Do Grand Nationals get too much credit for the greatness of the G-Body?

[MrSony]

Monte Carlo had a turbo version and the Trans Am had one, Chrysler had a turbine car....

The monte was still the buick v6, the 301 was after the turbo v6, and the chrysler was, well a turbine. I mean, what other turbo charged american vehicles were there before buick got in the game? All I can think of were the aforementioned jetfire and the corvair.

 

[ck80]

The monte was still the buick v6, the 301 was after the turbo v6, and the chrysler was, well a turbine. I mean, what other turbo charged american vehicles were there before buick got in the game? All I can think of were the aforementioned jetfire and the corvair.

Mid 1960s international scout... I'm thinking around 65/66 or so had a turbo 4 cyl.

Then again in mid 78 and through... 80 or so international brought back turbos on their diesel engine. Then again that diesel was originally a Nissan design... but... shared engines not so unheard of anyways between companies.


Ford had a turbo mustang around the same time buick got in the game... mightve been 79.

That 80/81 301 turbo trans am was 2 years after buick, but really, its close enough I'd consider it almost the same... and notable for having been dropped while the buick kept advancing.

Those round out the pre-buick American turbos I can think of

 

[motorheadmike]

Mid 1960s international scout... I'm thinking around 65/66 or so had a turbo 4 cyl.

Then again in mid 78 and through... 80 or so international brought back turbos on their diesel engine. Then again that diesel was originally a Nissan design... but... shared engines not so unheard of anyways between companies.


Ford had a turbo mustang around the same time buick got in the game... mightve been 79.

That 80/81 301 turbo trans am was 2 years after buick, but really, its close enough I'd consider it almost the same... and notable for having been dropped while the buick kept advancing.

Those round out the pre-buick American turbos I can think of

http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/06/oldsmobile-jetfire-turbo/

 

[UNGN]

There was all original Turbo Jetfire at the Pate swap meet last year. I can't believe I didn't get pictures of it. I had never seen one in person and am confident I will never see one ever being driven to a car show. There was just too much funky, irreplaceable stuff on that car to actually drive it anywhere.

If the owner wanted to trailer it 4 miles to a car show, (even one that was't that nice) I would totally forgive him.

 

[fleming442]

There are a couple (literally 2) guys on the Olds sites into restoring them. I can't believe how many they find that are still around.
Fun fact: the Olds aluminum 215 survived until 2006 (according to Wiki) in Land Rovers.

 

[UNGN]

There are a couple (literally 2) guys on the Olds sites into restoring them. I can't believe how many they find that are still around.
Fun fact: the Olds aluminum 215 survived until 2006 (according to Wiki) in Land Rovers.

If you've even owned a British car, you realize they took the whole "planned obsolescence" thing seriously. British car were designed to self destruct in 10 years or 80,000 miles (whichever came first). Cars were a "jobs program" for the British. The Expensive cars were designed to need lots of Manual labor - so the Rich employed the poor and the V8's were designed to wear out early, so the rich were constantly having to "buy new".

The Buick/Rover V8 was perfect for this model. They flat wear out at 80K miles.

 

[Pronto-]

The GN/TB might not be "that special" but I can tell you there is a real pleasure to go to the track and hear guys with a BBC or a 440 Mopar in a stripped down box run their mouth about how fast their car is in the staging lanes. They shut up when we get back in the staging lanes. All the while I can easily listen to my stereo because my exhaust is not obnoxious. Just sayin'...

 

[Pronto-]

Does this look like it runs 5.9@111 in the 1/8? Full interior, a/c, radio, street driven, 3800 lbs. BTW, Melissa is the driver. Been down the track literally thousands of times in a Turbo Buick since she was 16.

 

[565bbchevy]

I am curious with a 5.9 @ 111 in the 1/8 is your 1/4 mile time in your signature correct at 11.1 @ 124? or is it geared strictly for the 1/8.

 

[motorheadmike]

I am curious with a 5.9 @ 111 in the 1/8 is your 1/4 mile time in your signature correct at 11.1 @ 124? or is it geared strictly for the 1/8.

111mph in the 1/8th should translate to 135ish mph in the quarter.