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3,959 Genuine Miles! 1987 Buick Grand National

The original owner of this 1987 Buick Grand National kept it in climate controlled storage for its entire life, and following his recent passing, the current owner purchased the car from his estate. The original owner didn’t go out of his way to try to wear the car out, as it now has a grand total of 3,959 original miles on the odometer. The car appears to be in as-new condition and is now looking for a more permanent home. The Buick is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the opening bid at $40,000, but there have been no takers at this point.

The only word that I can use to describe the Grand National is spotless. It really does look like it has just rolled off a showroom floor, with not a scratch, ding, or blemish to be seen anywhere. That’s the thing about black cars: They look fantastic when they are bright and shiny, but that black paint is sure to emphasize every ripple in the panels. There really isn’t anything obvious, and the standard chrome wheels are also clean and free of any corrosion or pitting.

The turbocharged 3,791cc V6 engine in the Grand National endowed the car with some pretty impressive performance figures for that era. Any production 5-seater that could break 15 seconds for the ¼ mile in the 1980s was a car worth looking at. The Grand National could better this, by clocking it in 14.8 seconds. This was partly due to the 245hp that the engine pumped out, but it was ably assisted by the THM200-4R 4-speed automatic transmission. You also get power steering and power brakes as part of the standard fare with this car. The engine and its surrounds are a bit dusty, but the overall condition looks very good. Of course, with so little use during its lifetime, it is unclear just what work, if any, would be needed if the car was destined to be returned to active duty.

Welcome to performance and luxury, 1980s style. Actually, I say that with my tongue firmly in my cheek, because Buick managed to make the interior of the Grand National appear to be light and airy. Using lighter colors with dark highlights was an effective choice, and the combination still holds up well 32-years down the track. As you would expect, the interior presents equally as well as every other aspect of the car. The trim and upholstery appear to be spotless, and I doubt that anyone has ever sat in the back seat. There have been no modifications performed, and the usual list of luxury items such as power windows and seats, power locks, and air conditioning, are all present.

At first glance, the asking price for this Grand National may appear to be quite ambitious, but it does seem to be pretty close to the mark. There have been a few low-mileage cars appear in recent times, and the prices all seem to gravitate around the $40,000 mark. The only thing that I ever question with cars like this is what to do with them. Part of the value of the car is locked up in the sheer desirability of the vehicle, while some of it revolves around the low mileage. To my way of thinking, these are a car that was designed to be driven and enjoyed, not to be left sitting unused. If you bought it, what would you do?

Comments

  1. Avatar TimS

    If money was no object, I’d buy this one, refresh what needed to be refreshed, and drive it. There are dozens/hundreds more turbo cars with delivery mileage, and plenty of so-called experts to look at one with 5 miles and say, “well this one isn’t worth that much because I saw one with 4.9!” Very few special-edition cars made past about 1976 will ever bring massive money, because everybody saved them.

    Like 6
  2. Avatar Al

    Why is there a plethora of Grand Nationals listed in Barnfinds and elsewhere for that matter.
    I think everybody who had one saved it, but saved it for what?
    Collector car? I don’t think so.
    Maybe give it 50 years, when supposedly we won’t be using gasoline, what good would they then serve?

    Like 10
  3. Avatar sir mike

    How about the 59 Chevy S/W on the lift??? Much more interesting car.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Ian C

      That is what I came here to post.

      Like 2
  4. Avatar art

    Another “estate” find. The poor late owner had this car for 32 years and managed to drive it a whopping 123 miles per year. That is beside sad.
    To me, a waste. All he did was store a nice car for the next owner and I doubt his wife got full value, either. I’d rather have a higher mileage car that can be driven and enjoyed, not kept to collect dust.
    This was not a rare one-off Bentley Continental…it was a car meant to be driven and enjoyed.
    “Here lies John Doe who rarely smiled as he hardly drove his cherished car for any miles”.
    RIP

    Like 14
  5. Avatar Coventrycat

    These Grand National stories must be easy to write – every one has the same story, all you have to do is insert the mileage.

    Like 10
    • Avatar Bill

      Now that was funny sir. !

