Buick GNX
The story of this model is interesting because back in 1982 Buick started experimenting with turbocharging their standard V6 engines. The results were satisfying, so the Buick engineers got permission to develop a performance version to deliver better acceleration figures. The result was the Buick Grand National delivering 175 HP, which wasn’t impressive, but it was a start.
In the next couple of years, the Grand National got a bigger engine and more power, jumping from 175 HP to 200 HP and finally to 235 HP. With those numbers came the acceleration times of less than six seconds, so those black Grand Nationals were seriously quick cars. But in 1987, Buick presented the ultimate version they called the GNX or Grand National Experimental.
It featured the same 3.8-liter turbocharged V6, only now it produced 275 HP. This gave it 0 to 60 mph acceleration times of 4.7 seconds. Nobody expected such a bold move from Buick. After all, Buick was a company that produced cars without any excitement. And suddenly, they had a turbocharged V6 coupe that broke every classic muscle car mold. In fact, it was faster than a Ferrari.
At that moment, Buick GNX was the fastest accelerating production model in the world. However, at $29,000, it was expensive. But there is a widespread legend about some owners who paid for their car by street racing them for money. Currently, Buick has the Regal GS, but with a little clever engineering, the Grand National could be the ultimate sleeper car of today.