HELP!!! Real GN???

[SS PUNISHER]

I need yaws help!
I found what I believe to be a grand national roller and need to know if its the real deal
Its also bill of sale only and that's added to the concern of whether its real or not. It has the hood, spoiler, seats, console, 8.5 rear, black trim but I found chrome under the front bumper paint.... It doesn't have the front air dam but looks like one used to be there. Idk what else to look for??? I got the vin# too but idk what to look for on it.

I didn't know where to put this post so I put it here since I need to pull the trigger on this deal asap!!!

If anyone can help id be very grateful and thanks in advance!

[BulldawgMusclecars]

This is for '87 GNs.
1 = Manufacturing Country (USA)
G = Manfacturer (GM)
4 = Division (1=Chevy, 2=Pontiac, 3=Oldsmobile, 4=Buick, 5=GMC, 6=Cadillac)
G = Series (G body)
J = Sales/Option level (Regal ... K was supposed to be GN, but wasn't used)
1 = Body Code (2 Door Coupe)
1 = Restraint System (manual belts)
7 = Engine Code (LC2 3.8L SFI Turbo
X - Check Digit
H = Model year (H = 1987)
P = Plant Code (Pontiac Michigan)
400001 = Serial number

It doesn't really ID if the car is a GN, but at least if it had the turbo engine.
All '86-'87 cold air turbo cars had an engine code of 7.
Check here for more info:
http://www.gnttype.org/general/vin.html

[SS PUNISHER]

Thanks Joe, I did already check the vin and it is a 87 turbo car! It has th 3.8 sfi on the hood, shouldn't it say intercooled??? How about the trim finish? What would it look like under the paint? There was a spot peeling on the windsheild and it looked like plain aluminum or whatever it is trim.... that with the chrome under the front bumper paint might lead me to believe it a clone.....

[UNGN]

The fender badges said intercooled, the hood said 3.8 SFI.

Check the RPO tag in the truck.

WE2 for a real GN.

[astroracer]

You can't rely on the trim. It was painted aluminum to begin with so that is not a good indicator. I wouldn't put any faith in the bumper either as it could have been replaced by a painted chromed bumper if any accidents are in the cars history...

[SS PUNISHER]

Pretty much what I was thinkin on the trim and bumper....
Is the RPO the only sure fire way to know? I'm sure that could be copied or reproduced but I doubt they would go that far since it has a painted chrome bumper. Lol but then again who knows when the bumper could have been replaced. I just don't want to get this thing and brag about having a GN and not really have one....

[andrewb70]

Weren't the non GN T-Types even more rare? Yes, I basically have nothing to contribute...LOL

Andrew

[astroracer]

Try the GN registry site.
http://www.gnregistry.org/
They may be able to throw some light....

[SS PUNISHER]

Weren't the non GN T-Types even more rare? Yes, I basically have nothing to contribute...LOL

Andrew

Either way I'm gonna get it....

[andrewb70]

Either way I'm gonna get it....

Sounds like I can move this thread out of the ER...

Andrew

[UNGN]

Someone could reproduce an RPO tag, but it doesn't sould like they were trying very hard to fake a GN. If the Vin has a 7 engine digit, and the RPO sticker has a WE2 and the Vin on both are the same, 99.99% of the time its a real GN.

The non GN turbo regals are rarer, lighter and faster than the GN's, but GN's will always be worth more, because they are a GN and Non GN's aren't.

What Year is it? The Bodies from '84 to '87 are pretty close, but all have subtle difference in trim.

[SS PUNISHER]

Its a 87 acording to the vin, dude told me it was a 85. He said he got that from the vin also, I'm not correcting him there though. Gonna look for RPO in the a.m.,
I'm freaking excited!!! Didn't think I'd ever own a GN.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Keep in mind the turbo engine could be purchased in ANY Regal in 1987...even a Limited, in full grandma trim.

[UNGN]

Some of the more desireable parts weren't put on '87 GN's from the factory. A T-type would have aluminum bumper supports while an '87 GN would have heavier steel supports. An '86 GN has the lighter AL supports.

Positraction was an option, so you need to check the RPO lable for G80.

Aluminum Rear brake drums were only available on non positraction cars (except for the 547 GNX's)

If you are building a car to have and to love, it's probably better to start with non GN.

If you are building it with the intention of selling it, a GN offers a better ROI.

[SS PUNISHER]

J47 code, bummer. I guess its probably actualy more rare car but I kinda wanted it for the name ya know. If I get it, it will just be a regal that used to have a turbo motor... idk though, I guess its better this way. Would be kinda silly puttin a sbc in a real gn anyway

[astroracer]

Even if WAS a GN it would not have the original drivetrain so it wouldn't be as valuable. If you get it, have fun with it....
Mark

[SS PUNISHER]

id still like to get, it has a lot of goodies there that I want. 8.5 rear, no g80 though, t tops, has grand national seats that are in good shape, has rear spoiler and buldge hood, didn't look into the suspension codes but it has a rear sway bar, nice carpet, and its a regal which I really like a lot better than the monte. We'll see how negotiations go I guess...

THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYONES INPUT!!!

[SS PUNISHER]

Even if WAS a GN it would not have the original drivetrain so it wouldn't be as valuable. If you get it, have fun with it....
Mark

That's the plan!

[nekkidhillbilly]

Weren't the non GN T-Types even more rare? Yes, I basically have nothing to contribute...LOL

Andrew

about the same really just basically came in colors besides black

[nekkidhillbilly]

Keep in mind the turbo engine could be purchased in ANY Regal in 1987...even a Limited, in full grandma trim.

i thought it was only option on the t type or the gn/gnx cars even in 87

t type is the non gn turbo cars