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

[2o6]

Apparently the man who designed it only had a ruler and didn't know anything about aerodynamics. It's an ugly steel box on a truck frame.

GM, realizing this, decided to slather on the black paint to hide the ugliness of it all. It's a good looking car at night, in the middle of a cornfield, when there's a new moon.

In comparison to what?

[280Z Turbo]

In comparison to what?

Nothing. The ugliness of a G-body is a universal absolute.

[2o6]

Nothing. The ugliness of a G-body is a universal absolute.

And people talk about me.

[CALL_911]

Nothing. The ugliness of a G-body is a universal absolute.

I'm with you on that. The GNX is a lot of things. Good looking is not, however, one of those things.

[280Z Turbo]

And people talk about me.

Yup.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'm with you on that. The GNX is a lot of things. Good looking is not, however, one of those things.

IMHO they were damned good looking for cars that were designed in the late 70s! Lets have a look at some of the mainstream designs from Honda,Datsun and Toyota in the late 70s! In 1979 these were good looking cars. It wasn't till '85 (Taurus/Sable) that the "modern" design theme took over.

[hotrodalex]

I'll a GNX over just about any other 80's car. It's good looking for that time period.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'll a GNX over just about any other 80's car. It's good looking for that time period.

Yes it was! Along with the IROC-Z and the '87 Corvette vert!

[sportyaccordy]

The GNX is a pretty ugly car, but as far as 80s cool, it's hard to beat. The question is, how bad do you want to relive high school in New Jersey during the 80s? I think I could do it as a quick exploratory journey but not as a long term DD. Yeech

[Raza]

8.4 seconds is a long time for a car with that much power.  My Wolfsburg would leave that thing in the dust. 

[Mustangfan2003]

8.4 seconds is a long time for a car with that much power.  My Wolfsburg would leave that thing in the dust. 

Boom, the challenge has been thrown GM. 

[93JC]

I can't believe how many of you don't like the looks of the GNX. WTF is wrong with you people? Yeah, the all-black style is cheesy and many of the details and finishing are from another era, but fundamentally I think the GM G-body coupe is one of the best proportioned cars in recent memory.

[2o6]

I can't believe how many of you don't like the looks of the GNX. WTF is wrong with you people? Yeah, the all-black style is cheesy and many of the details and finishing are from another era, but fundamentally I think the GM G-body coupe is one of the best proportioned cars in recent memory.

+1

[omicron]

I can't believe how many of you don't like the looks of the GNX. WTF is wrong with you people? Yeah, the all-black style is cheesy and many of the details and finishing are from another era, but fundamentally I think the GM G-body coupe is one of the best proportioned cars in recent memory.

People are stupid.

Let us observe the brilliance:

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

People are stupid.

Let us observe the brilliance:

[cawimmer430]

I wish Buick had made a performance version of this baby! 

[Tave]

The problem, Chris, is you don't discriminate between any of the 70s-80s designs. Simply because a car was made by GM, Chrysler, or Ford during the 80s doesn't make it beautiful.


The GNX is good looking, I particularly like the curve of the haunches and the way that line integrates with the front of the car.

That LeSabre, on the other hand, doesn't have much going for it. Specifically, the split C-pillar is poorly done, and the descending body line looks awkward. The grill and headlight assembly is dull. All in all you picked a rather odd, forgettable design to make a point.

[cawimmer430]

The problem, Chris, is you don't discriminate between any of the 70s-80s designs. Simply because a car was made by GM, Chrysler, or Ford during the 80s doesn't make it beautiful.

I like the designs of the American brands from the 70s and 80s (50s and 60s rock as well). It's a personal opinion. 

That LeSabre, on the other hand, doesn't have much going for it. Specifically, the split C-pillar is poorly done, and the descending body line looks awkward. The grill and headlight assembly is dull. All in all you picked a rather odd, forgettable design to make a point.

You probably are saying this because you see these cars on a daily basis. I don't. When I see a gigantic American landyacht from the '70s here, I totally freak out (in a good way). That Buick LeSabre IMO is friggin sexy. 

[Tave]

Like I said, your tastes are indiscriminate.

[hounddog]

Even if someone gave me a Grand National, I'm not sure I'd want to drive it. What a terrible looking car. The G-body may be one of the worst cars of the past 25 years.

Not only are you wrong, but you are so wrong that there is no way to describe your wrongnicity.

I.e.;



And, the author is wrong about one thing; There were two turbo Buicks, there was also a T-Type. 

Without Wiki or google I have no idea what the diff was, but I always liked the T-Type just a little bit more.

[hounddog]

The GNX is a pretty ugly car, but as far as 80s cool, it's hard to beat. The question is, how bad do you want to relive high school in New Jersey during the 80s? I think I could do it as a quick exploratory journey but not as a long term DD. Yeech

Since you were NOT part of the "high school" anywhere in the 80s, you have zero idea what you are talking about.

The car you are referring to would be the IROC-Z.

The GN cars were cars so cool only dads drove them. 

[Cookie Monster]

Since you were NOT part of the "high school" anywhere in the 80s, you have zero idea what you are talking about.

The car you are referring to would be the IROC-Z.

The GN cars were cars so cool only dads drove them. 

I think he means reliving high school in the 2000's, since I knew two people withe Grand Nationals at school.

[Vinsanity]

if sporty said re-living HS in Georgia in the 90's, then I'd agree completely. If you were a guy, you either drove a pickup truck or a 1980's G-body coupe.

[VTEC_Inside]

I've always like the look of the Grand National.

I had a short ride in a neighbors before he sold it, that thing was a hoot.

Anyone know the production numbers of GNs vs T-Types? I don't believe I've ever seen a T-Type in person.

[hounddog]

I think he means reliving high school in the 2000's, since I knew two people withe Grand Nationals at school.

Well, if that is the case then I would have to withdraw my statements.

Felt more like he was talking about us older fellows, but I could be wrong.

[Cookie Monster]

Well, if that is the case then I would have to withdraw my statements.

Felt more like he was talking about us older fellows, but I could be wrong.

Nah, I was kidding. I just knew a couple of guys who drove G-bodies at school, and I only finished high school a couple of years ago.

[the Teuton]

Nah, I was kidding. I just knew a couple of guys who drove G-bodies at school, and I only finished high school a couple of years ago.

You live in Cali. Were they donked?

[Cookie Monster]

You live in Cali. Were they donked?

Nope. I didn't go to school in Compton.

[the Teuton]

Nope. I didn't go to school in Compton.

No diggity. No doubt.

[hounddog]

I'll a GNX over just about any other 80's car. It's good looking for that time period.

You guys do realize the GNX is not the Grand National, but rather, a much more powerful and much more rare version only made during the last production year, right?