Want A Virtually New 1987 Buick GNX With Only 8 Miles? It'll Cost You Over $100k
While we often come across many interesting vehicles while following certain car auctions, this ultra-low mileage limited edition Buick stands out like a shag on a rock.
The GNX (Grand National Experimental) was built for a single model year back in 1987, this one being car #480 out of 547. After being sold in Arkansas and taken to a Texas dealership to go on display, nobody drove it anymore, hence the 8.5 miles (13.7 km) on its turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine.
(https://images.carscoops.com/2019/02/4ed57931-1987-buick-gnx-auction-bat-2.jpg)
Buick built the GNX in partnership with McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC, giving the car an upgraded powertrain, suspension and instrumentation. The previously-mentioned V6 unit was mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox, while power and torque figures stood at 300 HP (304 PS) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm).
In order to produce more power, the engine was fitted with a Garrett T3 turbocharger, a larger intercooler and a low-restriction exhaust system. On paper, this car could reportedly cover a 1/4 mile in just 12.7 seconds straight out of the factory, quicker than a Porsche 911 (930) Turbo.
This one in particular even retains its factory protective plastic coverings inside (it has a two-tone black and grey cloth interior), to go with the original window sticker, factory GNX badging, 16-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle VR50 tires and GNX-branded center caps, among others.
Right now, the car is being auctioned off on Bring a Trailer, where the winning bid will be in excess of $100,000.
Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2019/02/1987-buick-gnx-8-miles-clock-will-cost-100k/
Nice car. Not worth 100k though.
I've seen regular Grand Nationals for sale for $50k+. I laugh at these guys who bought them for close to $40,000 32 years ago, thinking they'll be worth something in the future. If there is a singular GNX that might be worth $100,000, it would be this one.
How badly dry-rotted are all of the hoses, seals, bushings, and other rubber parts?
Also, the GNX was a different beast from the regular Grand National. Like comparing a ZR1 to a regular Corvette. Less than 550 GNXs were built, so they have always held their value well.
Quote from: MX793 on February 12, 2019, 06:52:26 AM
How badly dry-rotted are all of the hoses, seals, bushings, and other rubber parts?
Also, the GNX was a different beast from the regular Grand National. Like comparing a ZR1 to a regular Corvette. Less than 550 GNXs were built, so they have always held their value well.
Yes, held their value well, as in reasonably kept with inflation, but they really haven't appreciated much.
No thanks
Quote from: Rockraven on February 12, 2019, 07:06:41 AM
Yes, held their value well, as in reasonably kept with inflation, but they really haven't appreciated much.
Not many cars, particularly American cars from that era, even keep up with inflation.
If Forza is any indication these cars are terrible to drive
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on February 12, 2019, 08:08:57 AM
If Forza is any indication these cars are terrible to drive
Forza is turribl. They are amazing on Gran Turismo.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on February 12, 2019, 08:08:57 AM
If Forza is any indication these cars are terrible to drive
They were fast in a straight line. That was all they were built to do. The other aspect is how much power the turbo V6 was capable of. The bottom end was seriously overbuilt. That motor has the same kind of tuning potential as the Nissan RB26 and Toyota 2JZ.
The cars were interesting, but not that much so. Mid 13s in the 1/4 mile was best case, not mid 12s. Current bid is $106k.
Yawn
Quote from: GoCougs on February 12, 2019, 06:53:38 PM
The cars were interesting, but not that much so. Mid 13s in the 1/4 mile was best case, not mid 12s. Current bid is $106k.
Which, people forget, was smoking fast at the time.
Anybody spending 6 figures on this car doesn't care; if they wanted a faster car, they could buy one.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 13, 2019, 05:53:09 AM
Which, people forget, was smoking fast at the time.
Anybody spending 6 figures on this car doesn't care; if they wanted a faster car, they could buy one.
It was - I'm just sayin'.
I was never a big fan. It was an interesting play for the time as no one else was doing anything of the sort, esp. Ford or Chrysler. But it does represent Interesting Times in the doldrums of Detroit performance, so though I wouldn't do it, I understand it.
GM was, at the time, trying to make the argument to NASCAR to keep the Winston Cup production based, which during the performance doldrums of the '80s, they were moving away from. Things like this, the Aerocoupe, the Hurst/Olds were in a way, arguments that they could be.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 13, 2019, 01:15:14 PM
GM was, at the time, trying to make the argument to NASCAR to keep the Winston Cup production based, which during the performance doldrums of the '80s, they were moving away from. Things like this, the Aerocoupe, the Hurst/Olds were in a way, arguments that they could be.
And then NASCAR turned into shit.
Quote from: MX793 on February 12, 2019, 06:52:26 AM
How badly dry-rotted are all of the hoses, seals, bushings, and other rubber parts?
Also, the GNX was a different beast from the regular Grand National. Like comparing a ZR1 to a regular Corvette. Less than 550 GNXs were built, so they have always held their value well.
It was sitting in a Buick dealership! I hope they replaced all those items over time.....
Honestly, if you're spending $100,000 on a classic car, do you think buying a radiator hose is the deal breaker?
It sold for $200.000.
Quote from: Galaxy on February 18, 2019, 08:51:11 PM
It sold for $200.000.
I figured it was going to be more. A Grand National with 10,000 miles recently sold for 80,000.