The list of cars carrying badges derived from motorsport is as long as your arm and probably mine as well. Some of these cars share no discernable link with the event or category in question, but that isn’t the case with Buick’s legendary Grand National. Given that it was the company’s weapon of choice for NASCAR Grand National competition during that period, the badge made perfect sense. Today, these cars have emerged as one of the most desirable American classics from the 1980s, and good examples can command some eye-watering prices. Our feature car rolled off the production line in 1984 and recently surfaced after twenty years of hibernation in a Texas garage. It is a solid classic that would benefit from a cosmetic refresh, although the buyer could drive it untouched during the coming warmer months with few problems. Located in Springtown, Texas, you will find the Grand National listed for sale here on eBay. Its desirability can be gauged by the twenty-two bids it has already received. These have pushed the price to $10,000 in a No Reserve auction.

The seller is this Buick’s third owner. He purchased it from the second owner, who had been the car’s custodian since 1986. That owner drove the Grand National regularly before parking it in 2002. It sat exposed to the elements for about a year before fate intervened in the form of a hail storm. The hail must have been pretty large because many of the car’s horizontal surfaces wear minor dents and pockmarks from the ordeal. At that point, the owner moved the vehicle into his garage, and it remained there until recently purchased by the seller. Beyond the panel damage, the paint also shows its age. The previous owner treated the car to a repaint in its original and sinister Black approximately thirty years ago, but it shows some noticeable deterioration. Once the panel damage is fixed, a refresh will be on the cards, but this should prove a straightforward process. The car has some rust for the buyer to tackle, but it is limited to an area in the bottom of the spare wheel well. Since that is the lowest point in the trunk, it could be a symptom of water finding its way past a dodgy seal. That would be worth investigating to ensure there isn’t a repeat performance. The rest of the car is rock solid, with little beyond some dry surface corrosion. Given the paint deterioration and exposure to the harsh Texas sun, it is surprising that the exterior plastic remains in good condition. The same appears true of the tinted glass, while the original alloy wheels show no signs of stains or physical damage.

The 1984 model year proved to be a “second coming” for the Grand National. Buick dipped its toe in the water for a single model year in 1982, but those vehicles featured a normally-aspirated V6 engine that produced a relatively uninspiring 125hp. The ’82 Grand National could hardly be mistaken for a muscle car, taking a leisurely 19.3 seconds to wander down the ¼ mile. The 1984 Grand National marked a significant change in engineering philosophy for Buick. Its engine bay still housed a V6, but thanks to sequential fuel injection and the company’s decision to bolt on a turbocharger, power output soared to 200hp. With each subsequent year, that figure grew further, but in 1984, it made the Grand National one of the fastest production cars with a useable rear seat to roll off an American production line. Those extra ponies found their way to the road via a THM200-4R automatic transmission, allowing the car to roar through the ¼ mile in 15.9 seconds. This mechanical configuration also opened new doors for tuners and performance enthusiasts who discovered there was plenty more power available with some tweaking. Our feature car is original and unmolested, but it’s worth noting that it has been idle for two decades. The seller coaxed the motor back to life, and the car runs and drives. He has taken the Buick out for short bursts on the street but emphasizes that the Grand National isn’t genuinely roadworthy. The buyer will face a complete fuel system clean, a fluid change, a potential brake refresh, and some basic tuning to get it to that point. Once again, the new owner may be able to perform most of this work themselves, saving valuable cash for the cosmetic shortcomings.

The Grand National’s interior is as unmolested as its drivetrain, but its age shows. The original leather and cloth upholstery on the seats has deteriorated badly, which could cause a few headaches. Buick only offered this combination for a single model year before switching to a gray velour mix. I searched for replacement covers, and while I admit that my search was pretty brief, I had no success. The new owner could try their luck at a pick-a-part, but since Buick only produced 2,000 examples of the Grand National in 1984, I wouldn’t be holding my breath. The rest of the interior looks respectable for a survivor-grade car, with no glaring faults or issues. Equipment levels also aren’t bad for a car of this vintage. It includes air conditioning, cruise control, intermittent wipers, a remote driver’s mirror, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio and cassette player.

While it isn’t perfect, this 1984 Grand National shows all the hallmarks of a satisfying and straightforward restoration project. Part of its attraction is that the buyer could return it to a mechanically roadworthy state reasonably quickly to make the most of the coming warmer months but tackle its cosmetic needs as time, circumstances, and budget allow. Fully restored to a high standard, it is a car that could be worth somewhere well north of $25,000. I would expect the bidding to run out of steam by around the $15,000 mark in its current state. If that proves the case, it will leave a tidy sum in the bank to return this classic to its former glory before its financial viability becomes questionable. That makes it worth a closer look.