1987 Buick Grand National

1987 Buick Grand National

For consignment, a direct descendant of the early sport coupe and final year for the Grand National, a 1987 model that\'s been repainted and refreshed with replacement parts over the past three years. Receipts are included with sale. Although the title-verified actual miles come in at 89,590, you would hardly know it looking at this car that has obviously been pampered for a long time. Since its restoration in 2009, our consignor states it has not seen rain and we believe it!

Exterior
No need to embellish the name. The paint here is called Black and Grand Nationals are synonymous with black because the grille, bumpers, headlight bezels, tail light surrounds, and door handles are as black as the paint. When the car was repainted in 2009, not only did it get dipped in 10 coats of clear over the correct Black finish, but it also received new gaskets and rubber, along with a new windshield and new trimmings. Knowing that GM factory paint wasn\'t close to perfect, this new coat is an improvement and miles deep. The emblems were returned to their rightful place and look great. The 15-inch Grand National wheels are in near excellent condition and wrapped by staggered BF Goodrich tires with a mid 2021 date code.

Interior
Standard GN configuration inside with gray cloth inserts on black bottomed doors. Black and gray cloth buckets are now legendary and contain the Turbo-6 logo embroidered on the headrest. For 89k miles they look fantastic. The back bench picks up on the color combo and looks untouched. Gray leather wraps the thick steering wheel and the horn ring, a piece that often cracks is intact. The standard speedometer is in place and as a holdover from the tame Regals, only goes to 85 mph. The boost and RPM\'s are indicated with two light bars that light up like Battlestar Galactica when the car is on. The center stack does not veer from the basic Regal line with heater/AC controls and the factory AM/FM/Cassette radio. The center console houses the gray T-handle shifter, a storage area, and this car has an aftermarket armrest/storage bin with cupholders in matching gray. Low pile black carpet was standard and protected here with GN mats. This solid roof car has a soft gray headliner in great condition with hooks for your dry cleaning. In the trunk, a charcoal flannel mat, the space saver spare tire and a full size GN wheel with Goodyear tire.

Drivetrain
Under the hood bulge is the iconic numbers matching 3.8 liter turbocharged and intercooled V6. This one has a cold air kit, and the intake pipe has been chromed. It has a performance chip, newer brake booster, alternator, AC valve and heater core. The numbers matching 200R4 4-speed transmission sends power to the rear wheels where it finds a 10 bolt rear with 3.42 gearing and yes, the G80 optional Positraction! No pegleg here, both tires will spin. By the way, the engine and transmission are original to the car and numbers matching.

Undercarriage
All clean underneath and this is where we would find consignor-stated replacements including ball joints, motor mounts, body mounts, transmission mount, idler arm, sway bar, shocks, and mufflers. The exhaust comes off the downpipe into a cat, then split to head back going separate ways to meet Hooker Aerochamber mufflers then out the stock location behind the rear wheels. Independent coil suspension in front and a 4 link with coils in the rear. All indications point back to that pampered characterization. It\'s clean underneath.

Drive-Ability
This brings it all back, 26 and unemployed, I did the unthinkable and bought a GN and had an amazing 10 years with the car, beating up on Corvettes all over Southern California. This one has a bit more of a rumble to the exhaust as we hit the drag strip, errrr I mean, the test loop. Rated at a laughable 245 horsepower from the factory, GN\'s will put you back in your seat with a force that\'s hard to describe. Smooth and without the raucous of a big V8, the boost comes on quickly and the snort of the wastegate when you let off the gas will make you giggle like a schoolgirl. The car runs great and it is time to bid adieu as we bring it back in. Our notes indicate the A/C and power locks are inoperable.

More than 20,000 Buick Grand Nationals were produced in 1987 and those that have been well maintained have seen values rise with no signs of slowing down. Many were modified, raced, or simply used up. Well sorted GN\'s like this one, with excellent paint and mechanics are getting harder to find as owners hold on to them during these years of appreciating values. Be sure to check this one out.

1G4GJ1174HP455493

1-USA
G-General Motors
4-Buick
G-G Body
J-Regal
1-2 Door Hardtop
1-Manual Belts
7-LC2 3.8L V6 Turbo 245hp
4-Check Digit
H-1987
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
455493-Sequential Unit Number

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