Going to look @ a Grand National tomorrow - tips?

[Mr. Anderson]

Going to go check out an '87 GN tomorrow afternoon. The car isn't perfect and has been in a front end collision in the past. It is 90% reassembled (front clip in primer minus a hood), but I don't know exactly what to look for.

Aside from the typical '80's broken plastic parts, are there any GN specific problem areas anyone knows of that I should check out?

A friend of mine who has played with a few of these intercooled ones says there should be a fan for the intercooler on the crank pulley, and some shrouding for it as well so I should make sure that is there because those parts are hard to find.

The car is missing all the headlight pieces (lenses, adjusters, bezels, etc.) and I don't know what else on the front end. I've found a couple parts places to get some of that stuff though. The seller has a friend who has a GN hood for sale.

Thanks guys!!!

[406 Q-ship]

I don't remember a shroud around the intercooler fan. The frames in the G-body is not the strongest and will bend in a collision, so beware of a twisted frame. Rust around the windows. The dash pads are like hens teeth and do not like sitting in the sun at all, cracking is common. If the car has been sitting for a very long period of time, becareful when going to start the engine, Buicks do not like to prime and it can take a looooooooong time to get oil pressure.

[gkring]

If you need some help let me know. I am in Arlington and have a couple at my shop right now. You can come check them out or I may be able to go look at this one with you if need be. I've owned numerous ones and do about 5 or 6 motors a year for them. If you are going for original the black grill, black turn signals, header panel, hood, and fender liners are all GN specific and not available new anymore. Nothing is too hard to find, however. Just can be expensive, especially if you want like new condition stuff. No shroud on the intercooler fan on the crank. We are taking a couple out to Redline tomorrow night to dragrace. If the guy is asking more than 10K in the condition you describe you can probably not waste your time driving out to look at it.

Greg
[email protected]

[Mr. Anderson]

Thanks for the advice guys! When I called the guy to set up a time, he let loose some more information about the car including a dent in the roof and a check engine light which put me over the edge. It was going to be a trade for something else I've got, but he also had it for $7500. Probably not too bad, but it is more of a project than I'd like right now.

[Mr. Anderson]

Greg, sending you an e-mail! Thank you!!!

I am going to look at this T-Type tonight. Anybody see any red flags in the ad?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2433665998.html

[85GPLEf41]

BUY IT! lol! even it's a 20 footer i would! Always wanted a GN or T-type.

[Mr. Anderson]

Ha! You can go right ahead if you want that white one. It was a basket case.....photographs VERY well, lol!

[gkring]

He did say the car was not even close to perfect and the paint job was horrible calling it a 15-20 footer! I have seen and worked on that car and for the money ($6500) it is a good solid deal. For a few grand more you can get an exponentially better car, however. Like anything there is a bell curve to the value of a car versus the condition.

[Mr. Anderson]

I'm not very familiar with the value of GN's or T-types so forgive me if I don't feel the same. The mechanics of it all may be worth the money. He did say the paint was horrible, and he was right. The overspray on every piece of trim was horrible too. Every rubber piece on the car was worn out or cracked. I couldn't tell what was missing or what wasn't from under the hood. Rear tires looked like slicks and the fronts needed about 20 lbs of air. The door rattled like marbles in a tin can when it shut. I just didn't see the money he was asking so I passed. I do appreciate your insight on the car though Greg, and like you said, it would be good for a project/toy, and not for a daily driver as I was intending.

[Runamok]

www.turbobuick.com
www.turbobuicks.com
www.ihadav8.com

;)