1987 Buick Regal RWD Cars Fact Sheet
1987 Buick Regal Facts, Figures, and Specifications

For 1987, all Regal models could receive the 345 horsepower turbo V-6 as well as an appearance and handling package without the turbo engine. The 276 horsepower GNX also bowed.
1987 – Grand National Replaces the T-Type Nameplate
In this last year for the rear-drive Regal platform, Buick pulled out all the performance stops. There was a “T” performance and appearance package, Exterior Sport Package, the Turbo V-6 package, (now, at 245 HP) and the Grand National. Then of, course there was the GNX . . .
General Year Information – 1987 Buick Regal
The Regal retained its rear wheel drive train for 1987. Three versions were offered: Regal, Regal Limited and Grand National, with the famous “T Type” disappearing. However, all Regals could receive one of three performance packages: “T” Package – a ride, handling and appearance package, Turbo Package, the 245 HP V-6, and Grand Touring suspension, the Exterior Sport Package that removed most brightwork, and the Grand National.
The Regal Grand National with its 245 HP turbocharged and inter-cooled engine was one of the fastest accelerating cars built in the United States. Buick also introduced the limited production GNX, for “Grand National Experimental”. It cost $29,900 (almost $75,000 in today’s money – and even then twice the cost of a Grand National. It was made in partnership with McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC.
But the age of this platform lead to declining sales. Only 51,834 Regals were produced in 1987. Next year it would be gone.
1987 Buick Regal Facts – Models Offered
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Regal standard equipment included bumper guards and protective strips, power brakes and steering, AM radio, cigarette lighter, dual horns, dual chrome mirrors, color-keyed body-side moldings. notch back seats (cloth or vinyl), and P195/75R14 steel-belted radial whitewalls. A 231 CID (3.8-liter) V-6, still using a carburetor, was standard along with a three-speed automatic transmission. All Regals were equipped with power steering and power-assisted low-drag front disc and rear drum brakes.
In addition to base Regal equipment of bumper guards and protective strips, power brakes and steering, AM radio, cigarette lighter, dual horns, dual chrome mirrors, color-keyed body-side moldings, the Regal Limited added an exterior molding package and 55/45 notch back seating. P195/75A14 white sidewall tires were standard. All Regals were equipped with power steering and power-assisted low-drag front disc and rear drum brakes.
Regal’s high-performance Grand National replaced the T Type as the performance model. It retained the 3.8 Liter V-6 with turbocharger and sequential port fuel injection and intercooler. With some computer tweaks, the engine churned out 245 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque. The inter cooler not only added power but reduced the likelihood of detonation.
Regal’s Grand National sported its all black paint, black sport mirrors, a blackout-trimmed grille, windows, wipers and headlamp bezels, plus blacked out tail lamp moldings. It rode on low-profile P215/65R15 tires on aluminum wheels. The Grand National’s Gran Touring suspension included a rear stabilizer, larger-diameter front stabilizer bar, higher-rate springs and shocks. Performance rear axle ratio was 3.42:1. Engine identification appeared on the side of the hood bulge. Grand Nationals also had a trip odometer, turbo boost gauge, LED tachometer. leather-wrapped steering wheel, and air conditioning was standard. The rear spoiler was now optional. All Regals were equipped with power steering and power-assisted low-drag front disc and rear drum brakes.
NOTE: See Options for more information.
For the final year, 1987, Buick introduced the limited production GNX, for “Grand National Experimental”, at $29,900 ($78,438 in 2022 dollars). Made in partnership with McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC. Buick sent standard Grand Nationals to McLaren that were then upgraded to the Buick GNX.
Changes made included a special Garrett AiResearch T-3 turbocharger with a ceramic-impeller blowing through a more efficient and larger capacity intercooler with a ceramic-aluminum coated pipe connecting the intercooler to the engine. A GNX specific computer was fitted, along with low-restriction exhaust with dual mufflers, a reprogrammed turbo Hydra-matic 200-4R transmission with a custom torque converter and transmission cooler, and unique differential cover and Panhard bar. Exterior styling changes include vents located on each front fender, 16.0″ black mesh style wheels with VR Speed rated tires, and deletion of the hood and fender emblems. The interior changes included a serial number on a dash plaque and a revised instrument cluster providing Stewart-Warner analog gauges, including an analog turbo boost gauge
Buick underrated the GNX at 276 HP @ 4400 RPM and torque at 360 lb⋅ft @ 3000 RPM. Actual output was 300 HP 5000 RPM and 420 lb⋅ft of torque at 3000 RPM. The GNX also used a unique torque arm that was mounted to a special, GNX only, rear differential cover, for increased traction. The torque arm rear suspension alters the suspension geometry, making the body lift while planting the rear tires down, resulting in increased traction.
