Did you know NASCAR had homologation rules as recently as the 1980s? Neither did I.
Just
117 LeSabre Grand Nationals were built in order to homologate the
streamlined rear quarter window for NASCAR competition. It was not
turbocharged and just one run of cars were built to be sold in areas
near the Daytona 500.
It was supposed to be built in black and
white, but just black was built, along with one red one. All the info
you could want on the LeSabre GN is available here.
Source: Jalopnik
With only 547 examples made, the Buick GNX is easily one of the most sought after American cars of yesteryear. The GNX had the performance to go along with its devilish good looks, packing a 276 horsepower turbocharged V6 under the hood – which made it faster than even the Corvette at the time. These all-black monsters are hard to come by in good shape, which might explain why this mint 1987 GNX fetched $106,000 at Barrett-Jackson’s recent auction in Scottsdale, AZ.
The car just so happens to be the lowest mileage GNX in existence, having only traveled 11 miles since the Miller Beer Brewing Company bought it and stashed it away in 1987. Prior to its sale at Barrett-Jackson, it was part of the Michael Jenkins Collection. Sporting serial no. 442, this GNX looks like it has been stuck in a time capsule since 1987. It still has the original window sticker, as well as the original invoice and purchase order. It hasn’t even been washed since it left the dealership more than 26 years ago.
The GNX might just be the coolest car Buick ever made and ever will make. That is, unless they produce another black two-door wearing the GNX nameplate, which they trademarked once again back in 2012.
Source: http://gmauthority.com
Creative approaches lead to top honors
Ace Metrix has recognized Buick as a 2013 Brand of the Year for its creative advertising campaign last year.
The Ace Score is the measure of ad creative effectiveness based on viewer reaction to national TV ads. A unique sample of at least 500 people, representative of the U.S. TV viewing audience, scores each ad.
“Buick took the Luxury Auto category – winning with a steady cadence of clever ads that focused on technology, performance and value. They edged out Mercedes and BMW for the top spot,” said Toula V. Thomas, director, insights & analytics at Ace Metrix.
This award follows the brand’s fourth consecutive year of retail sales gains. Buick’s U.S. retail sales – those to individual customers – for 2013 were up 13 percent over 2012, reaching the highest level since 2006. Total U.S. Buick sales increased 14 percent in 2013, also the highest in the past seven years.
“This award reinforces that our campaigns are really speaking to consumers and spreading the word about Buick’s great lineup of luxury vehicles,” said Sandra Moore director of Buick advertising and sales promotion.
In addition, an Enclave ad called "Landing" was the highest-performing luxury or non-luxury automotive ad since Ace began testing in 2009. To date, Ace Metrix has tested nearly 2,800 automotive ads, and “Landing” outperformed the luxury auto norm by 20 percent. Enclave recorded its best-ever sales in 2013.
To be considered for Ace Metrix Brand of the Year, brands must have debuted five or more unique pieces of creative advertising within an industry or category containing more than 100 pieces of creative and five qualifying brands. A brand’s body of work decides the award.
1. The Blues Brothers (1980)
2. To Live and Die in LA (1985)
3. The French Connection (1971)
4. Bullitt (1968)
5. Ronin (1998)
