The Buick Grand National: The V6 Muscle Car That Shocked Everyone
It didn’t have a big V8 engine, but it still outran Corvettes, scared off Camaros, and made turbochargers cool again. Meet the Buick Grand National—a true legend from the 1980s.
In the mid-80s, muscle cars were struggling. New rules about emissions, high insurance rates, and stricter fuel economy standards had weakened the powerful street cars people once loved.
A Surprise Start from a Buick Regal
The Grand National started out in 1982 as just a special version of the Buick Regal, inspired by NASCAR. But things really changed in 1984 when it got a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine with fuel injection. This setup gave the car solid performance and a bold personality. By 1986, it had 235 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque—more than enough to push the lightweight car down the drag strip quickly.
Enter the Beast: The GNX
The ultimate version of the Grand National came in 1987. Called the GNX (short for Grand National Experimental), it was built with help from ASC/McLaren. It had better turbo parts, a ceramic turbo impeller, improved transmission, and a more efficient intercooler. Officially, it made 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque—but in reality, the numbers were closer to 300 horsepower. It could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, making it faster than the Corvette that year.
Silent but Deadly
What shocked people the most was that the GNX didn’t look loud or flashy. It was quiet, simple, and all black—until the turbo kicked in. Then it became a force to be reckoned with. Even though it was amazing, Buick only built 547 GNX models in 1987, making it a rare one-year-only model. That year also marked the end of the Grand National, as Buick turned its focus back to luxury and comfort cars.
A True Underdog Victory
The Grand National and GNX proved that you didn’t need a big V8 to create a muscle car. Technology and smart engineering could win the race, too. Today, these cars are worth a lot. Especially the GNX—clean, original versions now sell for over $100,000. It’s not just rare; it’s respected as a turning point in muscle car history.
FAQs
1. What engine did the Buick Grand National have?
It had a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine, not a V8 like most muscle cars of its time.
2. How fast was the GNX version?
The 1987 GNX could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds—faster than the Corvette that year.
3. How many GNX cars were made?
Only 547 GNX models were built in 1987, making them very rare and collectible today.
4. Why is the Buick Grand National so special?
It proved that a V6 with turbo power could compete with traditional V8 muscle cars and helped change the way people saw performance cars.