Buick produced only 547 GNXs.
1987 Buick Regal Facts – Engines
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LD5 BASE V-6: 90-degree, overhead-valve V-6. Cast iron alloy block and head. Displacement: 231 CID (3.8-liters). Bore & stroke: 3.8 x 3.4 in. Compression ratio: 8.0:1. Horsepower: 110 @ 3800 RPM. Torque: 190 lb.-ft. @ 1600 RPM. Four main bearings. Hydraulic valve litters. Valve Timing: (w/o ramp) Intake (188°) 265°, Exhaust: (194°) 273°. Valve Lift: Intake 0.3744″, Exhaust 0.3744″. Carburetor: 2 barrel Rochester 2ME. VIN Code: A.
307 CID V-8 LV2: 90-degree, overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block and head. Displacement: 307 CID (5.0 liters). Bore & stroke: 3.80 x 3.385 in. Compression ratio: 8.0:1. Horsepower: 140 @ 3200 RPM. Torque: 255 lb.-ft. @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: 4 barrel 4MC. Built by Oldsmobile. VIN Code: Y or H.
LM9 TURBOCHARGED V-6 (Regal T Type): Cast iron alloy block and head. Displacement: 231 CID (3.8 liters). Bore & stroke: 3.8 x 3.4 in. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Brake H.P.: 245 at 4400 R.P.M. Torque: 355 lb.-ft. at 2800 R.P.M. with turbocharger, intercooler. Four Main Bearings. Hydraulic valve litters. Valve Timing: (w/o ramp) Intake (193°) 282°, Exhaust: (196°) 276°. Valve Lift: Intake 0.400″, Exhaust 0.422″ Sequential fuel injection. VIN Code: 7.
GNX TURBOCHARGED V-6: Cast iron alloy block and head. Displacement: 231 CID (3.8 liters). Bore & stroke: 3.8 x 3.4 in. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Brake H.P.: 276 at 5000 R.P.M. Torque: 400 lb.-ft. at 3000 R.P.M. with ceramic impeller turbocharger, increased efficiency intercooler. Four Main Bearings. Hydraulic valve litters. Valve Timing: (w/o ramp) Intake (193°) 282°, Exhaust: (196°) 276°. Valve Lift: Intake 0.400″, Exhaust 0.422″ Enhanced Computer Control. Sequential fuel injection.
1987 Buick Regal Facts – Convenience/Appearance Options
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- Packages
- Major Options
- Lighting and Mirrors
- Entertainment
- Exterior Trim
- Interior Trim and Upholstery
- Wheels
- Tires
- Regal Grand National Package (now a model line in place of the T Type): 3.8 SFI turbocharged engine with intercooler automatic transmission with over drive 3.42:1 axle ratio, Gran Touring suspension. fast-ratio power steering, sport mirrors, turbo boost gauge and tachometer, trip odometer, leather wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, chrome-plated steel wheels, black bumpers molding, grille, and exterior trim, full-length operating console and reclining front bucket seats. P215/85A15 Eagle GT blackwall tires.
- Regal “T” Package: Includes Gran Touring suspension, fast ratio power steering, gas shock absorbers, 15 in. aluminum wheels, steel-belted radial-ply P215/65A15 Eagle GT blackwall tires, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and “T” ornamentation.
- Turbo Package: Includes 3.8-liter turbocharged SFI engine with intercooler, instrumentation panel cluster with tachometer, turbo boost gauge and trip odometer, turbo hood and ornamentation, acoustical insulation package and 3.42:1 axle ratio.
