Vehicle Description
1987 Buick Regal 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 1987 Buick Regal Grand National with a title
verified 29,701 actual miles and a numbers matching drivetrain.
Beginning in 1986, Grand Nationals, (and other Turbo Regals),
received an intercooler which boosted horsepower and 0 to 60 times
substantially and these direct descendants of the early sport coupe
are now some of the most desirable cars in the market, and not just
the muscle car market.
Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by
the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws
to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public
highways in your area.*
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. GM was notorious at the time for
potentially bad paint, to the point that some Grand Nationals were
repainted under warranty and there is some paint work apparent on
this example. From a distance, the handsome car stands proud and
clearly worthy of their "Bad to the Bone" denotation but get up
close and find scuffs, (including a big one on the back bumper),
chips, scratches, bubbling, and surface scratches that will likely
buff out by a skilled detailer. The black on the Buick grille
emblem has faded off, and there's a missing emblem from the
decklid. The bumper fillers go bad even on low mileage cars and
this one will need replacements which, fortunately, are available
in the aftermarket. The filler in back is cracked near the license
plate bracket and there's a dent in the front center of the hood, a
common issue with GN's if you don't close it with hands spread wide
on the outside stiffening folds. The 15-inch Grand National wheels
look good but lack black painted inserts.
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 and we note a
small tear on the passenger seat. The back bench picks up on the
color combo and looks untouched. Gray leather wraps the thick
steering wheel and it's in good condition with a Turbo T center
cap, (GN's came with the Buick shield). The standard speedometer is
in place and as a holdover from the tame Regals, only goes to 85mph
and the boost and RPM's are indicated with two light bars that
light up like Battlestar Galactica when the car is on. This car
wears an added boost gauge on the A-pillar. 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 while low pile black carpet was
standard and protected here with carpeted mats repeating the Turbo
6 logo. This solid roof car has a soft gray headliner that is
sagging, and, in the trunk, the correct black low pile carpet mat
shows a touch of use but in good shape, and the space saver spare
is in its factory position still wearing the cardboard cover.
Drivetrain
Under the hood bulge is the iconic numbers matching 3.8 liter
turbocharged and intercooled V6. It shows in driver condition and a
word to the next owner, that the turbo shield and up pipe are
easily polished which instantly improves the aesthetics of the bay.
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.
Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath with a good amount of surface rust and
some oil on the crossmember, oil pan, and flywheel cover. The
exhaust comes off the downpipe then splits to head back going
separate ways to meet Hooker Aerochamber mufflers then out the
stock location behind the rear wheels. No catalytic converters are
onboard. Independent coil suspension in front and a 4 link with
coils in the rear.
Drive-Ability
This one has a bit more of a rumble to the exhaust than factory
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 well, and it is time to bid
adieu as we bring it back in after scoring 100 on the functionality
test. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were
working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these
functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
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. Mostly original GNs like this one are getting harder to find as
owners hold on to them during these years of appreciating values.
Be sure to check this one out.
1G4GJ1172HP457663
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
2-Check Digit
H-1987
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
457663-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.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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