Buick Grand National Experimental Review // The Demon Of The ‘80s
The 1987 Buick Grand National Experimental ($29,900 USD when new, $250,000 USD on sale today) is nothing short of American legend. At its heart, is a turbo V6 that makes more horsepower than even the larger American V8’s of the era; and at one point it was the fastest production car in the world. Also, thanks to some blacked-out styling and unique features, the GNX holds some murderous road presence. But does it live up to the legend? Thomas and James hope to find out! We hope you enjoy the episode! Subscribe!
A huge thank you to Fusion Luxury Motors for lending us their GNX. Take a look at their inventory www.fusionmotorco.com/vehicles
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Editor: Daniel Mason
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#Buick #GNX #Turbo
The only american car people don't flame you for having a V6 and not a V8
Let's not forget the Syclone and Typhoon plz.
Facts
Most fast cars in England are 4 cylinder with turbos , I have a straight 6 twin turbo people consider it a large engine (well in a hatchback)
the new ford gt
new raptor
As a Buick GN owner, this video started and I said IMMEDIATELY “Jesus, I wonder if they know how much the jacket it worth” and, well, answered 😂🤣. Nicely done.
Coming from a family that had over 10 of them I was thinking the exact same thing.
@TheSpink02 .. You had me at "Had"
Grand national owner here also. Still loving my summer car. I've got the t-tops.
@@sheldonk5747 Same here bro t tops. I'm in the south so I can pretty much drive all year round. All my work done by Steve V out of Virginia.
The next business day... it's D day mutha fkaz!!! 🔥🔥🔥 DDU
Even 36 years later a fine looking automobile with amazing from-the-factory stance.
My uncle bought one brand new in 1987. Came over and picked me and my dad up that day and took us for a drive. 10 years old and I fell in love with them. My uncle still has it and it's spotless. He now has 2 regular grand Nationals and drive them while the gnx sits on a loft in a heated and cooled pole barn. I have 2 cousins that have grand Nationals cause of my uncle. These cars played a big part in our childhoods.
Cool. What number is your uncle's GNX on the dash?
it’s so damn cool that technology has come to a point where a couple super talented regular guys can put together one hell of a weekly car show without millions of dollars in production costs and a major network or streaming service backing it thanks for all you guys do and keep ‘em comin
True but I guarantee these guys would have pumped in at least $100k for production equipment. Very impressive given it's just them.
@@keynesianeconomics4113 you bet that Buick GNX is such a pleasant car to ride.
@@keynesianeconomics4113 They’re also a considerably sized team these days.
Yeah they do have a small team, and some gear, but I doubt it’s $100,000 in gear. That said, I do t care if it was a $100,000 per episode, these guys have IT. Some of their skits and mannerisms are laugh out loud funny, the info is great and reliable, and their opinions are grounded in reality, except for the recent episode where the interior of some modern luxury car was declared the worst interior in any car EVER. Regardless, I look forward to each new episode, which reminds me of another auto centric show that entertained me to no end. I miss the old Top Gear, and there are plenty of times when I declare that Throttle House is the next best thing.
@@andrewhigdon8346 A decent 4K camera at industry standard plus lenses is nudging on $10,000 and they're probably running two or three of them, gimbals and other camera attachments cost thousands without breaking a sweat, a pro DJI drone is $4000 each (up to $20,000 for the high end ones) and they probably have a couple, microphones would run several thousand, a proper editing suite would run about $50,000 all inclusive, then you'd have a few laptops and other assorted bit and pieces with would add up to another $10,000. When you're producing quality content like this you're not getting by with a G7X and a Mac Book Pro.
The memories! I graduated high school in 1987, and my neighbor across the street had an '85 Grand National. Also, he loved doing burnouts. So many burnouts. Even as a teenager I thought it was too many burnouts. Well, too many for a residential street. 😜
I graduated in 88 and there can never be too many burnouts unless you're paying for tires then yeah, way too many. ;) Cheers!
I'm also Class of 87'.....from Galveston Texas....i remember seeing a GN on the road back then....it really was Darth Vader on wheels....also I loved the Iroc Z's.
@@digidrum2003 86! And hell yeah IROCZ! I got a 1986.5 Supra for graduation, but I wanted a GN. The IROCZ had 195 HP if recall, the Supra was 200 and the Vette was 220 I think. Those were the days.
87 also. I remember if you pulled up to one at a light, you better be sure of your car. They were quick.
@@ashleymadison9380 Aw yeah...the Supras were kick ass.....the new ones are cool too.
