Buick changed the automotive landscape with the Grand National. It demonstrated that a genuine muscle car didn’t need a V8 under the hood to provide exhilarating performance. This 1987 example is no exception, and the first owner’s decision to load it with factory options ensures that it perfectly combines speed and comfort. Reversing the few minor changes wouldn’t pose many challenges for those preferring total originality, and the interest this car has generated demonstrates the desirability of the Grand National. The seller has listed it here on eBay in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Bidding sits below the reserve at $23,500, although there is a BIN option of $45,001 for those who find this Buick irresistible.
I grew up in a household where the garage was dominated by vehicles wearing a Blue Oval badge. However, I don’t have a solid brand allegiance and will accept any classic on its merit. If you forced me to choose between a ’57 Thunderbird and a Bel Air from the same era to park in my garage, the Chevy would probably get the nod. The 1960s would pose a greater challenge if the candidates were a 1966 Mustang GT and a 1963 Buick Riviera. However, the 1980s are a no-brainer, with the ’87 Grand National my weapon of choice. The styling is spot-on for me, with the Black exterior perfectly contrasted by beautiful chrome wheels. I did a double-take when examining the supplied images of this car, initially thinking that there were major paint flaws on the passenger side. However, the fact that what we see is a background reflection of gold streamers perfectly demonstrates how good this car appears to be. There are no major presentation issues, and I can spot nothing suggesting that the winning bidder faces rust problems. The plastic and trim are excellent, and this car scores additional points for the factory glass sunroof. The wheels appear perfect, and the glass is crystal clear.
Regular readers will know that I prefer my classics unmolested, meaning that I would change a few things about this Buick’s interior if it found its way into my garage. The tach and gauges mounted on the A-pillar would have to go, and I would probably source a factory stereo to swap into the spot occupied by the aftermarket unit. Otherwise, this interior has no pressing needs. The typical wear and fading is absent from the distinctive Black and Silver trim, and the headliner isn’t sagging. There is no crumbling plastic and no evidence of abuse. The first owner didn’t restrict their box ticking to the sunroof, equipping this Grand National with ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, and cruise control.
It was always accepted that traditional American muscle cars would feature a V8 under the hood. However, Buick turned that theory on its head with the Grand National. By adding fuel injection, an electronic engine management system, a turbocharger, an intercooler, and a few internal upgrades, the Grand National’s V6 churned out 245hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed THM200-4R automatic transmission, bringing me to a point I’ve often pondered. Contemporary road tests produced sub-14-second ¼-mile ETs fairly consistently. I have wondered whether the Grand National would have been faster if Buick had offered a robust four or five-speed manual option to buyers. We will probably never know for sure, but it is possible. The seller supplies no information regarding this car’s mechanical health, although it is fair to expect that any ’87 Grand National in this price bracket will be a turnkey proposition. The listing suggests an odometer reading of 52,896 miles and, if that is correct and the vehicle has been appropriately maintained, it should offer the winning bidder many years of rapid motoring.
Determining whether a classic is genuinely desirable is sometimes difficult, but no such questions hang over this 1987 Buick Grand National. The bid tally of four isn’t an accurate guide, because the listing view total of 677 shows that many people like what they see. Twenty-six people have added the Buick to their Watch List and, if history is an accurate guide, I suspect that the action might intensify in the auction’s dying moments. Of course, I could be wrong, because with the BIN figure looking relatively competitive, someone may choose to bypass the auction process by hitting the button. Would you do that, or is taking a chance that you could secure it for a lower price more your style?
Who doesn’t enjoy GNs 🏁↩️ Buick really nailed it with these sinister black cars. Love the more subdued model, the T-Type too.
Clarkey not sure a stick would’ve made these faster. Turbos work well w the autoloaders. 3.42 rear ⚙️ on the Turbo Regals. Oddly, positraction was optional. I’ve seen stick shift Mustang 5.0s w excellent drivers run w the GNs.
Nice car and writeup Adam. The reason they didn’t offer these with manual transmissions is that you will decrease your turbo boost with the hesitation each time you clutch and shift. An automatic allows you to keep it spooled up with minor interruption when changing gears at full throttle.
Unless you’re power shifting. Pedal to the metal, side stepping the clutch, never let up. Of course, the younger crowd can barely drive a stick anymore, much less do a power shift. I hate automatics. Real hotrods have a third pedal.
Can hardly wait to hear the feedback on this. Oh well.
That’s how we used to drive ’em.
I get what you’re saying but that’s why they did it regardless. I am 62 and grew up shifting just as you explained. Started my shifting duties with a 3 on the tree in a 65 Chevy farm truck pulling tobacco and hay wagons across the Southern KY fields when I was 14. My favorite setup once I started driving was a rock crusher Muncie with a Schaefer clutch, and .411 gears in a 67 RS/ SS Camaro with an L79 327/350 engine. That’s the one I let get away.
