Vehicle Description
26,673 original miles. Lifetime southern car. One high-quality
repaint. 100% stock. T-tops. Beautiful interior, everything works.
Runs and drives properly, no issues. Buick's legendary Grand
National is still a blast to drive almost 40 years later!These
black Buicks cast a long shadow, and even today they're revered as
some of the most innovative cars of the 1980s. Thanks to the
wonders of turbocharging, Buick made big power that was virtually
unbeatable on the streets. By wrapping it in unassuming Regal
sheetmetal, they created a car that was not quite a sleeper, but
which definitely earned everyone's respect. This 1987 Buick Grand
National with just 26,673 original miles is exactly the kind of car
you want to own today?unmodified, thoughtfully owned, and in
beautiful condition. It spent its life in the hot southern US,
which means a lot of sun, and that's why it was repainted a few
years ago?GM's paint just didn't hold up. The good news is that it
needed exactly zero bodywork to look this good and the finish on
the car now is worlds better than anything GM was mass-producing in
1987. It looks fantastic. The finish is deep and rich with clear
reflections on laser-straight body panels. Gaps are just where the
factory put them (which is to say, pretty good) and the doors have
a solid sound that's often missing from GM products of this
vintage. You'll note they even reproduced the factory's textured
stone guard finish on the rockers. All the familiar Grand National
cues are there, from the bulging hood dome to the correct Grand
National emblems, and basic black was the only color available.
This GN has clearly led a good life.The gray cloth interior was
also unique to the Grand National, with reasonably supportive
bucket seats, some custom embroidery, and a center console to make
it feel suitably sporty. It's still a Buick Regal at heart, so you
get a long list of comfort and convenience features, including
power windows and locks, remote mirrors, A/C, cruise control, a
tilt steering column, and a decent-sounding AM/FM/cassette stereo
system. And it all works like it should (note that we have not
tested the cruise control). GM engineers crammed a small tachometer
and boost gauge into the lower corner of the instrument panel, and
they're probably useful given the GN's performance, but other
remnants of the 1980s persist, including the brightly marked 55 MPH
on the speedometer. The T-handle shifter manages a 200R4 4-speed
automatic, whose quick reflexes make the most of the boosted V6's
powerband. The leather-wrapped 3-spoke wheel is another nod to the
car's performance attitude, and remains in good condition. Other
details include embroidered floor mats, desirable T-tops, and a
taut headliner that isn't coming undone, which is a common issue.
The car also includes a massive trunk that is still equipped with
its original space-saver spare that has never been used, as well as
a complete jack assembly and cardboard filler panels.Legend is a
strong word, but I think Buick's 3.8 liter turbocharged V6 has
earned it. The factory was pretty conservative with the numbers,
wanting to keep it under the Corvette, but everyone knew that the
Grand National was the car to beat on the streets. And the sky is
the limit with modifications?these cars can be ferociously fast
even in today's world of 700 horsepower Dodges. Fortunately, this
one remains 100% stock so it works like the engineers intended. No
questionable work, no abuse, just a super clean Grand National
that's always been loved. Yes, the idle is a little wonky when it's
cold, but that's standard equipment, too. It starts easily and
settles into a buzzing, eager idle, and out on the road it's docile
until you really put your foot into it. At that point, you can see
the boost arrive all at once on the gauge and you'd better be
paying attention because things start to happen really quickly. The
transmission snaps through the gears at just the right moment,
never letting the boost fall off, and with 3.42 gears out back,
it's plenty strong off the line. Fortunately, there's still plenty
of Regal DNA in there, so it rides extremely well, cruises in near
silence at highway speeds, and if you are able to keep your foot
out of it, actually pulls down decent fuel economy. Power steering
and power front disc brakes are standard equipment, as was the dual
exhaust system, which remains original on this car. You can see
that this car obviously lived someplace warm just by looking at the
floors, and it sits on its original chrome steel wheels with fat
215/65/15 performance radials all around.Documentation includes the
original owner's manual and T-top bags.A lot of these cars have led
hard lives, raced, modified, and abused simply because it was so
easy to pull huge power out of that engine without a huge
investment. But today, as savvy collectors realize that this was a
special chapter in automotive history, the unmolested examples are
bringing top dollar. And as a bonus, they're still exciting to
drive and command a lot of respect at shows and on the street. This
is one of the better examples we've featured, and they still look
awesome in the flesh. Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends
and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in
our inventory prior to purchase.
