Buick Regal Grand National
The Buick Regal Grand National is one of the most important American performance cars of the 1980s. In an era when the Corvette struggled to break 200 horsepower, Buick's blacked-out G-body coupe packed a turbocharged and intercooled 3.8-liter V6 that produced 245 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque. It ran 0-60 in 5.5 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.9 — faster than a Corvette, 5.0 Mustang, or Porsche 944 Turbo. The all-black exterior with minimal chrome gave it a menacing presence that earned it the nickname 'Darth Vader's car.' The Grand National proved that American performance wasn't dead in the malaise era — it just came from an unexpected source. Today, the Grand National is one of the most rapidly appreciating 1980s collectibles.
1987 is the most desirable year with the most powerful engine. T-top cars are rarer. Low-mile original cars command the highest premiums. The turbo V6 is robust but boost-related parts need checking. Watch for modified cars — originality is everything for value. The 200-4R transmission is the weak link under heavy abuse.
The Grand National name appeared in 1982 but the iconic turbocharged intercooled version came for 1986-1987. Only 20,193 were built for 1987 (the final year). The GNX (547 built by ASC/McLaren) was the ultimate version with 276+ hp.