The Legend: Turbo Buicks

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  • Опубліковано 26 січ 2025
  • The Smoking Tire heads out to Fontana, CA for a drag strip meetup with the guys from TurboBuick.com and learns about the one-time "fastest car in America," the Buick Grand National.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 334

  • @Adrianinhd
    @Adrianinhd 9 років тому +41

    The best statement on this whole video was when he says something along the lines of "this car has no boundaries, just look at all the people we have here. Every race... We just all share the same love.. etc"
    What the entire car culture should be. Sharing the same passion!

    • @fwh79FOXR6
      @fwh79FOXR6 6 років тому +1

      Adrian Gooden: That is very true. Unfortunately, it seems that car culture is often reduced to a massive Ego battle. Not unlike a Soviet era May Day big-dic-missile parade!

  • @jcb8505
    @jcb8505 8 років тому +27

    I don't know anybody that just don't love these. Everything about these car's are beautiful. I had a really really close friend who owned a gorgeous 1987 19 thousand mile all original one. Just with tires and a fuel pressure reg and a chip and a tranny done by Art car it ran a 12:04 @ 104 MPH. I had a new 93 Fox body Mustang Gt at the time all red no sunroof 5 speed car. We were both doing are cars up they were in pieces, motors, suspension you name it. We were both 21 years old and did a ton of street racing. He was dating my sister and one night he went fishing and was coming home late. He always could fall asleep at the drop of a dime. Well he fell asleep behind the wheel and died in his winter beater we all had em. We all had hot cars and winter beater boxes. He was such a Grand National nut and a good friend and KID! Every time I see these cars I can't help to think of my good friend Josh. His mom wanted me to have his car and finish it but I just couldn't! I couldn't even look at it, and I never did either. I eventually finished my car off with a Vortech S-trim and a ton of other parts to run a 10:58 @ 128. I love cars and for a lot of us there really in our blood. I love the Grand National and I'll always have a love for them for the rest of my days.

    • @jameswind8232
      @jameswind8232 8 років тому +3

      im sorry for your loss and i hope one day you can finish it in his honor

    • @SOLDOZER
      @SOLDOZER 8 років тому +3

      Your friend's mom offered you a GN and you said no? You are a fucking moron.

    • @betosgarage
      @betosgarage 5 років тому

      I felt your story . Sorry for your loss

    • @michaelhaulotte689
      @michaelhaulotte689 5 років тому +1

      JC B Thanks for your story, I too own a 87 T all black . My friend who used to work on my 1st one ( I’m on my third ) . Years went bye we fell out of contact. When I bought this one I thought I would just ride past his place, when I did there he was sitting on his porch having a cigar. I stopped and he said “when I saw that car I thought of you immediately “. I told him when I bought it I thought of him .(A good mechanic is hard to find . ) I guess my story was going along the same line a car , a person, memories . I was so happy I bought this car and found my friend again. Well as life would have it he died, lung cancer, FN cigars . Cars do carry a spirit . I wish you would have kept that Buick you would have given it more love. Your post brought back memories of street racing in the 90’s, ironic you would be friends usually Mustang crowds only raced the Buick boys . You I’m sure were a good friend. Let’s hope god let’s us keep our cars in heaven .🙏

    • @Jeff-uq7iu
      @Jeff-uq7iu 4 роки тому

      Thanks for sharing that story!

  • @Calbenmike
    @Calbenmike 10 років тому +15

    Just the stance alone on the GNs is mean.
    One of my all time favorite cars.

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому +2

    I'm 99% sure the engines have different internals and you can't just "strap a turbo" on a cutlass and have the same thing. You need lower compression pistons, and different heads. Or, you need to run less boost....You could probably make yours as fast as a stock GN, but not a crazy fast one without internals.

  • @whit151
    @whit151 15 років тому +1

    I heard somewhere that they stopped making Turbo Regals and Grand Nationals because they were faster than the Corvettes at the time. GM never wanted to make anything faster than the Corvette. Anyone else hear that?

  • @turbojay70
    @turbojay70 15 років тому +2

    Matt - Great video, I own a 1987 GN and always love seeing videos and articles on it. Keep up the good work.

