The 1987 Buick Grand National is the car. If you’re a G-body fan, this is the model, the year, the legend. It’s the one everyone wants. While maybe behind on performance figures compared to the legendary GNX, the base Grand National is better for non-collectors, as you can actually drive and even modify it to your liking without worrying about rarity. For the most part, at least.While working the stage at FuelFest, I spotted the black beauty from across the show field. Like a toddler drawn in by a shiny object, I scurried across the fairgrounds to get a closer look. The owner, Tye, gave me the time of day and the rundown on his killer Buick. As it turns out, this car has a subtle detail that makes it far more rare than any GNX you’ve seen. The Perfect Grand National Tye is a lifelong fan of the Buick Grand National, with the 1987 model year being his favorite. On top of being the final production year of the turbo muscle car, it’s the year he graduated high school, adding a layer of sentimental value to the mix. Not only that, but this car in particular was owned by his uncle, making it something of a family heirloom.What makes the Grand National cool for the rest of this is that it defied all expectations of cars built in the ‘80s. In an era where muscle cars were being choked down by strict emissions regulations, it showed the world that American cars were still a force to reckon with, and it did it with a turbocharged six-cylinder that broke the mold for this segment. With menacing, dark looks, it put the G-body on the map, revitalizing the suffocating enthusiast market. The GNX then took the fight to the global scale when ASC McLaren took 547 ‘87 Grand Nationals and worked them over with some serious performance hardware to send the model off with a bang.Hank O'Hop/ValnetTye’s Grand National is among the best surviving examples you’ll find. With the turbo 3.8-liter V6 producing 245 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque, an overdrive transmission, disc brakes up front, and legendary 1980’s comfort, these cars make the ultimate driver’s from the factory. As-such, he’s left it bone stock. What makes the car more interesting is the fact that he found the car, in his words, in a plastic bag. His uncle worked for GM and was one of the lucky few to get his hands on this car when new. He kept good care of it for years, so all Tye had to do was put on fresh tires and toss in a new carpet to get it on the road, which it sees plenty of these days. What Makes It So Rare? Hank O'Hop/ValnetI owned an ‘86 Cutlass as a teenager. I loved a lot of things about that car, but the interior was easily my favorite part. Those plush ‘80s seats are a thing of beauty, and, as soon as I got near this Grand National, I stuck my head through the window to take it all in. This is how I missed the wildest part of the whole car.In talking to Tye, he revealed that this car has a sunroof, which I totally skipped past without even noticing. Knowing that these cars came with T-tops, that stands out as a bit of an oddity. Then he explained that this is one of just four or five cars that he knows of to have come with one installed by none other than ASC. As cool as this Grand National already is, that took things to a whole new level.Hank O'Hop/ValnetThe GNX is beloved for its rarity, but this Grand National blows it out of the water in that metric. Being one of just a handful ever built, it’s nearly 100 times more rare and in a sneaky sort of way. If you’re caught up in all of its natural glory, you’d never know it’s as special as it is. The owner is much the same way. FuelFest Is Where It’s At Hank O'Hop/ValnetTye is one of those guys you can walk up to and have a conversation with like you’ve known him your whole life. He was happy to share details about his car, but didn’t pound his chest, acting like it was something of greatness, even though it is. By the time we got done with our interview, we were talking to one another like we were best buds, and continued to talk shop any chance we could throughout the day. He’s the sort of humble, authentic gearhead that truly makes car culture great.That’s why FuelFest is so important. Tye is joined by enthusiasts from all different segments. Whether it be American muscle, JDM, Euro, or even moto, you’ll find folks from all walks in the same place celebrating what they love most. It’s the sort of thing that truly brings out the best in people, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find such a diverse mix of car culture anywhere else.