Photo: Barrett-Jackson
Named after the top stock-car racing championship, the Grand National started out as a cosmetic package for the Regal. For the final model year of production, General Motors introduced an extremely rare special edition called the GNX, which stands for Grand National Experimental.
What makes it experimental, you wonder? For starters, it was produced in partnership with McLaren Performance Technologies/American Specialty Cars. And secondly, the Garrett AiResearch T-3 turbocharger makes the most out of the 3.8-liter V6 powerplant backed by a 200-4R transmission.
Pretty much the antihero of muscle cars from that era, the GNX was underrated at 276 horsepower and 370 pound-feet (488 Nm) of torque even though the actual ratings were closer to 300 horsepower and 420 pound-feet (569 Nm). In other words, the Fox-body Ford Mustang GT with the small-block V8 engine couldn’t hold a candle to the newcomer in a straight line.
As a brief refresher, 60 miles per hour (96 kph) takes 4.6 seconds with the bone-stock tires. As for the quarter-mile pass, the GNX is much obliged to cross the finish line in the low 13-second range, besting the 1987 Corvette.
Only 547 examples were produced with a base price of $29,290 or $67,160 adjusted for inflation, which makes the most exciting version of the Regal Grand National very collectible. Chassis number 1G4GJ1173HP443660 is one of those cars, and its overall condition is excellent by all accounts.
The 22nd unit produced is accompanied by "original documentation from the day of purchase, including the original window sticker, dealer invoice, dealer service manual, and owner's manual.” Offered at no reserve by Barrett-Jackson at the Scottsdale auction in March 2021, this low-mileage blast from the past is still rocking the factory-supplied cassette radio, wheels, tires, and miscellanea such as the GNX-branded jacket and a matching hat.
Assorted apparel, literature, and spare parts are included in the sale, which means that bidding will get pretty intense over this particular car.
Pretty much the antihero of muscle cars from that era, the GNX was underrated at 276 horsepower and 370 pound-feet (488 Nm) of torque even though the actual ratings were closer to 300 horsepower and 420 pound-feet (569 Nm). In other words, the Fox-body Ford Mustang GT with the small-block V8 engine couldn’t hold a candle to the newcomer in a straight line.
As a brief refresher, 60 miles per hour (96 kph) takes 4.6 seconds with the bone-stock tires. As for the quarter-mile pass, the GNX is much obliged to cross the finish line in the low 13-second range, besting the 1987 Corvette.
Only 547 examples were produced with a base price of $29,290 or $67,160 adjusted for inflation, which makes the most exciting version of the Regal Grand National very collectible. Chassis number 1G4GJ1173HP443660 is one of those cars, and its overall condition is excellent by all accounts.
The 22nd unit produced is accompanied by "original documentation from the day of purchase, including the original window sticker, dealer invoice, dealer service manual, and owner's manual.” Offered at no reserve by Barrett-Jackson at the Scottsdale auction in March 2021, this low-mileage blast from the past is still rocking the factory-supplied cassette radio, wheels, tires, and miscellanea such as the GNX-branded jacket and a matching hat.
Assorted apparel, literature, and spare parts are included in the sale, which means that bidding will get pretty intense over this particular car.
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