[72projectbird]

So... I really should be working on my other cars, but this was a right place right time deal.

I had a few GNs, and have been strongly regretting selling them. Started looking for another, but nothing was coming up that was workable and priced right. I kinda gave up looking for one, until I saw this thing in all its glory. Covered in flames and a Grim Reaper, it was interesting to say the least. Went up to Maine to check it out.

Turns out an Army recruiter drove it up to VT from TN, and the sellers Dad had to have it. Made him an offer and bought it on the spot, and immediately customized it. Unfortunately he passed away, and left it to his son. He took good care of it, keeping it 100% rust free. It was time to sell it, and I guess I was the first to see it in person. He knew I was going to repaint it, and was sentimental about the hood. It had his children's initials on the scoop, so I let him keep it. I knew I'd feel bad painting over it knowing how much it meant to him.


The paint work is wrapping up. It's a base clear, including 3 coats of clear which were cut down with 800 grit, followed by two flow coats of clear which were then cut with 1200 up to 3000 grit. Just got done today buffing the car three times with various compounds and finished up with a nice swirl remover.

Heres a few pics of the progress. Next up is redoing the tint (it's waaaaay to light) and some other odds and ends.

Anyone else here have a GN or a G-body in general?

[1965gp]

Love these. Very cool of you to let him keep the hood.

I have an 86 that my buddy got new for his 16th birthday. I have every bit of documentation there is for that car.

These have really gotten high over the past 5 years…

[GOAT8U2]

I've had one since 97, 2nd car I've ever bought right after my 69 GTO. They're sort of a PIA but I really dig them, luckily there's a lot of smart old timers still into them so they carry on strong with plenty of parts.

Turbobuick.com, forum of gold even after many crashes.

Enjoy

[JSchmitz]

Love them! I had a chance to buy one for a screaming deal about 15 years ago. It was $7,000 for a perfect low mile car. Still kicking myself for not buying that one. Always priorities though...

[mgarblik]

I was still doing dealership work when they came out. Other than the very weak rear ends, they were a stout package. I remember one coming into the dealership where the drive pinion had come out of the housing with such force it tore a large gash in the floor right in front of the gas tank. Covered in rubber on the quarter panels, the service writer asked, "has this car been to the track?". "Never said the owner, I just drive it around town and to work.". "You must work at a drag strip said the service writer". GM bought him his second complete rear end for the car but said no more. Used to enjoy seeing quite a few of them just driving around as regular transportation. Very rare to see one on the road today. Your car looks beautiful and it looks like you will have a real prize when it's all finished and detailed. Hope you plan to drive and enjoy it. To me, the GN was like the SD-455 for Buick. A car that should never have happened given the time frame and circumstances, yet there they were, leaving the other divisions of GM with their pants down, including Pontiac. Enjoy that beauty.

[1968firebird455]

These are very fun cars and super comfortable. I have had the privilege to drive a couple of Grand Nationals and it's big brother the GNX. I did a complete restoration on the chassis of GNX #239. There is a funny little article about the car. The car is completely frame off restored and nearly flawless right now. It looked way worse in the pictures.


https://bangshift.com/general-news/c...-one-worn-sob/

[Tom Vaught]

Big fan of Ken Duttweiler for many years and GN and GNX cars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDGjBRgqljM

He had a very quick Buick Grand National.

You did very well, with your find and restoration to date.

Love those cars.

Agree about the rear suspension stuff though. GNX was better.

Tom V.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Anyone else here have a GN or a G-body in general?

He hasn't been here on the forum for a few years now, but Dennis Kirban is a big supporter of turbo Buicks. https://www.kirbanperformance.com

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

I was still doing dealership work when they came out. Other than the very weak rear ends, they were a stout package. I remember one coming into the dealership where the drive pinion had come out of the housing with such force it tore a large gash in the floor right in front of the gas tank. Covered in rubber on the quarter panels, the service writer asked, "has this car been to the track?". "Never said the owner, I just drive it around town and to work.". "You must work at a drag strip said the service writer". GM bought him his second complete rear end for the car but said no more. Used to enjoy seeing quite a few of them just driving around as regular transportation. Very rare to see one on the road today. Your car looks beautiful and it looks like you will have a real prize when it's all finished and detailed. Hope you plan to drive and enjoy it. To me, the GN was like the SD-455 for Buick. A car that should never have happened given the time frame and circumstances, yet there they were, leaving the other divisions of GM with their pants down, including Pontiac. Enjoy that beauty.

