1 of 112: 1986 Buick LaSabre Grand National
Muscle car buffs are familiar with the Buick Grand Nationals of 1982-87 based on the mid-size Regal. But lesser known is the one-year iteration of the GN on the full-size LaSabre platform in 1986. That happened because NASCAR wanted to run them at certain tracks, so street versions had to also be built. Precisely 112 of them (117 according to the seller). That makes these Buicks rare finds these days, but they are more show than go. We’re told this GN was the 36th example built in December 1985 and is in good overall condition. Located in a woodshed in Glade Spring, Virginia, this auto looks ready for some more miles. Available here on craigslist, the asking price is $15,000. Kudos to Barn Finder Roger for this one!
In NASCAR, the Regal was typically the car that Buick teams raced in the mid-1980s. But they were slightly behind the aerodynamic curve, so Buick opted to try the larger LaSabre on the track. It was used on a limited basis but did win at least one race at Talladega where slippery is always needed to score. The race-ready cars had modifications to their rear quarter windows which allowed better airflow, therefore reducing drag. To placate NASCAR (and bolster its image), Buick built 112 of the cars at its Flint, Michigan plant and shipped them off to the South for limited sale at Georgia and Florida dealers.
If you bought one of these rare Buicks when new, the GN package got you a large front spoiler, blacked-out trim, a sport FE1 suspension, 15 aluminum wheels, and dual exhaust. The cars looked fast, but the ones built for John Q. Public were not. They used Buick’s off-the-shelf 3.8-liter sequential fuel-injected V6 (not turbocharged like in the Regal GNs). Just 150 hp were output to move the 3,000 lb. cars. So, you weren’t going to win any races away from stoplights.
We don’t know a lot about the seller’s GN other than it’s not been a garage queen. The odometer reflects 168,000 miles but we’re told the Buick runs and drives like new. No mention is made of any restoration work mechanically or cosmetically. For whatever reason, the GN badges have been changed (why?) although the seller assures us this car is the real deal. However, as rare as this automobile is, it’s not the seller’s dream car. He/she really wants a 1968-70 Dodge Charger, and the sale of this Buick will help fund that acquisition.
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$11,000
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$750
Comments
Definitely like the concept. Cleaned up and detailed, this would be a nice ride!
Wow, a LaSabre Grand National. I never even knew these existed.
Sticker package.
Homologation special. Those awkward window blanks allowed the NASCAR version of the car to run with small quarter windows, which improved aerodynamics.
At first I thought “ how did that front wheel drive set up handle the power” then I read it didn’t have the turbo engine. What a let down lol. Didn’t they also have a LeSabre T Type package?
Yes there was a T Type, never saw a GN
I had an 89 Lesabre T-Type, quick car with the 3.8L and in black they looked like a “baby Grand National” (Mine was maroon, though). Not turbocharged, but quick enough. Never heard of the Lesabre GN though!
LeSabre T-types 1987-1989 were great cars (except for the super long doors that had problems).
Surprisingly fast car for the specs due to precise extra gearing and flawlessly mated transmission drop down shifts. I had three of them great cars. Good right suspension came with original Goodyear GT tires just as all the other high performance GMs . Literally only for performance driving in dry weather, an unsafe tire in the rain or god forbid snow!
Yeah yeah yeah rear drive is “best” yeah yeah yeah “no turbo no good”,,,whatever, those folks are the ones who missed out on one of that last real good GM rides!
I got one left here on CT a 1989 needs a pillar rot repair though. But it’s here.
These did 0 to 60 in 11 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 18 seconds. So if you consider that surprisingly fast, you must be in heaven with today’s new cars, since that would be the slowest new vehicle sold on the market.
Agreed the LeSabre T-type certainly looked the part to succeed the Regal GN, if not for the FWD platform under the skin.
Friend of mines Dad had one when they were new. They were very proud of it. I never even rode in it. We used her Bereta or my EXP. Sharp looking BIG car at the time
Had an 89 T-Type. Best Buick I ever owned…
Hello um, I have an old Buick in my garage and I want it gone. No, I don’t know much about it. Well….its black. Um let me see. Uh… it says Grand National. Yes (phone drops on the other end) Hello hello? You are on your way now? He he
These were good cars, much better than the recent listed 3.4 lumina/Monte,3.8 easy to work on , seen a lot of 3.8, with over 200k.
The 3800 was one of GM’s best engines. Intake manifold gaskets were the only weak link. Too bad it’s a GN in name only (referring to performance) a Eaton supercharger would really wake her up.
The perfect example of rare not meaning valuable.
$15k lol.
Good looking body , too bad its not a rwd platform.
i saw one of these years ago, back when they were new. It too was black with gray interior. Did not realize how rare they were.
A sheep in wolf’s clothing.
I have owned many Buicks – yet I never heard of one of these. Definitely a rare bird!
I had a friend who’s mom had a Regal gn I guess it was. I just know that I out ran her in my GTA trans am. And she was complaining because her mom told her not to run the turbo up into the orange !
Yes it was 3.8 turbo , that is the only one I ever seen like that. It was in Michigan.
This is a stick on badge in black
I had an 89 Lesabre T-Type, quick car with the 3.8L and in black they looked like a “baby Grand National” (Mine was maroon, though). Not turbocharged, but quick enough. Never heard of the Lesabre GN though!