- WE-4 Turbo T Package: The standard Regal interior trim package, instrumentation panel cluster with tachometer, turbo boost gauge and trip odometer, Gran Touring suspension, wheels, black bumpers molding, grille, and exterior trim, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, operating console, grey cloth reclining front bucket seats, exterior “Turbo T” badging, aluminum bumper supports, and aluminum rear drum brakes.
- Exterior Sport Package: includes blackout treatment on door handle and locks grille, headlamp/taillamp bezels, antenna and door edge guards bumpers and rub stripes, roof drip and window trim, side window reveal, belt reveal and rear window (rocker panel and body-side moldings are deleted),
- Base Regal Exterior Molding Package: includes wide rocker panel moldings and belt reveal (standard on Limited) bright door-edge guards, black door edge guards, designers’ accent paint.
- Air conditioning.
- Automatic touch climate control air conditioning.
- California assembly line emission equipment and testing
- Cruise control w/resume
- Delcotron 85-amp
- Delcotron 94-amp
- Electric door locks
- Electric rear window defogger
- Electronic cruise control
- Electronic digital instrumentation
- Engine block heater
- Heavy-duty battery
- Heavy duty engine and transmission coolin
- Limited slip differential
- Manual seat back recliner (passenger)
- Power windows
- Remote electric trunk lock release
- Six-way power driver seat, Front license plate mounting
- Sport steering wheel
- Theft-deterrent system with starter interrupt
- Tilt steering wheel Sport steering wheel
- Trip odometer
- Trunk trim covering
- Two-speed windshield wiper system with low-speed delay feature
- Body-colored sport remote-control outside mirrors (left and right remote)
- Coach lamps (Limited)
- Cornering lamps
- Door courtesy/warning lights: Ltd
- Dual chrome mirrors left remote
- Front-seat reading lamps
- Headlights “On” warning chime
- Rear seat reading light
- Styled black remote-control outside mirror (left)
- Tungsten-halogen headlamps
- Twilight Sentinel headlamp control
- Vanity mirror, lighted passenger visor
- Vanity visor mirror (passenger)
- Automatic power antenna
- Concert Sound speaker system
- Concert sound speakers
- Dual rear speakers
- ETR AM/FM stereo with seek and scan
- ETR AM/FM stereo with seek and scan and clock
- ETR AM/FM stereo with seek and scan with search/repeat and clock, radio and front speakers delete, rear dual extended-range speakers
- ETR AM/FM stereo with seek and scan, cassette tape, auto reverse and clock, graphic equalizer, cassette tape
- Radio delete ($56 credit).
- Black protective body side moldings
- Body side stripes
- Deck lid spoiler
- Door edge guards
- Front license bracket
- Heavy-padded landau vinyl top .
- Landau vinyl top
- Lockable hatch roof
- Silver Astroroof (electric sliding)
- Soft-Ray tinted glass
- Soft-Ray tinted windshield,
- Carpet savers with inserts front and rear
- Carpet savers, front and rear
- Cloth 55/45 seating standard on Limited.
- Cloth bucket seats: on Base
- Full-length console:
- Lear Siegler bucket seats:
- Leather/Vinyl 45/45 seating:
- Mats: front & rear
- Mats w/inserts front & rear
- Trunk trim covering
- Cast aluminum wheels
- Chrome-plated wheels
- Color-keyed wheels
- Locking wire wheel covers
- All-Season Tires: P205/70R14 SBA WSW
- P215/65R15 SBA WLT: T Type
1987 Buick Regal Facts – Powertrains and Powertrain Options
Engines:
-
- 231 CID (3.8-liter) V-6 Standard on Regal and Regal Limited
- 307 CID (5.0-liter) V-8, 4Bbl.: Regal and Regal Limited
- Turbocharged 231 CID (3.8-liter) V-6: Standard in Regal Grand National. Optional others
- Turbocharged 276 HP 231 CID (3.8-liter) V-6: Available on GNX only
Transmissions:
-
- Three-speed auto. transmission: Regal and Regal Limited with 231 CID V-6. Gear ratios: (1st 2.74:1· 2nd) 1.57:1; (3rd) 1.00:1; (Reverse) 2.07:1.
- Four-speed overdrive automatic transmission: Regal T Type & Grand National, standard. All others optional: Gear ratios: (1st) 2.74:1; (2nd) 1.57:1; (3rd) 1.00:1; (4th) 0.67:1; (Rev) 2.07:1.