That's hilarious! This car had the lower quarters and rear bumper covered in about 1/4" of rubber. All four tires were completely slick on those horrible steelies. I tracked down some Enkei GNX style wheels which are awesome, and fit great with no need for spacers.

This car has all the basic GN upgrades. 50lb Injectors, Walbro 255 pump, adjustable regulator, Turbotweek chip set for 20psi boost with adjustable timing control through the scanmaster, TA49 turbo, 3 inch downpipe with a Turbonetics external wastegate, manual boost controller and a decent torque converter. I'm going to install meth injection and a front mount intercooler once I'm done with the paint.

[Tom Vaught]

The front mounted inter-cooler will really help with those 20 psi boost levels.

Tom V.

[5th TA]

I am a big fan of the GN’s and GNX’s. My best friend purchased a GN brand new, it was a great driving car that would be right at home today. Likely a lot kids today would be shocked by the performance of one, thinking it’s just an old 80’s car. When they came out, it was another instance of when everyone said muscle cars are dead. Then Buick pull’s a rabbit out of their hat. Nice job straightening out the paint and putting back on original style wheels. Nothing beats a beautiful shiny black car for looks.

[jerry455]

I was working at GM Research at the Warren Tech Center when these were new. They were nice cars, but I hated the sound. I never liked them when everyone made them louder. I thought they had the 8.5" rear axle in them. The Olds 442 also had the same axle. The Monte SS and the Grand Prix had the 7.5" axle that was weaker. The 7.5 was also used in the F cars from 1982 on. The T-Type was the sleeper version. You could get them in several colors and options. We had a 1987 T Type that was white with a maroon velour interior, and it was a bench seat. That was a real sleeper. It looked like grandmas' car with the GN powertrain.

[necdb3]

Love those cars! Jim D'Alessandro was a well known GN guy. He worked for me as a Service Writer at a BMW dealership after he sold his business. He had some very Quick GN's.

[Charlie Brengun]

I really like the look of those cars and yours is looking really good too, nice all black pain job!

Perfect car for an LS swap.

[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by jerry455

They were nice cars, but I hated the sound. I never liked them when everyone made them louder............................................ .........
The T-Type was the sleeper version. You could get them in several colors and options. We had a 1987 T Type that was white with a maroon velour interior, and it was a bench seat. That was a real sleeper. It looked like grandmas' car with the GN powertrain.

At the Buick dealer lot in Benton Harbor MI, I remember looking at a pair of brand new '87 Regal coupes with the rare T appearance option. They were silver and had the 84-85 style cast wheels, just like the T-Types. The only difference was, they had an Olds 307 under the hood.
They were obviously no match for the intercooled turbos but if street racing is not important to you, you get that nice V-8 exhaust note to go with the sporty looking body. I think I would have chosen one of those over a same year 442, just to have something different.

I found out years later that 1987 was the only year a V-8 was available in a (81-87) Regal, and I think it was only with that "T" option.

[Skip Fix]

I want to think only the GNXs had the 8.5?

[Matt Meaney]

the 8.5 rear was standard in the GN and T with the turbo engine. the GNX had the same 8.5 but with a different cover to mount the traction bar and a mount for the panhard rod.
love those cars. i had a 87 T and a 87 GN, both slightly warmed over. would love to have another one, and i wouldn't be silly enough to sell it this time.

[72projectbird]

Correct, GNs have 8.5 rears. Funny enough the Hurst Olds had them too, although that 307 they came with couldn't harm a 7.5 lol

Over the winter I'll probably do tubular arms up front with adjustable rear links. I dont want to modify it too much, just basic stuff. These cars are like Legos. You can get carried away pretty easily just bolting stuff on left and right.

[kingbuzzo]

Very very cool...between a TTA and one of these are the king of the 80s to me...

[PAUL K]

I always liked them. My wife has a pretty nice 87. She bought it to replace an 85 Regal Limited she owned for twenty years. The car is great to drive but really needs a taller center console box to support one's arm (or atleast mine).

Back in the day, these cars were easy to make very fast and still be totally streetable. Not many knew much about turbo cars and the previous cars that didn't have an intercooler were nothing to fear. I also remember the Conquest TSI being quick but eventually the Toyota Supra's seemed to pull away from them all.

A buddy bought one new and was hanging out at the arcade wearing a shirt the said "Buick GN King of the road we brake for Corvettes" a fellow that owned a new Corvette took offense and ended up racing the GN. After three failed attempts to win he went home.