1987 Buick Regal Grand National

1987 Buick Regal Grand National

For consignment, a 1987 Buick Regal Grand National with a title verified 29,701 actual miles and a numbers matching drivetrain. Beginning in 1986, Grand Nationals, (and other Turbo Regals), received an intercooler which boosted horsepower and 0 to 60 times substantially and these direct descendants of the early sport coupe are now some of the most desirable cars in the market, and not just the muscle car market.

Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area.*

Exterior

No need to embellish the name. The paint here is called Black and Grand Nationals are synonymous with black because the grille, bumpers, headlight bezels, tail light surrounds, and door handles are as black as the paint. GM was notorious at the time for potentially bad paint, to the point that some Grand Nationals were repainted under warranty and there is some paint work apparent on this example. From a distance, the handsome car stands proud and clearly worthy of their “Bad to the Bone” denotation but get up close and find scuffs, (including a big one on the back bumper), chips, scratches, bubbling, and surface scratches that will likely buff out by a skilled detailer. The black on the Buick grille emblem has faded off, and there’s a missing emblem from the decklid. The bumper fillers go bad even on low mileage cars and this one will need replacements which, fortunately, are available in the aftermarket. The filler in back is cracked near the license plate bracket and there’s a dent in the front center of the hood, a common issue with GN’s if you don’t close it with hands spread wide on the outside stiffening folds. The 15-inch Grand National wheels look good but lack black painted inserts.

Interior

Standard GN configuration inside with gray cloth inserts on black bottomed doors. Black and gray cloth buckets are now legendary and contain the Turbo 6 logo embroidered on the headrest and we note a small tear on the passenger seat. The back bench picks up on the color combo and looks untouched. Gray leather wraps the thick steering wheel and it’s in good condition with a Turbo T center cap, (GN’s came with the Buick shield). The standard speedometer is in place and as a holdover from the tame Regals, only goes to 85mph and the boost and RPM’s are indicated with two light bars that light up like Battlestar Galactica when the car is on. This car wears an added boost gauge on the A-pillar. The center stack does not veer from the basic Regal line with heater/AC controls and the factory AM/FM/Cassette radio. The center console houses the gray T-handle shifter, a storage area while low pile black carpet was standard and protected here with carpeted mats repeating the Turbo 6 logo. This solid roof car has a soft gray headliner that is sagging, and, in the trunk, the correct black low pile carpet mat shows a touch of use but in good shape, and the space saver spare is in its factory position still wearing the cardboard cover.

Drivetrain

Under the hood bulge is the iconic numbers matching 3.8 liter turbocharged and intercooled V6. It shows in driver condition and a word to the next owner, that the turbo shield and up pipe are easily polished which instantly improves the aesthetics of the bay. The numbers matching 200R4 4-speed transmission sends power to the rear wheels where it finds a 10 bolt rear with 3.42 gearing and yes, the G80 optional Positraction! No pegleg here, both tires will spin.

Undercarriage

Driver quality underneath with a good amount of surface rust and some oil on the crossmember, oil pan, and flywheel cover. The exhaust comes off the downpipe then splits to head back going separate ways to meet Hooker Aerochamber mufflers then out the stock location behind the rear wheels. No catalytic converters are onboard. Independent coil suspension in front and a 4 link with coils in the rear.

Drive-Ability

This one has a bit more of a rumble to the exhaust than factory exhaust as we hit the drag strip, errrr I mean, the test loop. Rated at a laughable 245 horsepower from the factory, GN’s will put you back in your seat with a force that’s hard to describe. Smooth and without the raucous of a big V8, the boost comes on quickly and the snort of the wastegate when you let off the gas will make you giggle like a schoolgirl. The car runs well, and it is time to bid adieu as we bring it back in after scoring 100 on the functionality test. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

More than 20,000 Buick Grand Nationals were produced in 1987 and those that have been well maintained have seen values rise with no signs of slowing down. Many were modified, raced, or simply used up. Mostly original GNs like this one are getting harder to find as owners hold on to them during these years of appreciating values. Be sure to check this one out.

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Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that’s more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit or call us at 610-901-3804. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.