Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance featured a prominent automotive centerpiece: a black 1987 Buick GNX. The vehicle, which played a key role in the show’s opening moments, holds significant personal and artistic meaning for the rapper.
The GNX, or Grand National Experimental, was a limited-edition performance car produced by Buick in 1987. Only 547 units were manufactured, making it a rare and sought-after collector’s item. Lamar, born in 1987, has a personal connection to the vehicle. His father reportedly drove him home from the hospital in a Buick Regal, the base model for the GNX.
The car’s appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show coincides with Lamar’s latest album, titled “GNX,” released in November 2024. Throughout the album, Lamar makes numerous references to the Buick muscle car, underscoring its importance in his artistic vision.
Erik Eastland, representing All Access, the firm tasked with constructing the halftime show stage, spearheaded the effort to procure Lamar’s desired vehicle. Eastland’s team conducted an extensive search, encountering at least one close call before ultimately discovering the GNX at a family-owned automobile dealership in Riverside, California.
After acquiring the vehicle from a used car dealership in Riverside, Eastland faced the controversial task of modifying its interior. He acknowledged the contentious nature of this decision, describing it as “sacrilegious.” Eastland defended the choice, asserting that Lamar’s fanbase and those who appreciate his affinity for the GNX would expect to see an authentic representation during the halftime performance, rather than a subpar imitation.
The modifications were deemed necessary to adapt the vehicle for its role in the elaborate stage production, balancing the preservation of its iconic exterior with the practical requirements of the high-stakes performance. This compromise aimed to maintain the visual integrity of the GNX while enabling its integration into the complex choreography and staging of the Super Bowl halftime show.
The use of the GNX in Lamar’s performance symbolizes themes of power, speed, and exclusivity, mirroring his status in the hip-hop industry. It also serves as a visual representation of Lamar’s personal history and artistic journey.
The halftime show’s staging incorporated the car into a larger concept, with Lamar performing atop the vehicle as it opened to reveal dancers. This spectacle was part of a broader theme that portrayed Lamar’s life as a video game, with stages designed to resemble buttons on a PlayStation-style controller.
Lamar’s inclusion of the GNX in his Super Bowl performance has brought renewed attention to this iconic American muscle car. As a result, interest in the GNX may increase among hip-hop fans and car enthusiasts alike.
The GNX’s significance stems from its evolution from the Regal Grand National, a mid-sized coupe renowned for its turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine and distinctive black monochrome aesthetic. As 1987 marked the final year for the rear-wheel-drive Regal, Buick produced a limited run of 547 black Grand Nationals with a special interior trim package.
These vehicles were then sent to ASC McLaren for extensive modifications. The enhancements included a specialized T3 Garrett turbocharger featuring a ceramic impeller, an enlarged intercooler, and a high-flow exhaust system.
The powertrain upgrades extended to a modified 200-4R automatic transmission with an upgraded torque converter and valve body. To improve handling and stability, a panhard bar was added for better rear-end control.
The GNX’s distinctive appearance was further accentuated by wider tires (245-section front, 255-section rear) mounted on mesh wheels, necessitating expanded fender flares to accommodate the larger rubber.
Operating at 16 psi of boost, the GNX officially produced 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. However, unofficial reports suggest the actual output was substantially higher. These modifications transformed the GNX into a high-performance vehicle.
Watch the Super Bowl LIX Halftime performance on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDorKy-13ak
Photos and screenshots courtesy of NFL Communications / Media.
Article Last Updated: February 10, 2025.
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Michael Kahn is the publisher of The Weekly Driver, serving as writer, photographer, and content creator. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for adventure, he specializes in uncovering the stories and experiences of automobile enthusiasts. Michael’s work is inspired by his love for off-the-beaten-path road trips, global exploration, and the pursuit of exceptional culinary experiences, all captured through the lens of a world traveler and automotive enthusiast.