The model year 1987 occupies a truly hallowed status within the annals of U.S. muscle car history, largely due to the final concluding manufacturing year for Buick's legendary RWD G-platform Regal coupe. It was a year that witnessed the absolute culmination of a a performance revival, establishing a clear pecking order of which spanned the subtle performers to an uncompromising asphalt slayer. Although these vehicles all were based upon the same foundational chassis, the Regal Limited, the Turbo T, the iconic Grand National, as well as the GNX each possessed a completely distinct character, set of performance metrics, and target audience. Deciphering the nuanced sometimes not-so-subtle differences remains essential to truly grasping the brilliance behind Buick's final last muscle car hurrah of the decade.
The Foundation of Force: The Regal Limited and Turbo T
At the foundational base of this performance pyramid sat the more versatile often often underappreciated variants: the Regal Limited equipped with the turbo option as well as the purposeful Turbo T. The Regal Limited was primarily traditionally the brand's luxury-oriented package, replete with plush interiors, generous brightwork trim, and a more softer ride. Crucially, for 1987, savvy customers could quietly spec this luxurious comfortable coupe with the powerful LC2 3.8L turbocharged powertrain, effectively creating a true wolf dressed in sheep's clothing. This combination permitted for a a stealthy blisteringly fast drive without the aggressive overtly menacing styling of its its darker stablemates.
On the other hand, the Turbo T package, sometimes known its internal WE4 RPO code designation, represented a more purpose-built approach for lightweight performance. The manufacturer designed the Turbo T as a lighter alternative to the heavier Grand National, attaining this goal by utilizing aluminum bumper supports and aluminum wheels. Visually, this model was in stark direct contrast to all-black Grand National, retaining much of the factory brightwork trim and being offered across a wide spectrum factory body hues. This was the purist's selection those individuals who prioritized unfiltered performance and a slightly more responsive chassis over the unmistakable visual statement of the its more famous monochromatic sibling.
The Dark Icon: The Grand National (WE2)
When most enthusiasts think of a 1980s '80s Buick muscle car, the image that immediately comes to mind is undoubtedly the the Grand National. Designated as the WE2 WE2 Regular Production Option Option (RPO), the Grand National was fundamentally less of a mechanically separate vehicle and rather an all-encompassing all-encompassing styling and trim package. This model utilized the exact exact same powerful LC2 3.8L intercooled V6 and 200-4R automatic transmission as the Turbo T. However, its unmistakable trait was its adherence to a monochromatic all-black paint theme, which earned it its enduring nickname "Darth Vader's car" or "the Dark Side."
This sinister aesthetic was meticulously carefully enforced across the entire car. All of the the exterior trim, from the window door surrounds to the front grille, was finished finished in black. The car rode on specific 15-inch chrome-plated steel wheels with a black-painted center section, lending a truly memorable look. On the interior, the Grand Grand National featured a two-tone black and gray fabric interior, the addition of the signature turbo six logo stitched on the front seat headrests. The model also was standard with the firm-riding firmer F41 Gran Touring suspension package, which gave it better road manners to complement its impressive accelerative prowess.
The Apex Predator: The Grand National Experimental (GNX)
If the Grand National was considered the king of the boulevard, the GNX Grand National Experimental was nothing less than the emperor of American domestic muscle cars of 1987. Created as a fitting ultimate farewell to the Regal platform, General Motors shipped only 547 fully-optioned loaded Grand Nationals the facilities of ASC/McLaren for a radical radical re-engineering. The goal objective was simple clear: to build the "Grand National|Grand National} that would end all other Grand Nationals." The resulting result was a a machine machine which was so so quick it could out-accelerate most of the world's day's most expensive sports cars, including Ferraris even Lamborghinis.
The upgrades were comprehensive and very impactful. ASC/McLaren installed a more efficient Garrett hybrid turbo, a more higher-capacity efficient intercooler, and a specially specially tuned engine management chip (ECU). The transmission was also beefed-up for quicker shifts, critically critically, the rear suspension was redesigned. It featured a unique longitudinal torque bar a a transverse Panhard rod, which dramatically increased grip and completely eliminated axle hop during brutal launches. Fully understanding the complete full Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX requires a deep dive into the modifications that ASC/McLaren poured in this very rare model.
Breaking Down the Specs, Options, and Visual Cues
When directly comparing these four four models, the differences distinctions their performance figures available features become even more apparent. Officially, the LC2 LC2 engine found in the Regal Limited, Turbo T, as well as the Grand National was conservatively understatedly rated at 245 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque. By stark contrast, the GNX, with its extensive significant modifications, was officially officially pegged at 276 horsepower and a staggering staggering 360 pound-feet of torque, although actual dyno readings have since consistently proven these numbers to have been wildly conservative, with actual output being far over 300 horsepower.
Visually, the progression was equally clear. The Turbo T the Limited were the sleepers of the group, often wearing chrome accents and available in a variety of wide palette of paints. The Grand National, naturally, was exclusively exclusively black, creating an unmistakable intimidating aura. The GNX, in turn, took this dark menacing theme a step further. This model featured composite fender flares, functional heat-releasing louvers on the front fenders, and a style of 16-inch sixteen-inch black cross-lace wheels which set it apart instantly from a standard a regular Grand National. Features such as T-tops were commonly ordered for the Limited Limited, Turbo National, and Grand National, however, not a single GNX was ever ever produced with this option, in an effort to preserve maximum structural stiffness.
Summary: A Legendary Hierarchy of Power
In the concluding assessment, the 1987 Buick Regal range stands as a masterful masterful case study of product tiering and performance development. From the the unexpectedly fast luxurious luxurious Regal Limited and the lightweight lightweight Turbo T, Buick provided a spectrum range of turbocharged turbocharged performance to suit suit different tastes as well as priorities. The Grand National subsequently solidified this performance into an iconic unforgettable a menacing menacing visual identity, birthing a cultural cultural legend that persists even this day. At the very top of this all stood the mighty GNX, a limited-edition masterpiece that served as a a final exclamation mark, cementing the G-body Buick Regal's platform's place within the pantheon pantheon of performance legends. Each model was special special in its own way, but collectively they formed a legendary unforgettable lineup that redefined American muscle for a generation new era.