For the 1987 model year, Buick produced 20,193 examples of its iconic Grand National. These are a genuine 1980’s muscle car, and when you couple their desirability with their performance, it’s hardly surprising that we see a few appearing on our desks here at Barn Finds. Their condition can vary widely, from those that have lived life in the fast lane to pampered trailer queens. This Grand National is not a trailer queen, but it is a beautifully preserved vehicle with a mere 16,000 miles showing on its odometer. The owner has decided that the time is right for this classic to find a new home, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and while the bidding has already rocketed to $51,000, that figure remains short of the reserve.

If a 1987 Grand National didn’t already look menacing enough in stunning Black, the owner’s decision to add dark aftermarket window tinting lifts that impression to a new level. The car presents beautifully, with no apparent problems or issues. The shine on the paint looks deep enough to walk into, while the panels are laser straight with consistent gaps. There is no evidence that the car has been subjected to long-term UV exposure, with the plastic in good condition. One of the known weak points, in this case, is the bumper fillers. However, these look to be in good condition. The glass is flawless, while the original chrome wheels add the contrast I find so attractive with these vehicles. The overall impression is that this car has been treated with respect throughout its life.

If the Grand National has a weak point, that dubious distinction falls to its interior trim and upholstery. While vehicle manufacturers had been incorporating plastic into their products for many years, producing these components capable of withstanding long-term use and abuse was still something of a black art in the 1980s. Add to that, the unique Gray and Black upholstery in a Grand National is susceptible to wear and stains. Therefore, it is not unusual to find an ’87 model looking pretty tired. Thankfully, that fate hasn’t befallen our feature car. Its interior presents beautifully, with no evidence of flaws or issues. It is also original and unmolested and still sports such features as its genuine Grand National floor mats. It is nicely equipped in a 1987 context. As well as air conditioning, the buyer will score power windows, power locks, cruise control, remote exterior mirrors, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio and cassette player.

Motoring trends can be fascinating. Some can be fleeting, like the late 1950s trend towards huge fins. Others can come and go many times. In the 1980s, turbocharging was an area that many manufacturers were exploring. The trend slowly died as the 1990s dawned, but it is experiencing a resurgence today. The 1980s experience demonstrated that a manufacturer didn’t need a V8 under the hood to extract spectacular performance from an otherwise uninspiring vehicle. The 1987 Buick Regal was a prime example of this philosophy. In normally aspirated form, it featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced around 110hp. While that was deemed adequate by most buyers, it gave the Regal the ability to cover the ¼ mile in 19.4 seconds. That was acceptable at the time, but not good enough for Buick’s liking. By subjecting the V6 to some vigorous massaging that included bolting on a turbocharger, an intercooler, electronic fuel injection, and a few other niceties, that same engine produced 245hp when slotted under the hood of the Regal Grand National. The transformation was stunning. With a THM200-4R automatic transmission bolted to the back of that fire-breathing monster, the muscular Buick could scorch through the ¼ mile in an “official” 14.7 seconds. However, like the horsepower figure, that ET was considered by many to be pretty conservative. Wise heads claim that the V6 produced 290hp, while contemporary road testers had no trouble extracting sub-14-second ETs from test vehicles. The engine bay of our feature car presents well for a vehicle of this age. There is no evidence of any tinkering or aftermarket additions, and the owner says that it has 16,000 genuine miles on the clock. It runs and drives exceptionally well, and is ready to tear up the tarmac with a new owner behind the wheel.

It is a fact that some classic cars will fall in and out of favor with the buying public with monotonous regularity. However, like the First Generation Mustang, some will experience decades of desirability. The 1987 Buick Grand National is riding the crest of a wave at the moment, and it is unclear how long this will last. It could be fleeting, or it could enjoy the same level of longevity as the Mustang. Given the growth in values over the past few years, I’m not surprised to see the bidding reach its current level. Guessing the reserve would be mere speculation, but it may be beyond the $60,000 mark. I would love to have a crystal ball with cars like this because I’d be interested to know whether the trend will be long-lived. The jury is out on that one, so I’ll be interested to read your feedback.