How can you tell a real GN from a potential clone if you run across one/ I've found a GN sitting in my home town which I would take for a GN in all it's badging, but you never know. I'd hate to ask the guy if he wants to sell it only to find after I bought it, it's not legit. The car has not moved in the three months since I first noticed it. Looks a little beat up, so I might be able to get it cheap or at least cheap for a GN. Thanks

Hey,

Check for the option code tag ie. "Service Parts Identification" on the inside of the trunklid. If it is indeed the original "Service Parts Identification" tag and not a reproduction, and the VIN on this tag matches the VIN on the dash, then you can get the option or RPO codes which will tell you if it is a GN or not.

Here is a link to the option codes:

http://www.gnttype.org/numbers/rpo.html

Most notably you want to see LC2 option which is the V6 turbo engine option available in the GN's and TTypes.

But the code that makes it a GN instead of a T Type is WE2.

But, please refer to the link above to know how to identify a GN. I am not an expert, but own two of these cars and love every minute of driving them. But please look into the info in the link above for yourself to verify the info that I have given.

That is my disclaimer that I am not an expert, even though I'd like to be!!

All kidding aside, you may want to poke further around the above site for education on these cars if you are that interested, as it is a good resource. Also try Turbobuick.com. There are many knowledgeable people there that would be willing to help as well.

Good luck!

Tom

Thanks Tom, that is the exact info I'm looking for. I appreciate it very much!

you could look at the VIN # the 7th # should be a #7 . 7 stand for Turbo car.

Yep,

A "7" in the 8th digit of the VIN would indicate a Turbo Regal (LC2 engine option), be it a GN or TType. But the only way to truly say it is a GN is the WE2 option code. :D

I love them both (T-Type and GN) but it is what it is. A WE2 is a GN.

Other signs to look at are the tag on the AC/Heater box, the Passenger side dash emblem (GN vs Regal nomenclature), and the horn button. But all of those can be changed fairly simply. ;) Kinda like how many SS Chevelles are out there now, vs. when they were new!

Good luck!

86 T-Type (GN clone). Girdled 109, JE pistons, Champion irons, TE60, 50lb MSDs, T+, CAS intercooler, Houston DP. 12.00 at 114.5 on low boost + crappy 1.98 60 ft.
86 WH1 highly optioned, undergoing resto. 70 Mach 1, 69 Chevelle SS, and 80 El Camino project cars. 97 Dakota 4X4, 99 Durango daily drivers.
Car show_1 (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/Autorama2004.jpg) Car show_2 (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/BuickGN/Cartunes_.jpg) Car_2 (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/BuickGN/Buick_GN_.JPG) Engine (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/BuickGN/Engine_rebuild_2_.jpg) Byron dragway (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/BuickGN/Byron_.jpg) Dakota (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/Dakota&Durango/Dakota1_.jpg) Durango (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/Dakota&Durango/Durango1_.jpg) ElCamino (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/Project_cars/elky10_.JPG)
Chevelle (http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f219/qwikttype86/chevelle/01-13-08024.jpg)
454 (http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f219/qwikttype86/chevelle/01-13-08001.jpg)

trunk sticker tells all on these cars.
Besides being a big fan of them,I own one myself :thumbsup:

I am seriously considering putting my chevelle build on a more stagnant hold than it is now just to search one out and grab it.

Always wanted one and my new truck is about paid so its a toss up. Get the chevelle in body shop jail and get the chassis done or find me a running GN that needs a little TLC and get the job done.

Tom and Chris.....you guys pi$$ me off. :D

Lord. GN, SS's, BB el camino and a 72 Stage 1 GS......pretty much thinking about how the hell I can get in both your wills. :D Beautiful!!!!

I'm going to knock on the door today.

Those that own a GN (or several!), what's the parts availability like? Does GM still offer a decent selection of parts (mechanical, and body) or is it primarily repro parts?

The GN's, etc. are bad arse. I was born too late to buy one new. My Grandmother bought new '87 Buick Regal w/5.0L and I really dug the interior and overall looks. Too bad she didn't buy a GN or T-Type!!

