Vehicle Description
Gateway Classic Cars Houston showroom is proud to present this
nasty black 1987 Buick Grand National for sale. This one is better
than most - but we'll get to that part in a bit! The Grand National
officially debuted in 1982, having been named largely in part to
capitalize on Buick's having won the Manufacturer's Cup in 1981 and
1982 in the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Series. Hearkening
back to a phrase coined by Bob Tasca Sr. in 1965, "Win on Sunday,
Sell on Monday", when a car sponsored by his dealership won the
NHRA Winternationals; Buick decided to commemorate their NASCAR
success with a special variant of the Regal. The "GN" (or "Vader
Buick" some would later call it), only saw 215 produced in 1982.
None were officially sold in 1983, but it came back for real in
1984, selling nearly 10 times the 1982 volume. The best years for
the GN's performance were 1986 and 1987, when Buick added
intercooling to the turbos, and the cars jumped to a (stated) 235
HP (and then 245 HP for 1987); however, it was rumored that they
were actually putting out over 300 HP when tested. Few cars attain
the near-mythical status enjoyed by the GN series - the 1987 Grand
Nationals were sucking the headlights out of GM's perennial Halo
Car (the Corvette) and even Ferraris and Lamborghinis in straight
line acceleration tests!At first glance, this example looks like
every other Grand National: that signature sinister all blacked out
exterior, and a gray interior. It also came with the standard GN
amenities, including Air Conditioning, AM/FM/Cassette Radio, Cruise
Control, Limited Slip Differential, Power Brakes, Power Locks,
Power Seats, Power Steering, Power Windows, Performance Radial
Tires, Seat Belts, Spare Tire and Jack, and T-Tops.However, what
differentiates this one from the rest of the GNs that you'll see
out there is the subtle, yet very effective modifications that have
been performed on it. The power brakes have been converted from
electric vacuum pump to vacuum power booster, the A/C has been
converted to a modern R134a system, and the engine and transmission
have received helpful updates. It now has CompCams 100lb valve
springs, 60 lb/hr injectors, a turbo tweak chip, Walbro in-tank
fuel pump, Accufab fuel pressure regulator, a Precision 6262
turbocharger, RJC Racing front-mounted mega intercooler, RJC Racing
MAF pipe with Airaid filter, RJC Racing down pipe, RJC Racing
billet pullies, RJC Racing plenum power plate, RJC Racing boost
controller, RJC Racing 3-inch polished stainless steel exhaust, RJC
Racing bigger oil filter adapter, and an RJC Racing drive shaft
safety loop. In addition, the 200R4 4-speed automatic transmission
has been upgraded with a 13-vane pump, billet servo, larger boost
valve, Kolene steels, Alto Red Eagle clutches, Carbon fiber band,
Transgo reprogramming shift kit, 4th gear lockup kit, and a PATC
2800 RPM Stall speed lockup torque converter. While that may seem
to indicate to some that this car has been built to be "ridden hard
and put up wet", this car's upgrades were performed by its current
owner, to give it a little extra lagniappe, and not for racing use.
Of course, aficionados will be able to look at it closely and see
that it has been lovingly cared for, and not beaten on. If you're
looking for one of the 1980's hero cars, don't let this "last of
the greatest Buick muscle cars" get away from you!
