Buick GNX 1987

[syzygy87]

I got a few requests for this car, so I gave in, even though I don't see anything special about it :) The only versions available on Rebrickable were ones I didn't like, so I took on the challenge. Did I surpass the existing models? That's not for me to judge :)

Features:

• working steering
• openable doors, hood and trunk
• detailed engine, interior and body shape
• display model with playable functions

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[vascolp]

Nice ugly car!

Wheel arches are questionable... Would these work or are they too small?

Seen the video twice just for the music!

[2GodBDGlory]

That's a nicely done model of a cool car! I do agree that the wheel arches seem to stick out much farther than necessary given the wheel position. Either having slimmer fender flares, wider tires, or both, seems like it would help the look a lot

[syzygy87]

10 hours ago, vascolp said:

Nice ugly car!

Wheel arches are questionable... Would these work or are they too small?

 

8 hours ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

I do agree that the wheel arches seem to stick out much farther than necessary given the wheel position

Yeah, I can see that the wheel arches are the most controversial part of my little car :) 
And yes!  That exact part you posted—I’d already installed it on the prototype... But I decided against it. They looked ridiculously small. And these ones are too big :) Out of those two options, these seemed more accurate to me. Please take a look at the original—it has fairly distinct wheel arches; of course, not quite as pronounced as mine, but making them too small would also be a mistake :) Either way, something must be off. These opinions are popping up everywhere, so I can’t ignore them—there’s some truth to them. 
There’s one more aspect visible from my perspective. I’ve built over a dozen models in this scale, and I finally wanted to use some crazy fenders to spice things up a bit ;) If you’re up for it, take a look—I’ve used the exact same fenders on sooo many models—I’m already bored with them :) https://rebrickable.com/users/syzygy87/mocs/

 

10 hours ago, vascolp said:

Seen the video twice just for the music!

Yeah! :) The Sisters of Mercy released their album "Floodland" in 1987—the year that Buick was made. I just had to :)

[Michael217]

16 hours ago, syzygy87 said:

 

Yeah, I can see that the wheel arches are the most controversial part of my little car :) 

 

You could make arches out of rounded plates, like this. They don't stick out like that in a real car. I know that you can build models much better, but you need to work on the front. The back is good! ;)

Edited yesterday at 12:36 AM by Michael217

[Stereo]

Too bad the Cobra's arches aren't available black yet, they look a lot more like this style of flare.

[syzygy87]

9 hours ago, Michael217 said:

You could make arches out of rounded plates, like this. They don't stick out like that in a real car. I know that you can build models much better, but you need to work on the front. The back is good! ;)

Those bevels shouldn't extend below the headlights, like they do on yours. My radiator grille is “broken,” with subtle bevels, just like on the bumper. (The whole thing is mounted on a hinge.) That was an important detail for me. But your version is interesting, too.

[Michael217]

5 hours ago, syzygy87 said:

Those bevels shouldn't extend below the headlights, like they do on yours. My radiator grille is “broken,” with subtle bevels, just like on the bumper. (The whole thing is mounted on a hinge.) That was an important detail for me. But your version is interesting, too.

I used these bevels because they have a more correct slope, and as you can see, the original doesn't have the same pronounced step as your model. As for the grate angle, it can be easily done on my version) I think the wheel arches are more important, so I think this option is more appropriate.

[syzygy87]

It’s not just about the grill—I have a hinge that holds the entire bumper in place. That solution kind of dictated other things :) 

Yes, the angle is definitely better than my 45°, but this solution also has its drawbacks because it extends too far down :). But I admire that you took the time to do this in the studio. Thank you for your interest and for this project!

I can easily replace the wheel arches with macaroni tiles—and I think I actually made a mistake here, because a lot of people are saying they’re overdrawn :)

[JamesBuildsBrix]

This is very well done, I like that you incorporated so many working elements into the build.

[syzygy87]

3 hours ago, JamesBuildsBrix said:

This is very well done, I like that you incorporated so many working elements into the build.

Thank you! :) As usual, my models always have working steering and doors, a trunk, and a hood that open.

Edited 18 hours ago by syzygy87

[Michael217]

On 7/10/2026 at 9:41 PM, syzygy87 said:

It’s not just about the grill—I have a hinge that holds the entire bumper in place. That solution kind of dictated other things :) 

Yes, the angle is definitely better than my 45°, but this solution also has its drawbacks because it extends too far down :). But I admire that you took the time to do this in the studio. Thank you for your interest and for this project!

I can easily replace the wheel arches with macaroni tiles—and I think I actually made a mistake here, because a lot of people are saying they’re overdrawn :)

 

Yes, I see that the bumper also has an angle. Try replacing the arches. I wanted to assemble this car 5 years ago with wheels with a diameter of 62 mm, but I haven't had time for that yet, I'm working on other models, someday I'll start assembling it) Good luck with your next projects!

Edited 2 hours ago by Michael217