La HISTORIA del COCHE MÁS DURO que los MUSCLE CAR

Summary

The video tells the story of the Buick Grand National, a car produced in the 1980s that unexpectedly became a high-performance vehicle thanks to its turbocharged V6 engine. It recounts how the boxy, old-fashioned looking Buick started dominating other American muscle cars in drag races. General Motors eventually forced Buick to cease production despite the car's success, not wanting it to outshine Chevrolet's Corvette. The video explores the Grand National's origins and rise to performance icon status before its premature end, calling it an 'American muscle car that unintentionally had a European-style engine'.

Takeaways

• 😲 The Buick Grand National was an unexpected high-performance car from Buick in the 1980s
• 👴 Buick's typical customers were older, but the Grand National appealed more to young buyers
• 🏎 The Grand National was very successful in NASCAR racing in the early 1980s
• 🔧 The Grand National had a turbocharged V6 engine making over 200 horsepower, rivaling V8s
• 🚗 It was much faster than the Chevrolet Corvette in 0-60 mph acceleration
• 🤝 The final GNX version was tuned with help from McLaren
• 😡 GM forced Buick to stop making the popular Grand National after 1987
• 💨 The GNX was officially underrated at 280 hp, but really made over 300 hp
• 💲 The Grand National was expensive compared to rival performance cars
• 🤔 Customers had to choose between the unexpected V6 or a traditional V8

Q & A

What was the impact of the car discussed in the video on the sports car market of its era?

The car challenged the norms of its time by outperforming many contemporary sports cars, breaking public, press, and its own manufacturers' expectations.

How did McLaren contribute to the development of this car?

McLaren was responsible for tuning the car, significantly enhancing its performance through engineering expertise.

Why was the video focused on an American car?

The video aimed to explore the interesting and surreal story behind an American car that defied the typical expectations associated with American automotive engineering of its time.

What was the significance of the V6 engine in the context of American cars during the 1980s?

The V6 engine represented a departure from the traditional American preference for large displacement V8 engines, showcasing a European-style engineering approach amidst the backdrop of the oil crisis.

How did Buick's engineering decisions in the 1970s influence the car mentioned in the video?

Buick's exploration of a turbocharged V6 engine in the 1970s, especially for the Indy 500 pace car, laid the groundwork for the innovative approach seen in the car discussed.

What role did NASCAR victories play in Buick's decision to develop the Grand National?

Buick's success in NASCAR in the early 1980s inspired the brand to capitalize on its racing pedigree by developing the Grand National, aiming to bridge its motorsport success with its consumer offerings.

Why was the initial version of the Grand National considered a failure?

The initial version failed to live up to the performance legacy of Buick's NASCAR victories, offering an underwhelming V6 engine that did not meet sports car performance expectations.

How did the automotive press and the market react to the final version of the car developed with McLaren's help?

The final version received acclaim for its exceptional performance, capable of competing with and outperforming some of the fastest sports cars of the era, including prestigious European models.

What challenges did Buick face from General Motors and Chevrolet because of this car?

General Motors and Chevrolet were concerned that Buick's car was overshadowing Chevrolet's sports models like the Corvette and Camaro, leading to internal tensions within the corporation.

What is the legacy of the Buick Grand National, especially the GNX version, in automotive history?

The Buick Grand National, particularly the GNX version, is celebrated as a collector's item and a testament to Buick's ability to innovate and challenge automotive norms, representing a significant moment in American automotive history.