  • @xxxxdarksidexxxx
    @xxxxdarksidexxxx 15 років тому +1

    3:03 there is a story behind the car, ex corvette head didn't get a raise n quit chevy, got hired @ buick and built this to get back. he called in his racing experience from the american racing circuts already using turbo tech, pretty trick. its the american supra. 2 years in a row was enough for GM to step in and end the car after 87 because of the 40+ year tradition of the vette being the fastest GM car. After the goes back back to vette, with the raise as the story goes. Vador was born

  • @heyyyyyynow
    @heyyyyyynow 10 років тому +1

    Matt does a great job as an interviewer, respectful and not pandering. Great job dude.

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    it grows really quick, but obviously this episode was shot a couple months ago, and the promo at the end was shot this week.

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    Not at the moment, but hopefully soon. I'll be sure to let you guys know, don't worry :)

  • @LR-my2di
    @LR-my2di 2 роки тому

    The host seems impressed by 17 of these cars at this meet. The 3-day Buick GS Nationals held iat Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, KY just celebrated its 41st Anniversary this year (2022) and hundreds of these T-R's attend along with just as many 1968-72 GS's. It's always been the granddaddy of all Buick hi-perf. meets. The fastest Buicks in the world race there. A helluva Buick car show, too. Hats off to GSCA Founder Rich Lasseter for for keeping the Buick faith alive all these years. He also has a GNX # 489 sold to him directly from Buick corporate for the dealer price of $25K.

  • @jstyles510
    @jstyles510 4 роки тому

    Watching this now, you were young. You came a long way!

  • @torturran
    @torturran 11 років тому +1

    Sounds good. Alpha platform means RWD, and the twin-turbo v6 makes good power. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

  • @TheAngryHusky
    @TheAngryHusky 15 років тому

    A buddy of mine had one in school back in the early 90's. It was a beast of a car for a teenager. We simply called it the nash. I had a 72 c-10 with a built up SBC and we were supposed to run em but never got a chance because something on the turbo broke and he had to garage it. I think he ended up selling it. Still, I love those GN's.

  • @americansmark
    @americansmark 14 років тому

    Raced a 70-something guy and his elderly wife from a dig in his GNX this afternoon. It was purty. And purty loud. Definitely built up. He tore me apart in my little Saturn Ion with the SS/NA 2.4L LE5 motor. Even in tuned mode, I'm still at 12.5 lbs/hp, and that's what those were running stock back then. Amazing cars.

  • @t1995roger10
    @t1995roger10 11 років тому +15

    "the cap on the radiator, that's stock" lol

  • @tomparsons2557
    @tomparsons2557 4 роки тому

    I purchased the WE4 from Lee back in 2019. Had Lou Czarnota work on it for a month and have continued to keep making it better and better. Its a really nice car now.

  • @DrZsbl
    @DrZsbl 12 років тому +1

    Ya, they also leak oil too, but I want one real bad.

  • @scottsmith6571
    @scottsmith6571 10 років тому +2

    suspension is called 4 link with a torque arm ... ceramic blade turbo better intercooler and better chip in the 547 GNX's

    • @JT-sl3ui
      @JT-sl3ui 5 років тому

      scott smith the turbo on the ACS/McLaren built GNX turbo was ceramic as the original in the Grand National was however it was larger. They ran headers with a true dual exhaust and 16 inch wheels also

  • @nedaCFilms
    @nedaCFilms 6 років тому

    The GNX also used the black cross-laced 16X8 GTA Trans am wheels, but they used 4 front wheels because the backspacing was different from front to rear. I installed 4 front GTA wheels on my old 1980 Turbo Trans am Pace Car back in the day and it looked so good. You have to use the fronts only on G-body and 1st and 2nd gen F-body cars. Unlike 3rd gen F-bodies. My favorite factory wheels ever made. They are extremely lightweight as well. 20 years ago I had 4 sets of those GTA wheels. 2 black sets and 2 gold sets. Sold them all sadly. Wish I had kept at least one set damnit.

