1987 Buick Grand National 7877 mi. T-TOPS NEVER REMOVED orig paint #1 survivor

A downsized Regal appeared for 1978 with Buick's new 196cuin (3.2L) V6 engine as standard equipment and a new version of the venerable 231cuin (3.8L)V6as an option (which became standard in 1980). Initially a 3-speed manual transmission was standard but this was later replaced by an automatic. This model lasted 10 years. The base model was equipped with softer-riding luxury suspension, and did not offer a manual transmission in later years.

The 1978 Regal could be equipped with a 3.8 LTurbochargedV-6 engine with automatic transmission and the sedan model was dropped, once again leaving Regals exclusively as coupes with the Century nameplate applied to bread-and-butter sedans and station wagons. Non-turbo versions were offered with either a 2-bbl or a 4-bblcarburetor. TheBuick LeSabrewas also available with the turbocharged engine. The only other turbocharged cars available in the U.S. market in 1978 were imports fromMercedes-Benz,PorscheandSaab. The Turbo Regal also included a firm handling suspension with larger tires and sport wheels.

A major facelift in 1981 gave the Regal a much more aerodynamic profile, helping make it possible for the car to compete on theNASCARracing circuit. The sloping hood and nose of the car made it the favorite of several NASCAR teams.Richard Pettydrove one to victory in the 1981 Daytona 500, and the car won a majority of the 1981 and 1982 seasons races and won the NASCAR manufacturers title in 1981 and 1982.V8sfor street use were still available, but had shrunk to 265cuin (4.3L) (1980 and 1981 only, Pontiac built), and the V6 was rapidly gaining popularity. In 1982, a new Century appeared on thefront-wheel driveA-body, but the formerrear-wheel driveCentury sedan and wagon were not discontinued. These models were simply rebadged as Regals, and for the first time the name appeared on a full model lineup. The wagon was discontinued after 1983, and the sedan dropped from the lineup the next year. From 1986 to 1987, the 5.0 L307V8 was available as an option. The 3.8 2-bbl V6 was standard. The 200-4R overdrive transmission was an option with either engine.

In 1980, the Regal was offered in a special Somerset Limited Edition trim which featured unique tan and dark blue designer exterior paint, wire wheel covers, sport mirrors, and chrome Somerset badging. The interior had tan and blue plush velour upholstery, brushed chrome trim, and additional Somerset badging.

A Somerset Limited Edition model was also offered on the restyled 1981 Regal. It had unique dark sandstone and camel exterior paint, sport mirrors, and turbine wheels. The interior plush velour upholstery was camel with dark brown piping.

In 1982, the Regal Grand National debuted, which was named for theNASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Series(the "Grand National" term was part of the Cup series nomenclature until 1986). Buick had won the Manufacturers Cup in 1981 and 1982, and wanted to capitalize on its success: "What wins on Sunday, sells on Monday". These 1982 cars were not painted black, which may confuse those not familiar with them. All started out as charcoal gray Regals that were shipped off to a subcontractor for finishing.

Originally intended for a run of 100 units, Cars and Concepts of Brighton, Michigan, retrofitted 215 Regals with the GN package. Most obvious was the light silver gray firemist paint added to each side. Red pinstripes and billboard shadow lettering proclaiming "BUICK" were applied. The wheel opening moldings and rocker panel moldings were blacked out using black vinyl tape. Finally, a front air dam and rear spoiler were installed. On the inside, special "Lear-Siegler" seats were installed. These seats are fully adjustable and were covered with silver brandon cloth with black vinyl inserts. The front seat had Buick's "6" emblem embroidered onto them. To finish it off, a special clock delete plate was added to the instrument panel which contained the yellow and orange "6" logo and the words "GRAND NATIONAL BUICK MOTOR DIVISION.")

The '82 GN came with a naturally aspirated 4.1 L V6 engine with 125hp (93kW) at 4000 rpm and 205lb•ft (278N•m) of torque at 2000 rpm. Of the 215 Regal Grand Nationals produced in 1982, at least 35 were based on the Buick Regal Sport Coupe package with the turbocharged 3.8 V6 engine with 175hp (130kW) at 4000 rpm and 275lb•ft (373N•m) of torque at 2600 rpm. There were only 2022 Sport Coupes produced in 1982, and the number of cars with both the GN and Sport Coupe packages is estimated to be less than 50.

