MUNDY TOWNSHIP (WJRT) -
(11/29/12) - Twenty-five years ago, Buick had a reputation for building high performance cars, like the Grand National. Today, Buicks are more understated and conservative. But that may be changing.
You would never think a Buick could go from zero to 60 in five seconds, but this Grand National could. The T-type could turn in similar times. The GNX, like this one at the Sloan Museum, was even faster.
All of them were powered by the Flint-built 3.8 liter V-6 equipped with a turbocharger.
"When you go out into a crowd of people and they say 'Oh, you've got a turbocharged Buick, Well, I think I'll leave you alone,'" said Dale Birdsley, owner of a 1986 Buick Regal T Type.
But those days are gone - or are they?
"It's not Gramma's car anymore," said Tony Young of Young Buick in Owosso.
Edmunds.com is reporting that Buick plans to bring back those names in high performance cars, perhaps in two years.
"I think it's awesome. I think it's something they should have done a couple of years ago," said Roberta Vasilow, owner of a 1986 Buick Grand National.
Just like this T-type and this Grand National, the new Buicks will be rear-wheel drive. However, they will be four-doors. They'll share the same platform as the Cadillac ATS.
Buick is trying to attract younger buyers and figures more power is one way to do it.
"We're getting a huge lift in the 30 or 40 year olds that want a little nicer vehicle than maybe a Chevrolet," Young said.
Edmunds says the Grand National and T-Type models will likely use turbocharged V-6s while the GNX will most likely get a newly designed V8.
"It's not always about super fuel economy," said Young.
These high-performance Buicks, which were assembled at Flint Fisher Body, are now valued collector cars. They weren't produced in large numbers. In fact, only 547 GNX's were made. But in the automotive world, they are legendary and Buick lovers say bringing back the names in updated models would be great.
"I think it's a good thing for Buick," Birdsley said.
For more information on the Edmunds article, click here.