    • @nedaCFilms
      @nedaCFilms 6 років тому

      Here's a set of the black GNX wheels on my turbo Trans am back in the day. (actually they are just 4 front GTA wheels) they are sharp wheels though ua-cam.com/video/iKEjgyYmZGk/v-deo.html

  • @kaymanclark
    @kaymanclark 15 років тому

    i like how you guys actually show the times.

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    yes, they are back on 18th, short hiatus

  • @74camarolt
    @74camarolt 15 років тому

    Thanks man! Yeah, I've got a '74 Camaro for now as a weekend driver, but I'm looking for a daily driver. I'll look around for a t-type and just paint it black. I hope to own that, a '68-'72 El Camino, a '70 Challenger, a '69 Nova, and a '70 Roadrunner someday...

  • @michaelhaulotte689
    @michaelhaulotte689 5 років тому

    Still loving my Turbo 6 , Road tripping to Leclaire Iowa . Checking out the American Pickers.

  • @r1cw
    @r1cw 14 років тому

    @a73formula Isn't a sedan a 4 door? The GNX's were 2 doors and in the issue I'm referring too didn't separate the cars in to any categories. It was simply the lowest 0-60 time for a "U.S. street legal ,production" car that Car and Driver tested for the year. Again... only what Car and Driver has tested for that year.

  • @longbedGTs
    @longbedGTs 12 років тому +1

    The only car that will make my heart race by just looking at it. Someday....

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    we are making a new one, working on having a new intro/theme song every 3 months to keep it interesting.

  • @gweggorz
    @gweggorz 15 років тому

    I wish Buick was still making cars like the GNX. Instead my family's stuck with the ultimate retirement home car - the 2000 LeSabre. lol it's a very comfortable car, though. Really easy to drive. Awesome stuff, Matt. I'm really glad I found your new show

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    There was a time the Buick Regal was faster than the Corvette. I think it's important we remember that time, especially given the news of the return of the turbocharged Buick, the Regal GS.

  • @torturran
    @torturran 11 років тому

    New for 2015, the Buick Regal Grand National, featuring a LTG 2.0 L ecotec making 272hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Sound good to you?

  • @dannywilliams8217
    @dannywilliams8217 7 років тому +7

    Buick needs to make a new grand national ASAP

    • @dredayb1207
      @dredayb1207 6 років тому +5

      It's a nice suggestion but the way cars are made today it would probably be an embarrassment let the legend live don't kill it

    • @betosgarage
      @betosgarage 5 років тому

      dreday b I couldn’t of said it better 👍

    • @brandvilla6592
      @brandvilla6592 5 років тому

      Just like they killed the Nova

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    Headline news on all the major blogs today is the return of the Buick Regal GS at the detroit auto show, powered by a 255 horsepower, turbocharged engine with a manual transmission and all wheel drive.

  • @istishhadi
    @istishhadi 12 років тому

    I didnt even realize these older buicks have the same displacement as some of the more modern grand prix, monte carlo, regals of the early 2000. The only difference is the drivetrain platform, now they're all FWD V6 3800's. Gotta love how these cars existed with fuel injection/turbocharged back in the 80's.

  • @Qnickel27
    @Qnickel27 11 років тому

    they will be, in 2015 on the redesigned regal with a twin turbo V6 makin 420hp from the brand new 2013 CTS-V v6

  • @RESET1776
    @RESET1776 15 років тому

    Thats true. At the same time I think the 80's as a whole were a time for slow cars.
    The auto makers got hung dealing with popping out of the fuel shortages.
    So MPG rules put a brick in one pocket.
    Then the DOT put a brick in their other pocket with all the crash testing rules that came about pre airbag.
    With that we saw heavy cars that needed to sip fuel.
    So they cut the pounds and got better MPG with a V6. then gave it power via the turbo. One of the few fun combo's from the 80's.

  • @maxwelldrexler6895
    @maxwelldrexler6895 11 років тому

    Don't quote me on it, but I think one is in the works. Turbo four or twin turbo V-6 I think?

