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27,971 Miles? 1987 Buick Grand National

The 1987 Buick Grand National is an icon among 1980s muscle cars, and good ones always seem to command a strong price. This example is claimed to be a low-mileage survivor that isn’t perfect, but close to it. Mileage is reportedly just 27,971, and the paint presents as being in the kind of shape you’d associate with a time-capsule grade vehicle. Find the Grand National here on eBay where bidding is just over $15K and there’s no reserve.

The description indicates this is not a perfect specimen. Not only does it say as much, but the listing claims the Grand National “…runs and drives and stops.” This language is usually reserved for cars that don’t do much else well, like accelerate, hold a steady idle, or turn without any ominous clunking sounds coming from the chassis. Right now, this seems like a long-mothballed car that can do lot drives.

It’d be a shame if the seller under-sold what he had. The engine bay certainly has a level of cleanliness often reserved only for time-warp cars, as it looks this good without any sort of cosmetic dress-up applied. Despite the admission of a slight valve cover gasket leak, I see no indication of oil build-up or soiling on any of the exposed surfaces. No word on any recent maintenance or mechanical updates.

The interior shows a cover on the driver’s seat, and a steering wheel that looks far more worn than you’d expect for such low miles. The dash and console look to be crack-free, and the original floor mats are in good shape. The door panels also appear fairly fresh. Overall, this Grand National does present as a low-mileage car that wasn’t overly-preserved – what’s that worth in today’s market?

Comments

  1. Avatar Stefan

    Nice car, but steering wheel and text gone on wiper lever tells miles are not correct.

    Like 4
  2. Avatar Michael

    I had a friend that had a GNX. Unfortunately he got married, and the wife had him driving her auto. So he let the GNX sit for four years, untouched. No oil changes, no maintnance. Nothing. He had to sell it. Unfortunately it sold for a very low price. The weather stripping got old, and brittle. The engine turned over hard, and actually wouldn’t start. Tires were weathered. Just a shame how a woman can change a perspective.

    Like 6
  3. Avatar Frank Sumatra

    Encouraging to see two (Now three) comments. GN fatigue has hopefully set in. Agree on the mileage comment above. Total BS on the mileage claim, especially with the seat cover.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar JC

    Seems every car with a 5 digit odometer these days is being touted as “low original mileage”… its also had 4 owners… this car has turned over at least once.

    Like 5
  5. Avatar JV

    the dmv records show it had 67,000 miles on it in 1997 so i’m betting its at least 127,000.

    Like 5
  6. Avatar Chasman358

    My son owns the 1987 G-Nat in the picture attached. It has 39,000 miles on it and looks like new inside and out. No seat covers need.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar BW

    I own a 1987 GN w/18k original miles (yes, they are original and the car was bought from the original owner with all records). The interiors of the GN held up very well (owned a number of them). This car is obviously a 127k car and the DMV records support that. Finally, the GN door panels came ONLY in gray. I’ve never seen black door panels. They must have come off a regular production Regal of that vintage.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

    Lovely looking car. I remember when Buick made cars like this. I find this Regal Grand National way more attractive than anything produced today.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Clevelandchevyman

    Door panels are the wrong color, they should be gray not black, probably dyed them due to wear

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Poptheclutch

    Some of these supposedly low mileage cars lived hard lives! And the comment above says 4 owners on this car makes me
    Wonder at least a couple of them had to drove this car hard!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      I clearly remember Consumer Reports in the late 1970s and early 1980s warning readers of its used car buyers’ guide to leave used muscle cars to those “whose mating call is the screeching and squeeling of tires.” Obviously very poor financial advice in retrospect but still wise practical advise. That’s something you should take as the rule rather than the exception with cars like this.

      Like 0
  11. Avatar Bob McK

    I would rather have that Shelby parked next to it. This is a high mileage beater being offered as a low mileage car. Buyer beware!

    Like 0

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