| in 1987 the fastest U.S. production car ever to be | | | | car that will increase the power to jaw dropping |
| produced was the Buick Grand National/GNX. I | | | | levels. Jaw dropping for anyone that has never |
| have owned three turbo Buicks in the past. They | | | | been in one that is. If you are the owner/driver |
| are a really fun car to drive. If you have never | | | | then you just have a smile smeared from ear to |
| driven one, but you are looking for a new toy car | | | | ear for hours after you park the car for the night. |
| to buy, you should really consider one of these. If | | | | I have driven muscle cars in the past. I drove my |
| you have $50,000 you could buy a GNX, other | | | | friends 67 Barracuda with a 340, his dad’s |
| than that you should look into a Grand National or | | | | 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner with a 383, my |
| a Turbo T. | | | | cousin’s 1970 Chevy Chevelle with 550 hp |
| What is great about these cars? Easy, their drive | | | | under the hood. I also owned a 1967 Plymouth |
| train. Other than the drive train, this is no different | | | | Belvedere in the past. All I can say is this 3.8 liter, |
| than you ordinary GM car of the 1980’s. | | | | six cylinder, turbocharged G body is more exciting |
| The quality of the vehicles leaves a lot to be | | | | to drive than any of the others. Some of the |
| desired. The paint was poor quality, especially on | | | | “muscle car purists” are laughing at |
| the Grand Nationals. Depending on how they were | | | | me for sure. There are still some people out |
| maintained and cared for you could often find | | | | there that would not consider the turbo Buicks a |
| stress factures in a couple of places around the | | | | muscle car simply because it is a six cylinder. |
| car. Some of the interior parts are subject to | | | | They clearly have not driven one and they |
| being torn based on wear and tear, if not cared | | | | certainly haven’t driven one with any |
| for very well. | | | | modifications. |
| Having said all of that I am still a big fan of these | | | | Jack Cotton is a well-known turbo Buick mechanic |
| cars. I wanted one ever since I was I was a | | | | throughout our country. He has a turbo Buick that |
| teenager and they were new in the showrooms. | | | | consistently runs high 8 second ¼ miles at |
| While most people think they are ugly “old | | | | the track. He has a video on his website, of his |
| man cars” I have always liked the look of | | | | car doing a wheelie off the line. His car is no longer |
| the G bodies from GM. I think the Grand National | | | | street legal but it is still a six cylinder running those |
| is a very sharp car. Unlike most sports cars, | | | | times. There are plenty of street legal turbo |
| which are typically cramped beyond belief, the | | | | Buicks out there running 9 and 10 second |
| turbo Buicks are roomy, comfortable, and can fit | | | | ¼ mile times. If you would like more |
| a family of five, even if you need car seats. You | | | | information on these cars feel free to check out |
| cannot say the same for their relative the 1989 | | | | the most popular of the turbo Buick forums, |
| Pontiac Turbo Trans Am. The turbo Buick also | | | | Whether you like these cars or not I recommend |
| possesses a large trunk for carrying cargo. You | | | | one thing to you. If you pull up next to one of |
| can get them with a moon-roof or T-roofs. | | | | these cars at the next red light, don’t |
| Regardless of what you have to say about their | | | | take them lightly. If you are one of those people, |
| looks and build quality there is no disputing the fun | | | | like me, that like to race people at red lights make |
| you have driving one. Hearing the wooosh of the | | | | sure you are aware of what you are up against |
| turbo as you hit the gas and you pull by | | | | because you may end up looking like a fool. And |
| whatever car is next to you. And, that is all in the | | | | one favor to ask before I go, please do not call |
| stock form. There is a large aftermarket for | | | | them Monte Carlo’s because they |
| these cars as well. With a minimal amount of | | | | aren’t. |
| money you can put some modifications on the | | | | |