By the standards of the day, the 1987 Buick Grand National was considered to be a fairly potent car. This particular vehicle isn’t perfect, but it has been treated to some handy upgrades that should make it really haul the mail when the right foot is buried. It is not a car that would suit someone who is fixated on originality, but if outright performance is your thing, then it is a car that would seem to be worth a serious look. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $24,000 for the Buick, but the option is available to make an offer.
I can’t remember who it was, but I once heard a motoring journalist talking about a classic car that he was reviewing. The vehicle was finished in black, and he described it as “a symphony of evil.” That seems to be a pretty apt description of the Grand National because it has an appearance that simply doesn’t walk the safe ground…it has a real attitude. The owner refers to the paint and panels of the Buick as being of good driver quality. It has received a repaint at some point in the past, and there are a few marks, dimples, and chips to be found around the car. None of these are horrendous, and unless the next owner is seeking perfection, then it would not be a car to be ashamed of when you venture out in public. There is a sunroof fitted to the vehicle, and apparently this was a dealer-installed option. I’m usually a bit wary of these, but there is no visible evidence of water leakage, meaning that the seals appear to be in good condition. The owner provides a fantastic selection of photos of every aspect of the Grand National, and there isn’t a spot of rust visible anywhere on the car. The trim and bumpers look to be in good condition, while those distinctive 15″ chrome wheels appear to be faultless.
Now we get to the business end of proceedings, and if you thought that the Grand National’s original power output of 245hp was impressive, well, we’ve got that beat! The 3.8-liter V6 engine has been fitted with a 6265 billet turbo, along with a huge front-mounted intercooler. Add into the mix an ATR exhaust, an SD2 chip, a data logger, and the fact that the Buick runs on E85, and the upshot of all of this work is that the Grand National now pumps out 475hp on 25psi of boost. The owner includes this YouTube video of the car running and driving, and it shows that it is capable of lighting up the rear tires at 65mph! If the information in the video is correct, then the owner will also be including an upgraded torque converter and a shift kit for the THM200-4R transmission as part of the deal. This is because the ECU can be programmed with a laptop, and this allows the boost to be wound up so that 600hp is readily on tap. He states that with these items fitted and some sticky tires on the rear, then a 10-second ¼ mile ET is readily achievable.
The interior of the Buick is very tidy, with no major issues or problems. The upholstery on the seats and door trims is in above average condition, while the carpet is clean and free of significant stains. The steering wheel is another area of the Grand National that is prone to deterioration, but this one looks very good. All of the plastic trim seems to be free of cracks and discoloring, and the only minor niggle is that some of the chrome has begun to peel off some of the dash trim. The original stereo has been removed and has been replaced with a JVC CD player. However, the original unit is sitting in the trunk. A pod has been attached to the driver’s side A-Pillar, and this houses an aftermarket tachometer and a boost gauge. Given the work that has been performed on the engine, these are probably a pretty solid investment. All of the usual Grand National luxury touches remain, including air conditioning, power windows, power locks, and a power driver’s seat.
For the potential buyer who is seeking a car that is spotless and original, this 1987 Buick Grand National probably isn’t their car. However, for the person who wants a clean, driver-quality classic with some serious performance potential, then this is a car that is well worth considering. I wouldn’t call this a wolf in sheep’s clothes. I think that a werewolf in wolves’ clothes is probably closer to the mark.
Not another 1987 Buick Grand National, there seems to be a plethora of them.
Did everyone who bought one think they were the only person preserving them?
I think this is number 61, whupeeee !!!! for Barnfinds.
It sure seems that 8 out of every 10 you see were driven home and parked in the garage. Apparently the owners thought they’d be a cash cow in 30 years!
Wow! If only I had the money to purchase and import this brutal Buick home to the UK. Imagine the looks I’d get from those jealous bystanders.
Save your money. Only 7 folks in the UK would know what it is and they aren’t the jealous type.
I’m thinking this is the first “day two” Grand National I’ve ever seen. I bet it would be a blast to drive, but wonder if that engine would hold together after a few high speed runs. I do like it though !
Forget the collector angle, it’s twenty four grand for a potential 10 second street/strip car, plenty to like here.
10 seconds isn’t too difficult to attain. My 87 with nothing more than 43 lb injectors, a TE44 turbo, “hot wired” Walbro fuel pump, Terry Houston downpipe, no catalytic converter and drag radials ran 11:90’s at 113 MPH all day. Later I had a custom chip burned and added a methanol system, never ran it down the track again, but I bet it was a good 2 tenths or so faster. All with the stock intercooler.
congratulations
10 sec was difficult for you to attain. 10 sec beats 11:90’s …all day
Wow. Another Grand National. My day is complete.
Like the grand nationals but those V6s were gutless until you power braked them and got turbo wound up. No way would I believe over 400 hp on a buick V6 and it hold up! I’ve seen professional oval track V6s made with all high dollar parts and block and anything past 375 hp they came apart! So a stocker Gm built v6, I doubt that claim, even if it had been gone thru with good parts I doubt that, it would never stay together! You can throw all kinds of extras and boost at a motor and they might claim what it should produce, but it not blowing up is another! They are what they are! You go for original or you want a good one put a strong 350 v8 in it! Nothing sweeter that a mild cam v8 on Flowmasters. Now turbo that you would have a wild ride!
Everyone at Buick well knew they had an older clientele, and that was the source of their income. This was their way of having fun.
Lots of Grand National haters here. Didn’t know so many Mustang owners subscribed.