The Story behind the GNX

The GNX was designed to be the "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals". Outwardly the GNX resembles the Grand National but the modifications performed on these cars made them one of the fastest, best handling and most sought after cars Buick had ever built. It was developed by the then Advanced Concepts & Marketing Vehicles manager, Mike Doble. The car was to be converted by ASC/McLaren. McLaren had been involved with the original Buick/McLaren V-6 racer used at Indy and the 24 valve V-6 Wildcat concept car. McLaren had also developed some early prototypes of the Intercooled Grand National. The basic concept was to build the car to be a full second quicker than the Grand National and improve it's handling. Although plans called for Engine blueprinting, head porting, special bearings, shot-peened rods, and a high-rpm valve train, testing of stock Grand National engines showed that the GNX goal could be met without opening the engine. There were 547 GNXs built and all were 2! doo r coupes and optioned the same, there were no additions or deletions.

To quote the Owners manual "The GNX is a special Grand National with certain modifications to accentuate it's already outstanding performance."

Basically the body and drivetrain remained common with the turbocharged Regal Grand National with a few exceptions.

What the Critics Say:

"The GNX is an ax-wielding barbarian laying waste to everything in it's path"
"Rockets to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and squirts through the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at 102 mph"

(Tony Assenza) Car & Driver, May 1987: Buick GNX

"This (GNX) is no batamweight, over-motored car. It's a hefty 3,500 pound family sedan. ANd on this cold, blustery day, five very large men-give or take a pound, 1,082 pounds of them-fill up every inch of it's livable interior space. What the hell-a stand-on-it run is in order. In less than 20 seconds-20 seconds!-fuel shutoff valve kicks in signifying the ride is over. That's impressive."

(Dutch Mandel) Autoweek, February 16, 1987: Speedway Born

"More than a straight-line rocket sled, the GNX is a suspension tuned to hug the corners like a Grand Prix car."

(Paul Garson) Car Craft, September 1987: The Ultimate American Muscle Machine

"For you who remember the spine-snapping GTOs, Road Runners, 4-4-2s and Shelbys of 20 years ago and think they'll never be equalled in this era of desmogged Wimpmobiles, they have. And passed. By the Buick GNX."
"And they came up with a 300 hp stroker that looks like Darth Vader's Staff Car. One that, unlike the GTOs and Road Runners, doesn't pitch and yaw when when you ask for a smoking burnout. It goes straight. And goes. And goes."

(Scott Heimer, Auto Editor) Philadelphia Daily News: Ride On!


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