Good luck with your "treasure hunt" Tranny Smoke :)

The tag on the pass side tail of the tranny should be code BRF, if not the tranny has been changed.

Those that own a GN (or several!), what's the parts availability like? Does GM still offer a decent selection of parts (mechanical, and body) or is it primarily repro parts?

The GN's, etc. are bad arse. I was born too late to buy one new. My Grandmother bought new '87 Buick Regal w/5.0L and I really dug the interior and overall looks. Too bad she didn't buy a GN or T-Type!!

Good luck with your "treasure hunt" Tranny Smoke :)

pretty much everything is still available for those cars- some of it brand new from GM, some crappy repro stuff, some good repro stuff, and all the necessary upgrade parts to get it flying . but most of the performance stuff costs more than what you might be used to from looking for chevy parts.

pretty much everything is still available for those cars- some of it brand new from GM, some crappy repro stuff, some good repro stuff, and all the necessary upgrade parts to get it flying . but most of the performance stuff costs more than what you might be used to from looking for chevy parts.

+1

And another bad thing is, you can't expect to go to the local parts store and find every part for these right off the shelf. The aftermarket is getting better, but some of the parts require ordering from a Buick specific vendor and waiting for the Brown truck to show up at your door. My UPS guy was visiting me every couple days for awhile there!:):)


86 T-Type (GN clone). Girdled 109, JE pistons, Champion irons, TE60, 50lb MSDs, T+, CAS intercooler, Houston DP. 12.00 at 114.5 on low boost + crappy 1.98 60 ft.
86 WH1 highly optioned, undergoing resto. 70 Mach 1, 69 Chevelle SS, and 80 El Camino project cars. 97 Dakota 4X4, 99 Durango daily drivers.
Car show_1 (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/Autorama2004.jpg) Car show_2 (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/BuickGN/Cartunes_.jpg) Car_2 (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/BuickGN/Buick_GN_.JPG) Engine (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/BuickGN/Engine_rebuild_2_.jpg) Byron dragway (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/BuickGN/Byron_.jpg) Dakota (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/Dakota&Durango/Dakota1_.jpg) Durango (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/Dakota&Durango/Durango1_.jpg) ElCamino (http://webpages.charter.net/tchristopherson/Project_cars/elky10_.JPG)
Chevelle (http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f219/qwikttype86/chevelle/01-13-08024.jpg)
454 (http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f219/qwikttype86/chevelle/01-13-08001.jpg)

Okay, stopped and looked at it today. No one home or at least answering the door. First thing I noticed was '07 plates.:yes: I looked at the vin and the seventh digit is a "7" and the eight digit is a "9". It has all the external badging, 3.8 turbo emblems on the hood, turbo emblem on back panel, GN emlems in the seats, dash and steering wheel. Car has rust in the trunk lid, above the doors on the roof and looks like it's all there, just needs a lot of tlc.

It should also have the 8.5 inch rear end with posi and 3.73 gears.

It should also have the 8.5 inch rear end with posi and 3.73 gears.

correct on the 8.5" part
incorrect on the gears..all 84-87 turbo Buicks came with 3.42 as the only gear available

The 8.5" 3.73 rear came in 442's and Hurst/Olds

Monte SS got the 3.73 7.5" rear

:)

The inner fenders are turbo specific and the label on the firewall will have "TURBO" written on it. i love my GN, owned it since Aug 1st 1987. all stock 'cept for stainless exhaust, bilstein shocks, and chip.

The inner fenders are turbo specific and the label on the firewall will have "TURBO" written on it. i love my GN, owned it since Aug 1st 1987. all stock 'cept for stainless exhaust, bilstein shocks, and chip.

i noticed that the inner fenderwells on my 84 T Type said "turbo" on them, and always wondered what was different about them..
so, what is different about them?

i noticed that the inner fenderwells on my 84 T Type said "turbo" on them, and always wondered what was different about them..
so, what is different about them?


Apparently on the GN its in all CAPS. :D