If you ask anyone who lived through it, they will confirm that The Malaise Era was one of the most miserable times in automotive history. Cars built during that time gained weight and lost engine power, and many vehicles that were previously high-performance models were left as shadows of their former selves. Detroit fought determinedly to recapture the glory days, and Buick followed an interesting path with its Grand National. By abandoning V8s in favor of a turbocharged V6, that approach added some much-needed sparkle to its range. This 1985 Grand National was recently located in a barn, with the seller reviving it to return to our roads. It needs a new owner to add the finishing touches, with the owner listing the Buick here on Facebook Marketplace in Lebanon, Connecticut. He set his price at $17,500 and may consider appropriate trades.

Wow! This Grand National demonstrates the impact that a simple wash and polish can have on any barn find. The previous owner parked this classic in 1998, with the seller dragging it from hiding and reviving it a couple of years ago. The traditional Black paint gives these cars a sinister appearance, indicating to the world that these are classics with a sense of purpose. First impressions are positive, with the paint appearing consistent across the exterior. There are shortcomings for the buyer to tackle, including rust repairs to the rockers and lower rear quarter panels. The seller doesn’t mention any nasty surprises below the surface, suggesting that this Buick is rock-solid. The trim and plastic show no evidence of deterioration, the glass is clear, and the factory alloy wheels are impressive for their age.

While most manufacturers grappled with different strategies to extract more power from the V8 engine that had been strangled by the 1970s emission regulations, Buick chose a different path for its Grand National. Determined to produce a genuine muscle car, it turned its back on the V8 in favor of a V6. However, by adding a turbocharger to the mix, the company produced what were considered pretty powerful engines for the era. This philosophy would culminate in the 1987 GNX, a classic that could show the Porsche 930 and Ferrari F40 a clean set of heels. To understand the impact of the turbocharged powerplant found under the hood of this 1985 Grand National, we must examine the engine from which it was developed. The basic 3.8-liter V6 produced 110hp and 190 ft/lbs of torque, propelling an auto-equipped Regal through the ¼-mile in 19.9 seconds. This car’s motor boosts power and torque to 200hp and 300 ft/lbs, slashing the ¼-mile ET to 16.1 seconds. The seller revived this numbers-matching Buick after liberating it from a barn a couple of years ago. He states that he performed the work properly, replacing the fuel tank, tires, and other components. The claimed odometer reading of 88,000 original miles sounds plausible, considering the Buick’s history. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition that can be enjoyed immediately.

The seller admits that this Grand National’s interior needs work, but it is currently serviceable. The shopping list will include seatcovers, a few plastic trim pieces, and other minor items. However, with everything readily available and affordable, installing these items would be a rewarding task for the buyer to undertake in a home workshop. The seller identifies a few small functional issues that may require the services of an auto electrician. However, with none of the tasks classified as urgent, they could be performed at the buyer’s leisure. The interior is nicely equipped in a 1985 context, featuring air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, and a tilt wheel.

Buick produced 2,102 examples of the 1985 Grand National, which was only a marginal increase over the previous year’s tally. Any Grand National is considered desirable, and this car is no exception. It needs work to present at its best, but with the seller returning it to a roadworthy state, the buyer can complete that work as time, circumstances, and budget allows. It spent over two decades in hibernation and deserves TLC and to be driven as its creators intended. Are you up for those challenges? I wish you luck if you pursue this classic further.