WORLD RECORD - 1987 Buick GNX Sale - BARRETT-JACKSON LAS VEGAS

[Hey-O]

Yep, the turbo Buick’s were tough, but it was a lopsided fight to begin with. I don’t care what sanctioning body you’re talking about, but a power adder 231 cube car of similar weight size will nearly always beat a 302 NA car. I mean you’re spotting them a turbo for only 71 cubes.

But at the knarley edge, nitrous 302 vs turbo 231, it’s a great fight to watch. I had my 5.0 cars set up for SCCA, and there was no Buick that wanted any part of that turn left/right action ;)

It's easy to follow, but who was first and was the car to beat.

 

[Triplegreen500]

And yes, the TA turbos were all white in '89. GNs and GNXs were all black. T-types you could get in colors. Anything 86 and earlier, was not intercooled; '87s were factory intercooled. GNXs had a different "live" rear end, more like a four link setup. I want to say it was a three link? I'd have to dig to remind myself...but at the moment I need to get diesel and cut grass

 

[Ironbuilt]

While listening to Disco with a gold chain on.

EVERY Jersey Guido had a gold chain in the 80's. It was MANDATORY!! Not to mention the steroid body, which I had 100x over.
I'm proud to be a Guido!!

 

[Hey-O]

And yes, the TA turbos were all white in '89. GNs and GNXs were all black. T-types you could get in colors. Anything 86 and earlier, was not intercooled; '87s were factory intercooled. GNXs had a different "live" rear end, more like a four link setup. I want to say it was a three link? I'd have to dig to remind myself...but at the moment I need to get diesel and cut grass

82, the first year did not come in black.

 

[beanhead]

 

[moparedtn]

I have to confess, this was the era when I got out of Mopars as daily drivers. After 2 years in a Rabbit GTI with no air conditioning, I bought a loaded Bonneville SSE in 1989. Literally lived in that vehicle with a regional manager trucking job at the time, turned 150,000 miles in three years. The car had a sunroof that rattled from day one. Baby Blue occupied my single garage space. I still loved my Mopar, but not on hot days. The SSE drew positive attention from women in that era, especially my spouse, the GTX, not at all.

Agreed on the "I left Mopar for dailies" part. Once I had it with all the issues with the GLH Turbo, I had that 5.0
for years and years and just kept playing with old Mopars instead.
It took a need for a little pickup truck for me to return, in the guise of a '96 Dakota Sport.
In Santa Fe blue, it sure was a pretty little thing and I really liked the truck and it restored my faith in Ma's
then-current efforts a little bit. A Grand Cherokee followed that and then in '04 Bert the Ram arrived and never
left.
There's been nothing but Mopars here ever since; wife has her nice modern car, me with Bert and Fred.
I have no plans on that changing at all and honestly, these will probably see me off this planet.

 

[Cojohnso1]

I too remember the days of the late 80s/early 90s when GNs were everywhere at track. They were the new "Rent a weekend drag car" like the Hurst days of the 60s? And I remember not being happy at times losing to them with my 13 sec GTX. (But they were good times.)

But of course that just pissed me off to build faster. And I soon learned you can build scary fast with Mopars. Unlike GM at the time. Mopars A833 with Dana rear could handle the power increase. Seen so many 10 and even 12 bolt rears and Muncie trans shattered like the poor Chevy boys weekend dreams. Sure a Chevy big block can produce power. But what good is it in a twisted rear? (Aftermarket then was $$$ compared to today's markets.) With today's HP availability? Aftermarket components are a must. And sometimes less expensive (not to mention easier to find) than original stock components. (Or at least used to be pre-covid markets.) I have been hearing some bad suppy and delivery stories as of late?

 

[67charger383]

Been looking for a Foxbody to daily.
Really want a '89-'93 Black on Black 5.0 5spd LX vert.

But I've been having withdrawals. I've gone to look at a couple Dusters, but I don't fit in them too well (too tall). Really looking closely at '73-'74 Roadrunners too because they fit me a little better, and I've always thought they looked great.

GN's are cool but just aren't for me as I really am a V8 guy and just don't want to have anything to do with the turbo V6 even though it's a cool little motor.

 

[Budnicks]

I liked the GNX as much as the next guy
they were impressive for what they were
there wasn't much performance in the 80's
unless it was aftermarket or on the racetrack

fastest Buick on earth, it wasn't even Black

I liked a lot of 60's (early 70's) Buicks GS
(Olds & Pontiacs too, I've owned every gen. of Trans Am or SLP Firehawks,
mostly racecars)
I'd love to have a 65 Riviera GS
or a 65 Olds 442
or a 70-1/2 Trans Am
but not for what they sell for now
(I'm on more of a 2001/02 TA/GT WS6 beer budget)

GNX, 87 231cid turbo'd w/intercooler or not,
none are worth $250k,
not even if it was hermetically sealed
& never driven since it left the factory
IMO not much from that era, from any Mfgr
is worth anywhere near that

2 willing & rich buyers, in an auction setting,
drinks in hand, credit-rated & approved/cash on hand
in a total pissing contest, who has the biggest (bank account)

more $$$ than brains comes to mind
I feel the same when I see the 54 Buicks sell for huge $$$ too

But;
I hope they like it for that $$$
it helps/pays a lot of peoples salaries at the auction too
(BJ auction co. made out, they get 10% from each the buyer or seller, $50k
unless it's a charity auction, 20% for 2-5 min. on the stage & auctioneer gavel)
I have no problem with any of that either, free will & all
People can spend their $$$ however they want...

 

[Triplegreen500]

GNX, 87 or or not

GNX was 87 only...

 

[MarPar]

EVERY Jersey Guido had a gold chain in the 80's. It was MANDATORY!! Not to mention the steroid body, which I had 100x over.
I'm proud to be a Guido!!



View attachment 1140372

Need one of these with yer Italian horn gold chain...

 

[eldubb440]

Need one of these with yer Italian horn gold chain...

View attachment 1140571

which one is that? the "shocker"?

 

[jamie]

which one is that? the "shocker"?

With one broken off finger.

 

[eldubb440]

With one broken off finger.

my bad......it's the rocker

 

[Ironbuilt]

Need one of these with yer Italian horn gold chain...

View attachment 1140571

 

[Dan64]

Around here they used to come in a set. For a couple extra bucks you could get a Mr. T starter gold chain starter set also.

 

[MarPar]

which one is that? the "shocker"?

It's the cornuto. Cmon Man! lol

 

[Hey-O]

I ran HRpartsNstuff rear sway bars on my G-Bodies. See how they lift the front up equally, that because of the sway bar. Best in the business.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Back in the day, the year 1988 working the GLA division on the midnights , Bronx’s NY. Chased a 1987 Buick Grand National With 1988 Plymouth grand fury. Blow our doors off. The guy ditched behind Yankee Stadium.And got away but I got to drive a stolen recovery. Only had ignition damage and a little more tire wear back to the precinct.

 

[Charged440]

In the 80s I remember reading about how GNs were predicted to be future collectibles, turns out they were right.