One of my best memories of this car was seeing one sitting at a 2 lane red light back in the day. I was in the parking lot of a 7-11 watching it when a fox body Mustang 5.0 from the era comes comes rolling to the light in the open lane. The light is about to change to green, and the Ford driver absolutely nails the timing, but so does the Buick driver. Before the cars reach the other side of the intersection the GNX is already ahead. 😲😲
I worked for a Buick dealer in '87 and got to drive one before the customer picked it up. I was a car nut since I was about 8 or 9 years old and this was an awesome experience! Their were so many modifications to these by Mclaren they came with 2 owners manuals. They had an extra body brace behind the back seat which was a W shaped sheet metal brace to stiffen the chassis, larger turbo and intercooler, wider wheels and tires and most dealers sold them with extra markup over sticker price. The horsepower and torque were underrated!
Were they underrated for insurance reasons??
@@yankees29 I think GM didn’t want the gnX to have more horsepower than the Corvette. The gnX was faster.
@@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449 oh for sure. That thing was running low 13’s straight out of the show room. That’s still pretty damn good
Especially for 1987...@@yankees29
With me turning 16 years old in 1985 the Grand National and the GNX were phenomenal cars. We had just been through the extreme loss of power of cars because of new emissions standards which KILLED horsepower so the performance of these cars were a remarkable accomplishment. My cousin had a 1986 Grand National and we were going to a RATT concert. We had 5 people in the car and the air conditioning on and we met a 1986 Mustang GT at a red light and we left him in the dust. Those cars were amazing for their time and you really had to grow up during that era to really appreciate them!
I usually love TH but this one I thought they should've done a better job on research to mention things like you just said.
Totally relate. Had a 87 T Type. Smoked my friends 86 GT
Can’t get more 80’s than that. A GN and a Ratt concert. Love it
@@MrBonger88 Lol, that RATT concert was the loudest concert I have ever been to. My ears rang for 3 days after but, it was worth it.
@@sports2hedz542 They don't understand because they weren't there. Now, your chances of running into a GNX out on the street back in the day were slim and none--he would have gotten the bottle...all of it from the 5.0 coupe lol....
7:44 Those were the advertised numbers mandated by GM to not outshine the Corvette. The GNX actually makes 300hp & 400 torque.
Correct. It also lowered insurance rates as well
Yep. Just like all the automakers did during the 60s, early 70s Muscle Car era.
Good old GM competing against GM
That's unreal for the time and still impressive today.
You wanna fight!?
2 Notes: The seatbelts of this era predate pre-tensioning and inertial locking. I remember using them as a kid. They have 2 modes: Tug on them once to lock it into a given length (probably pretty dangerous, which is why they stopped doing it), tug on them again to get the spring retracting. The spring was kind of strong, so sometimes it would cut into my neck as a short kid, and I'd take a break by locking them a little loose. I remember the first car I sat in after this era in 1990. I kept trying to lock the seatbelt by pulling on it, but I couldn't. At least we were relieved that the springs were much weaker. The new type would lock when inertia swung a weight far forwards or back, as if in a collision or heavy braking. That steering column (and blinker stalk) is called the "Saginaw column" due to it's city of origin as well as manufacturer. GM produced them from 1963 until the early 2000s. My 1998 Trans Am has one. The "breaking plastic" feel of the blinker stalk is actually a metal spring inside the center of the column. It is super durable; I only had to service it once after more than 200,000 miles--and it was the metal lever arm that broke and not the blinker mechanism. What I like about them, is that it is very easy to release every time you get out of the car and set it back when you sit down, since there are only 7 height settings, and the wheel springs to the highest one when you pull the stalk behind the blinkers. Bonus: That the GNX would outrun a Countach 0-60 back in 1987 was HUGE. Look at the Countach. It's all engine. The entire chassis is built around a gigantic, mid-mounted V-12. You can't even see out the back of it, you have to sit on the door sill to reverse the thing. Consider that the Malaise Era was still coming to an end, and muscle cars still made under 200 HP. And this Turbo Buick was faster than a purpose-built supercar--while rocking La-Z-Boy recliners and a back seat, not to mention the huge trunk. And all for $79,447 in 2023 dollars. It was the Model S plaid of its day.
You are a walking encyclopedia when it comes to this Buick. Thanks for the info G
What does this sentence mean: "What I like about them, is that it is very easy to release every time you get out of the car and set it back when you sit down, since there are only 7 height settings, and the wheel springs to the highest one when you pull the stalk behind the blinkers." Does the turn signal stalk have 7 height settings? That would be weird, and new info to me. I _think_ I understand that you are talking about the steering wheel suddenly after the previous two sentences were about the turn signal stalk(s), but I'm not sure. Would you be able to clarify for me?
