Hemmings e Weekly

[mockingbird812]

FYI:

Muscle Cars
1980s muscle prices getting GNX-orbitant?
We all know about the ridiculous prices being paid for ’60s and ’70s muscle cars, and there seems to be no end in sight—at least for the moment.
Well, certain ’80s muscle cars are now reaching stratospheric levels. We learned of a recent sale of a Buick GNX, the specially modified Grand National built in 1987 by ASC McLaren. The reported number of these special GNs built is put at 547. They originally sold for about $29,000 or thereabouts. Most were put away and driven sparingly, or not at all.
We learned that serial number 547, reported to be three from the end of production, just changed hands privately for $150,000. No. 547 was reportedly sold by a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, man to someone in New Jersey, according to a Buick aficionado in the know. Dennis Kirban, who knows more about these cars than just about anybody, says in his book Kirban’s Guide to 1986 and 1987 Buick Turbo Regals that GM kept GNX serial number 500. The GNX option added $10,995 to the regular price of a Grand National. Certainly, this car was the king of performance in the 1980s. This car in stock trim could run the quarter mile in 13.47 seconds at 104.38 mph. Zero to 60 was equally impressive, with times under 5.4 seconds, very good for nearly 20 years ago.
- By George Mattar

$29K sounds a tad high for nearly 20 years ago.

[PPPJJJFFF]

Many sold for the $29k back then. Some went for more! Looks like Buicks are finally getting some long overdue consideration.
Patrick

[tirebird]

Besides the T/A, I also own a slightly modified 86 Grand National. Slightly, in my case, means upgraded Turbo, intake, and exhaust. I can accurately say in the two plus years I've owned the car, the days are few and far between when I'm not asked if the car is for sale. It's "bad to the bone" looks(that was Buick's ad campaign in the 80's) is real popular today. It's fun to drive and although quick to 30, it will easily get whupped in the quarter(14.5sec/91 mph) by many other cars today. However, I still get a smile when hitting the gas and hearing that "whoosh" as the turbo spools up. The trouble today is finding any 86-87 GN(the most desirable and quicker of the lot) that has not been abused or super modified. Now, with GNX's, most of those are stock and gaining in value. You can still find them for sale once in a long while in the 50-80K range. Most GN's, on the other hand, go for less than 20k. But, that will change in the next 10 years.

Besides rust and other modifications, you need to look for two problem areas. The "Powermaster" brake system is unreliable and expensive to repair. Most owners swap out the system for a traditional vacuum arrangement. Secondly, the cars can be tough to "smog" when the registration is up for renewal. The engines, especially, CO2 readings, can be really dirty. So, if you see a GN for sale and it's relatively unmolested, by one. You'll love driving it.

[Stefano]

I was managing a Buick Dealership that was allocated two GNXs. We sold one to someone in GA for 2Xs MSRP as that is what was offered to us. We graciously accepted the offer. The other one went into the Dealer/Owners private collection. There was quite a bit of collector interest in the GNX right from the start.

Once the initial demand was met the regular GNs did not jump off the lot.

Both are very cool cars!

[tirebird]

If you're really interested in GNX's and GN's, check out the link below.

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/for...e4aa9&f=96