Back in the dark ages of mainstream muscle cars that was the mid '80s, Buick ruled the roost with the Regal Grand National, GNX and T-Type.

That’s right, kids. The same General Motors brand that’s now trying to shed its fuddy-duddy image once set the performance standard on road and track -- back when mullets were in fashion.

Now that nostalgia is helping move the metal in the form of latter-day muscle cars from the 1970s such as the Dodge Charger and Chevy Camaro, word is that Buick wants to bring back this trio of legendary nameplates from the neon 1980s.

According to Edmunds, the three vehicles would be available as sedans, riding on GM's new rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform, which was introduced as the underpinnings of the Cadillac ATS sedan. The Grand National and T-Type reportedly will get the same powertrains and suspension tunings. The T-Type will be offered in a range of colors, while the Grand National (pictured in a rendering, above) will be available in black only -- just like in the 1980s. Edmunds says the cars could be unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show.

General Motors is considering several engines for Buick's revived Grand National and T-Type. Speculation is that Buick’s current turbocharged 2.0-liter used in the Regal would be too wimpy, while the normally aspirated V6 available for the LaCrosse may be similarly underpowered. A better fit would be GM's upcoming twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6, which is expected to produce between 350 and 400 horsepower.

For the more exclusive GNX nameplate, GM's new LT1 V8 has been named as fitting the Alpha platform. Considering that a V-Series version of the Cadillac ATS is practically inevitable, a similar high-performance Buick with a slightly toned-down V8 would be a suitable powerplant for the GNX. A 6-speed manual transmission and 6-speed automatic could be available in all three sedans.

Of course, the ATS interior and exterior could be slightly restyled to make it unique to Buick, but the size of the sedan should remain unchanged. Systems such as brakes and steering are easily interchangeable with those of the ATS.

If demand for the original Buick Regal Grand National, T-Type and GNX is any indication -- pristine examples can command prices can as high as $100,000 from collectors -- the cars still have plenty of hard-core fans who may pony up to buy one. When asked for this story, Buick declined to comment on whether these storied nameplates will re-emerge. It reportedly will be at least another year before the cars are acknowledged by GM.

[Source and photo: Inside Line]