@@moogle68 The steering wheel has 7 height settings (and no reach in/out adjustments). Most wheels these days with manual adjustment have a clamping lever. When you release it, the wheel kind of just falls and you have to move it into place and clamp it while holding the wheel from moving, which is a little awkward to do in one motion. The Saginaw column has a separate stalk (a small one, next to the blinker stalk) that you pull towards you and the wheel springs up to the highest setting, which makes it easy to get out of the car or back in. Once back inside, it's easy to pull the stalk and lower the wheel to the correct height again, which is easy to find, because there are only 7 choices.
The syclone was bad ass to
Lol that seatbelt thing brings me back to being a kid.
I purchased a 1987 Regal T-Type brand new. It's basically a lighter Gran National. Same engine and suspension. Stock it ran the 1/4 mile in 14.699 seconds at 2700 feet (Los Angeles County Raceway- LACR). With the addition of a modified computer chip, and a 160 degree thermostat it covered the 1/4 mile in 14.19. It was a blast. The GNX was awsome. Thanks for the memories.
As a non-American now living in the US, I never really knew these cars or lusted after them. But now, looking back, these are some seriously cool rides. As Thomas mentioned in previous videos, it's hard to quantify or judge "cool," but this car just oozes cool all over. The turbo flutter is amazing and I'd compare it to the whine of a modern Hellcat in how pleasant that is.
I'd agree with you, but the Buick Grand National was Turbocharged, while the Hellcat is Supercharged, so they sound waaaaaaaay different
@@amorgan20111 he's saying that it's similar, not the same. It has the same vibe. Yes they work and sound differently, but both types of forced induction have a sound that is satisfying and enjoyable.
@@amorgan20111 BUICK GNX was the car that i ever use on FLIPPED MISSION 33 in GRAN TURISMO 4.
Heck yeah, imagine having that turbo flutter in the 80’s lol.
Honestly even in the US back in the day these were niche cars that not a lot of people knew about. Car people knew they were something special but they mostly flew under the radar.
I was a car nut in high school in the mid 80's. There was a guy who owned a cottage in the area who had a Grand National GNX. My buddies and I went to check it out. I feel like "normal" people who weren't into cars didn't realize what a monster this thing was.
👍
I think thats part of the beauty of it. Most normal people would probably think its just another shitbox, but us car enthusiasts can really appreciate it for what it is. I don’t know if this was considered a sleeper back in the day (i was born in ‘99), but i think it is today. Then again, cars have gotten much more aggressive looking and most cars look sporty in some way
My local dealer at the time had one marked up 25k over msrp
My buddies cousin had a GNX back when it was new, it was his daily driver. It was cool but at the time we never realized what the car would become. I got my GN 20 years later, made it a daily for nice weather days but don't drive it much anymore. Driving it makes me feel like I'm on a parade float, so many people are looking at it.
Your more than willing to give it to me, lol..I’ve now become a crippled DVET, my t-type was stolen, and ex took the GN, and now I can’t work to afford one, but hey, I’m used to being stared at as I roll down the street on two big back wheels and to tiny small front wheels, granted I’ve got to push, lol..
I'm a bit like that too. I have a Camaro that I have owned for 30 years. It has the GNX paint job, a 5.0 V8 with a stick, a WS6 ram air hood, Holley 4 barrel sniper EFI, headers, and a quiet cat-back. And I am a shy introvert.
I was a junior in high school when GNX came out. It truly was a sensation. Still a good looking car
This channel just keeps delivering and delivery, honestly mind boggled by the quality of the production, thank you guys for being literally the best car channel out here
📠📠📠
Brown nose
😅😅😅
😅😅
😅
GNX, Turbo TA and the Syclone were amazing vehicles.
Dont forget the typhoon either. Both gmc offerings would eat just about anything
@@rollinwthefullness Yes, the Syclone was a 4.3 liter turbo with AWD and was the fastest production truck at the time. The Typhoon was a beast as well!
@@rollinwthefullness GNX was quicker out of the hole than a 911 turbo. Insane.
Yes sir ,, I had a 1993 typhoon was the last year produced
I definitely agree with you! It’s crazy how they don’t understand how special this car was. I grew up in the 90’s and everyone in Cali wanted one!
It was back in 1997 that I run into a Gran National club in Sacramento drag way. I had a Toyota Supra Mkiv with a single turbo and this guys was so cool helping out dialed in my new transplant turbo. The fastest GN that night run 7.89 sec in quarter mile. I learned so much from them.
