It has been well-documented how the 1980s reshaped American automakers, mostly for the better. High gas prices and needy consumers demanded performance cars that delivered decent fuel economy. GM explored many options, including turbocharged V8s and lightweight sport compacts. But the most enduring GM performance car from the decade of hair metal and blow is the Buick Grand National and its ultimate final form, the GNX.
Today Grand Nationals still fetch crazy money on the private and collector market, and pristine examples have regularly fetched over $100,000 at auction. So we ask you readers, is today’s eBay find of a two-owner 1987 Grand National GNX with just over 29,000 miles on the odometer worth the $95,000 asking price?
It very well could be, and the “excellent documentation” that is supposed to come with the vehicle will go a long way towards that high valuation. Despite being over 25 years old, this GNX has had just two owners, both of whom knew how to take care of rare and valuable cars. This Grand National looks fairly flawless and can probably still rip mid-13s in the quarter mile thanks to its turbocharged V6 engine.
The GNX package, available on the last year of the rear-wheel drive Regal, added special wheels, a modified engine and transmission, performance suspension, body modifications and different instrumentation. It was also a throwback to the original Buick GNX, itself a popular and coveted collector car.
Here’s the thing about buying a collectible GNX; these cars are some of the most fun you can have with an automatic suspension. There’s a reason that even high-mileage examples needing TLC can still fetch $10,000 or more. This uber-clean example belongs in a collection, and the price reflects that. But what do you think? Overpriced for a fancy 80s Regal, or about what you’d expect.