The Regal-based Grand National (GN) was first produced in response to the success Buick had in the NASCAR Cup Series in 1981. Unlike the more well-known GN’s from 1984-87, only 215 of these cars were built in 1982 and they were all finished in two-tone silver-gray. The seller says this one is special as it’s the earliest documented survivor according to the Grand National Registry. Located in Santa Maria, California, this low-mileage and restored car is available here on craigslist for $24,500 OBO. Thanks, Britt B, for sending this tip or way!

Restyled for 1981, the Buick Regal ended up having an aerodynamic advantage over the other GM intermediates that raced in NASCAR’s top series. With five primary drivers, Buick won 22 of the season’s 31 races and the national championship that year, which was a first for Buick. To capitalize on that success and drive more traffic to their showrooms, Buick created the Grand National (named after the top NASCAR program) as a mid-year entry for 1982. It would be a limited production car that would blossom over the next several years.

The first year of the GN saw the car powered by a 125 hp, 4.1-liter V6 engine with a 4-barrel carburetor. But we understand as many of 20 of the cars saw the 175 hp Turbo-Charged 3-8-liter engine installed instead. Buick didn’t do all the work. The intended Regals were finished in Charcoal Gray and sent to Cars and Concepts in Michigan where the conversion to the GN was completed. All these cars had the upgraded F41 suspension.

As the story goes, this ’82 GN didn’t go directly out for sale. Buick held on to it for 18 months and then consigned it to a California dealer with just 26 miles on the odometer. We’re told that it has the honor of being the earliest documented GN in existence by VIN. While it only has 34,000 miles on the odometer, the car’s previous owner gave it a complete cosmetic restoration, including the engine bay, trunk, and chassis. We’re told there are a few remaining issues from that work, but nothing that would prevent the car from being shown. Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t mention what those issues are.

A bunch of paperwork will follow this automobile to its next owner, including the original window sticker which shows Buick held on to it for a while, its build sheet, factory photos, glovebox documents, and purchase documents, If the car will stay in California, it’s important to note that the Buick just passed its California smog inspection. The only reason the seller is parting with the car is that he’s run out of storage space and he hopes a fellow collector will buy the car. These early GN’s aren’t as powerful as the later models, which are all painted in black, which distinguishes their appearance from the ‘82s.