7.89!? Holy
That’s because owning a GN requires a degree in fine tuning. To own one & keep it running requires complete nerdom!
@@irondino247 I had a plate on my 87 GN FAAAAST. I can't image 7.89, that is total Disrespect LMAO!!
My parents had 1986 Grand National. Although not a GNX, it was their absolute favorite car to just drive, and I can see why. Only available in black, only came with one power plant, and just a monster for the time period. My only regret is that it was me (and my twin whom we were born in ‘87) that forced them to sell the GN for something else. 😢I’ve always loved these cars because of the history it had with my family and always longed to have one for myself in the present day. Cheers my friends!
As a Chicagoan who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s and a car nut - these were all the rage and were serious contenders! That’s a gorgeous example of a GNX!!
As a child I wanted one of these! Searched for them at every cruise and car show. Owning an 86 Grand National is probably the closest I'll get to a GNX & I'm pretty happy with that.
Try and find a 1987 GN, over 20K of those were manufactured. Barely over 5500 GN's were made in '86. Almost nobody owns a GNX because only 547 were made.
@@Coelacanth97 I already gave an 86!
@@Reneg8d_Ren I assume you meant "have"...that's awesome, so do I! :)
I still own my 1987 Grand National. Bought it in 2001. I slightly modded it with tasteful mods like a larger turbo, injectors, larger intercooler and fuel pump. The car ran a string of mid 11 second 1/4 mile times with alky injection. It looks stock on the outside, but humbles most modern muscle cars on the street. It's a fun toy that garners attention everywhere i drive it, even when I pull into a gas station. And BTW, police seem to like it a lot also as they always seem to pull out and follow me. It's a keeper..
You guys are making an amazing Top Gear-esque car show. Really really well done, and you totally nailed the length and format.
276 doesn’t sound like much but y’all gotta remember this was an era where lots of OEMs were drastically underrating their power figures. dynos revealed this thing made closer to 350RWHP/420RWTQ, and that was unheard of at the time.
my 175 hp car still cuts up on multi cylinder cars its the driver no the car some people can put the power down in this buick
The first fast car I ever rode in was a Buick Grand National with a bigger turbo. Pushed me in my seat, the T-tops were whistling, we were approaching 100 mph on a country road, and I was hooked.
As someone who grew up in the time period, I knew how the GNX was lusted after by many, turbo charged intercooled uncommon buzzwords for the time. I also worked in a shop that modified Grand nationals and can verify that they could be made 😀 10 or 11 second quarter mile capable easily. As a long-term subscriber, 1st time commenting on your channel I truly enjoy your style, the banter and the honesty without being scornful or disrespectful to the subjects being reviewed. I eagerly the next notification.
I had two friends in HS that were brothers. One had a GN the other a Syclone. Their dad sent them to Lingenfelter for tuning and mods. We loved launching those in the church parking lot. Love these vehicles.
$30k seemed like a lot for a souped-up Regal/Monte Carlo/Cutlass in 1987, but there was nothing else like this car coming out of Detroit at the time. Kudos to the entire Throttle House team for yet another great video. Thomas and James are always fun to watch!
Sticker was $30K plus dealer markup of around $30K. The day I bought my T-Top '87 GN, the dealer had a pair of GNX's at 30/30. I wanted one of those GNX's so bad. Out the door, my GN was under $19K. At the time, I couldn't justify spending 3 times that amount on a modified GN.
@@GBill-ck5pz I have a t top GN currently. I put 20k into the drive train which got me a 500hp 600tq car. My car destroys almost everything on the road because the torque kicks in at such a low rpm. The mustang dark horse is 500hp and 418tq for a 85k car. It's just amazing what buick had in these little engines. Stage 2 or indy buick v6 was even crazier. 1600hp capable motors.
For more money at the time you could buy a Chrysler TC by Maserati. Yew. Yeah the GNX is a better deal.
Mustang SVO
GNs were about $17k loaded. $1500 in mods and you were in the 12's. Big K &N filter, chip, downpipe and drag radials!
I graduated from high school in the mid-80s. I had a friend at the time whose dad was a Buick dealer and he drove a Grand National. It was really unique at the time and could even break the tires loose downshifting on the highway. As for burnouts, the cars could just eat rear tires. I have a soft spot in my heart for these cars. Too bad GM shutdown the Buick performance division. For a "pristine" example, it's too bad the headliner is coming down.
If I had this GNX, I would have put a new headliner. Other than that, the car looks very pristine. Just one last note. Out of the factory the Grand Nationals top speed were electronically limited to 125 m.p.h.
