Vehicle Description
1987 Buick Grand National
Up until about 1982, Buick Regals were relegated to a seasoned
customer base. Simple transportation with classic GM styling was
familiar to loyalists and a great seller. Then in 1982 a special
edition of the Regal was created to commemorate Buick winning at
the NASCAR Grand National race and create a buzz to stimulate
sales. Most of them had a normally aspirated 4.1 liter V6 that put
out 125 horsepower, but they would set in motion the return of the
Buick muscle car and the eventual growth of the customer base and a
younger audience.
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
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
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