This 1987 Buick Grand National is, like many others, a low mileage survivor, remaining in stock condition. But it could be considered just a touch more special courtesy of its hardtop configuration: that’s right, no T-tops here. The paint is original and the mileage is low, clocking in at just 28,177. It certainly presents like an almost-new car and the seller claims it’s been parked in the corner of his garage, gathering dust. Check it out here on craigslist if you want a chance to blow the cobwebs out, where the seller is asking $34,500.
This is one of the few cars that seemingly made sense to put on blocks shortly after buying it new, as values have steadily risen over the last few years. Of course, when you compare the cost now with the rate of inflation, it may not look like such a sound investment versus actually driving the car. But enthusiasts have loved the Grand National for years, and I don’t see that sentiment fading away any time soon. The interior of this example remains quite fresh, with clean upholstery, good seat bolsters, minty door panels, and a crack-free dash.
The engine bay is spotless, and while the seller doesn’t detail any recent maintenance, there’s nothing under the hood that looks alarming our of place. The bigger deal is finding one of these that hasn’t been modified, as these drivetrains respond well to aftermarket parts. However, 1987 was in many ways the best year for out-of-the-box performance for the Grand National, as it made a healthy 235 b.h.p. and 330 lb-ft of torque due to various improvements Buick’s engineers made to the drivetrain, including a revised intercooler.
That was serious scoot back then, and it’s still plenty respectable now. The Grand National only got hotter, with the introduction of the even more limited GNX. There’s good reasons why cars like this remain valuable, as it’s not just because it’s a limited production model or a muscle car – it’s both of those things, and in many ways, was over-engineered by Buick to make the most of its turbocharged powerplant in an era where the standard performance recipe of a V8 and rear wheel drive was no longer the only answer. This one looks like a stunner – anyone agree?
Bleahh!
Anyone that is serious about performance will avoid t-tops or a convertible like the plague.
Bad to the bone.
There’s one in every car.
You’ll see…
My 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback has 168 hp 4 cyl. I’m not impressed.
Horsepower for the 87 GN was 245 (SAE net). GNX was rated at 276 (SAE net). A few years ago, I talked to a retired Buick engineer who was there when these were built. He told me that both of these models were underrated, especially the GNX. They estimated that the GNX was AT LEAST 300HP.
The 2020 4 cylinder turbo mustang has 300 hp.
And the GN will still make it look like the silly secretary car it is.
And the NA 3.6 V6 in the Camaro makes over 300 and the new CT4 V Blackwing over 470hp, what’s your point? Engine tech has improved mightily since the 80’s.
In 1987 this car would outrun a Ferrari from a stop light and hold it’s own against that Mustang today. How many other 2 door sedans from 1987 can make that claim?
Yeah yeah yeah… there’s always someone who has to point out that their ne 4 cylinder car has more horsepower than a GN. Whatever. How much torque does that disposable four banger have?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have owned 5 ‘87 Turbo Buicks and they are legendary for a reason. Something a four banger Mustang will never be. Get over it
Tom 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
That was a glimmer of performance hope and a great car for that era.
If you dig ‘em and this is as clean as stated, I think it’s a fair price considering some of the projects and outright junk that’s out there. 👍
What’s going on with the dimples on the console? (And lose the pine tree air freshener before snapping photos – makes it look like you’re hiding a cigarette burn or something).
When the gn and gnx were new and after the crucial break in period there was nothing that could keep up with them. I know because I was there..these were scary fast at the time and compared to today’s high horsepower cars no comparison. 30 or 40 years from now you still have a 300 horsepower disposable Camry..accord..maxima..Camaro..mustang etc. Get it? Got it? Good!
There is no 3.8 litter factory motor built today that can equal the power of the GN and the Turbo Trans Am . I put a strip chip in my Turbo Trans Am and dialed up the boost to 21 Lbs. Race gas and 11:50 were the norm and that V6 motor loved it.Factory boost on my Trans Am was 16.5 lbs find a car today that has that kind of boost stock.
I worked for a larger suburban Philadelphia newspaper from 1984 until 2004. We had an auto writer who was connected. I got to drive a plain GN and was impressed. Having owned a 71 big block Corvette, two GTOs and a 70 Road Runner, I knew a little about speed. The GN was very fast, but then that summer he somehow got a GNX out of the press fleet. I still have a copy of the window sticker, it was about $29,000 and change. I took my then 2 year old daughter, safely strapped in her car seat, on the bypass near Doylestown. If her mother knew what I did, well, she never found out. I got up to about 100 for a second, fearing my daughter would scream. She was laughing her butt off and said FASTER DADDY. She has a lead foot today at age 35 and no wonder. For the time, this car was king. I too am tired of hearing about 300 hp 4 cyl. stupid cars made today. Who gives a crap? All cars today, save a few, are boring, look alike and you need a PhD in computer science to repair one and tons of money. The price on this one is a little steep. I could have bought a 5,000 mile one a year ago for $30,000 and passed.
On this site I’ve noticed that a lot of these really low mileage GN’s have odometers with numbers that don’t seem to line up right.
I know that in every car there are times when the numbers don’t line up, which has been the answer whenever someone points this issue out.
But after seeing a few of these , I have to wonder, what’s the chance that some of these “low mileage” odometers are always photographed at the time this random line up issue is happening?
Also, it’s rarely/ never the last 3 numbers that don’t line up.