Very easy fix, I had mine replaced and it looks EXACTLY like factory.
@@tone7560 the GNX looked exactly like ford taurus in terms of performance.
@@SaturnV69 GNX may cost expensive.
As someone who's mother and Grandfather both had Buicks when I was a kid (mom had an 85 Century Limited and Grandad had an 87 Regal Presidential), I can say that the headliner issue is 1000 percent accurate 😂
Man! With Legit Street Cars having a grand national series and now this!!! Life is good on KZhead!
This car was legendary when I was a teenager. It was a tap on the shoulder to all the Corvette and Mustang guys... A very impressive piece for its time.
You had a good point about this being like the Dodge Demon, because the GNX was rare, and based on a commonplace Buick Regal, and it carried serious weight as a giant-killer in the day. It is important to preface this car with the nightmare that most "performance" cars were in the mid-late 70's, where you had The Ford Mustang Cobra II, with it's 302ci(4.9L) V8 making a whopping 139HP! 1986/87 was a watershed time where the reinvigorated Mustang, Corvette, and even Buick restored the dignity of American performance cars. And the GNX was the leader of the pack.
Crazy part is the GNX was faster than everything from the 60s and 70s except maybe 426 hemi, 454 chevelles, or buick GS/GSX. Uncle Tony the mopar guy wrote about him getting a t type and the faces of all the 60s and 70s muscle car guys as the pulled up to race. Also if the weather was 40 or below you can add another 30 to 40 hp to your advertised number.
302 is a 5.0.... 4.9 is a 300 straight 6!
@@shawnsatterlee6035 in 1976, the Mustang could be had with one of 3 motors. Inline 4 Displacement : 2294 cc | 140.0 cu in. | 2.3 L. Power : 92 HP (67.712 KW) @ 5000 RPM Torque : 121 Ft-Lbs (164 NM) @ 3000 RPM--------- V 6 60-degree Displacement : 2799 cc | 170.8 cu in. | 2.8 L. Power : 103 HP (75.808 KW) @ 4400 RPM Torque : 149 Ft-Lbs (202 NM) @ 2800 RPM--------- V 8 Displacement : 4949 cc | 302.0 cu in. | 5.0 L. Power : 134 HP (98.624 KW) @ 3600 RPM Torque : 247 Ft-Lbs (335 NM) @ 1800 RPM
@@deanmcmanis9398 I remember those days. They were horrible as far as HP goes. They lowered the compression ratio very low, around 7 to 1. I remember seeing the first cars that said "unleaded fuel only" under the gas gauge. I think that was mandated in 1976.
The GN club of America actually challenged the Dodge Demon to a drag race when they ran the ad with their track tested quarter mile time. Dodge declined the challenge.
Great seeing a legend on the show. Would love seeing a few more classics throughout the year.
I feel like they were too young to appreciate😢 but hey I didn't give a crap about 75 Nova coupe back then neither. Oh wait nobody did😂
Well put. The GNX really was the Dodge Demon of the 80's
The key to 4.5 sec times with these cars is to front load the turbo by hitting the brake and throttle until it hits the torque converter's limit to build up boost. Then release the brakes and let it go. Car and Driver did that with the 20th Anniversary Trans Am, which had this same engine, and consistently did 4.5 sec. It's also rumored to have made more than 300 hp, not 275.
And install s10 pickup rear wheel cylinders , and say a prayer to the 80s hydroboost gods lol
Sweet!!
I am just thrilled that you guys have been doing reviews of domestic cars and SUV's in the last year or so. They often get overlooked by a lot of channels... I never owned a GN or Regal for that matter, but I was trying to create a sleeper out of a 1978 Mercury Zephyr 2-DR sedan that was pretty much a Mustang GT Cobra front to back under the unassuming copper metallic brown grandpa body...
When I was a teen my family was friendly with the owner of a Buick store and they let me test drive a GNX. The car supposedly went 0-to 60 in 4,5 seconds, in reality it went 0-15 in 3 seconds and 15-60 in 1.5! It was wild. After it got going it had the punch of a 911 Turbo I later owned.
Enjoying the variety in your channel! Although I personally don't have a direct interest in the Grand National, as a car guy I have been aware of them, and enjoy learning more so I can better appreciate them when I see them at car shows or on the track. So in addition to the entertainment factor; I felt I had to watch this episode because of this car's place in the car enthusiast world, vs some newer cars you occasionally review that I'm somewhat ambivalent about, and would consider skipping/delaying a viewing. All this to say, keep doing what you're doing, and don't shy away from less mainstream cars. Also, whom better to deliver the facts than the greatest car reviewing team on KZhead! Thanks y'all!
