1986 Buick Regal Grand National
1986 was the "it" year for the Buick Grand National as this lineup floored the automotive press and general public with its ability to reach sixty miles per hour in under five seconds, as well as a speed performance that made the highest speed machines at that time seem archaic. This is credited to the turbo gaining an intercooler that was originally recorded to output 235 horsepower, but when it was tested the result was rumored to be well over 300 horsepower. This not only served as big news for the market, but a hot-seller as the Buick Grand National sold approximately 5,000 units that year. The 1986 Buick Grand National series is not just a car, it's a legacy. For consignment, a recently serviced 1986 Buick Grand National, named for the NASCAR series prior to it becoming the Winston Cup. A square and rectangle iconic design all dressed up in menacing black. A repaint in 2018 on the exterior is in nice condition, the interior is good, and the engine is strong. It's all looking good for this 1986 T-top example, a true classic in the NASCAR sense.
Exterior
Literally all black for the repaint that drapes this car from stem to stern of the original metal that was performed in 2018. Leading with the slightly raked back front egg crate grille, square headlights, (dual duals), with like new bezels, and a nice body matching front bumper below. A slightly bumped hood, more black window trimmings around original glass, well minded gaps at the doors and steel panels, and a nifty small opera window for the B pillar. Another body matching rear bumper with clean filler panels, and above is a small integrated trunk lid spoiler. Racy but tasty for this sedan that you can take for a night on the town, or run against some competition if you are feeling frisky. 15-inch polished wheels add some bling to the bottom. Front rubber is 235/60R15 and rears are also 235/60R15's from the 5th week of 2008. Also noted is the "T" topped roof with removable smoked glass panels sitting within like supple rubber surrounds, no leaks here.
Interior
Very nice and very racy with high back buckets in velour broadcloth with light gray tuck and roll inserts, and black bolsters surrounded by black piping. A rear bench with the same design, and these all float in a sea of black carpet which is very clean and like new. We note some slight soiling of the front buckets and a bit of seam separation on the driver's lower cushion, but this is the original interior. The door panels are dressed in more gray cloth and vinyl with black carpeted lowers and come to us with a chrome mirror joystick and shiny cranks for the non-power windows. The dash as well as the center console are formed from gray molded plastic and are fitted with a square and rectangle cluster with a black panel for the instruments that fronts an original steering wheel. The dash is very clean and well preserved and on the driver's A-pillar we note the addition of an AutoMeter boost gauge and in the center of the seats, the console houses the shift lever, a duo of added gauges within a pod, and a square glovebox. A digital AM/FM/Cassette radio panel hovers above the console and mounts into the center of the dash. The headliner is minimal due to the roof panels, but all looking clean and green, well gray actually with slight sagging.
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood, and a nifty BUICK logo with Turbocharged monicker silk screened into the hood liner hovers above the beautifully preserved engine. It is a correct 3.8 liter V6 turbo that pumps out 245 horses. It has an intercooler for the turbo, and is fed by EFI. A numbers matching 200R4 4-speed automatic is behind this turbo mill, and in back, a 10 bolt 8.5 inch posi rear axle with 3.42 gears is on. The only change from original is the addition of a cold air under hood intake and a Turbo Tweak performance chip.
Undercarriage
Underneath we see all being invasive rust free and well preserved with solid floor pans and toe kicks, frame, and drip free bottom end of the engine and transmission. Independent suspension with coil springs is upfront and along for the ride are power disc brakes. On the back this suspension is a 4 link with coil springs, and power drums are along for this ride. The single exhaust feeds down to a dual Hooker Aerochamber muffler equipped exhaust that exits under the rear bumper.
Drive-Ability
Hopping in, I felt like I was at Daytona but with a tuxedo on ready to go out to an expensive dinner and be driven by a chauffeur. Racy mixed with class and she fired right up, and accelerated very nicely with the intercooled turbo. Braking was nice and straight, and handling was snappy with a great ride. All functions were working, and the AC blew cold.
The best of this car is in two different coats. On a black overcoat for a night on the town, and the other a black mask for a night at the track. It's nice to have both, and all in very nice well preserved condition. The engine is very clean, the transmission shifts perfectly, and the suspension works wonderfully. Someone will be a proud owner and have good fun to boot! Go Grand National Racing...Ok it's gone!, (That Name but the car remains).
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
