The Buick Grand National served two purposes: first it showcased Buick's new turbo
charged 3.8-liter V6 engine and second it brought performance minded and youthful buyers into
the Buick showrooms. The Grand National excelled at both. Not only was the car distinctive in
it's all black layout but the engine backed up the aggressive looks.
The new 3.8-liter turbo V6 produced 200 horsepower and 300 lbs-ft of torque. Those
numbers may not seem that impressive today but in 1984 these were very good numbers. The 305ci
small block used in the 1984 Camaro Z28 produced 190 horsepower and 240 lbs-ft of torque.
The 350ci small block used in the 1984 Corvette produced 205 horsepower and 290 lbs-ft of torque.
The Buick was not as fast as either the Camaro or the Corvette due to its greater weight. However,
the difference was generally less than a second's difference for both 0-60 times and quarter mile
runs. The Grand National could produce high fifteen second runs while the Corvette and Camaro
were in the low fifteen second range. Not bad for a car with a real back seat. The interior was also
dressed up to complete the package. The Grand National received a sports steering wheel,
upgraded instrument package with a tachometer and a boost gauge on the dash. Lear seats were
standard and were covered with sand gray cloth and charcoal leather inserts. Each bucket seat was
further graced with an embroidered with a stylized "6" to represent the turbo V6 under the hood.
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