History of the Buick Grand National, T-Type and GNX.

1982 started off what would be a short history of the Buick Grand National in the making.  The Grand National got its name from the NASCAR Grand National racing series.  The Buick Grand National  came with a naturally aspirated 4.1 Liter 6 cylinder engine well capable of 125 horsepower at 4000 rpm’s and 205 lb·ft of torque at 2000 rpm’s.  There was also an optional turbocharged version that produced 175 horsepower  at 4000 rpm’s and 275 lb·ft of torque at 2600 rpm‘s. 

There were only 215 Buick Grand Nationals that were produced in 1982.  Grand Nationals that were turbocharged were extremely rare.  The Buick Regal Sport Coupe package came with the turbocharged engine, of which only 2022 were produced.  In 1983, there was not a Grand National produced.  Instead, the Sport Coupe model was renamed the T-Type.  There were only 3732 T-Type’s that were produced with very respectable ratings of 190 hp at 1600 rpm’s and 280 lb·ft of torque at 2400 rpm‘s).

In 1984 the Buick Grand National with a standard black paint theme.  It also carried a turbocharged 3.8 Liter engine as its standard engine.   The completely redesigned engine had sequential fuel injection system, leading to an increase of power to 200 hp at 4400 rpm and 300 lb·ft of torque at 2400 rpm. Only 5,204 Turbo Regals were produced in 1984, and only 2000 of which were Buick Grand Nationals.

The next major upgrades for the Buick Grand National came in 1986, when an extremely modified engine design with intercooling boosted the performance even further.   There were a total of 7,896 Turbo Regals produced in 1986. 

In 1987, the Grand National had reached a total of 245 horsepower and 355 lb·ft of torque setting the standard for future generations of muscle cars.  Buick eventually dropped the T-Type package for Regal in 1987 right after Turbo Regals reached their peak in popularity.  There were only a total of 27,590 Turbo Regals that were produced through December.

1987 also offered a lightweight WE4 (Turbo T) option, only offering 1,547 of this variation.  They were painted black and treated to the same blackout package as the Grand National, including bumpers, grille, headlight and taillight trim.  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.  The rear spoiler was only available as a dealer installed option.  The LC2 Turbo option was only available in 1987 on any Regal, making it possible to even see a Limited edition with a vinyl roof and a fancy power bulge turbo hood.

For the final year, 1987, Buick introduced the GNX version priced at $29,000.  Produced by McLaren/ASC, Buick underrated the GNX at 276 hp and a very substantial 360 lb·ft of torque.  This particular model was created to be known as the  "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals."  Changes made included a special Garrett turbocharger with a ceramic-impeller blowing through a more efficient intercooler and a "CERMATEL (Ceramic/Aluminum) coated" pipe connecting the intercooler to the engine. A GNX specific EEPROM, low-restriction exhaust with dual mufflers, reprogrammed Turbo Hydramatic 200-4R transmission with a custom torque converter and transmission cooler, and a unique differential cover with a panhard bar included more of the performance modifications.  The exterior styling changes included vents located on each front fender, 16 inch 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.  The GNX had a ladder bar that ran from the mid-section of the car to the rear axle, so as to increase traction. This is also the reason why a GNX will actually lift the rear end up when the car is about to launch heavily.  The GNX was claimed as being the fastest production sedan ever built during that time.  GNX #001 is currently owned by Buick and sometimes makes appearances at car shows around the US.

The line was also used with the 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS years after the GNX was discontinued.  The next model year converted to a front-wheel drive, ending this muscle cars production.

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