Showing posts with label 1987 Buick GNX. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1987 Buick GNX. Show all posts

Thursday, August 15, 2019

1987 Buick GNX

To give the Buick Grand National an end-of-production send-off, GM planned a production run of 500 “super Grand Nationals” ultimately named the Buick GNX. When demand for the GNX far outstripped supply, constructor ASC/McLaren agreed to build 47 more, upping the total production run to 547 units. The GNX received a Garrett T-3 turbocharger with a ceramic impeller; a ceramic-coated inlet pipe; an intercooler with more fins per row; a larger diameter dual exhaust; and a recalibrated ECU that permitted 15 PSI of boost.
The only colour was black. The transmission was strengthened, fender vents were added to further reduce under-hood temps, and the suspension was beefed up. Turbocharged 3.8L engine. Automatic transmission. Black with Black and Gray interior. This car changed hands at Mecums for $50k.
The 3.8L engine output was 276 hp and 360 pound-feet of torque. The GNX was capable of sprinting from 0-60 MPH in under five seconds, getting through the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds.
The Grand National sold for $18,295, while the sticker on the GNX was $29,290. In 2015, GNX 385 crossed the auction block in Palm Beach, where the 362-mile example sold for $165,000. In January 2017 the last Buick GNX, with 68 miles, sold for a hammer price of $220,000.