Vehicle Description
1986 Buick Regal Grand National
1982, was the premier year for the Buick Grand National. Most of
them featured a 4.1-liter 252 V-6 engine that could produce 120
horsepower. At that time, this was considered very impressive. In
addition to this series were a very limited edition of Buick T-Type
Regals and Buick Turbo Regals that had a 3.8-liter, V-6 engine.
Overall, the number of the labeled Buick Grand Nationals saw 215
models sold during this year as they were made as limited edition
models. When 1983 rolled around, the 4.1 V-6 engines were replaced
with the Turbo 4 bbl-carb engines. Officially, there were no Buick
Grand National models sold for this year, but there was an optional
carb-Turbo engine in a T-Type for the Buick Regals until 1985. The
Canadian consumers were the biggest market that took advantage of
this offer while it lasted. The Buick Grand National officially
began its official run in 1984, bringing forth a lineup of cars
that looked like vehicular models of Darth Vader, the
villain-turned hero character from the first Star Wars movie
trilogy. This also marked the year where all Grand National models
featured a four-speed 200-4R automatic transmission. 2,100 models
of the 1984 Buick Grand National automobiles were sold that year.
The 1985 model, which saw only a slightly revised front grille and
front air dam to its design, sold 2,100 units during the year it
came out.
1986 was the "it" year for the Buick Grand National as this lineup
floored the automotive press and general public with its ability to
reach sixty miles per hour in under five seconds, as well as a
speed performance that made the highest speed machines at that time
seem archaic. This is credited to the turbo gaining an intercooler
that was originally recorded to output 235 horsepower, but when it
was tested the result was rumored to be well over 300 horsepower.
This not only served as big news for the market, but a hot-seller
as the Buick Grand National sold approximately 5,000 units that
year. The 1986 Buick Grand National series is not just a car, it's
a legacy. For consignment, a recently serviced 1986 Buick Grand
National, named for the NASCAR series prior to it becoming the
Winston Cup. A square and rectangle iconic design all dressed up in
menacing black. A repaint in 2018 on the exterior is in nice
condition, the interior is good, and the engine is strong. It's all
looking good for this 1986 T-top example, a true classic in the
NASCAR sense.
Exterior
Literally all black for the repaint that drapes this car from stem
to stern of the original metal that was performed in 2018. Leading
with the slightly raked back front egg crate grille, square
headlights, (dual duals), with like new bezels, and a nice body
matching front bumper below. A slightly bumped hood, more black
window trimmings around original glass, well minded gaps at the
doors and steel panels, and a nifty small opera window for the B
pillar. Another body matching rear bumper with clean filler panels,
and above is a small integrated trunk lid spoiler. Racy but tasty
for this sedan that you can take for a night on the town, or run
against some competition if you are feeling frisky. 15-inch
polished wheels add some bling to the bottom. Front rubber is
235/60R15 and rears are also 235/60R15's from the 5th week of 2008.
Also noted is the "T" topped roof with removable smoked glass
panels sitting within like supple rubber surrounds, no leaks
here.
Interior
Very nice and very racy with high back buckets in velour broadcloth
with light gray tuck and roll inserts, and black bolsters
surrounded by black piping. A rear bench with the same design, and
these all float in a sea of black carpet which is very clean and
like new. We note some slight soiling of the front buckets and a
bit of seam separation on the driver's lower cushion, but this
isthe original interior. The door panels are dressed in more gray
cloth and vinyl with black carpeted lowers and come to us with a
chrome mirror joystick and shiny cranks for the non-power windows.
The dash as well as the center console are formed from gray molded
plastic and are fitted with a square and rectangle cluster with a
black panel for the instruments that fronts an original steering
wheel. The dash is very clean and well preserved and on the
driver's A-pillar we note the addition of an AutoMeter boost gauge
and in the center of the seats, the console houses the shift lever,
a duo of added gauges within a pod, and a square glovebox. A
digital AM/FM/Cassette radio panel hovers above the console and
mounts into the center of the dash. The headliner is minimal due to
the roof panels, but all looking clean and green, well gray
actually with slight sagging.
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood, and a nifty BUICK logo with Turbocharged
monicker silk screened into the hood liner hovers above the
beautifully preserved engine. It is a correct 3.8 liter V6 turbo
that pumps out 245 horses. It has an intercooler for the turbo, and
is fed by EFI. A numbers matching 200R4 4-speed automatic is behind
this turbo mill, and in back, a 10 bolt 8.5 inch posi rear axle
with 3.42 gears is on. The only change from original is the
addition of a cold air under hood intake and a Turbo Tweak
performance chip.
Undercarriage
Underneath we see all being invasive rust free and well preserved
with solid floor pans and toe kicks, frame, and drip free bottom
end of the engine and transmission. Independent suspension with
coil springs is upfront and along for the ride are power disc
brakes. On the back this suspension is a 4 link with coil springs,
and power drums are along for this ride. The single exhaust feeds
down to a dual Hooker Aerochamber muffler equipped exhaust that
exits under the rear bumper.
Drive-Ability
Hopping in, I felt like I was at Daytona but with a tuxedo on ready
to go out to an expensive dinner and be driven by a chauffeur. Racy
mixed with class and she fired right up, and accelerated very
nicely with the intercooled turbo. Braking was nice and straight,
and handling was snappy with a great ride. All functions were
working, and the AC blew cold.
The best of this car is in two different coats. On a black overcoat
for a night on the town, and the other a black mask for a night at
the track. It's nice to have both, and all in very nice well
preserved condition. The engine is very clean, the transmission
shifts perfectly, and the suspension works wonderfully. Someone
will be a proud owner and have good fun to boot! Go Grand National
Racing...Ok it's gone!, (That Name but the car remains).
1G4GK4771GP456833
1-USA
G-General Motors
4-Buick
G-G Body
K-Regal T-Type
47-2 Door Hardtop
7-LC2 3.8L V6 Turbo 245hp
1-Check Digit
G-1986
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
456833-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
