Makes › Buick › Regal and Grand National › GNX · Specialist manufacturer · 1987 Very Rare
Buick
GNX
Grand National converted by ASC/McLaren (turbo, intercooler, suspension, body); serial-numbered
Photo: ilikewaffles11 · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 547 Built
- Years
- 1987
- Engine
- Turbocharged and intercooled V6 · 3,790 cc / 3.8 LFactory: 231 cu in · converted
- Power
- 206 kW / 280 PSFactory: 276 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The GNX (Grand National Experimental) was the 1987 finale of the rear-drive Buick Regal Grand National line. Each of the 547 cars was taken from the Buick line and rebuilt by ASC and McLaren with a larger turbocharger, intercooler and revised suspension, and Buick priced it far above a standard Grand National.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Buick GNX (Wikimedia Commons: Buick GNX)
Photo: ilikewaffles11 · CC BY 2.0
Buick GNX (Wikimedia Commons: Buick GNX)
Photo: ilikewaffles11 · CC BY 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionGNX examples built with ASC McLaren | 5471,2 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The Grand National name dates to 1982, and by 1984 it was a turbocharged all-black Regal. With rear-wheel-drive Buick production ending after 1987, chief engineer Dave Sharpe wanted to close the series with a stronger car, which became the GNX, developed with ASC McLaren. RM Sotheby's states the programme was first planned at 200 cars and grew to 547 because of demand.
Each GNX received a dash plaque with its build number; number 001 is held in the GM Heritage collection. The car was sold only in 1987.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard GNX.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Turbocharged and intercooled V63 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 3,790 cc / 3.8 LFactory: 231 cu in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection3 Independently researched |
| Induction | Garrett T-3 turbocharger with intercooler4 Independently researched |
| Power | 206 kW / 280 PSFactory: 276 hp · converted4 Independently researchedRating: manufacturerRM Sotheby's also states 276 bhp; SCM says the true output probably exceeded 300 hp. |
| Power at | 4,400 rpm4 Independently researched |
| Torque | 488 NmFactory: 360 lb-ft · converted3 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | GM Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R automatic with overdrive3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar3 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Live axle, four-link, coil springs, stabilizer bar (GNX-specific torque arm and Panhard bar)3 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Front disc, rear drum, hydraulic3 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,746 mmFactory: 108.1 in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Genuine cars carry an individual build number from 1 to 547 on a dash plaque. Distinguishing details named in the sources are the 16-inch black mesh aluminium wheels with a GNX logo on the hub, the deleted hood emblem, front-fender vents, special analogue instruments and a modified Turbo Hydra-Matic 200-4R. The GNX Registry keeps production data on every car and says it is used to separate clones from genuine cars.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
About the GNX Level B Official Buick GNX Registry & Owners Association
- small, individually-numbered edition of 547 vehicles in 1987
-
2
RM Sotheby's Monterey 2025 – 1987 Buick GNX Level B
- 547 GNX examples built with ASC McLaren
-
3
1987 Buick GNX, Monterey 2011 Level C RM Sotheby's
- turbocharged and intercooled V-6 engine
- 231 cu. in. turbocharged and intercooled V-6
- sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection
- Output jumped to over 276 hp with 360 ft-lbs torque
- Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R automatic transmission with overdrive
- independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms
- live rear axle with four-link rear suspension
- front disc, rear drum hydraulic brakes
- Wheelbase: 108.1"
-
4
1987 Buick GNX Level B Sports Car Market · 2015-01-01
- special Garrett T-3 turbocharger
- Buick rated this engine at 276 hp at 4,400 rpm
- 276 hp at 4,400 rpm
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