While we all lament the end-times when there are no barn finds left to discover, it sure seems like there’s always a Grand National or two hiding behind wooden doors or broken glass. So let’s give thanks. This 1987 Grand National was parked in 2005, so it’s not exactly an ancient barn find – but it’s still a desirable car that always gets bidders’ attention when one pops up. Find it here on eBay in New York with bidding over $7K and the reserve unmet.
The seller notes that a leaky fuel line caused the Grand National to be parked in a barn and left to sit (and rot, based on the rust along the door edges). The fuel leak flaw has grown to the point that now the Buick has no fuel pressure at all, but the motor does still spin freely. While mileage is nothing approaching time capsule-like, the 27,000 on the odometer does make your imagination wander – but in this case, it has likely rolled over at least once.
The interior is complete albeit tired. The seats could use a good cleaning, though the seller says the cabin is “…in amazing shape for being original.” I don’t know if I agree with that, as I’ve seen some cars that looked way worse outside still have cleaner insides than this one, which shows plenty of dirt and dust stains on the passenger seat, door panels, and trunk carpeting. But these are minor nits to pick that can be addressed with an afternoon of cleaning.
The engine bay shows plenty of signs of surface rot, a common ailment of cars from the northeast. My junkyard-find 190E 2.3-16 has all sorts of rusted lines and suspension bits under the car, and I hope some of those components can be cleaned and re-used – but it’s probably wishful thinking. The rust on the doors and other places may mean this Grand National has more work in store for the next owner than just getting the fuel system rebuilt and the car running again, but it’s hard not to still get excited by the possibilities of restoring a genuine barn find like this. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
My buddy used to work for Jatco at the Janesville GM plant, he would load and unload the new cars from the rail cars and transporters. He told me last week how much fun these were. I’d guess he was not alone. Maybe you were not the first person to light up the tires on your new muscle car back in the day.
Not to be a hater. I love that vintage Buick. My best friend has a mint condition 86 Regal. Light blue with dark blue venal top and velour inside to match. Anyway, this is a straight up parts car. Between all the rot and damage on the passenger side. Just part it out for cars worth restoring. Hope this comment doesn’t make anyone angry
So, honest question… With the given awareness of what good examples of these cars sell for, does it make this car a desirable restoration candidate? Wondering what the cost would be if one was so inclined.
Another day .. another Grand National :)
Still interesting though.
Agreed and for me I’ll move along as there is really nothing for me to see here.
Cars.com has a dozen of them in almost mint condition starting at 18500. This isn’t a GNX. All I see is 2500 hundred tops for this car. I can’t believe where the bidding is already and the reserve unmet. Someone is going to be way upside down on this parts car.
You do realize that this is not a GNX? There was a difference between the GN and the GNX. Where does it say this one is a GNX?
The kind of GN I would expect to see on barnfinds, more so than the ones stored away with ten miles on the odometer.
Time to feast!
The feast already happened, it ate up this car whole!
Somebody is probably going to put this GN on the road instead of it being a parts car,it it sells.It’s going to cost but it’s their money.Time to EAT!!
Let’s take a car, drive the heck out of, (nothing wrong with that), drive it into,(or push it into) a barn, call it a barn find, and ask totally ridiculous money for it!
I think somebody is buying for the powertrain, not to restore. Street Rod, Rat Rod, any 1978-1987 G body, 1978-84 A body, all will become a big conversation piece at and cruise night, car show, with a ‘GN motor’ in it. Think outside the (black) box here. Love to have the powertrain for a Black1985 Cutlass Brougham V6 I have my eye on. It has just about every option, but a V8, and that is why I hesitate to get it. It would be more fun with a turbo V6! And something different.
Sitting 13 years because of a fuel leak and this whole time couldn’t bother to get it fixed?
You people are all haters. This is considered minor body work for anyone who knows what they’re doing here in upstate New York. Maybe a junkyard door replacement and some minor metal repair. Father and son project to get it running in a weekend and the kid has a cool ride for his first car and under 10k to boot. He can then take his time cleaning it up and detailing over time.
Power train out and put it in a 61 special and have a blast with it!! Can you just see a VET being ate for lunch HA! HA!
This looks like it has seen a decade of winter driving. You really haven’t experienced rust until you’ve lived in the rust belt.
I have rebuild cars that were way worse for wear, this appears to be a good project baring few mechanical problems.
I’d go for it!
There’s an older gentleman in town that drives one regularly… including the winter; it’s not as rough as this one, but you can see it’s headed there given enough time. I think once you head down that path, there’s a point where you can’t turn around without some heavy investment.
I would like to have 1 of these with the lightening shifter transmission or a 4 speed manual transmission instead of the regular automatic transmission that these mostly had but with a 400 or 455 that would be fun
Think its too much $$$ for the work it needs. If it was GNX, yes. There was like 25k of these produced in 87. I found one in York PA sitting under a tree couple years ago with 84k on the clock. Interior and body in nice shape. Paint has some surface rust, head liner sagging, & the bumper fillers are shot. Fresh gas & plugs, & it fired right up. Thinking of letting go. Just taking up space in my garage that i need now. Not a turbo guy. Basicaly bought it for the rear end for my ElC
There were 20,193 made in 87!
However, in 86, there were a mere 5,512, that’s about 1/4 of the next years production which, in my opinion given the little to no difference in design, makes the 86 much more rare.
@Jason – please consider sending it into the site if you do decide to sell. Thanks!
There is no way in hell that car has only 27,000 miles
Bidding is now over $8,000 and there’s still a couple days to go. I bet it surpasses 10 grand. That is utterly obscene for this.
Leaking fuel line or rotted through fuel line?
Just another northern rust bucket.
Don’t let the low price fool you. I can already guess what the frame look like from the looks of the engine compartment. This will take ALOT of work to get it looking good. You are better off paying more for a cleaner one what has been maintained. This one looks like a money pit.
Too many nice ones out there to pay over $7k for this one. No thanks.
Like the Pace Car Vette……this became what most would put back as collectible back in the day……more around than demand now.