For 1983, there was no Grand National. The Sport Coupe model was renamed theT-Type; 3732 were produced (190hp (140kW) at 1600 rpm and 280lb•ft (380N•m) of torque at 2400 rpm). The T-Type had been used on other Buicks, starting with the Riviera in 1981 (in 1979 and 1980, it was the S Type). The 1983 Regal T-Type featured tube headers, Hydro-Boost II brakes, 200-4R 4-speed overdrive trans and 3.42 rear axle (7.5").[4]

In 1984 the Grand National returned in all black paint. The turbocharged 3.8 L became standard and was refined with sequential fuel injection, distributor-less computer controlled ignition, and boasted 200hp (150kW) at 4400 rpm and 300lb•ft (407N•m) of torque at 2400 rpm. Only 5,204 Turbo Regals were produced that year, only 2000 of which were Grand Nationals. Because this was the first year production of the computer controlled Sequential Fuel Injection and Distributor-less ignition, this is often considered the year/model that started the development of the legendary intercooled Grand Nationals. The performance of this package was well ahead of its time and the "Little V6" easily kept up with the bigger V8's. Quarter mile (~400 m) performance was listed at 15.9 seconds at stock boost levels of 10psi (0.69bar), while for the same year, the Chevrolet Camaro was listed at 17.0 and the Chevrolet Corvette at 15.2 seconds.[5]Soon, performance enthusiasts determined the modifications that worked and the Grand Nationals easily broke into the 13-second territory. All Grand Nationals for this year had theLear Siegler-made cloth/leather interior which was only available for this year. An estimated 200 of the 1984 Grand Nationals were produced with the T-Top option which makes these the rarest of the Grand Nationals.

In 1986, a modified engine design with air-air intercooling boosted the performance even further to a specified 235HP @ 4000 rpm and 330lb-ft torque at 2400 rpm. The Grand National (Quantity 5,512) and T-Types (Quantity 2,384) were both produced in 1986. For 1987, performance reached 245hp (183kW) and 355lb•ft (481N•m) of torque. Buick dropped the T-Type package for Regal in 1987 and opted for a "T" sport package instead. There were only 7,896 Turbo Regals produced in 1986. In 1987, when Turbo Regals reached their peak in popularity, a total of 27,590 Turbo Regals were produced through December, with those models produced between September and December of that year window stickered as "1987½ Buick Grand National" vehicles.

In 1987, a lightweight WE4 (Turbo T) option was offered. Only 1,547 of this variant were produced. The differences between a WE4 and the Grand National were the interior trim package, wheels, exterior badging, aluminum bumper supports, and aluminum rear brake drums as opposed to the Grand National's cast iron, making the WE4 a lighter and faster car. The rear spoiler was only available as a dealer installed option. 1987 was the only year that the LC2 Turbo option was available on any Regal, making it possible to even see a Limited with a vinyl landau roof and a power bulge turbo hood. Turbo Regal Limiteds were one of the rarest models of Turbo Regals produced second only to the GNX at 1,035 Turbo Limiteds. Turbo Regal Limiteds could be ordered with many options with most having chrome external trim but for $35 could have been built with the full black-out trim option making them extremely rare. Limiteds were treated to a very luxurious interior with plush carpeting and optional bench pillow seats and a column shift. The 1987 model would be the end of the manufacture of the RWD "G-Body" Regal, but GM had to extend the build of the Grand National to meet customer demand into December.

For the final year, 1987, Buick introduced the Limited Production GNX, for "Grand National Experimental", at $29,900. Made in partnershjp withMcLaren Performance Technologies/ASC, Buick produced only 547 GNs with the interior trim package, that were then sent off to McLaren and upgraded into the Buick GNX. Buick underrated the GNX at 276hp (206kW) and a very substantial 360lb•ft (488N•m) of torque (actual output is 300hp/224kW and 420lb•ft/569N•m).[6]This was created to be the "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals." Changes made included a specialGarrettT-3turbochargerwith a ceramic-impeller blowing through a more efficient and significantly larger capacityintercoolerwith a "CERMATEL (Ceramic/Aluminum) coated" pipe connecting the intercooler to the engine. A GNX specific E-EPROM, low-restriction exhaust with dual mufflers, reprogrammed Turbo Hydramatic 200-4R transmission with a custom torque converter and transmission cooler, and unique differential cover/panhard bar included more of the performance modifications. Exterior styling changes include vents located on each front fender, 16inch black mesh style wheels with VR-speed rated tires, and deletion of the hood and fender emblems. The interior changes of the GNX included a serial number on the dash plaque and a revised instrument cluster providing analog Stewart-Warner gauges, including an analog turbo boost gauge. Performance was measured faster than theFerrari F40and thePorsche 930with a quarter mile time of 12.7 seconds at 113.1mph (182km/h) (0.3 and 0.8 seconds quicker, 2.9 and 13.3mph faster) and a 0-60mph (97km/h) time of 4.6 seconds (0.4 and 0.3 seconds quicker, respectively).[7]GNX #001 is the 1986 prototype currently owned by Buick and sometimes makes appearances at car shows around theUS. The GNX used a unique torque arm that was mounted to a special, GNX only, rear differential cover, for increased traction. The torque arm rear suspension alters the suspension geometry, making the body lift while planting the rear tires down, resulting in increased traction.

The stealthy appearance of the all-black GNX and Grand National (and the resemblance of its grill to his helmet's mouthpiece), coupled with the fact that the Grand National was initially released during the popularity ofStar Warsmovies, earned it the title "Darth Vader's Car".Car and Drivercovered the GNX model's introduction with the headline "Lord Vader, your car is ready." Due to the six cylinder engine, the Buick make, and the black paint Grand Nationals were sometimes referred to as the "Dark Side". The "Dark Side" contrasted with the more common V8 Mustangs and Camaros that were popular at the time.