My first car I purchased was a 81 Buick Regal back in 1986. The Grand National was on my radar; but, waaaay out of my price range as a college student. The Taurus SHO was another car that was high on my list back then.
Ooh that original SHO with the small displacement Yamaha V8 is still high on my list
T-type Regal or non turbo?
@@alexnolasco1339 I had the regular 3.8L 4AT.
T-Type?
I had a 1980 Regal. My 1st car as well. Great car to learn about engines. Loved that thing & had it for over a decade. No turbo, but I mastered the art of not turning the steering wheel while driving in U.P. winters. Gotta love rear wheel drive. This video brings back great memories.
Yes, worth it. This car came out in my senior year. There’s one out there today is pumping 1000 hp with twin turbos.
Nice segment. You talked so much about the rear end, I'm surprised you didn't show the special differential setup only found on a GNX. You should see if you can get your hands on a 1970 Buick GSX (preferably a Stage 1). It did the same thing at the height of the first muscle car era.
Back in 2016 I took a young lady out in my 1987 GN (it was my parents growing up, 8k miles) in West Palm Beach. I left it with a valet and they left it with the Porsche’s, Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s. When we came back there were more people hovering around it then those other cars and one gentleman got out of his Ferrari or Lambo and was explaining what it was to his date. It was wild. I have a garage with it and my 993 and Lotus and it is always the car they want to see. It is an icon.
This car was an absolute beast and a god back in the day, and who better to do this car review than the two guys that do car reviews like no other? Thomas and James.......that's who!! 🔥
I think that for most of the younger crowd that love this beast (like myself) is because it’s in many racing video games. In 2005, a fully modded GNX was always my go-to on Forza Motorsport.
Great video as usual, guys. Brings back memories of my dad’s ‘85 GN. Got to drive it a couple times with him when I was 15. Wish he kept it!
The fact that James knows about the Woodward Dream Cruise! Made my day!
My uncle owned one of these back in the late 80s when i was growing up. I have some fond memories of being picked up and driven around to the local "cumberland farms" for some candy, baseball games, and family parties. This car and my other uncle who drove a fox body at the time i have some awesome memories of being driven around in them as a kid. The last min or so in this video perfectly explains everything on about why we choose and enjoy certain cars for whatever particular reason. They are indeed *time capsules* to our lives as we grow to fall in love with them and nostalgia sets in...(each one) truly priceless.
You gotta give the seatbelts a quick tugg to tension them. Old school
Yep....i remember when the roller broke and the belts just laid there like a dead snake!!!😂 How I miss those old days.
I was not expecting this upload today! I never thought I’d see my favorite KZhead reviewers review a GNX! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing your perspectives from an outsiders point of view that weren’t around these cars all the time back in the 80s/90s. A modern set of tires and a set of Bilstein shocks would make that GNX really enjoyable in the twisty mountain roads at a moderately quick pace. The cinematography and overall feel of the video were very high quality and as a complete Grand National nut that has owned mine since I was 16 you did the car justice. They should probably fix that headliner at that asking price though ;) Thanks!
Amazing car. I owned a 1987 regular grand national and that was epic. I have only seen 1 real GNX in person my whole life.
GNX had a stock GN motor with a ceramic impeller turbo with a larger intercooler neck and tuning. Completely redesigned rear suspension.
Yep bought my national back in 87 in my old navy day's and still own that car till this day and loving it every day !
There's a guy in my hometown who still has one of these in mint condition that he takes insane care of. In all the years I lived near him, I've never seen it leave the garage. Pretty he bought it new.
This is one of the cars I dreamed of when it came out. I wanted one of these way more than a Corvette or Mustang. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
This is, and always has been my ultimate dream car.. I don’t even need a gnx special version. Just a grand national.. one of the coolest cars of all time
That's not much of a dream.
@@Incomudro1963 it’s not your dream.. and that’s fine. I won’t stomp on what you like. Thanks for your input tho 😃
@@Brentarnold07 i think its a dream car. most americans do. the gnx is basically unattainable
I appreciate your dream dude ! I always said I WILL HAVE A GRAND NATL ONE OF THESE DAYS . Im still looking forward to achieving the dream ! One of these days ........
Personally I always preferred the T Type Regal. Same turbo V6 but actual color options.
It would be amazing if GM came out with a new Grand National using the CT4-V Blackwing motor.
