I was just thinkin as I was reading an article about Lutz saying that Buick is not going by way of Oldsmobile, that its here to stay.

Just imagine if they could somehow bring back the Grand national for a very limited run, obviously they wouldn't make money off it but...just imagine how cool that would be.

What GM engine now with what chassis would you think would be the best candidates and remember, engine tweaking for production is allowed, like how the 3.8 was turbocharged for those coveted GNs back in the day....

I don't normally post here but I just had that thought hit me.

 

Not only would it be cool to have, it would breing some excitement to the brand and people in the showrooms, thus Buick would get more sales. I give my approval for this plan

 

Don't bring it back if it isn't going to be as good as the original or live up the the name. During the GN's time, i believe it was one of the fastest cars you can buy which is saying a lot. These cars were simply awesome.

If a new model is to debut, it's got to live up to the name. If not, let it rest in peace. No half-assed attempts.

 

Another one of those "gotta have" cars that gotta canceled.

 

It could be done simply and quickly.
Take a Monaro CV6, turbocharge it, add a Buick-esque front end, add the GTOs suspension & brakes, paint it black, and you're done.
Voila, modern Grand National.

 

That is exactly what I was thinking when I saw this topic.

 

The only possible way I can see it ever done. GM might even make a few dollars on it this way!

 

It's not Buick's mission to sell pavement-ripping sedans anymore. Actually, it wasn't in the 80s either, though they obviously managed to sneak a couple through.

And in a way, that was part of GM's problem until recently: no clear focus or definition on what each division is supposed to be selling. If you think about it, the Grand National should have been a Chevy or Pontiac; that would have made far more sense. By being a Buick it clouded people's perceptions of what Buick stood for. (An "American Jaguar", in case you're wondering; or nowadays an "American Lexus".)

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with Buick making powerful cars. They just shouldn't be so single-minded, and they definitely shouldn't be GM's quickest.

So back to the original post, I think any efforts at a creating a super-fast sedan or 2+2 should be the job of the GTO.

 

I think I read somewhere that due to upcoming emmissions laws, it will be almost impossible to certify a turbo 6. From GM's standpoint, it would be chaper to use a S/C 6 or V8...Someone can correct me if I'm wrong

 

GM also has to build another V6 that can handle 600hp. If your going to produce a boosted motor for a GN, a stout block and forged internals would be great. The main problem is the price. My GN stickered for $18k and change in 1986 when an Iroc sold for $14k and a mustang GT sold for about $12k. I could see a new Grand National selling in the $45k range. Other problems are that it doesn't have good name recognition. The 2 years it was the fastest american made production car (86,87) it only sold 35k units. W/out that claim to fame today I beleive it would take alot away from the car sales wise, and GM isn't gonna allow the Vette to be topped again.

 

don't they build the monaro with a s/c 3800?

 

That would be a disgrace to call a GN.

 

why because it has a supercharger instead of a turbocharger?

 

No because you would go from the fastest american made production car , to about the 10th fastest. Last thing Buick needs is to be competitive with a turbo Neon.

Why do you think that motor isn't in the GTO?? Maybe because its slower?

 

I think a GN would be 10th fastest (assuming the 1987 numbers) nowadays because all the other cars got so much quicker in the last 15 years.

I remembered seeing quite a few GNs & T-types in '86 and '87 at the track. These cars were all stock down to the 215/65 15 Eagle GTs and the stock air cleaner housing and elements.
I recall these cars running 14.40s to 14.70s.

So yes, if a modern GN were to turn those numbers, it would be a disgrace.
But if it were to turn high 12s to low 13s all stock, what would be wrong with that? There would be only 2 or 3 mass produced, high volume cars faster than this new GN. Just like before.

We all know what the Buick 3.8 is capable of.
Imagine the power the Series III 3.8 could produce, if it had 20 lbs of boost flowing thru it.