This 1987 Buick Grand National reminds me an awful lot of my 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth project: very tired, pretty rusty, but complete enough to make the decision to invest in its restoration somewhat tricky. The seller notes that the car has been in project mode for some time and that its needs are not insignificant; fortunately, an engine rebuild that has been done in the not-too-distant past could make the time and money spent on bodywork worth it. Find this 1987 Buick Grand National here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $15,000 or best offer.
The Buick Grand National has obviously gone up in value dramatically over the years, and it’s a definite highlight for 1980s domestic vehicles that still have some ways to go in reaching their full potential. All the right metrics are there, from limited production to ample horsepower to classic 80s styling. This one looks even better (even in its neglected state) with a set of wheels that are either from a GNX or a very nice set of replicas; it certainly helps distract from the rough cosmetics. The seller notes it has been a work in progress since 2018 (the same year I dragged the Cosworth out of a junkyard!) and that a recent “dose of life” has made it necessary put the Buick up for sale.
That “dose of life” business is no joke, and I’m sure the seller wishes he didn’t to make this decision to sell. The photos in the eBay listing show plenty of rust issues, and I’m a little surprised the seller took the path he did which was to get the mechanicals sorted before diving into the cosmetics. While I realize it’s important to confirm you have a good drivetrain, I would have simply confirmed it wasn’t terminal and then gone right into the bodywork. The reason is because rust repair is no joke, and I’d rather not spend the money on an engine rebuild until I confirm that it makes financial sense to restore the structure itself.
To each their own, but the good news is the next owner will have a fully sorted engine to use, either in this shell or another one. The seller notes that the head was rebuilt, the cooling system refreshed, a valve job performed, new gaskets installed (including a headgasket and oil pan), a new fuel pump, and much, much more. The seller is crystal-clear that this Grand National has been off the road since 1993, and that it is every part of a project; however, that doesn’t mean he is going to let it go cheap. Do you think $15K is a fair ask or should it be cheaper for a major project?
“until I confirm that it makes financial sense to restore the structure itself.”
Jeff, I couldn’t agree more.
– Dave in Denver
Nah this is just to far gone..
Well, these are basically high-performance drivetrains wrapped in a special car body. If the body cannot be saved, and the VIN cannot be transferred to a new body, then it’d be tough to make a numbers-matching car out of this. While I am not interested in matching numbers, when anyone talks about the value of a car, with these in particular, I’d say matching numbers are critical.
If I had to part this out, then, I could see myself dropping the drivetrain into an ’89 Trans Am. Rather than trying to make, say, a GNX tribute, make a 20th anniversary tribute. Maybe even do it up in the GNX colour theme, instead of white.
I had to go check because I was positive there was something different about this engine in the 89 TTA. The Buick heads won’t fit in the T/A as it makes the package too wide. They used what was supposed to be the narrower heads off any 3800 V6 Buick engine but for some reason it didn’t hurt the power.
VIN swapping is illegal.
Who the hell beats a GN to death like this knowing the car is and probably will be a collectible in the future?
Camino the ratchet 🤪 shifter is a red flag sometimes..
A cryin’ shame!
It’s surprising that so many GNs end up in “project” condition. Even when new, it was obvious that they would be very collectible one day. I guess it’s hard to protect a car from the things that happen at the bottom of the value cycle.
15 g’s without counting a full resto. Nope you’ll never recoup the investment this is more a money pit
Come down out of the clouds on the price. Find a 80’s El Camino. Drop the drivetrain in. Buick front sheet metal, doors, and interior. You would have the only one like it.
I love doing stuff like that – like putting an 57-59 Edsel front clip on a 57-59 Ranchero. Or a 77-79 T-Bird front clip on a 77-79 Ranchero, I saw a W-30 front clip on an El Camino once. Its fun to do things that mess with peoples minds and create things that never existed (but should have)
JagManBill – My favorite is the Studemino – it’s a kit front end for El Caminos.
Not the only one like it, there have been a number of them done that way.
Not that unique…people have been making that conversion for many years! They call them the “Grand Camino” and they look cool as hell. The valuable GNs are those with a documented history of low mileage and a pampered life. This one will never be one of those and you would never recoup your investment if you try to restore it. Have owned 3 GNs and love them! But you gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em…Time to Fold on this one.
Yeah I saw a beautiful one, not sure here or another site. Front end was all Buick GNX. Even for the tailgate it used the Regal taillights with a working tailgate. Was beautiful!
I have never seen a Grand National in such deplorable condition. This car has been abused and neglected.
Depends how the owner acquired the money for the car. Rich entitled kid, maybe a drug dealer. There was a slime ball 18 year old that won a large lotto in England years back who bought a nice house and made a dirt track in the back yard. He then bought brand new cars so he and his slimy buddies could have demo derbies there with them. Some people get a thrill out of destruction and shocking and disgusting other people. It takes all kinds to fill the corridors of Hell I guess.
Looks like it sat at the bottom of a lake for a year
The underside of the trunk lid looks pretty good.
Depends how the owner acquired the money for the car. Rich entitled kid, maybe a drug dealer. There was a slime ball 18 year old that won a large lotto in England years back who bought a nice house and made a dirt track in the back yard. He then bought brand new cars so he and his slimy buddies could have demo derbies there with them. Some people get a thrill out of destruction and shocking and disgusting other people. It takes all kinds to fill the corridors of hell I guess.
Not even a parts car. Especially for 15 grand!
$5K Slot Machine at best……Hard Pass
How about not worry about “restoring” this vehicle and just clean it up get it running good and drive it. (not at that price) Does every car “need” to be restored?
15k rot bucket. maybe a parts car at best but not at 15. looks like this guy’s been drinking too much Tennessee shine
That motor is not “rebuilt”. He didn’t even replace the bearings. 🤦🏼♂️🤷🏽♂️🤯🤬.
Best Offer Accepted.
Not sure why when so many nice ones are available at any given moment.