I graduated in 1986. This car and the Grand National are legends. This is the car everyone wanted in high school. It was the car that would smoke the Mustang’s, Camaro’s, Trans Am’s and Corvettes. But, not many even got a GN. They were higher price than all the cars mentioned. They we big money for their time. But, also a big performer for their day. I wouldn’t have one today because cars have come so far and there is so many that will beat it today. But, for it’s day it was very special and anyone in their teens at that time know how and why this car was so special.
the 80s soundtrack playing throughout the video makes this even more awesome to watch. great content, guys!
The Regal, Grand National, Monte Carlo, and the Cutlass Supreme all had similar styling. But if all four were sitting parked in a drive through burger spot, the crowd would definitely hover over the Grand National...what a great piece of Americana
Yeah, they were all G-Bodies. I did like the Monte Carlo SS even though it had a 305 in it. The El Camino SS was also a good looking ride.
You guys never stopped smiling throughout the drive ... that's a success right there.
I used to Loathe these because it smoked my IROC-Z on the regular. Lol. Then... now looking back I drool in appreciation of this American story of early horsepower and racing that evolved into today's street and track scene. 😎🇺🇲🙏
I graduated from high school in 1987 and I remember this car vividly. NOTHING & I mean nothing came close to this in terms of performance. Thanks for taking me down memory lane.
All 80s GM turn signals felt like you were snapping a chicken bone. Cool Buick! Remember cars, Buick?
As an American, the Grand National and GNX are legends. They were bright, shining stars in the middle of the malaise era that consumed and destroyed so many of the country's most iconic cars. That, and the fact that it's a Buick that actually managed to be cool adds on top of the coolness and makes it even better.
As a proud owner of a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Classic I always enjoy when a G body gets any sort of love.
My high school dream car. We had several turbo Buicks running around back then.
Loved this video! You should do more classic cars like this. I'm not a fan of them myself but you guys always manage to make it interesting and have me wanting to watch. It's truly an education and it's fun to learn about other cars besides the usual stuff we see. It's what makes you guys stand out from everyone else on KZhead and I admire and love that about this channel.
I remember these, the Syclone, the Typhoon and the 20th anniversary Trans Am, all had similar turbocharged V6 motors
I am so shocked, yet extremely happy you guys were able to review this car. This is one of my dream cars. And it is like you said it is a demon car of its time. Its all-black paint, even at a standstill, it looks menacingly. Ready to devour any car that dares to race it.
What a piece of history you guys have there! Well, american history at least. But, you know, to have the luck and actually drive one of these limited edition cars, is something that so few people hasn´t have in their whole life. So, take us back to the 80's was a really fun and nostalgic experience. Thank you so much for these. I hope you enjoyed it!
I experienced my first Burnout in a GN. College 1989, my buddy Sean had his father's GN on campus and went for a ride. Was in love with American muscle cars of the 60's 70s before, but this was a cool car.
You guys are killing it. I've scraped your channel so hard your 4 year old videos are starting to show up in my feed. I've watch lots of your videos several times and I look forward to the new stuff. I love the balance of info and joking around (James, "You look like my grandmother's boyfriend" was hilarious). Keep up the good work.
We had a Grand National when I was younger. My dad sold his Corvette and bought it. I was like why?? Then we went for a rip and it clicked...well more like a rubber band, it snapped... and I was sold on this badass beast. Will always have a place in my heart! Great one guys!
This car, IROCs, Fox Body Mustangs, and the Mark VII LSC were among my favorite cars from the 1980s.
Love the GNX. I also love its spiritual successor, Cadillac ATS-V/CT4-V Blackwing. Even the more recent Supercharged and turbocharged Regal GS's were cool. Buick should make cars again.
Drove a Grand National in 89 - I was in high school. I raced someone and destroyed them. These cars are quick even by today's standards. In cold temps they can do 60 in 5 or less. They are so iconic! Get one now while they're still affordable...!
Define affordable. Even GNs in decent shape are worth quite a bit of coin.
Affordable? They said this one is worth $250k…
Best O - 60 for the GN was 6.07 ... Motor Trend squeezed that out of one in '87.
@@carramrod8232 '86 - '87 Grand Nationals (not GNX's as those are so rare most people will never see one out in the wild) are not too ridiculously priced. I've seen decent examples around Canada for $30K-ish. That's cheaper than most SUV's these days.