  • @powrat
    @powrat 15 років тому

    wow, going to the heart of fontucky. matt, you're the best

  • @tredeep
    @tredeep 15 років тому

    To this day I pull up to GN's with care when I see em on the street & as a kid it was the 1st street car I ever saw run 9s.. still gives me chills

  • @jakeparsons2365
    @jakeparsons2365 8 років тому +2

    You should try getting Lou Czarnota in an interview! He's down here in Lake Forest and still builds GN's

  • @scribklu
    @scribklu 15 років тому +1

    Ken Duttweiler is the Buick Turbo God!!!

  • @independentspider8994
    @independentspider8994 6 років тому

    GNX also have a special ceramic turbo impeller that vastly decreased spool up time. GNX owners have been know to remove them and install a regular GN turbo since they’re irreplaceable.

  • @TWill16
    @TWill16 15 років тому

    the turbo setup should be able to bolt up the same way on my car like the grand nationals tho right?

  • @vrholdings
    @vrholdings 10 років тому +1

    Hey Turshin, in what lifetime was a 1986-87 Ford Super Coupe faster than a Grand National or a Turbo T-Type?
    Show me one link - thanks

    • @magnificent10304
      @magnificent10304 9 років тому

      vrholdings 84 i think through 88 were the 4banger turbo coupes, super coupes were 89-90 something

    • @daltex81
      @daltex81 9 років тому

      +magnificent10304 i think the 86-87 GN's were faster than both the turbo and super coupes

  • @mzondi1970
    @mzondi1970 11 років тому

    Ive lusted after one of these since they were new

  • @MoreGrievances
    @MoreGrievances 12 років тому +1

    Buick should make a new Grand National.

  • @ckb115
    @ckb115 15 років тому

    great video documentary of Grand Nationals (turbo Buicks). Keep up the great work.
    Also the theme song is good and do you know what is happening to FLD?

  • @americansmark
    @americansmark 14 років тому

    I love the Grand National. Still one of those cars I want to own before I die. This car gives me hope that my 3.0L with a forged bottom end can make big power with the Precision turbo I'm working with. ;)

  • @fivestarmag
    @fivestarmag 12 років тому

    Check out my 87 gn. We got about 7 gn and one t type 86 or better. When is the next gn car show?

  • @JDub07
    @JDub07 7 років тому

    Two of my most reliable cars were a 96 Regal Limited with the series 2 3.8L and a 95 Lesabre with the series 1. Everything fell apart except that engine. And you still see them on the road today with 200K + miles. One of the best (reliable and fuel) engines GM every made in my opinion. I could get 30mpg on the highway in my lesabre at 70mph.

  • @Mechknight73
    @Mechknight73 11 років тому

    They could use the engine presently being used in the parent car to the Chevy SS. The performance wing of Holden, HSV have a version of the VF Commodore aka Chevy SS they build specifically for their GTS model that pumps out 580 horsepower. The only challenge will be getting an air intake big enough to keep it cool

  • @ExiledPiasa
    @ExiledPiasa 8 років тому +15

    the '87 gn was the fasted american made car until the '91 vette, and the vette beat it by like 1 mph.

    • @scarface9617
      @scarface9617 5 років тому

      @1-UP are you sure!?

    • @wood4278
      @wood4278 4 роки тому

      @Let Love Fly Free Hell nall...that Fiero was so slow straight SLUG

    • @wood4278
      @wood4278 4 роки тому

      @Let Love Fly Free Trust me it was a SLUG...my brother had one the GT AM6 and he got smoked by our neighbor 1986 Thunderbird turbo coupe pretty bad

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    it was from my popeye haloween costume.... we shot this October 31st, but I I didn't go full dress for the episode....

  • @austinkerzisnik8750
    @austinkerzisnik8750 8 років тому +2

    yup my dad had 3 grand national's all three were stolen gutted and found trashed. traded a zl1 90s (i cannot remember the year) for a t-type Buick and it spun a bearing and blew the trans and it was nothing but a POS. sucks i wasn't born to ride in the gn's but i was born when he had the turbo t-type and man that thing was cool.

  • @Alprazolam
    @Alprazolam 12 років тому

    5:10 ladder bar that lifts the rear end under heavy launch. You'll see that sucker raise up to counter wheel hop.

