Buick Grand National GNX: The 80s Sleeper That Scared Ferrari

In 1987 Buick released what many call the ultimate 1980s American sleeper — the Grand National GNX. With 276 factory horsepower (and real-world numbers much higher), it could beat Ferrari, Porsche, and Corvette in a straight line while looking like your grandpa’s luxury coupe. This is the full story of the Buick Grand National and the insane GNX: how a “boring” Buick division built a turbocharged monster that embarrassed the competition, the politics inside GM, the street racing legend, and why these cars are now worth serious money. From coal-black paint and T-tops to 11-second quarter miles — this is the complete history of one of the most badass American cars of the 1980s.