The Forgotten Buick That Out-Ran The Grand National For Less Money
The 1987 Buick Grand National certainly stands out as one of the best sleeper cars of the late 80s. It has too much power under the hood to ignore and provides luxury comfort to keep even the fussiest passengers happy. However, you didn’t have to go for all of its flashiness to access its turbo power. The famous engine was available in another car that actually managed to outrace the Grand National at a much lower price. This forgotten Buick still lives in its shadow despite deserving more attention.
The 1987 Buick Grand National Provides Premium Muscle
Of course, the 1987 Buick Grand National deserves its cult following. How could one forget its famous ‘Darth Vader of the Streets’ nickname? This muscle car earned its title because of its aggressive all-black style and its surprising ability to leave V8 muscle cars in the dust with its turbocharged engine. For example, it creams the Ferrari F40 and Corvette. General Motors banned Buick from offering a manual transmission or claiming more power than the Corvette as a result.
You’ll find a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine under the hood that delivers 245 hp and 355 lb-ft of torque. The engine started as a boy scout’s project before being adopted and perfected by the Buick experimental division. This car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.7 seconds and covers a quarter mile in roughly 13.5 seconds with a top speed of 124 mph. While factory electronic limiters and its aerodynamics capped its top speed, it was more than capable of leaving exotic European sports cars behind.
The engine is paired with an intercooler, allowing for higher boost pressure and more efficient combustion. It has a computer-controlled ignition, Sequential Port Fuel Injection, and a robust TH200-4R four-speed automatic transmission. It rides on a performance suspension that features heavy-duty springs, shocks, and large front/rear sway bars. Its front disc brakes and rear drum brakes provide adequate stopping power, and it rides on cast iron wheels. While this car embarrassed competitors, it did so with style and comfort.
The Grand National has bolstered bucket seats, power windows, power locks, air conditioning, a digital instrument cluster, an eight-track stereo, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, simulated wood-grain accents, and plush cut-pile carpeting. It’s known for having a refined ride for highway cruising and a quiet, insulated cabin. But you could pass on the lavish comfort for more power and savings. Its original MSRP was $16,617, and adding all the extra options increased the price to about $18,295.
The 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T WE4 Was Faster For Less
The same engine was placed in the 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T WE4. However, the Regal Turbo can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.7 seconds, with a 13.4-second quarter-mile time and a top speed of 124 mph. Its top speed was also limited by the governor. It could outrace the luxurious Grand National with its more affordable MSRP of around $14,857 with a similar blackout style.
It was specifically designed to provide customers with a similar style and performance to the Grand National at a more affordable price. Buick also offered the WE4 Special Turbo Package to build the fastest factory-produced Turbo Regal ever. It achieved this goal by stripping out heavier components for an enhanced power-to-weight ratio. The Regal weighs in at between 3,400 to 3,450 pounds, while the Grand National weighs about 3,545 to 3,599 pounds.
Buick replaced most of its hefty cast-iron components with aluminum parts like the front bumper supports and rear brake drums. It rides on lightweight cast aluminum rims and doesn’t have a heavy rear spoiler like the Grand National. It mostly shares the same suspension setup as the Grand National, tuned to rule the drag strip; only the Regal doesn’t have upgraded sway bars.
Features like air conditioning and an interior insulation package were optional. But the car still came standard with great cloth bucket seats with adjustable headrests, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel mounted on a tilt-adjustable steering column, a center floor console, and distinct Turbo gauges with an electronic tachometer. Instead of Turbo T badging, it wears a block-letter ‘T’ on the fenders. Both of these cars are available with a sunroof or T-top as Buick worried about the structural integrity of the chassis due to the engine’s immense torque.
The Regal Turbo T WE4 Is Still A Bargain In Comparison
While the 1987 Buick Grand National is more popular than the 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T WE4, it’s also easier to find. About 20,192 models were produced in 1987, while only roughly 1,547 Regal Turbo T WE4 models were produced. It had a limited run because of its late availability, and it was only available as a special-order option.
Only about 300 Grand National models were supposed to be made. However, due to overwhelming demand, its production was extended through the end of the year. The Regal Turbo T WE4 was discontinued as General Motors was phasing out the rear-wheel-drive G-Body platform, and the entire Regal lineup was redesigned for 1988. The Grand National was also discontinued due to riding on the same aging platform.
1987 Buick Grand National models found in good condition are often sold for about $35,000 to $48,000. But pristine examples with low mileage can fetch about $80,000 to $90,000. The ultra-rare GNX model, limited to under 600 units, often commands a massive premium of $130,000 to over $180,000.
Meanwhile, 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T WE4 models in good condition often sell for about $30,000 to $40,000. Models in pristine condition with low mileage can exceed $50,000 at auction. WE4 models in show quality, perfect condition can sometimes match pricing for the Grand National due to their rarity as attractive sleeper models. Perhaps it’s time to pull the trigger on one before its secret gets out. It’s essentially a lightweight Grand National, only faster on the drag strip.
Source: Hemmings, Buick
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