The Buick Grand National Is the Ultimate 1980s Muscle Car 

Kudos to owner for keeping that thing look brand new

Damn, that car is gorgeous! Kudos to the owner for maintaining it so well.

"Officer, my spedo only goes up to 85, I could not possibly be going 125 in a 60"

I bought one brand new in 1987. The first night of ownership, I couldn't sleep knowing what was parked outside. At 3am I was sitting in the brand new Grand National breathing in the new car smell and reading the owners manual. I was so stoked to own the car. I did a lot of street racing back then and I never lost a race in the GN. With some minor tweeks like a chip, free flowing dual exhaust and lighter wheels it made the fastest American car of 1987 even faster. It would bust loose around 30mph when the turbo was at full boost. I used to love the looks I would get in the car. People would ask me what the hell it was. I wonder if I was the guy mentioned in this video. I lived in Los Angeles in 1987 and beat several Vettes that wanted a go. One did as me what it was. I wonder if it is the owner of the car featured here. ?? Of all the cars I have ever owned, I love and miss my Grand National the most. While not the fastest car I ever owned, (that title goes to the Challenger 1320 I currently own) the Grand National remains my all time favorite. One day I will have another. And this time I won't ever let it go. Great video. It really brought back some memories for me.

Doug:"Safety wasn't a massive priority for GM or anyone back in the 1980s." *Volvo has left the comments section*

When I was 17,me being a chevy guy ,my best friend said his dream car was a Buick Grand national,I was like ok.About 6 months later he was like come outside I want to show you something,it was a Buick Grand national.The memories I have in that car wow!He still has it to this day

This makes me cry. My GN was stolen a few years ago.

22:03 that donk el camino though lol

It's so clean, the paint looks like a die cast model

That car looks incredible. Whoever is maintaining it is doing a hell of a job.

My brother in law was an engineer for GM and was able to own one a couple of months before they were released to the general public. The stares we got driving it around were crazy.

"Body by Fisher" was a GM slogan of quality and pride from the 50s and 60s, perhaps even earlier. Buick including it on the Gran National is a nod to the GNs General Motors heritage.

"Safety wasn't a priority for anyone in the 1980s" *Volvo intensifies*

DAMN. The type of review I wanted, but never expected it to happen

I was in one of these when I was a teenager and it pinned me back in that seat like crazy! Never forget the sound of that turbo.

I am 41 years old and this was my generation's dream car in our neighborhood.

The Grand National is definitely in my top ten favorite cars of all time.

Officer: You were speeding 90 in a 75. You: Non-sense my cars top speed is 85.

I had an 87 Monte Carlo SS Aero coupe. It's amazing how similar the inside was between them. Such a blast from the past to see this.

This is one of my favorite cars to drive or modify in Forza 7. Stock it’s still very quick with tons of torque everywhere even though it “feels” lazy with a low redline and LONG gear ratios.

I was in high school when this car was released. Back then, we teenagers wanted either the Ford Mustang GT or the Chevy IROC Z-28. We were all surprised that the Grand National was the fastest production car. A Buick?!

The owner kept that car in a time capsule, awesome to see.

"Look at this interesting quirk"--points to the way most cars were at the time. It's like seeing a car through a child's eyes.

Probably my favorite '80s car. My buddy had one (a 1986) in the mid-90s, but someone stole it and totaled in around 1999.

That is an extremely clean Grand National. Kudos to the owner!

Doug is the biggest square in the interior

My Dad drove a 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass around the time that I started to remember vehicles. The interior of this Buick, covered with squares and boxes, is a real nostalgic trio for me cause the Cutlass was basically the exact same. I even remember the "GM" logo on the seatbelts. The Cutlass was a POS, but memorable because it was all vans all the time after that.

A little history. The first 3.8 turbo Regals came out in '78, and they blew up. A lot. So much so that GM was replacing entire engines under warranty. The ECMs in these cars were not fast enough to retard spark knock, and spun rod bearings was common. It wasn't until 3 years later that they introduced fuel injection and faster ECM's, and a legend was born.

Never thought I’d see a Buick on RU-vid’s trending in 2019

22:00 You stop at a red light. On your right, there is a Grand National and on the left an El Camino. What a sight 😍😍

I drove a Buick Regal station wagon for years that my Grandfather gave us. The acceleration was slow and boat like. But it became like a runaway train around 50mph. You could seat seven people, six comfortably. It was a huge car.

DOUG: Thiiiiiiisssssss Vin Deisel _[jumps in]_ : *IS FAMILY!*

This is the cleanest Grand National that I've ever seen ! Woww

*Doug is that type of guy to store gloves in the glove box*

Has to be the most well-preserved 80s car Doug’s done a piece on so far - thing looks brand new.

