Stock look with substantial upgrades underneath. $9600 worth of fresh short block, upgraded fuel system, exhaust cut-outs, and more. Very fast yet docile enough to drive every day. The Grand National is still a legitimate threat on the street and lots of fun to drive!

No matter what you drive, you’re smart to eye these nasty black Buicks with caution. They can look stock on the outside, like this 1987 Buick Grand National, but underneath they can pack a punch capable of knocking off some of today’s most ferocious machines. This particular Grand National keeps its stock look, which means no-nonsense blacked-out trim and deep black paint, which was the only choice in 1987. It was repainted a few years ago and the finish work is quite good, and this black GN makes its original siblings look a little dusty in comparison. It does not appear to have ever been wrecked or rusty and wears the black paint with pride—no waves, no ripples, and no questionable work hiding underneath. All the stock details are still in place, from the blacked-out grille and bumpers to the modest hood bulge advertising the 3.8 liter turbocharged V6 underneath, to the small ducktail spoiler that gives the boxy Regal shape a more aggressive attitude. This is also a desirable solid roof car—no T-tops—which is preferred by true enthusiasts because it’s both lighter and stiffer. Correct emblems were reinstalled after the paint had cured, giving this car a very authentic look that doesn’t give away any secrets about what’s living underneath.

The interior remains largely stock, although the driver gets a few upgrades to help monitor the potent powerplant up front. Factory buckets are still comfortable and tie the black and gray interior together nicely. A center console was standard equipment and you’ll note that this GN is pretty well loaded up, including A/C (needs a recharge), power windows and locks, a tilt steering column, and more. The factory gauges covered the basics, including a little bar-graph tach and boost gauge tucked in almost as an afterthought, so with the upgrades comes proper instrumentation—boost and exhaust temperature gauges on the A-pillar, a real tach down under the dash, and oil pressure and temperature gauges on the center console. It’s all designed to put the driver on top of things when stuff starts to happen in a hurry. You’ll also note the custom gauge panel discreetly tucked into the former ashtray, including a line lock, electric fan control, and switch for the exhaust cut-out. Embroidered Grand National mats keep things tidy and the headliner has been replaced so no issues with sagging or crumbling foam. The trunk is correctly outfitted with a felt mat and includes the original space-saver spare and jack assembly.

We have extensive receipts on the build, including one for a Stage 1 short block that amounts to nearly $10,000 by itself. Then there are the upgraded heads, the heavy-duty fuel system, the custom engine management program, and a few other details that make this Grand National considerably more ferocious than its stock siblings. The great thing about these cars is that they’re capable of monster power without taking a hit to drivability—the wonders of EFI—and with decades of experience it’s not hard to create something that does everything well. It looks rather stock under the hood with a few polished components, but the way this car runs will convince you that the upgrades were money well spent. It starts easily, idles better than stock (they were always kind of wonky when cold), and definitely pulls like a freight train on the road. The 2004R 4-speed automatic clicks off snappy shifts and there’s a modestly upgraded torque converter inside to help build boost a little faster. The stock 3.42 gears remain out back, so it’s a nice compromise between acceleration and easy cruising. You’ll also find a custom exhaust system with the aforementioned electronic cut-out taking the place of the factory catalytic converter and twin mufflers that give the V6 a somewhat more aggressive voice. The suspension is stock, so it rides more like the luxury car it used to be, and there are no signs of rot or rust in the critical areas—it’s quite clean. Factory chrome steel wheels are in excellent shape and carry 215/65/15 Uniroyal radials with lots of life left in them.

Documentation includes the original owner’s manual and extensive build receipts adding up to tens of thousands of dollars.

These cars are skyrocketing in popularity and pulling values up as well. This is a great opportunity to own a clean Grand National with all the upgrades already done, all wrapped in one of the cleanest packages we’ve seen. A cool car no matter what era you’re from and still one of the most potent street predators you can own. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.