Buick Grand National, 1987
Chassis No.: 1G4GM1175HP429542 Auction: Las Vegas 2020 Auction date: November 14, 2020 Lot No.: S112 $30,800 | Sold • Exterior: Black • Interior: Black/gray • Turbocharged 3.8L V-6 engine • 245 HP and 355 lb-ft of torque • Automatic transmission • Power steering • Power brakes • Black with Black and Gray interior • Power locks • Upgraded sound system • If purchased by a Nevada resident, must obtain classic vehicle plates The lineage of the turbocharged V-6 that made its way into the 1978 Regal Sport Coupe Turbo, then into the Buick Grand Nationals in 1984-’87 can be traced back to an inconspicuous source, a local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. A young Buick engineer, Ken Baker, started a Boy Scout Explorer program at Buick, with the goal of exposing young Scouts to automotive engineering. The story goes that Baker chose to show the Scouts how to enhance a motor’s performance through forced induction, adding a turbo to a new Buick V6 test engine. The initial horsepower gains were so impressive, that the Scout project soon morphed into a high-output turbo concept engine. Go Scouts! The year 1987 would be the last for Buick’s Grand National, the years of Chevy crying foul over the GN playing in the Corvette’s territory led Buick to shelve the car the following year. The 1987 Buick Grand National presented here, is powered by the factory 3.8L turbocharged and intercooled SFI V-6, fed through a cold air intake and exhaling via dual exhausts. Factory rated at 245 HP and 335 lb-ft of torque, the mill is mated to a 2004R 4-speed automatic gearbox, sending motivation to the asphalt through a set of stock, chrome GN wheels, wrapped in GT MAXTOUR radial tires. Finished in a deep black (the only color available), the vehicle features factory power assisted front disc and rear drum brakes, power steering and an upgraded suspension. Opening the door, twin cloth bucket seat, trimmed in black and gray set off the gray dashboard and two-tone center console. Additional equipment includes air conditioning, power locks and an aftermarket AM/FM/CD stereo, making this one quick and gorgeous Grand National. https://www.mecum.com/lots/446443/1987-buick-grand-national/
