How much is a 1986 buick grand national worth

That’s a lot of cash!


Expectations were high for the last 1987 Buick Grand National ever built when it crossed the auction block with no reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction on January 29. Those expectations were met and exceeded when it hammered for a shocking $550,000. This signals just how hot Grand Nationals are these days as younger generations who admired these cars now have the cash to finally snag their own.

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Looking fantastic thanks to the previous owner keeping the Buick in a climate-controlled “bedroom” and leaving the plastic interior protectors in place, it is a time capsule from a time long gone. It’s understandable why so many wanted to preserve such an historic vehicle, which drove the price up like a rocket.

How much is a 1986 buick grand national worth

Built on December 11, 1987, the Grand National was the very last one to roll off the assembly line. It marks the end of an era when Buick dominated automotive performance in the 1980s, something which has taken on a legendary status today. It was also the end of GM’s G Platform and was followed by the shuttering of the Pontiac, Michigan assembly plant.

How much is a 1986 buick grand national worth

Because of its historic importance, this Grand National has been heavily documented. A GM camera crew followed it through the assembly line, chronicling its progress through the factory. Line workers signed their names to the engine and undercarriage as they went through the final assembly steps. Those signatures along with signs made by workers reading “Built by the Best” and “The End” and the window sticker which reads “The Last Grand National” were included with the sale.

How much is a 1986 buick grand national worth

GM did its part to set this Buick Grand National apart from the rest. It applied an extra badge to the header panel, just over the passenger-side headlight cluster. Buick also included the car in its centennial celebration back in 2003. If you’ve seen the 2012 film Black Air: The Buick Grand National Documentary you will recognize this car, which was featured.

Images via Barrett-Jackson

Finding Your Next Buick Grand National on eBay

The sleek Buick Grand National of the late 1980s has an enduring appeal. Luckily, eBay is home to affordable Grand National listings so you can purchase your own preowned Buick Grand National.

Original components versus restored vehicles

If you find a 1987 Buick Grand National for sale, it will likely have either all-original components or a rebuilt and restored engine. Each of these has its advantages:

  • All-original: Any well-maintained Grand National with original parts is likely to be considerably more expensive than the competition. If you are a very discerning collector and/or want to show the vehicle, this may be a great option.
  • Restored/rebuilt: Many older Buicks for sale are rebuilt. Depending on who did the rebuild, the parts may have been replaced with identical parts--this preserves more of the car's value. However, many rebuilds aren't completely true to the original engine. If you can't tell from the listing, be sure to ask the owner before you buy. If you just want a reasonably preserved classic as a daily driver, you may wish to purchase a restored vehicle.

Should you choose a hardtop or a T-top vehicle?

The Grand National comes in two top configurations. One is a T-top, which allows the car to be effectively made into a convertible. The other is a solid top. A hardtop won't lead to fading issues in the interior. However, if your car doesn't need to be show-quality, purchasing a T-top Buick Grand National for sale may mean you can find a quality vehicle at a lower price.

Choosing a color

Whether you've just begun your search or are already a Grand National car enthusiast, you likely have noticed that just about all Grand Nationals are black. However, there is another color option, albeit a rare one. The 1982 Buick Grand National Regal also comes in a stock-car inspired two-tone finish. If this is the vehicle you want, you may need to dedicate some time to combing through eBay listings, as they are rare.

Considering mileage

Older vehicles tend to vary considerably when it comes to miles. You may be fortunate enough to find a Grand National for sale with very few miles. Cars like this that haven't been rebuilt will usually be the most expensive. However, it's more common to find rebuilds with very few miles on the new engine/transmission. Of course, if you just need a show vehicle that you don't often intend to drive, mileage may be less of a concern.

Content provided for informational purposes only. eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by Buick.

What year Grand National is worth the most?

That's a lot of cash! Expectations were high for the last 1987 Buick Grand National ever built when it crossed the auction block with no reserve at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 29. Those expectations were met and exceeded when it hammered for a shocking $550,000.

What is the rarest Buick Grand National?

Grand National Fun Facts The rarest Grand National is the original 1982 model, with only 215 produced. The 1987 GNX was sold with a matching GNX jacket given to original owners, and mint examples of the jacket have sold for $4,000.

How much is a 1987 Buick Grand National worth today?

The Buick GNX Is Pricey The Buick GNX has held on to its value far better than most cars produced that year. Of course, any used car will have a range in prices. It often depends on things like mileage on the car as well as how well taken care of it is. The 1987 Buick GNX usually sells for between $80,000 and $150,000.

What is a Grand National worth?

According to Hagerty, the highest value for a Grand National is $53,800. The website suggests that car enthusiasts can purchase one of these cars for $35,700 in excellent condition, $22,200 for one in good condition, and many fans can get one for $15,500.