This that “I’m gonna eliminate LeBron in the first round” type vibe

In September of 1979, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) passed a bill which stated that all car, pickup truck and motorcycle speedometers were to display a maximum speed of 85 miles-per-hour. This federal regulation also required speedometers to have a special emphasis on the number 55 (the national speed limit at the time).

Doug the type of guy to take his popcorn home after the movie

13:12 keep your nutz cool... always loved this feature!

That was an enjoyable watch, thanks for this! Always dreamt of getting a Grand National. Seeing this interior just brought back memories of my Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royal Brougham. I currently drive a 2015 Buick Lacrosse and man do i miss the square designs of the time.

The name of the paint color is called "Darth Vader Black" seriously..

"Body by Fisher" was the logo stamped by Fisher Body- the first automotive production facility for General Motors in Flint, Michigan. It's long since gone...but both my grandfather and father both worked at Fisher Body at the corner of Saginaw and Hemphill Roads in Flint!

I owned one of these in the mid 90s and this video brought back so many memories. Thanks for posting!

In my childhood, my neighbor had two of them. He was always outside working on one. Im assuming he used one as a daily and the one he worked on probably had alot under there for maybe taking it to tye track. I wouldnt know, because i never really saw him ride that one. I guess i always admired it since i was little. Way before i was ever into cars

holy shit that car has received some love. looks brand new.

I can smell the Malboro reds and Budweisers.

I own a 1993 Mustang LX 5.0 but this is my dream car. Every time I watch one of these videos I find myself thinking in Doug's voice for a few minutes after.. Very strange. Just one of the many quirks and features of my brain.

5:07 Hey that 3rd brake light may be something to chuckle at now for those who weren't there. But to us who were there, that add-on light was practically a status symbol! So much so that some of us (like me haha) with older models bought one just to have the "look" of the newer models! 😄 That third brake light was in vogue!

The FBI fell in love with these. Read on Wikipedia they purchased over 150+ for thier fleet in 80s. Those agents had it good

My grandpa still has his that he bought new in ‘87. Such a timeless vehicle that we will cherish forever!

Great video Doug, brought back memories of high school ;) One thing; I'm pretty sure the air intake is inside the engine compartment, the round thing on the end of the hose at the front right of the compartment. I think the bottom intake is for the intercooler's radiator and there might be an oil cooler too. Thanks again, safe driving!

“Oh is it a quirk fest in here” - Doug DeMuro May 16, 2019

this man actually cleaned his car and got it ready for this review,respect

Ima go to my local dealership and ask em “so what’s the Doug score on one of these ?”

My father just passed away last March. We were a solid middle-class family, my Father and Mother both being Police Officers. In 1989 My dad bought a GN with the State kicking in a few bucks so he could use it as an undercover vehicle. Just paying for tires and the consumables. I really liked it too obviously, but as a registered tax-exempt State vehicle I couldn't drive it. That changed my mind really quick, and as the years went on and cool new cars came out, I asked him to sell it I don't know how many times. Well, the GN has now been handed down to me, and I thank God for my father being steadfast in not getting rid of it. My Son is 4 now, and it's going to be one hell of a tearjerker when my son gets his license and drives it for the first time. I thank God every single day for being able to continue to pass down the pure joy of Automotive horsepower. Thanks Dad, for everything, rest now and I'll take it from here.

The reason the 87 was only rated at 245hp was that the engine boys had to lie to get approval to install the automatic transmission. I had one and blew the tranny twice ... I have no idea what the real hp was ... but I can say that on really frigid winter days it was almost undriveable - the tires would light up just breathing on the gas pedal - the turbocharger was packing in so much dense cold air .. what fun !

This has to be one of top all-time Doug DeMuro reviews. I loved these cars, and I really enjoyed this video.

It's condition is admirable, props to the owner

Graduated in '87...in Michigan. Some inside info...I knew some Buick engineers (family friends) who tested/designed the Buick GN GNX in Lansing. They were doing some "tweaks" to the turbo, mapping, tires, exhaust tuning, etc. Anyway, one engineer said they got 375+ hp out of that 3.8L...but, had a problem with vaporizing tires and stopping. The GNX horsepower rating was ridiculously low from the factory.

Doug, loved this look at the old school Buick Grand National. You do great reviews, and I would love to see your take on the Grand National's spiritual successor: the modern Buick Regal GS. Also, the Buick Regal GS and the Kia Stinger (which I know you own) tick a lot of the same boxes --> I think would make your perspective/ability to compare and contrast doubly interesting. Thanks!

*Grand National pops up in a Buick ad* Someone's grandma: tHaT's NoT a BuIcK!

*This was one of the best choices ever for a car to review* 💙

Doug always manages to find the cleanest version of whatever car he’s reviewing.