  • @AB-80X
    @AB-80X 10 років тому +2

    I like the turbo Buicks. Fun oddities.

  • @TWill16
    @TWill16 15 років тому

    i got a stock v6 3.8 231 in a 85 cutlass supreme...its the same one that comes in the grand nationals...im going to turbo mines =)

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    jeez, everyone takes it so personally. I don't know who your husband is, or why we cut his run (if we even shot it in the first place), but if we did cut it, it certainly wasn't because of his ported cylinder heads. We do the best we can, we can't be everywhere at once.

  • @dougslittlediesel
    @dougslittlediesel 11 років тому +7

    When these were built they were faster and handled better than the Corvette of these years .And yes the did out handle the Vette cause I still have the car and driver article on the test they ran.And the Grand National X really put the hurt on the Chevy boys Vettes and Camaros
    I owned a very stout 440 Magnum Golden Commander Interceptor in a 72 Demon which was a modified super stock and these Grand National Buicks Though never beat me to lights. stayed with me going through them. There was no car lengths it was inches and feet and two to three feet to be exact. Those Grand Nationals were and still are really. wicked automobiles. I have a 69 Road Runner now and its the same thing never ahead of me but door to door all the way down. the track.And no Corvettes in sight except in the rear view mirror .

    • @Naturalhit
      @Naturalhit 10 років тому +3

      No, they didn't handle better than the Vette. They were just faster than the Vette. The Turbo Trans Am is better at handling though.

    • @JarrenHetfield
      @JarrenHetfield 8 років тому +2

      dougslittlediesel that wouldn't be hard to do considering 80's vettes are complete garbage

  • @magicUse
    @magicUse 11 років тому +1

    Whats the name of the song, used in the intro? :)

  • @Smite0wpi
    @Smite0wpi 11 років тому

    Dad still has his 87' turbo t and man does it fly. 60mph in 2.9 (obviously not stock haha)

  • @ceedagr8159
    @ceedagr8159 8 років тому +1

    UGH i need and love to have one of these Regals

  • @TWill16
    @TWill16 15 років тому

    ive never seen under the hood or under the grand national personally, but i kno once you take off the stuff you dont use or stuff that doesnt work(like AC) then i have alot of room to work with

  • @scoobygotsnacks
    @scoobygotsnacks 10 років тому

    Wounder what they run for a turbo 62mm?

  • @Dr_Xyzt
    @Dr_Xyzt 13 років тому +1

    I always liked the car. It's a good sleeper...

  • @nedaCFilms
    @nedaCFilms 6 років тому

    Hey Matt, did you serve in the Navy?

  • @MPAC-ug7jl
    @MPAC-ug7jl 11 років тому +1

    The 87 was NOT a T-Type. It was a Turbo T Limited.

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    It's a two-fold argument. The Buicks were relatively fast for the time, while the F-body cars and Corvettes were particularly slow in the 80's.

  • @RightHookJoker
    @RightHookJoker 14 років тому

    Dude what kind of car was at the end burning out?

  • @LuxLifeTech
    @LuxLifeTech 12 років тому +1

    I never saw 28/29 MPG highway on my GN. Maybe I didn't stay out of it enough :)

  • @AnonymoussourceL0L
    @AnonymoussourceL0L 14 років тому

    The turbocharger was originally from Mclaren right?

  • @MrCpsloco
    @MrCpsloco 10 років тому +4

    Love the t types!!!!

  • @xxxxdarksidexxxx
    @xxxxdarksidexxxx 15 років тому

    great in HD! wow!!
    lee and reggie WADDUP!!
    darkside

  • @MoreGrievances
    @MoreGrievances 11 років тому

    I can do a Google search too. Copy and paste: "The limited edition GNX models (only available in black) will up the power output from the 3.6L V6 with twin-turbochargers pushing horsepower figures to around 400 HP." Sound good to you? : )

  • @SDSakuragi
    @SDSakuragi 15 років тому

    I was about to comment on how this feature didn't ask the critical questions. Questions like "will it drift?" Then I got to the plug for the Carbon Fiber Club at 9:13. Way to make commercials more palatable.

