Dennis Collins has bought and sold countless collectible cars over the years, but one American performance legend had somehow escaped his collection. That changed when he traveled to Louisiana to inspect a remarkably well-preserved 1987 Buick GNX.
In a recent episode of his Coffee Walk YouTube series, Collins heads to Madisonville, Louisiana, after receiving a tip from longtime friend Jared Ricky. Waiting for him is a black Buick GNX with extensive documentation and an interesting ownership history.
The GNX is among the most desirable American performance cars of the 1980s, with just 547 examples produced. Its turbocharged V6 performance embarrassed far more expensive sports cars when it was new.
Despite his extensive car collecting experience, Collins admits he has never owned one. After inspecting this particular example, however, he seems determined to change that.
A Buick GNX With An Impressive Paper Trail
The car belongs to a collector who purchased it in 2021 with plans to drive it regularly. After covering around eight miles, he apparently felt guilty about adding mileage and returned it to climate-controlled storage.
Collins was clearly impressed by the documentation accompanying the car, including its original window sticker, owner’s manuals, and historical records. The paperwork reveals an original sticker price of $29,290.
The collection also includes a serialized GNX team jacket, while the car retains its original wheels and tires. Its black paint appears exceptionally well preserved, with consistent paint-thickness readings suggesting it hasn’t been repainted.
The Turbocharged Buick That Shocked The Supercar World
The GNX was developed with ASC/McLaren and featured a modified turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 officially rated at 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. Its performance was extraordinary for 1987, with contemporary testing recording 0–60 mph times in the mid-four-second range.
Beyond the engine, the GNX received revised rear suspension, distinctive fender flares, functional hood vents, and 16-inch wheels. Collins also points out just how quick the GNX was compared with other American performance cars of the era.
A Curious Discovery Underneath The Car
During the inspection, Collins discovers an unusual detail on the rear differential cover. Although the car is identified as GNX number 192, the cover carries the number 193.
He suspects the mismatch may have occurred during assembly, although its origin is unconfirmed. Otherwise, the undercarriage appears original, with factory markings and identification tags.
Satisfied with the inspection, Collins agrees to purchase the GNX, negotiating an extra set of wheels and tires into the deal. For a collector who has owned almost everything, finally acquiring one of Buick’s most celebrated performance cars is guaranteed to make this Louisiana trip memorable.