      Like 1
  6. Avatar Dcowan

    I’m with you AL. Maybe these cars where not so much fun to drive. Every few months one pops up with stupid low miles. I mean they made like 35,000 of em. I guess in the 80’s there was a lot of cash floating around for people to sit on these after they bought them. However with all these popping up the price is certain to go down soon.

    Like 4
  7. Avatar grant

    Seems like every time I walk outside I trip over another GN with test drive miles. Yawn.

    Like 4
  8. Avatar r s

    And now, a V6 Camry will beat it in the quarter mile.
    Motor Trend says 0-60 in 5.8 sec. and 1/4 mile in 14.3.

    Like 2
    • Avatar That AMC Guy

      It was quite the thing back in the day though. When these were new I remember seeing one that had a custom license plate stating succinctly: “UD LOSE”.

      Like 2
      • Avatar Camaro guy

        There’s a GN in Milwaukee with the same plate, maybe the same car?

        Like 0
  9. Avatar r s

    I think I’d sanitize this one, put a mirrored floor in my living room, and park it there as a display piece.

    Like 3
  10. Avatar Jerret Schreiber

    I have seen this car in person about a month ago it looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor,they also had a black 1939 street rod that they had bought from the same estate that was just absolutely beautiful!

    Like 1
  11. Avatar irocrobb

    Never liked them back then,and things have not changed. The Monte SS was a far better looking car.Mind you zero get up and go ….

    Like 0
    • Avatar W9BAG

      I would have to disagree with you, Irocobb. IMHO, the Buick had a much more refined, classy look, but basically the same car. Too bad that Oldsmobile didn’t get into the fray with the 442.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Del

        35,000 made

        34,500 still for sale

        All with low mileage

        33,000 have been posted here

        Like 1
  12. Avatar Shawn Fox Firth

    Not driving your car Is akin to not bangin your girlfriend so her next boyfriend can enjoy her .

    Like 18
  13. Avatar LARRY

    Shawn, perfectly said sir..

    Like 4
  14. Avatar Smokey Member

    Stories like this make me sad. November of 1964 I bought a brand new 1965 Porsche SC coupe, bright Signal Red, black leather interior. I drove the Hell out of that car and loved every mile. Joined the Porsche Club of America, went on all the tours and rallies. Ran in every autocross I could get to. Wore out I forget how many sets of radials, Well used two SC engines and was on my third rebuild, one excellent repaint, then sold it (sigh) after 200,00 miles and 17 years sheer joy! The guy still has it and it remains fine. I am OK, I got a new 911 and in the process of using the hell out of this one. Still in PCA also.

    Like 7
    • Avatar dcowan

      Live the dream smokey

      Like 2
  15. Avatar DreamWeaver

    I have owned three of the Grand Nationals. The first was a 85 that i wore the tires off. Sold it and bought a 86 that i did the same too. Sold it and bought a 87 that i gave Corvettes fits. So for anyone that thinks these muscle cars are not muscle, they should drive one and there would be no problem calling them a Muscle car they will scare the crap out of you.

    Like 4
  16. Avatar Arthell64

    I never could get past the crappy v6 sound.

    Like 1
    • Avatar W9BAG

      At first, I didn’t either. But when I came to the realization that is was a hot rod 6 banger that slammed same day Corvette’s in the 1/4 mile, I came to appreciate it. I’ve also heard some really great sounding, modified slant sixes as well.

      Like 2
    • Avatar Camaro guy

      Turbo GN V6’s didn’t sound that bad the turbo changed the sound somewhat and with Flowmasters it wasn’t bad at all INMO

      Like 1
  17. Avatar ACZ

    You know what’s really interesting? All the guys that badmouth these cars keep quoting magazine articles. No one says “I own one and I hate it” or “I own one and it’s a dog”. I guess if you don’t have something it’s easy to use that as an excuse.

    Like 1
    • Avatar triumph1954

      ACZ- Well said! Nice car and worth the money.

      Like 0
  18. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    Looks like the listing has ended and apparently didn’t sell. For that money, I expect the seller will be keeping it for some time.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Bob McK

    I wonder what the seller paid the estate for this car.

    I never owned one because they are just plain ugly to me.

    Like 0
  20. Avatar DreamWeaver

    Hey Bob.
    When you go black you never go back.

    Like 0

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