A cruise down Woodward Ave.
1987 Buick Grand National
Yes, Jim Wangers owns a Buick! This one is powered by a turbocharged V6 with an estimated 245 horsepower with sequential-port fuel injection, an air-to-air intercooler and GNX-specification turbocharger mated to 200-4R automatic transmission with overdrive. The chassis features an independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms, coil springs and stabilizer bar, live four-link rear axle, front disc and rear hydraulic drum.
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Owned by the Jim Wangers Collection since new
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Always garaged and properly maintained
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21,042 original miles
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Virtually new interior
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Selected GNX upgrades and VDO analog instruments
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Available at $22,000
Since big-block V8s were largely eliminated by the mid-1970s, Buick engineers experimented with turbocharging for their 231-cubic inch V6. Their first high-profile effort, the 307 hp Century that paced the 1976 Indianapolis 500, marked the first V6-powered pace car in the event’s history.
The downsized Regal intermediate debuted for 1978, providing the ideal platform for Buick’s first series-produced turbo V6. Its attractively chiseled lines were perfect for NASCAR speedways and helped Buick win the manufacturer’s title in 1981 and 1982. To celebrate, the first Grand National Regal appeared in 1982 in naturally aspirated and turbocharged form.
The option returned in 1984, now with an all-black exterior, aluminum wheels, Lear-Siegler seats, Gran Touring underpinnings and special identification badges. The 200 hp turbocharged V6 featured sequential-port fuel injection and a distributor-less ignition. The tough automatic transmission included overdrive, and the rear end housed 3.42:1 gears. By 1986, an intercooler bumped output to 235 hp, followed by 10 more horses for 1987, making the Grand National America’s quickest production car. So much so, it also inspired a limited run of turbo Regals for FBI use.
This one-owner example from 1987 benefits from proper care and storage. Shortly after acquisition, the original and hard-to-read digital instruments were replaced by a complete set of VDO analog gauges, and the audio system was professionally upgraded, including trunk-mounted amplifiers. A GNX-specification turbocharger was installed, with the engine detuned slightly to accommodate the lower-octane fuels available in California. A set of GNX wheels was also added, capping the thoughtfully executed upgrades. As part of the Jim Wangers Collection from new and capable of long-distance travel at high comfort and high speeds, this Grand National is certainly one of the best examples on the market.
Jim Wangers feels that the turbo-charged Buick Grand National is one of the finest, most sophisticated American cars ever built, which is why he has added it to his collection. He sometimes, laughingly, says, “the only thing wrong with this car is that it’s got the wrong name...it should have been a Pontiac.”
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For more information contact:
Dave Anderson
310-995-0778