Catching that sundown orange on the brake discs... That shot is perfect. 17:05
Spring of 1995 as a young Marine stationed in Camp Lejeune NC I went to the local Jeep dealership in hopes to purchase a Wrangler. Walking around the lot I see a 1987 Grand National with T-Tops pull in and when the driver gets out he is greeted by a salesman that tells him his jeep will be ready shortly. I ask him your trading in your GN for a Wrangler and he says yes. He has had the car since it was purchased by his dad off the showroom floor and he has the complete maitnace records for the GN. I grab the salesman that was helping me and say I want to take this on a test drive and after that I purchased it later that day. This was my first car purchased and it will forever hold a special place in my heart.
The EARLY DEMON . You nailed it. In 1990 - throw $2k in parts at this car or any GN and you're knocking on 10 second quarter mile times. Low 11's was easy. It wasn't the stock performance that sold this car , it was the simple mods that made this a Street God 😎
@Snarf Snarf people sleep on the ford fusion sports 👁️
@DOGS LOL Adjustable boost control, exhaust, gears , injectors, cold air kit , shift kit. The crafty east coast guys like Jim D'Alessandro and Herb White were doing the early piggy back ecm flashing. The early years were simple mods .
@Snarf Snarf Mumm-ra drove a GNX. Snaaarrff!
@DOGS LOL There sure was, that's what made them so special, people were modding them as soon as they got them home in 87. It was a lot of trial and error in the early stages but in 87 my dad put in a Red Armstrong 93 chip, adjustable fuel reg, and the awesome dial a boost the day he brought his second one home from the dealer.
@@FameTheFamous662 until they see one run a 300c AWD w/Hemi. Had a younger kid try his luck with my wifes from a stop light last summer. Bet he won't try it again the next time he sees one, lol.
Oh god! Im so glad you guys are doing real muscle! I’d love to see a Pontiac Trans Am next! this is hands down my favorite review for the last 3 years! Good job guys!
Watching this on my birthday, awesome video!! Now missing my 87 Buick GN, I met a guy in Texas that owned Three (3 ), GNX, one was his daily driver and kept the other two in a showroom.
Ever since the Grand Tour came to an end in its original format, I've looked to you guys for fun automotive content like this. The fact that you've just done a review of one of my all time top 3 favorite cars is the icing on the cake. Sincerely, thank you.
This is one of the greatest muscle cars of all time, it was a treat to watch, thank you guys
To really appreciate the Buick name, you really should try out a vintage Riviera. Comfort, classic lines, and thanks to the quite large V8 under the hood, provides quite impressive performance.
Jay Leno had this exact car on several years ago! This is a true CLASSIC!! Thanks guys, for all you do
The GM G-body cars of this era were good. Good looks, solid engines (well, the 3.8), nice interiors, comfortable, roomy, okay gas mileage. And so relaxing to drive and ride in.
Umm it's a G-body!
@@shawnsatterlee6035 oops! I meant G-body!
The 4.3 diesel V6 was also an excellent engine. Unlike it's big brother the 5.7, it has 6 head bolts per cylinder and no head gasket issues. The mileage on those things is incredible. 45-50 mpg on the highway easily. And they'll hold up with a turbo and turned up fuel as long as you keep an eye on the EGTs. With a turbo they can easily make in the 150-180hp range at around 15-20psi boost. And they are absolutely bulletproof, not to mention completely mechanical. Unfortunately quite rare today, in either the RWD or FWD cars. I've been looking for one in good shape in any car for the past 10 years. Every time I find one someone snatches it up before I can.
My dad used to own #352. I have some fond memories as a kid riding in that beast. Miss that car.
Why used to? What happened?
Imagine if he knew how expensive it would be today! 😮
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The GNX has always been my 80's dream car. I'm glad to see it on your channel.
You two hit the nail right on the head! Great perspective of this beast from the 1980"s...well done indeed gentleman!
Used to see a lot of these when I was growing up. Didn't think much of them back then obviously. But now it's like "Damn. Those look pretty badass" Love the sound of it.
A legend forever ❤️, thanks for the trip down memory lane guys😊
I was an old Buick guy back in the day! I owned 3 1987 Turbo Buicks, one modified and 2 stock. They are fun modified! 600HP is easy if you know what your doing.
It's truly truly cool that you make videos like this, driving pieces of history! Waiting for more! 😎
The Grand National was.the car I wanted most in high school! Damn I'm old, but still its the original sleeper! And blew the doors off any V8 at the time.
I always enjoy your reviews of classic performance cars.
Thank you Thomas and James for another excellent show. No one in my small border town had a GNX but I remember them fondly. Not my kind of car, but seriously cool none-the-less. Very similar to my 2015 Chevy SS sedan (Black on Black) I had, although I had a 6 speed manual, but it is the same recipe and I love it!
Really enjoyed the video, quality car, quality production on the video. Thanks Guys!