The history of the Buick Turbo cars began in the late 70's, with the Regal Sport Coupe in 1978. It had a 3.8 litre turbocharged 4bbl carbureted engine that was good for 170ish horsepower. This model boasted more power than the normally aspirated version but left much to be desired performance wise. In 1982, the first of the Grand National legacy was released. It was a two tone Silver/Gray car, with Grand National decalling. It was available as a 4.1L 4bbl, and as I have found out through the Turbo Regal Mailing List was also available with a 3.8 litre carbed TURBO verion. (courtesy of Dan McCann). There were 215 total made but only 16 were made with the turbocharged option, making these the rarest of Regal Grand Nationals.

In 1984 Buick released what would change the perception of the 80's performance automobiles. The 1984 Buick Grand National was equipped with a sequentially fuel injected, turbocharged 3.8litre V-6 rated at almost 200hp. The T-Type, now Fuel injected as well, shared most of the GN's equipment with exception of the Lear Sieglar interior and the T-Type came with different "Turbine " looking wheels (courtesy Matt Hanger). There were approximatly 2100 Grand Nationals and 3400 T-Types made in 1984.

In 1985, the only real differences were the grille, the air dam, and the improved oil pan. Again, approx 2100 were made that year.


In 1986, Buick added Intercooling to their Turbo Regal Lineup, boosting power levels to 235hp and 330ft lb of torque. Approximatly 5500 Grand Nationals and 2400 T-Types were made this year Additionally, in 1986, Buick released the only other carline to carry the Grand National emblem, the LeSabre Grand National, powered by a 3.8 SFI Non-turbo engine driving the front wheels. At 112 models made, this is THE rarest of the cars wearing the Grand National emblem. Powered by a 3.8 Liter engine with a roller valvetrain, aluminum 15' wheels, FE1 suspension, front spoiler, dual exhaust, bench front seat, no gauges, and not even a LeSabre badge other than on the dash. The GN Badge on this model differed from the Regal GN in that the Turbo-6 was all red, instead of the traditional Yellow/Red as on the Regal GN. Rumor is this was done to differentiate turbo'ed and non-turbo'd vehicles. The prototype LeSabre Grand Nationals were turbocharged but kept destroying transmissions so final production vehicles were released as normally aspirated versions. (LeSabre info courtesy Kirt Simmons)

In 1987 Buick dropped the T-Type name on the regal in favor of a new model name, the Turbo-T. The T and the Grand National powerplants were upped to 245hp and 355ft lb of torque by (as far as I can tell) programming mods in the prom. This 1987 model would be the last production run of the Buick G-Body (Chevrolet continued through 1988), dubbed "The Worlds Fastest Production Car" There were almost 20,000 GN's made in 87 and 2700 T's made. Additionally, you could now get the Limited in Turbo trim. 1987 was also noted as being the year the GN to end all GN's was introduced. A limited production run of 200 Grand Nationals, specially prepped by ASC/McClaren were to be produced, called the infamous GNX. This 200 unit figure was increased to 500, then to 547 by production end. Regals were shipped to ASC for their special mods including: Special ceramic turbined turbo, special intercooler, special GNX Turbo Shield, Special prom programming, special transmission valve body mods, torque arm, panhard bar, fender vents, wheel flares, 16" black mesh alloy wheels wearing 245/50VR16 Gatorback's, special badging, full analog instrumentation, and a personalized serial number. Linking the owner to the car. To get parts you have to prove you own one. The Awesome GNX produces 275hp and 360ft lb of torque and was capable of mid 13 second runs in factory trim.

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