If someone handed me a big fist full of cash and told me that I could go out and buy any 1980s car that I wanted, you’re probably looking at the successful candidate right now. I openly admit a leaning towards Ford products, but I can’t go past the 1987 Buick Grand National. I know that the GNX was a more potent package, but there’s something about the overall appearance of the Grand National that wins me every time. This Buick is a spotless survivor that has a genuine 20,000 miles on the clock. It is highly equipped and should offer its next owner genuine muscle car performance. The Grand National is located in Woodbury, New Jersey, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $49,900, but it appears that he is willing to entertain offers.

For the best part of a century, a story has been circulating that claims that Henry Ford once said that you could order his iconic Model T in any color, as long as it was black. That story was eventually proven to be a myth, but it could just as easily be used to describe the ’87 Grand National. Every example rolled off the line wearing Code 19 Black. Apart from the unique “Grand National” badges, there was nothing to break this symphony of evil. However, it might also be one of the reasons why I feel the way that I do about these classics. There’s little to choose between this car and a GNX for style and appearance, but the chrome wheels that were an integral part of the Grand National package provide a striking contrast to the paint color. They make a bolder statement than those that Buick fitted to the GNX, and they allow the Grand National to remain imposing without appearing oppressive. Our feature car is in excellent condition, and it seems that it has been treated with respect throughout its life. It is a two-owner survivor, and if its condition couldn’t be described as factory-fresh, it isn’t far off that standard. The Black paint holds a depth of color and shine that creates the illusion that you could walk into it. There are no visible marks or flaws that could potentially require attention. While black paint can look stunning, it is also excellent at exposing any imperfections in the panels that it cloaks. Once again, it appears that there is nothing to be concerned about because these look as straight as an arrow. The vehicle’s underside is as impressive as the exterior and seems to confirm that this is a rust-free survivor. The plastic trim shows no evidence of the type of deterioration that can develop due to UV exposure, while those stunning chrome wheels are perfect.

The Grand National was more than a humdrum car wrapped in pretty paper. Buick wanted the vehicle to have performance credentials that recaptured the spirit of a classic muscle car. There are several ways that the company could have achieved this, but forced induction engine development had moved forward in leaps and bounds during the first half of the 1980s. Therefore, that was the path that the company chose to pursue. After all, if it worked in Formula One and Indycar, why couldn’t it work on a road car? In standard tune, the company’s 3.8-liter V6 produced 110hp, which was a respectable figure for a family sedan to cope with. However, Buick grabbed the engine, performed some internal upgrades to reduce the chances of a catastrophic meltdown, bolted on upgraded fuel injection, a turbocharger, an intercooler, a better engine management system, and then shoehorned the whole thing into the engine bay. The result saw power leap from 110hp to an “official” figure of 245hp. Even so, many learned individuals believe that Buick may have been a bit frugal with the truth. It is widely accepted that the actual figure rested somewhere around 290hp. Having that sort of power on tap is pretty useless if the car can’t transfer it to the pavement, and the Grand National achieves this via the rear wheels and a THM200-4R automatic transmission. Power steering and power front disc brakes were an integral part of this package. Did it make the Grand National fast? Just a bit! The company’s official figure for the ¼ mile was 14.7 seconds, but several contemporary motoring publications had no difficulty posting sub-14-second passes during their testing. When you look at what other American manufacturers were dishing up at the time, it made the Grand National the king of the kids. When we examine the engine bay of our feature car, there’s nothing that appears out of place. There have been no aftermarket additions or changes, and it is spotlessly clean. It seems that appearances aren’t deceptive because the seller indicates that this Grand National runs and drives like new. He also claims that it has a genuine 20,000 miles on the clock. He doesn’t indicate whether he holds verifying evidence, but the overall condition makes the claim look plausible.

If the ’87 Grand National had a genuine weakness, it was its interior. The unique seat upholstery can be prone to wear and stains, while the plastic can crumble in a similar fashion to so many cars from this era. Potential buyers will find this car to be a revelation because its interior is spotless. There are no signs of wear or marks on the seats, while the remaining upholstered surfaces are equally impressive. The plastic hasn’t discolored or deteriorated, and there is no evidence of the pretty typical sagging headliner. The carpet is spotless, and it is protected by the genuine Grand National mats that look factory-fresh. The only aftermarket addition that I can spot is a CD player in the slot where the factory radio and cassette player lived. However, the owner includes the original unit in the sale for those who crave an unmolested interior. Comfort and convenience figures include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, cruise control, and a tilt wheel.

The Malaise Era was a miserable time to be a performance car enthusiast because many of the iconic models that we had grown to know and love had been reduced to wheezing shadows of their former selves that were little more than an appearance pack. However, Buick showed that there were ways to escape the misery if a manufacturer was prepared to embark on some lateral thinking. Today, many new cars are available that can outperform the Grand National, but it remains historically significant and highly sought. The BIN on this car pushes it beyond the realm of what many may consider being affordable, but it is by no means unprecedented. Values have continued to skyrocket in recent years, and pristine examples are already nudging towards the six-figure territory.  The harsh reality is that if they keep following the current trend, it won’t be many years before vehicles of this caliber start exploring that same region. They may struggle to be classed as affordable today, but they will potentially become less so with each passing day. That makes this Grand National worthy of a closer look. If you take the plunge and welcome it into your life, I’m not ashamed to admit that I will feel pretty envious.