Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.This 1987 Buick Grand National is a final-year example of the legendary blacked-out turbo Buick, the muscle car that shocked the establishment by out-accelerating the sports cars of its day from an unassuming Regal body. This particular car is an honest, driver-grade example offered at no reserve, with a true-mileage-unknown odometer and a frank list of cosmetic and mechanical needs. It is a chance to get into an iconic turbo Buick at the accessible end of the market, provided a buyer prices in the work required.1987 Buick Grand NationalBring a TrailerWhat it's worth right nowClassic.com puts the 1987 Grand National benchmark around $48,438, with an overall Grand National average near $50,399, while Hagerty auction data shows a wide spread, with clean, well-documented cars trading from the high $30,000s into the $70,000s or beyond and the very best examples reaching into six figures. Crucially, that upper market is for correct, low-mileage, well-documented cars, and the driver-grade, higher-mileage, and modified cars occupy a much lower tier, often the $30,000s and below.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis car sits at the accessible end for clear reasons. Its odometer shows 72,000 miles but the Carfax notes a potential rollback in 2008 and the title carries an Exempt notation, so the true mileage is unknown, which meaningfully affects value. The Carfax also lists a damage entry, and the seller has disclosed a substantial list of needs: visible underside corrosion, oil seepage, an exhaust leak, worn suspension bushings, a non-cold air conditioner, and several inoperable minor items. On the positive side, it is a genuine Grand National offered at no reserve, so it will sell to the market.1987 Buick Grand NationalBring a TrailerGiven the iconic model but accounting heavily for the unknown true mileage, the disclosed damage, and the corrosion and mechanical needs, I would call fair value roughly $15,000 to $25,000. The current $12,750 bid with six bids and five days remaining is below that, and the no-reserve format means the market will decide where the needs and the TMU status place it.Condition and detailsThe car presents as an honest driver. This Grand National is finished in the signature black with the sculpted hood, headlight covers, decklid spoiler, and 15-inch alloy wheels, with a black and Sand Gray cloth interior featuring Turbo 6 headrest embroidery. The turbocharged and intercooled 3.8-liter V6 makes its factory-rated 245 horsepower and a stout 355 lb-ft of torque through the four-speed automatic. New Cooper Cobra tires were fitted for the sale, the hood struts were replaced, and the front wheel bearings were adjusted, so some recent attention has been paid.1987 Buick Grand NationalBring a TrailerThe needs are extensive and, to the seller's credit, clearly disclosed. The five-digit odometer shows 72,000 miles, but the Carfax flags a potential rollback in December 2008 and the title is marked Exempt, so true mileage is unknown. The Carfax lists a damage entry, corrosion is visible on the underside, and there is oil seepage around the engine and an exhaust leak. Suspension bushings show wear with seepage present, the air conditioning does not blow cold, the passenger mirror and door lock switch are inoperable, the passenger seat does not lock into place, and a commenter noted the third brake light is out. Paint shows blemishes and swirls.1987 Buick Grand NationalBring a TrailerThe diligence here is substantial and should be priced in before bidding. Given the true-mileage-unknown status, treat the car as a higher-mileage example and inspect the turbo drivetrain accordingly, since these turbo V6s benefit from specific known upgrades and maintenance. Assess the disclosed corrosion carefully with an in-person underside inspection, as rust is the enemy of these cars and the seller and a commenter both noted it. Investigate the Carfax damage entry, and budget for the list of mechanical and cosmetic items, from the A/C and exhaust leak to the suspension bushings and the various inoperable switches. A pre-purchase inspection is essential. This is a no-reserve private-party sale through a BaT Local Partner with a New York title.1987 Buick Grand NationalBring a TrailerAdvertisementAdvertisementThe offerSpecificationDetailMakeBuickModelGrand NationalYear1987Mileage72,000 shown (true mileage unknown)EngineTurbocharged 3.8-liter V6Power245 horsepower, 355 lb-ftTransmissionFour-speed automaticDrive typeRear-wheel driveExterior colorBlackInterior colorBlack and Sand Gray clothCurrent bidUSD $12,750 (no reserve)Interested in this car? View the listing here.What makes the Grand National uniqueThe Buick Grand National is one of the great muscle-car stories, and an unlikely one. In an era when performance was supposedly dead, Buick took its mundane, rear-drive Regal, painted it menacing all-black, and fitted a turbocharged and intercooled 3.8-liter V6 that, in final 1987 form, made 245 horsepower and a locomotive-like 355 lb-ft of torque. The result was a sleeper that could out-accelerate the Corvettes and Mustangs of its day, running high-13-second quarter miles straight off the showroom floor, and it became a cult legend precisely because it was so incongruous, a fast Buick that embarrassed the establishment. The 1987 model year was the last and most powerful, and demand for these final cars was intense.1987 Buick Grand NationalBring a TrailerThat combination of genuine period-shocking performance, sinister looks, and cult mystique is why the Grand National has become such a collectible, with the best examples now commanding serious money. But the market has clearly bifurcated: pristine, documented, low-mileage cars pull strong prices while driver-grade, higher-mileage, and needy examples like this one occupy a much more accessible tier. For a buyer who wants the turbo-Buick experience and is prepared to sort and preserve a driver rather than chase a concours car, an honest, no-reserve example is a legitimate way in, as long as the needs and the mileage uncertainty are priced accordingly.My takeThis is a genuine, iconic 1987 Grand National offered honestly as a driver with real needs, and the no-reserve format means it will find its market number. My fair-value call is $15,000 to $25,000, reflecting the model's appeal against the true-mileage-unknown odometer, the disclosed Carfax damage, the corrosion, and the list of mechanical items. I would stay toward the lower end unless an inspection shows the needs are more cosmetic than structural.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe buying advice centers on the mileage uncertainty and the condition. Treat the odometer as unknown given the potential rollback and Exempt title, and inspect the turbo drivetrain as you would a higher-mileage car. Scrutinize the disclosed underside corrosion in person, since rust can quickly turn a cheap entry into an expensive project, investigate the Carfax damage entry, and budget realistically for the A/C, exhaust leak, suspension bushings, and inoperable items. Get a pre-purchase inspection. Handle all of that, and the current $12,750 no-reserve bid could be a reasonable entry into an icon, but the diligence and the honest accounting of the needs are everything here.Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.