  • @jlopez1017d
    @jlopez1017d 9 років тому +1

    I came up on the chance to buy a t type and I don't regret one thing I love my car it's completely stock engine wise but man I love cruising the streets and surprising kids in their ricer cars when they try and race me

  • @jayzauto18
    @jayzauto18 15 років тому

    @briggs9187 it only have low to mid 200ft. lbs. of horse but with out that governer that shut its down at 234mph but the motor is capable of speed over 150mph stock

  • @dzonetv2168
    @dzonetv2168 15 років тому

    That's the same strip where Inside Line does there video shoots.

  • @ericou812
    @ericou812 10 років тому

    non buick topic,chevy cothworth vega,this car is chevys most undrated car,question is,whats the most horsepower you get from puting on aftermarket parts?

    • @andyharman3022
      @andyharman3022 10 років тому

      Fully race-built engine on methanol would do about 300 HP.
      Of course you could turbo it...
      I have a '75 that I built in 1984 that did 153 HP on an engine dynamometer with stock compression, short track cams, and dual Weber DCOE's.

  • @johnnywishbone8985
    @johnnywishbone8985 6 років тому

    Great Video . Thanks Matt

  • @SRTST51
    @SRTST51 14 років тому

    @33nblonigan What makes you believe this is an 86?

  • @denali22
    @denali22 14 років тому

    what does a GNX go for nowadays?

  • @atomicorang
    @atomicorang 4 роки тому

    What is "an old man " grille?

  • @boobyboob69
    @boobyboob69 15 років тому

    @DONNYBOYY28 I'm guessing it's the whole Next Newnetworks. FLD is "canceled" until further notice and the whole shbang got moved to a different building.

  • @TheSmokingTire
    @TheSmokingTire  15 років тому

    we talk about all kinds of different cars, not just exotics. Usually sports cars, but every car can't be a $200,000 car.

  • @maz2044
    @maz2044 15 років тому

    how did you grow your goatee so quick!

  • @BlazingCheerio
    @BlazingCheerio 15 років тому

    did you watch the video?

  • @ericou812
    @ericou812 11 років тому

    @00.18 is that a ford pinto?

  • @A2J_Tim
    @A2J_Tim 14 років тому

    GM was not the only ones to play with turbo's, after turbo's entered the car scene iron block v8's were not the only thing dominating the track any more.

  • @MoreGrievances
    @MoreGrievances 12 років тому

    Exactly...and it's a great time to do it.

  • @elmaestro06519
    @elmaestro06519 9 років тому +2

    THAT SENTRA ❤️😍

  • @Turbo_Dan
    @Turbo_Dan 14 років тому

    Sweet video!!!
    Thanks guys!!!

  • @74camarolt
    @74camarolt 15 років тому

    I really hope to own one of these sometime in my life.

  • @TheXXcodyXx
    @TheXXcodyXx 15 років тому

    matt u have the greatest job in the world

  • @briggs9187
    @briggs9187 15 років тому

    gotta say...the Gnx looks good stock....plenty of power and still very fast...I like it

  • @hayksamvelyan
    @hayksamvelyan 15 років тому

    awesome episode

  • @Mechknight73
    @Mechknight73 11 років тому

    No doubt the Australian division of GM, Holden will have a go at tinkering with this engine. In 1988, they took the 3.8 litre V6 normally a front drive engine, made it RWD, overhauled the heads, injection and engine management, and built the VN Commodore with it. one of its descendants, the VT model replaced the Lumina in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. When pitted against the Pontiac Grand Prix in 1997, despite having a 12 horsepower advantage, got its arse handed to it by the VT.

  • @SVTPhysicist
    @SVTPhysicist 15 років тому

    Great video.

  • @louierich901
    @louierich901 12 років тому

    To compete with the Challenger, Camaro, & Mustang.... Could you imagine it??

  • @FPSWordle
    @FPSWordle 9 років тому

    Such neat cars.

  • @q123477
    @q123477 15 років тому

    Ok, good point, but when is there supposed to be a return of the turbo Buick? From what I can tell, they seem to be out of the whole performance car phase.