This is my 1987 Buick Grand National Project. I was located being stored in a garage in Rosenberg, Texas for several years. The guy I got it from traded a Mustang for it and parked it the garage only knowing it was a Grand National. I purchased the car sometime in March 2006. Needless to say, it is rough. The body has several dings, scratches and a the time of purchased I could only see the right rear quarter had a small dent. It wasn't until later I discovered this car had a rought life and was involved in a pretty severe accident (carfax showed nothing!). It wasn't tracking straight and after a check, it was determined the frame was bent. So $800 later, the frame is straight. But the idiots who did the original repair to the body, welded a quarter panel in while the frame was bent, so when the frame was straightened- the quarter panel bent. Another unpleasant item I discovered was the original rearend had been replaced with a 7.5" rearend, probably a junk yard one to replace the original damaged in the wreck. After about a month of hunting, I located a replacement 8.5" rearend in San Antonio. Recently I was able to obtain a flawless right rear quarter panel and now I am just saving my money to get the body work taken care of. In addition to replacing the damaged quarter panel and header panel, I plan on shaving the door handles, locks, antenna and filling the holes down the sides where the moulding was. When I found the car, the bumper fillers were gone. I replaced the front and rear bumper fillers.

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I replaced the stock 15" chrome wheels with 16" GTA aluminum wheels to mimic the GNX look. I am debating on going with the GNX fender flares and vents- giving the car a GNX clone look. I will be replacing the stock mounted intercooler with a front mounted one as I will need the ground clearance. I will be replacing the stock coil springs with airbags. This way I can slam the car when parked and still be able to get in my drive way. I think the GTA wheels are going to be temporary and I am leaning more toward either 18" all the way around or 18" front and 20" rear. As far as performance, here I what I have been able to determine what has been done: cold air intake, 3" downpipe, dump, 2.5" hooker exhaust system, 36 lb injectors, Hypertech chip, stall torque converter with an Art Carr transmission. The stall torque converter will be replaced for the stock unit. I don't have any plans to race the car, just cruise it. The exhaust tips are going to be replaced with rectangular units that will hold closer to the body. Since I will be going to a front mounted intercooler, I will be replacing the lower valance with a one piece unit. I just bought a set of headlight black outs and am looking for a set of turn signal black outs and tail light blackouts. I would like to thank the guys on www.turbobuicks.com for all their help and feedback with my project. I have always wanted a Grand National and now I have one. It is rough now, but when completed in about a year or so, it will be my dream car. I will post updates from time to time.

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I just installed the 8.5 rearend this week. After I finish parting out the 86 T-type sitting in my garage, I will begin the work more on the Grand National. Hopefully in the next few weeks I can install the aluminum bumper cores and header panel.

--------------------------Feb 2008---------------------------

Been a while since I posted, here is what has been done:

1. replaced ALL the body bushings with poly units. Added the GNX bushings
2. installed the Monte Carlo front frame braces
3. pulled the interior out
4. sold the GTA wheels
5. Decided for the time being to forget about 18 & 20 combo and went with 17x8 KMC Hotwheels Sixty-eights with 235/45r17 tires. I haven't put them on the car yet-don't want to get overspray on them.
6. replaced the steel bumper supports with aluminum ones
7. The GN is currently at Tejas Autobody in Needville, Texas- will have the quarter panel replaced, all dents and dings removed, will shave the rubber guards on bumpers, bumperettes and probably the antennae. With any luck, the body work and paint will be done by mid march.

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----------------------April 13, 2008---------------------------

Falling a little behind schedule-working 50 hours a week and going to school full time is kicking my butt. Made some progress today. I removed all the trim around the windows and took out the quarter windows. Removed tail lights, rear spoiler and mirrors. Still have to remove the front bumper, fillers, fender trim and door handles. Hopefully will replace the quarter panel soon. The more I dig into it, the more "surprises" I am finding- not good ones. Whoever worked on this car before was a total idiot. The welds are hideous, the quarter was welded in crooked. Well at least there is no rust.....Good thing I have Daniel (the owner of Tejas Body- who once worked for a Buick body shop in the 80's- he knows these cars inside and out), to keep me on track and focused. Don't think it will make the May deadline I made for myself, but I would rather have it right than rushed. It is starting to look like a plucked chicken..

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