The pages of automotive history books are littered with examples of buyers purchasing classic cars as a long-term investment, and they have failed to live up to expectations. One example was the 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car. These were not cheap cars when new and have not appreciated at the rate that many speculators expected. The opposite is true of the 1987 Buick Grand National. Today, good examples can command some impressive prices in the classic market. Our feature car is a two-owner survivor that presents superbly. It isn’t an ultra-low mileage example but would suit a buyer who wants a well-preserved car that has been treated with respect. The seller doesn’t want to part with this classic, but changing circumstances means that it needs to find a new home. Located in Brighton, Michigan, the Grand National is listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding on this Buick has been intense and has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $40,100. With plenty of time left on the listing, you could stake your claim on this spotless survivor.

If you were to hand me a fistful of cash and tell me that I could go out and buy any 1980s classic, I would probably come home with an ’87 Grand National. Something about the vehicle’s overall styling, menacing black paint, and chrome wheels really appeals to me. This Buick has been treated with respect by its two owners. It has been garage-kept for its entire life, and the buyer will reap the benefits of this level of care. The paint shines magnificently, with a fantastic depth of color. It covers panels that are laser straight and free from marks or defects. The owner has replaced the bumper filler panels, but the rest of the exterior remains original. Its lack of exposure to adverse conditions means that it is completely rust-free. The tinted glass shows no evidence of flaws or defects, while the original chrome wheels are in as-new condition. This Grand National makes a positive first impression, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive.

One aspect of a 1987 Grand National that can be prone to deterioration is interior trim and upholstery. The distinctive Gray and Black seat covers can quickly become stained and worn, but that fate hasn’t befallen our feature car. I wouldn’t class the seats as being in as-new condition, but apart from some minor stretching on the driver’s seat base, there is little of which to be critical. The same is true of the plastic trim, which shows no evidence of UV deterioration. The dash pad is free from cracks, while the carpet shows no signs of significant wear. Creature comforts include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a premium AM/FM radio and cassette player. These features all combine to make life on the road a pleasant experience.

While the American V8 suffered greatly during the late 1970s and 1980s thanks to tightening emission regulations, Buick proves that there was more than one way to skin a cat if you wanted to produce a car with stunning performance. Turning their back on the V8, they slotted a 3.8-liter V6 under the hood of the Grand National. In stock form, this motor would have produced around 100hp. However, that figure would never make the Grand National a genuine muscle car. By adding a turbocharger, intercooler, electronic engine management, and a few other tweaks, engine power ballooned to an incredible (and “official”) 245hp. The term “official” is a relative one because many specialists believe that Buick understated the power by a significant amount. Some claim the figure was closer to 290hp, which found its way to the rear wheels via a THM200-4R automatic transmission. While the company claimed a ¼ mile ET of 14.7 seconds, many motoring press specialists had no trouble achieving sub-14-second passes for the same distance. This Buick is in excellent condition. The listing indicates that it has 78,000 miles on the clock, which means that it is no low mileage trailer queen. The seller has treated it with complete respect since he purchased it three years ago, and it runs and drives extremely well. It is ready to be enjoyed by a lucky new owner who wants a 1980s classic with plenty of power available under their right foot.

Sometimes you only need to look at the bidding history on a classic car to determine how desirable it is. That is the case with this 1987 Buick Grand National. It has already attracted an impressive fifty bids, and there’s plenty of time left on the listing for people to throw their hat into the ring. I believe that by the time the hammer falls, the price will have sailed well north of $45,000. Given the vehicle’s overall condition, it could even nudge beyond $50,000 if two or more people are determined enough. With values continuing to climb, buying one now could be a wise investment. This auction could be worth watching if a Grand National has been on your Wish List.