1987 Buick Regal Grand National vs. 2011 Buick Regal CXL Turbo

[6 Shooter]

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With its 2011 Regal Turbo, Buick has either revived a storied name for a deserving new machine or is spitting on its own heritage. After all, the original Regal Turbos — those big, full-frame, rear-drive, two-door coupes produced between the 1978 and 1987 model years — have been sustaining Buick enthusiasm almost singlehandedly for more than 30 years. If it weren't for the Grand National, alpha dog of Regal Turbos, most enthusiasts would have forgotten about Buick a long time ago.

Of course, the 1987 Grand National and 2011 Regal Turbo sedan don't emerge from the same branch of Buick's family tree. The old GN is an anomaly: the only Buick of its turbocharged V6 kind, biased toward high performance and always intended as a specialized product with relatively low-volume sales.

In contrast, the new Regal Turbo is a mainstream, front-drive Buick, from the leading edge of its glimmering waterfall grille to the super shiny tri-shield emblem on its tail. It's the front-drive four-door sedan with which Buick intends to steal sales from cars like the Acura TSX and Lexus ES 350. Maybe even swipe up some Accord and Camry buyers.

All that doesn't mean this comparison is unfair. After all, when you can only have one piece of fruit it's reasonable to ask whether you prefer an apple or an orange.

Inside Line

 

[6 Shooter]

YEP - Old School Rules!

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[Curious George]

Just finished building a 350 (the 305 was tired) for my '87 IROC. Paint and interior is next.

The GN and Third Gen Camaro's rule. Even the Monte Carlo from that era still looks good today!

CG

 

[warren s]

Apples Vs Oranges isnt even close.

The 87 was a purpose built technological tour de force that showed the world what GM can still do and a glimpse of things to come. Turbo Regals with less work then it takes to install a Vararam on a C5 were running in the 12s on a cool day and still getting over 25 MPG.

The current version is generic load that will struggle to meet market expectations.

 

[Dad2BJO]

I have had the privilage to own 4 Buick TR's

First was an 85 WH1 T-Type, (Designer series, black/silver/black) bought it when I was 19 in 87. I could not afford the $15,xxx sticker price. It was not uncommon to find the GN's with dealer mark-up. The T-type and turbo T were the same car just did not have the GN badging package called the WE2 RPO code. The car I really wanted was an IROC and after the insurance lady ran the quote of about $2700 per year for insurance, the $1200 per year for the T-type was more inline with my budget. Many companies just insured these as "2 door buick regal coupes" and did not recognize the performance of the 3.8 Turbo. My first one was the non intercooled version (84-85) but it was still very quick.

I also finally did buy an 87 many years later. These (86-87) have the famous turkey gobbler sound when the turbo winds down, and of course the "whistle" when you hit full boost. I had an 87 GN and a 93 LT1 Vette at the same time and the GN was bay far the quickest of the two.

The one I wish I kept was the 84 GN. The 84's had the custom Lear seats and Buick only made 2000 84 GN's. If you happen to come accoss the original GM material for these seats, BUY IT, since GM no longer makes it and it is very hard to find. They also put the Lear seats in the 84 WH1's as well.

The GNX, those are also legends as well and only 547 ever made. Many called it Darth Vaders staff car.

Love the Turbo Buicks!