Buick thought so much of their new-for-1981 Regal that for '82 they rolled out a taped up trim package they called "Grand National". Actually, it was to help promote Buick's successful 1981 NASCAR season. I came across this one recently that's been rebuilt with an L76 (6.0 liter) "LS-2" V-8. It was bolted together by NextGen Performance of Spencer, Massachusetts.
I know, Buick racing. As if. They only built 215 of these cars for 1982 and there was no Grand National for 1983 so it's understandable that you may never have known these cars existed. Buick reintroduced the Grand National nameplate for 1984 and built them through 1987. Those 1984-1987 models are the sinister looking, black-on-black fuel injected turbocharged monsters that are perhaps the most sought-after domestic collectible from the 1980's. Come to think of it, they might be the only car worth collecting from the 1980's.
Most of the 215 1982 Grand Nationals didn't have Buick's turbo 3.8 liter V-6 but rather Buick's 4.1 liter V-6. Making all of 125 horsepower and 205 pounds of torque, it wasn't much of an upgrade from the run of the mill 110 horse, 190 pound 3.8 but at least it was some sort of engine upgrade to go along with the snazzy paint and graphics. Buick fit the rear end with 3.23 gears to help make the most of the added twist of the 4.1 and they equipped the car with an F41 handling suspension too. By the way, this awesome Buick logo on the rear quarter panels is painted; it's not a sticker.
Regardless of the modest original performance "upgrades", let's be honest, the fact this otherwise ordinary Regal is in the pristine shape it's in is because it's a Grand National and someone had a penchant for keeping it in near showroom condition. Most other GM G bodies have either been long shredded, are not long for this world or have been hot rodded. The majority of the remaining runners out there are quintessential 1980's automotive appliances and they're not worth much.
I shudder to think what this must have cost to do. When you factor in the cost of the car itself, I wouldn't be surprised to find out the build ran north of $30,000. Along with the engine, NexGen swapped out the turbo 350 transmission for a modern 4L65E unit, a custom driveshaft had to made as well since they dropped the rear end it came with for a heavy duty Ford 9 inch rear complete with 3.70 gears. Let's not forget about having to swap the gas tank and run new fuel lines since the car came originally with a carburetor. All this adds up. Quickly.
At the end of the day, you can't always be concerned about what something is going to cost or if, with regards to old cars, what something is going to be worth in the future. Sometimes you just have to do what makes you happy. Although I wouldn't go to the extremes the owner of this lovely car went through, I'm glad he did and I'd love to borrow it for a road trip. A long one. Make that, a very, very long one.
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