The model year 1987 occupies a hallowed place in the annals of U.S. performance history, primarily due to the final concluding manufacturing run for the Buick legendary rear-wheel-drive G-platform Regal. It was a year that saw the absolute pinnacle of a a turbocharged revival, creating a distinct clear pecking order of which ranged the subtle performers to an all-out asphalt destroyer. Although these vehicles all shared a common foundational architecture, the Buick Regal Limited, the Turbo T-Type, the Grand National, and the GNX each possessed a completely unique personality, set of of specifications, and target audience. Understanding their nuanced and blatant differences remains essential for truly grasping the genius brilliance of Buick's final last performance hurrah of that 1980s.
The Turbocharged Starting Points: Regal Limited and the Turbo T Package
At the foundational base of this power pyramid were the surprisingly flexible and frequently underappreciated models: the Buick Regal Limited with the turbocharged option and the purposeful Turbo T-Type. The Regal Limited was traditionally the comfort-focused trim, replete with plush seating, ample brightwork trim, a a softer ride. Crucially, in 1987, savvy customers could discreetly spec this comfortable vehicle with the powerful LC2 3.8-liter 3.8L intercooled powertrain, effectively birthing a true predator in luxury attire. This allowed for a stealthy blisteringly fast drive without the obviously menacing styling of its blacked-out siblings.
On the other hand, the Turbo T, sometimes known its its WE4 RPO code designation, represented a more purpose-built approach to lightweight speed. Buick designed the WE4 T as a a lighter counterpart for the Grand National, achieving this goal through employing lightweight aluminum bumper supports by offering aluminum rims. Visually, this model stood in stark stark opposition the the Grand National, retaining most of the standard factory chrome trim it was being offered in a wide spectrum factory exterior colors. This variant was the enthusiast's purist's choice those those that prioritized unfiltered performance a a more responsive feel over the unmistakable style statement of its more famous monochromatic counterpart.
The Dark Icon: The Grand National (WE2)
When many people think of a 1980s 1980s Buick performance vehicle, the image image which immediately springs to mind is the the Grand National. Designated as the WE2 WE2 Regular Regular Production Option (RPO), the '87 Grand National was less a mechanically mechanically distinct model but more an all-encompassing iconic styling and suspension package. It utilized the exact same potent LC2 turbocharged V6 engine the 200-4R automatic transmission found in the Turbo T. But, its defining trait was its its monochromatic Darth Vader paint theme, which gave the car the famous nickname "Darth Vader's car" and "the Dark Side."
This sinister menacing aesthetic was carefully enforced across the entire entire vehicle. Every piece of the exterior exterior molding, including the window frames to the grille grille, was blacked-out. The car car rode upon unique fifteen-inch steel steel wheels with a black-painted inset, creating a truly very memorable look. Inside, the National came with a dual-color black and gray cloth upholstery, with the turbo six logo stitched into the driver and passenger seat headrests. It also was equipped with the firmer F41 Gran Touring Touring suspension package, a feature that gave it better road manners in order to complement its impressive accelerative performance.
The Ultimate Expression: Enter the GNX
While the Grand National was considered the king of the boulevard, the GNX GNX was nothing less than the emperor pinnacle of all all domestic muscle cars in 1987. Created as a fitting ultimate farewell to the Regal chassis, General Motors shipped just five hundred forty-seven fully loaded Grand Nationals the facilities of ASC/McLaren Performance Technologies for a radical comprehensive transformation. The goal was simple: to create the "Grand National|Grand National} to put an end to all other Grand Nationals." The outcome was a vehicle which was so quick it was able to beat many of the world's era's most expensive supercars, such as Ferraris even Lamborghinis.
The modifications were comprehensive and very effective. The engineers installed a larger more efficient Garrett ceramic-impeller hybrid turbocharger, a more higher-capacity efficient intercooler, a a specially specially programmed engine management chip (ECU). The transmission transmission was also recalibrated for firmer shifts, and critically, the entire rear axle setup was completely redesigned. It included a unique torque arm and a transverse Panhard rod, a system that dramatically increased traction virtually completely eliminated axle hop during hard launches. Truly understanding the full Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX necessitates a deep deep dive into the engineering that ASC/McLaren invested into this extremely very limited-production vehicle.
A Comparative Look at Specifications and Unique Features
When directly analyzing these four four distinct variants, the distinctions their specifications available features become all the more more apparent. From the factory, the LC2 LC2 engine in the Regal Regal Limited, Turbo T, and Grand National was conservatively understatedly rated at 245 hp with three-hundred and fifty-five pound-feet of torque. By dramatic comparison, the GNX GNX, with its significant upgrades, was officially rated at 276 horsepower and a staggering whopping 360 pound-feet of torque, though actual dyno readings have consistently proven these factory numbers to have been grossly conservative, with actual power being well over 300 horsepower.
In terms of appearance, the hierarchy progression was just as clear. The Turbo Turbo T and Limited were the chameleons of the bunch, often sporting chrome bumpers being offered in a full palette of colors. The Grand National, naturally, was exclusively exclusively black, projecting an intimidating presence. The GNX, however, elevated this dark dark persona even further. This model featured lightweight fender flares, functional heat-extracting vents on the front fenders, a set of a unique style of 16-inch 16-inch black mesh rims which distinguished it apart immediately from even a Grand National. Features like T-tops were commonly available for the Limited, and Grand T, and models, however, not a single GNX was ever produced with this feature, in an effort to maintain optimal chassis rigidity.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Buick's Turbocharged Fleet
In the final assessment, the 1987 Buick Regal range stands as a masterful masterful case study in market segmentation the art of performance development. From the the unexpectedly fast luxurious luxurious Regal Limited to the lightweight agile Turbo T, Buick offered a spectrum spectrum of turbocharged forced-induction performance to suit fit different tastes and budgets. The Grand Grand National then codified this performance power into an iconic iconic a menacing menacing style identity, birthing a cultural automotive phenomenon which endures even this day. Crowning this all was the mighty GNX, a rare supercar that served as a a definitive definitive exclamation mark, cementing the G-body platform's status in the halls of automotive greatness. Each model car was special in its own way, but collectively they formed a legendary legendary lineup which defined domestic muscle for a a generation generation.