1,111-Mile 1987 Buick Grand National Hides An LS3 V8 Under Its GNX-Style Skin

3 min read
1,111-Mile 1987 Buick Grand National Hides An LS3 V8 Under Its GNX-Style Skin

Few cars from the 1980s carry the mystique of Buick's turbocharged Regal, and the Grand National sits at the top of that legend. This particular 1987 example takes the story in a thoroughly modern direction, swapping the factory turbo V6 for a Chevrolet LS3 V8 while wearing the aggressive look of the limited-edition GNX. Listed by Earth MotorCars of Carrollton, Texas, the blacked-out coupe shows just 1,111 miles and is offered at $189,900 or best offer.

A clean side profile shows the two-door Regal body and blacked-out trim.
A clean side profile shows the two-door Regal body and blacked-out trim.

At the heart of this restomod is GM's LS3, the 6.2-liter aluminum V8 that powered the C6 Corvette and a generation of Camaros. In factory form it produces well over 400 horsepower, a dramatic leap from the 245 horsepower the original 3.8-liter turbo V6 made in 1987. Backed by an automatic transmission and sending power to the rear wheels, the swap turns a quick muscle coupe into something genuinely fast while keeping the menacing all-black character intact.

The 6.2-liter LS3 V8 now sits where the turbo V6 once lived.
The 6.2-liter LS3 V8 now sits where the turbo V6 once lived.

Visually, the car leans into GNX territory rather than standard Grand National trim. The GNX was the rare, ASC/McLaren-built send-off model that Buick produced in tiny numbers for 1987, and its blacked-out, all-business styling has made it one of the most collectible American cars of its era. Finished in black over a black interior, this coupe captures that look, riding on the two-door Regal body that defined Reagan-era performance.

GNX-inspired styling, finished in black over black.
GNX-inspired styling, finished in black over black.

The odometer reading is part of the appeal here. With only 1,111 miles showing and a clean title, the Buick presents as a low-use build rather than a heavily driven project. The VIN, 1G4GJ1179HP436213, identifies it as a 1987 Regal, and the listing notes the car is being sold by a dealer through eBay Motors with Secure Purchase protection and the option of local pickup or shipping.

The cabin pairs the build with classic Grand National-style buckets.
The cabin pairs the build with classic Grand National-style buckets.

For collectors, LS-swapped Grand Nationals occupy interesting middle ground. Purists will always prize a numbers-matching turbo V6, but a modern V8 driveline adds reliability and big power for buyers who want to actually drive their classic. Whether that trade-off justifies the near-$190,000 asking price is up to the market, but there's no denying this black-on-black Buick makes a strong statement coming or going.

A modern V8 driveline brings big power to a collectible 1980s coupe.
A modern V8 driveline brings big power to a collectible 1980s coupe.

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