To me, the Buick GNX remains one of the sexiest and most collectible cars ever made. I realize that’s a bold statement, but there are just vehicles that force you to realize how much they represent the absolute genesis of the breed, and considering how many years the Regal was massaged and upgraded, the GNX is a car that should have absolutely nailed it. This example is, like so many others, a low-mileage time capsule with just 8,350 miles. It’s listed here on eBay for $87,500 or best offer.
I’ll also admit you could put those wheels on a school bus and even the old International would look good. Basketweaves are a classic 80s design, and they classed up the brawny GNX just enough to throw you off the trail of just how powerful this car was. Buick was essentially forced to publish lower power output numbers for fear of siphoning sales away from the Corvette, and anyone who bought one not knowing they were seriously under-rated was in for a pleasant surprise. Final reports say the GNX was pushing out 300 b.h.p. and 420(!) lb.-ft.
Those were just staggering numbers for the era, a time in which muscle cars were still regaining their footing after the disastrous 70s and early 80s. Its sibling, the special anniversary edition Trans Am, used the same engine with similar results: performance that significantly outpaced its traditional V8-equipped siblings. The GNX, produced in limited numbers, was essentially a collector’s item from Day 1; curiously, the turbo Trans Am hasn’t seen the same exceptional rise in value, so that’s one to watch if you’re looking for an alternative.
The GNX enjoyed its remarkable performance courtesy of the geniuses at ASC/McLaren, which just had a knack for taking GM products and making them way better. Performance was blazing, with 0-60 happening in under five seconds and a quarter mile run of 12.7 seconds at 113 m.p.h. This car is number 170 of 547 and comes with full documentation, and not much else needs to be said other than it appears to be mint. The seller is open to trades for an “…87 hard top low mileage GN or TType stock or modified,” so check your garage!
I’d rather see another week’s worth of Corvettes than just one day of these.
Another GNX……Really?
When was the last time this site featured a GNX?
Steve R
another?? There’s been 8 since 2015 and 2 this year…
Compared to how many Mustangs, Firebirds, Chargers, Challengers…….. In my opinion it’s all about why people visit this site. Variety! If you don’t like it, don’t look at it.
I still love them!
I always wondered why back when these came out why you hardly ever saw one on the street…well now I know..they were all put away until now..🤣👍
ho, hum
About how I feel when I see a late 70s to 90 Vette..lol
8,350 is a lot of miles for a GNX. I thought all of these factory hot rods were not supposed to be driven at all? Joking aside, I just don’t understand why you would buy a performance car and not enjoy the very reason why you bought it. It’s like the old joke, “saving your virgin girlfriend for the next guy.” Someone will pay the big bucks for this beauty, keep it for a decade or two and then sell it with maybe another couple of hundred miles on it. Why bother?
If you don’t understand, just watch the 1985 “Bad to the Bone” commercial.
I was a Buick dealer tech when these hit. We had already seen windshields popping out from frame twist on launch, rear frames cracked from the diff snubber slamming them under launch (yes we replaced MANY frames!) as well as broken rear springs(both sides were common) and broken front springs- from the cars pulling the front wheels and slamming down. Engines held up pretty well overall and the trannys were bullet proof. We were a large metro Detroit dealer and only delivered ONE of these GNX beauties. It was misfiring with fouled plugs unloading from the delivery hauler. I changed them out and properly broke in the motor… many fun memories with these.
You should have been at Milford when the testing of the inter cooled cars was going on in 1985. If you wanted to see some frame and chassis carnage, it was there.
Boxed the rear frame rails, changed to Bilstein 5150s and a couple other tricks..still got cracking along top rear of doors in a 10.5 car…lol..
Ironically, I arrived there in 88- building 27. My first job was to change a frame :)
Due to the very limited number built these were awful expensive out the door. A whole bunch more than the basic black GN. Nothing has really changed on these.
The car itself, throwing the money thing aside, was an awesome performer at the time for a brand new passenger car, looked like the real thing too.
They were expensive, yes, but were destined to become collectible before they ever made it out of the factory. Dealers often added a “surcharge” raising the price even more.
Not to mention, employees were prohibited from buying the GNX
The surcharge was pretty darn steep if I remember, yeah like over fifty grand all said and done out the door, maybe higher?? It seemed ridiculous at the time but I don’t remember the actual dollar figures anymore.
Really Jeff ?
All that 1980s plumbing and hoses is sexy ?
I prefer inflatible partners 🤣
While I do like these cars I just don’t see the value.
That’s the beauty of cars! I see them as a limited run, bad ass anethema to the mailiase era (having owned a GN), whereas I could not give two hoots about most Corvettes made between 74-90.. some folks do..
I don’t understand the hate for the GN’s and GNX. The haters need to drive one, I betcha their opinions would change, quickly I might add. With a slightly larger turbo and down pipe, injectors, a simple wiring mod the the fuel pump, adjustable fuel pressure regulator and mine went 11:90’s all day without any issues, plus I could turn the A/C on coming down the return road!
Only car I really miss is my GN.. ran mid 10s all day long with some decent mods and got 20+ on the road back home..
To me the people who owned them, and actually drove them too, were part of a cult,,,as a 5.0 Mustang owner around that time it definitely felt that way to me. Freakish sounds coming out of those oddball Buicks…then Whooosh! More weird noises unlike any typical American high performance car of that size at the time. Couldn’t believe GM shut it down on these, Buick really had something there. Another year or two and the regular GN might have been as quick as the GNX, speculation of course.
Probably right…sadly, G body sales overall were horrific near the end. At least they were able to go “out with a bang”.. as my head gaskets did more than once..lol