I will give feedback but not the hate kind. I agree with you in general but sometimes life circumstances kind of force you give up driving a manual, at least on a regular basis. I’d still prefer to drive a cool car with an automatic as opposed to not driving at all and absolutely nothing against a Camry, great cars actually, but I’d rather drive something like this or a Charger or Challenger or Mustang or Camaro with an automatic then a nice but totally generic car. If you’re still able to comfortably drive a manual trans vehicle, right on for you. No self pity party from me but be grateful you can.
Having owned a couple different 4 cylinder turbo manuals back in the 80’s, you learn how to shift so that you stay in the boost. Yes, it’s work, but it is satisfying keeping up with the V8 beasts if you do it right.
I don’t really buy the mileage claim based on the condition of the engine bay… upon closer examination, lots of the exterior plastic is faded and the chin spoiler looks like it was spray painted in a hurry as well and the paint has a lot of flaws. Also, seller has just ONE feedback rating and it was NEGATIVE. I would use caution dealing with this one but that’s just my opinion.
I saw that feedback on eBay also. I was going to say something and you were faster. Thank you.
Also noticed the odometer pic in the ebay ad shows 39.8k… so 139k is not out of the question…
This car has been rode hard and wet . Definitely 139000 miles . Will probably sell to someone who doesn’t know what to look for . I would hard pass on this . Many more fine examples out there for the same price..
I noticed that to and the add says it has 52 800 miles but they says it has 39 000 miles Get rid of that aftermarket tach other wise a nice Buick my dream car!! Also fix the drivers remote mirror control.
Finding a nice grand national that you would want to own is pretty hard to do. Especially one that has a shift light. Not for 45k . I’m guessing frequently enjoyed. Which is what it’s built for. But to own as a collector. Nope
Love the options on this one !! CF5 moon roof, T82 twilight sentential, UX1, concert sound, etc. No pic of the actual RPO sticker in the trunk sadly. Being a Buick guy. I did notice one serious flaw !! ….. The cluster is from a pre-1987 Turbo Buick. If you look at the style odometer digits …. its not from an ’87
That buy it now price is optimistic.Upon closer look there are a number of issues. What appears to be the factory paint clearly needs to be redone, very common for these cars. Many were so poorly painted at the factory the dealers had to repaint prior to sale. The steering wheel has rusty spokes, which are evident of moisture in the interior, the broken center cap, and who knows what the leather looks like under the steering wheel cover. The tilt adjuster on the column is also rusty, as well as the upper gauge bezel on the A pillar. The console is a little rough, back seat has numerous stains, drivers outside remote mirror has no “joystick”, all 4 door pull strap screw covers are gone, the power antenna is missing the top bezel, plus it is in a mid-height position, indication it is broken as well. The sunroof appears to need adjustment, it appears to sit pretty low, they never were flush to my knowledge, but this just looks wrong. It is quite possible that this is the source of all the interior trim rust. The Powermaster brake system has been replaced with a vacuum setup, typical conversion as the the original Powermaster setups failed. The general underhood appearance is pretty poor. The battery cables and accessory wires simply wrapped around a bolt are indicative of overall workmanship and maintenance… not to mention that tack and shift light mess. On the plus side, it is a sunroof car which is much better that a T-Top car, all the body panels look good with good gaps, the wheels appear to be really nice, most dull and rust with time. The seller should have provided a photo of the trunk lid mounted SPID label to document factory options. This car has the a lot of the issues are pretty common with GN’s, but at the buy it now price they are really reaching in my opinion. There are better examples out there especially figuring the cost of a decent paint application.
Cooter, I get what your saying. Not every shift is going to be a power shift. Makes sense about the loss of boost.
I can envision your Camaro. The good ole days.
I still have a picture of that car, black on black, laquer paint, no spoilers, 8″ vette rallye rims in rear and 7″ on the front. I sold it in 86 to a guy who repainted it back to the original butternut yellow.
Very nice. Love the black. Miss the sound of a mean cam pulling up next to me. Gets the adrenaline going.
Something tells me that this one is hiding a lot of secrets, and I wouldn’t want to be the one to find out the hard way, if that’s the case.
There are much nicer ones out there for that kind of money
Cooter,
Very nice. Love the black. Miss the sound of a mean cam pulling up next to me. Always got the adrenaline going. Next thing you know, it’s pedal to the metal, one eye on the tach, slamming those gears, trying to show some taillights to the competition. The good ole days.
I agree with the hidden secret part just taking a look at it. This will attract a buyer who doesn’t know much about cars but has a lot of money and is drawn to this car’s reputation. They make the hobby go ’round!