Doug, here is a GM quirk and feature for you: Those 80s and 90s GM Delco radios, such as found in this car, have not four, but seven presets, you access the extra three presets via the left two buttons pressed at the same time, center two and right two buttons.

"Oh, is it a quirk fest in here" is something a Doug Demuro impersonator would say

That intake under the car is the intercooler air scoop. Not the air intake for the engine. I regret selling my 87 gn every day.

this is one of my favorite cars and one of my favorite channels on RU-vid and I'm just astonished that I haven't seen this yet

Navy friend of mine had a new GNX model when they came out in the 80’s. Remember watching him do donuts in the go-cart parking lot in Jacksonville Beach. Also knew a lady who bought one and was proud that her husband had a performance chip put in it. I was too young to afford a car like that back then but man did I love the way that thing looked!

That El Camino at the stoplight though during the driving section...

Last time i was this early Doug still had the Vantage

My grandpa used to work on these at a garage in north(ish) Jersey. He took me for a ride in one when I was probably around 9 and I remember the feeling when that turbo kicked in of being sucked back to the seat. My grandpa was the coolest thing ever pushing that car on that back road. What I'd give to own one someday to kind of relive that memory and share the car with my future kids.

Test drove one the other day, put a big smile on my face!

Who else seen the El Camino at 22:00? Nice lol. I wish you would do more Muscle Cars like this plz✌

Most 80's cars have 85 MPH speedometers. It was a regulation for several years.

A ear to ear smile when he is driving the grand national and I would too, awsome!!

I recently saw Doug's review of a 1977 Cadillac Eldorado, and now this car, where he comments on how these cars had no headrests. Somebody's gotta show Doug how to pull up on that funny little rectangular feature that's resting just above the seatback. I suppose he'd be blown away when he realizes that it's a separate piece that's attached to the seat by a bar of metal and that it has detents that allow it to be adjustable in height. I suppose if Doug had discovered it on his own, he'd probably call it a quirk! In fact, NHTSA began requiring headrests in all outboard front seats in cars in - wait for it - 1969! Before that, many American cars had beautiful pillarless side window designs and gorgeous lowback front seats that looked great with the windows rolled down. Not so great for safety, but they sure were great to look at.

You don’t want to mess with anyone driving a grand national. Car is straight gangster

Man, I can't wait for concert sound 3 to come out!

I had a 1990 Supra with a crotch vent and it slapped! I would love to have it back in new cars.

"Body by Fisher" was in all GM door sills in the 60's and 70's.

This is probably the fastest I ever clicked on a Doug DeMuro video, I absolutely ADORE this car, really amazing...

Too hear the turbo boost from a car which is 30 years old is engaging.

The mirrors really aren't that small even by today's standards. They aren't pickup truck size but they fit the car nicely. As far as safety on cars goes it is a relative concept and evolves with time. The most important safety feature of practically any car is the operator. Very iconic car.

Doug - you need to find a 1984 Oldsmobile 442 (Cutlass model) ... talk about quirky interiors ... it had three levers/shifters that are a throwback to the Hurst 442 of the 1960s

I loved it - thank you for taking the time to review the Grand National.

I love the orange and yellow arrow, It just screams 80's.

Always "LOVED" this car. Back in the day, CT. State Police used these & Mustang GT's. Never had a G.N. cuz of the cost @ the time.

My very first car that I learned to drive in was a 1990 Buick Century. It was basically this car with everything exciting and fun removed. All of those details on the inside are so familiar. That speedometer, the buckles, the radio, the seats, and almost everything else in the interior are so close to my old Century.

A Doug review of a muscle car??? Dreams come true indeed!

Can’t believe I just heard Doug say ‘do it’s thang’. Awesome.

Very nice car! I love the way breaks down all the cars.

I grew up in a wealthy area, Winnetka, north shore of Chicago. My buddy had an M-5, 1988. This car was next to us at a light. It took off like a rocket, surprised the hell out of me. I had never heard of this car before that night.

Always loved the "Turbo 6" logo - absolutely genius.

i never expected doug to review this car one of my favorites

I liked your memorization blip edits at the end 😌🙏

Very cool. Doug, the button on the back of each front seat releases the back rest and if you keep pulling on the front back rest adjustment handle you will break the mechanism. A lot of GM cars from the 80s 90s and 2000s have the same design feature

Legends says the first crowd to be mowed over by a mustang was trying to avoid racing a Grand National.

If Darth Vader drove a car - or his armor was interpreted as an 80's car - this would be it.

"Dangit Myrtle, I can't figure out how to make this wheel square. I got me square dials, square dash, square body, but the wheel it's circular. Ruins the whole car!" - Jeremy Clarkson

Yo Doug do the monte Carlos SS!!!! My dad had that when I was a kid.. would love to see that review