Another day, another Buick Grand National – yes, it’s like a broken record at this point, but it also points to the fact that these are blue-chip collector cars that enthusiasts really enjoy owning. Great power, smooth delivery, brutish looks – the Grand National does check a lot of boxes unless you’re a die-hard V8 guy. This one has just over 43,000 miles and is said to remain highly original. The paintwork looks quite nice in photos, and it’s always encouraging to see small details – like the chrome on the wheel lips – looking proper. Find the Grand National here on Hemmings in Milford, Connecticut for $39,500, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Boot for the find.
The price is a touch high for a car that isn’t perfect, but that could be a result of it being listed by a dealer. The trim between the bumpers and the body is intact, an area we usually see some signs of wear-and-tear on unloved cars. Though you occasionally see a T-top example, this one retains its “slicktop” roof. Despite being in Connecticut, there’s no evidence this Grand National spent any time in the snow, and underside photos in the listing gallery show an impressive clean chassis free from even the typical surface rust you see on a norther vehicle. This Grand National had to have been a previous owner’s Sunday driver.
The interior is in nice shape, with clean upholstery on the original bucket seats. The Grand National is bone stock all the way through, with the standard three-spoke steering wheel and automatic transmission in place. The seller notes that the Buick left the factory with power door locks, power windows, tinted glass, cruise control, electric trunk, limited-slip differential, tilt wheel, and more. There are no obvious details out of place, and the Grand National retains its original radio. Air conditioning is listed as a feature, of course, but the seller doesn’t confirm whether it’s actually blowing cold at the moment.
1987 is a great year to get into a Grand National. In ’86, the intercooler was added, boosting horsepower to a healthy 235 b.h.p., a number that rose again fairly promptly. In 1987, a Grand National churned out an even healthier 245 b.h.p., accompanied by 355 lb.-ft. of torque. There’s a reason Grand Nationals always command strong money, and it’s because among 1980s American performance cars, few were better at it than a Grand National. Throw in limited production numbers and a high attrition rate among cars driven far too hard on the street, and you have a perfect recipe for the cars like this always going for strong money. Do you think it will sell at this price?
Like many, I’d imagine, I clicked on this one hoping to find the elusive GN that is still nice enough for the local Cars and Coffees yet not too nice so as to render it unenjoyable to drive somewhat frequently.
Regretfully, it is being sold by a dealer who has priced it as a 12K mile example.
Agreed, the dealer must be sniffing something. At those miles this is a $20k car. $45k will get you a teens mile GN. I suspect this GN will be sitting on the lot for the foreseeable future.
As a reference, I sold my 18k mile GN in 18K mile condition (i.e., 100% original) for $31k last fall.
Gee, another low mile GN, such excitement! Yeah, sure. Been there, done that, move on. Here is an idea people, buy a car when new, buy the best one you can afford. Then do not park it away, drive it.