Axle ratios:
-
- Regal: w/3-speed automatic: 2.41:1 standard; 3.08:1 3.23:1 optional
- Regal and Regal Limited gas engines w/4-spd automatic: 3.08:1 standard; 3.42:1 optional
- Regal and Regal Limited diesel engines w/4-spd automatic: 2.93:1 standard; none optional
- Regal T Type & Grand National: 3.42:1 standard; none optional
NOTE: Base 231 CID V-6 included in base model pricing. See Production figures for more information.
1987 Buick Regal Facts – Chassis Features
- Wheelbase: 108.1 in.
- Overall length: Regal coupe 200.6 in.
- Height: Regal coupe 54.6 in.
- Width: Regal coupe 71.6 in.
- Front Tread: 58.5 in.
- Rear Tread: 57.7 – 57.8 in.
- Standard Tires: Regal P195/75R14 SBA WSW; Regal T Type P205/70R14 SBR
1987 Buick Regal Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1987 Buick Regal
12 Silver | |
12 Silver | |
14 Black | |
15 Medium Gray | |
15 Medium Gray | |
19 Black | |
19 Black | |
22 Light Sapphire Blue | |
24 Bright Blue | |
25 Light Blue | |
25 Light Blue | |
26 Light Sapphire Blue | |
27 Medium Sapphire Blue | |
28 Black Sapphire | |
29 Dark Sapphire Blue | |
31 Dark Blue | |
31 Dark Blue | |
33 Light Driftwood | |
38 Sungold | |
40 White | |
41 Black | |
43 Light Sage | |
43 Light Sage | |
48 Black Emerald | |
52 Copper Beige | |
54 Yellow Beige | |
54 Yellow Beige | |
58 Light Chestnut | |
58 Light Chestnut | |
62 Dark Chestnut | |
62 Dark Chestnut | |
63 Light Driftwood | |
64 Medium Copper | |
67 Light Copper | |
70 Carmine | |
71 Medium Red | |
71 Medium Red | |
76 Dark Garnet Red | |
78 Medium Rosewood | |
79 Dark Red | |
79 Dark Red | |
80 Light Rosewood | |
82 Medium Rosewood | |
83 Medium Sapphire Blue Firemist | |
84 Medium Gray | |
86 Dark Rosewood | |
92 Medium Emerald Firemist | |
96 Dark Driftwood Firemist | |
98 Chamois Firemist | |
99 Dark Amethyst | |
13S Silver |
1987 Buick Regal Facts –
Current Market Values
1987 Buick Regal Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the 1987 Buick Regal Line will appear below:
1987 Buick 3.8 L Turbocharged Intercooled V-6 Brochure
1987 Buick Regal Print Advertisements
1987 Buick Regal MVMA (AAMA) Specifications Sheets
1987 Buick Regal GNX Road Test – Autoweek Magazine
1987 Buick Regal GNX Road Test – Road & Track Magazine
1987 Buick Regal GNX vs, Callaway Corvette Test – Popular Mechanics Magazine
1987 Buick Regal Grand National vs, Mustang LX 5.0 Test – Super Stock Magazine
1987 Buick Regal Facts – GNX Model
NOTE: The GNX was an upgraded Grand National in collaboration with McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC. See “GNX” in Models for full details.
1987 Buick Regal Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the 1987 Regal Line will appear below
1987 Buick Regal
The 1987 Buick Regal was the base car, but like the limited, it could receive all the performance pieces including the 245 HP V-6. 44,844 were sold including over 1,000 “lightweight” WE-4 optioned turbos. Another 4,268 Base Regals received the standard Turbo V-6.
1987 Buick Regal Limited
The 1987 Buick Regal Limited was still the luxury version of the Regal. In this year, it could be equipped with all the performance options as well as the performance exterior looks. 20,441 were sold
1987 Buick Regal Turbo T
The 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T was the Grand National without the boy racer frills. This could also be ordered with the “lightweight” WE4 option cutting even more weight.
1987 Buick Regal Grand National
The 1987 Buick Regal Grand National received 10 additional ponies as result of upgraded engine computing. This was the GN’s most popular year, with 20,193 being sold. The loss of the T Type regal like push some of those buyers into the GN.