If push came to shove and I was forced to choose a favorite classic from every decade to park in my garage, the winning candidate from the 1980s would be a no-brainer. I would pick the 1987 Buick Grand National every time. I acknowledge that the GNX was a more potent package, but the minor visual differences between the two are enough for the Grand National to win my vote. Our feature car is an original and unmolested survivor. It is highly optioned, and the 20,000 miles on the clock confirms nobody has tried to wear it out. If a Grand National is on your Wish List, it is listed here on Craigslist in Farmingdale, New York. The seller set their price at $39,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G, whose finely tuned classic radar unearthed this beauty.

So, what visually allows the Grand National to triumph over the GNX in my books? It is one feature, although there are four of them. They are round and shiny. Yep, it’s the wheels. That may appear superficial, but they provide a contrast to the predominantly Black exterior that the mesh wheels on the GNX can’t. This Grand National has led a colorful life, having been stolen and recovered thirty-five years ago. It features a new VIN issued in New York, but the title is clear. The adventure didn’t hurt this classic because it still presents exceptionally well for its age. The paint has some typical swirls that accumulate in this shade over time, but it still shines richly. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the underside shots confirm it is rust-free. The plastic is excellent, and the bumper fillers haven’t crumbled, as is often the case. The glass is crystal clear, while the badges and wheels look perfect.

Many enthusiasts will agree that the weakest link in the Grand National chain is its interior. The distinctive Gray and Black seatcovers can become tired and stained, while headliners can drop around the ears of occupants with age. This car has avoided those issues, and although I wouldn’t call it perfect, the overall condition is consistent with a low-mileage survivor. There is no wear or physical damage and no signs of aftermarket additions. Still, the long list of factory options means it needed nothing anyway! The new owner receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a six-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a premium AM/FM radio/cassette player with a graphic equalizer.

We’ve seen a few Grand Nationals of this vintage at Barn Finds, meaning many readers probably understand why these cars are so special and highly sought. However, it is a story that is worth covering for the uninitiated. The Malaise Era transformed many high-performance models into vehicles that did little but turn fuel into noise. Horsepower dribbled out the exhaust, and excitement was hard to find. It took years for manufacturers to devise solutions to these woes, but the 1980s trend towards forced induction allowed Buick to develop what many considered a left-field answer. Rather than persevering with a V8, it updated its existing 3.8-liter V6. It strengthened the internals, added a turbocharger, an intercooler, and revised fuel injection and engine management systems. In normally-aspirated form, that V6 struggled to produce more than 100hp. The upgrades pushed that figure to an “official” 245hp. Many enthusiasts believe that figure to be conservative, with the actual number closer to 300hp. Shifting duties fell to a four-speed THM200-4R automatic transmission. Was it fast? Just a bit! The factory quoted a ¼-mile ET of 14.7 seconds, although contemporary road tests commonly knocked a second off that figure. It seems that power output wasn’t the only area where Buick hid the truth. The seller doesn’t mention verifying evidence for their claim that the Grand National has 20,000 genuine miles on the clock, but they include two original tires. The car is in excellent mechanical health and is ready to provide the new owner with plenty of thrills if they are enthusiastic with the gas pedal.

Buick hit the nail on the head with the Grand National, and many automotive historians consider it one of the cars that signaled the end of The Malaise Era. That makes these classics historically significant, and the performance available makes the 1987 Grand National one of the most desirable cars from the 1980s. The seller’s price is below market expectations, which might initially make the fact that it remains unsold after nearly three weeks on the market seem strange. I can’t provide a definite answer as to why this might be, but it could be that some enthusiasts are spooked by the car’s history and replacement VIN. Do you think that is the issue, or have I had the blinkers on and missed something glaringly obvious? Over to you for answers.