grasping the genius genius behind Buick's final last muscle car hurrah of that decade.
The Foundation of Force: The Regal Limited and Turbo T
On the base of this performance pyramid sat the more more flexible often often underappreciated models: the Regal Limited equipped with the turbo engine as well as the purposeful Turbo T-Type. The Buick Regal Limited was traditionally the brand's comfort-focused package, featuring cushy interiors, ample brightwork trim, a a more compliant ride. However, in 1987, astute buyers were able to quietly option this luxurious plush coupe the addition of the potent LC2 3.8-liter V6 turbocharged powertrain, essentially creating a predator dressed in sheep's clothing. This combination permitted for a a blisteringly fast experience without the aggressive obviously aggressive visuals of its its darker siblings.
Conversely, the Turbo T package, often identified its internal WE4 RPO code designation, was a more decidedly focused philosophy to lightweight speed. Buick designed the WE4 T as a lighter more agile alternative for the Grand National, achieving this by utilizing aluminum bumper supports and alloy wheels. Aesthetically, this model stood in stark stark contrast the all-black Grand National, keeping most of the factory chrome trim and being available in a wide variety factory exterior hues. This variant was essentially the purist's selection for individuals who valued raw performance a a slightly nimbler chassis above the iconic unmistakable style presence of the its more famous all-black counterpart.
The Dark Icon: The Grand National (WE2)
When most most enthusiasts think of a 1980s '80s Buick performance car, the image which instantly comes to their head is the the menacing Grand National. Designated as the WE2 Regular Regular Production Production Option (RPO), the '87 Grand National was not so much a mechanically mechanically distinct vehicle but more an all-encompassing iconic styling and trim upgrade. This model shared the exact same powerful LC2 turbocharged V6 and 200-4R transmission as the Turbo T. However, its defining trait was adherence to a monochromatic all-black paint scheme, which gave the car the famous monikers "Darth Vader's car" or "the Dark Side."
This sinister aesthetic was meticulously carefully enforced across the whole car. All of the body trim, including the window window frames and the grille grille, was finished in black. The car vehicle rode upon specific fifteen-inch steel steel wheels with a contrasting black-painted inset, lending a very distinctive appearance. On the interior, the Grand Grand National featured a specific dual-color black and grey cloth interior, with the signature turbo six emblem embroidered into the front driver and passenger headrests. The model also was equipped with the firm-riding firmer F41 Gran Gran Touring suspension package, which gave it better road manners to complement its impressive accelerative prowess.
The Ultimate Expression: Enter the GNX
If the Grand National was the king of the street, the Grand National Experimental was the emperor emperor of all all domestic performance cars of 1987. Developed as a a ultimate farewell for the G-body platform, General Motors sent only five hundred forty-seven fully-optioned optioned Grand Nationals the facilities of ASC/McLaren Performance Technologies a a radical transformation. The goal objective was clear: to build the "Grand "Grand National|Grand National} to end all other Grand Nationals." The resulting outcome was a machine vehicle that was incredibly fast it could could out-accelerate most of the era's most expensive sports cars, such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
The extensive modifications were both comprehensive highly very impactful. The engineers installed a more efficient Garrett ceramic-impeller ceramic-impeller turbocharger, a higher-capacity efficient intercooler, and a specially custom programmed engine control chip (ECU). The transmission was also beefed-up for quicker shifts, and critically, the rear axle setup was redesigned. This new setup featured a longitudinal here torque arm and a transverse Panhard rod, which drastically improved grip virtually completely cured axle hop during brutal launches. Truly understanding the complete complete Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX requires a deep thorough dive of the bespoke engineering which ASC/McLaren invested into this extremely rare vehicle.
Breaking Down the Specs, Options, and Visual Cues
When directly comparing these four four distinct variants, the differences differences their performance figures available features become all the more more apparent. Officially, the LC2 LC2 engine found in the Regal Limited, Turbo T, and Grand National was understatedly rated at two-hundred and forty-five horsepower with three-hundred and fifty-five pound-feet of torque. In dramatic contrast, the GNX GNX, with its significant upgrades, was officially rated at 276 horsepower and a staggering staggering three-hundred and sixty pound-feet of torque, though actual dynamometer tests have since repeatedly proven these factory figures to have been wildly conservative, with true power being well over 300 horsepower.
In terms of appearance, the progression was equally clear. The Turbo T and Limited were chameleons of the group, frequently sporting chrome bumpers and offered in a variety of full range of exterior paints. The Grand National, naturally, was exclusively black, projecting an unmistakable presence. The GNX, in turn, took this dark persona even further. It was fitted with lightweight fender flares, working heat-releasing vents on the front front fenders, a set of a style of 16-inch 16-inch black mesh mesh rims that distinguished it apart immediately from even a regular Grand National. Options such as T-tops were widely ordered on the Limited Turbo T, Turbo National, and models, however, no GNX was ever produced the T-top this option, in an effort to preserve optimal chassis rigidity.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Buick's Turbocharged Fleet
In concluding analysis, the 1987 1987 Buick Regal range stands as a masterful case study in product tiering and brand evolution. From the the surprisingly fast luxurious luxurious Regal Limited to the lightweight agile Turbo T-Type, the brand provided a spectrum spectrum of turbocharged forced-induction performance to fit different tastes as well as budgets. The Grand Grand National subsequently codified this performance into an unforgettable and menacing visual identity, birthing a cultural automotive legend which persists even this day. At the very top of this hierarchy was the GNX, a limited-edition supercar that acted as a a definitive exclamation point, solidifying the Buick Regal's platform's status in the halls of automotive greatness. Each car was distinct in its own way, yet collectively they formed a unforgettable hierarchy that redefined domestic muscle for a a generation.