1986 Buick Grand National

WH1 T-Type Coupe

6 - Cyl.

Automatic

1G4GK4777GP433590

Gasoline

1986 Buick Grand National With Rare WH1 (Designer Package) Option This well maintained, one owner San Diego automobile is one of the rarest Turbo V6 high performance cars produced by Buick. The car is optioned with the Grand National Design Team's special WH1 package which includes a stunning black and dark gray metallic paint scheme offset with special body pin striping plus a Grand National rear deck spoiler (not installed on standard model T-Types). Only 463 documented 1986 WH1's are known to exist which is the reason behind the car's rarity. This WH1 T-Type with its T-Top hatch roof is in original condition except for having its instrument panel (with the ridiculous factory 85 mph Regal speedo) removed and upgraded to a GNX aftermarket type with individual instument displays... much more suitable for this high performance ride. The car comes complete with all of its original documentation including 1986 Buick sales brochures and Turbo V6 model info, order/option/build forms, window sticker, factory to dealer invoice, owner's manuals, two factory updated service manuals, service and maintenance records plus numerous car test magazine articles from back in the day. And as an original paperwork bonus... the factory build sheet is still located behind the side panel inside the driver's door. I ordered this car from Buick in Feb.'86 and since its delivery have made sure that the engine and chassis have received regular service and maintenance. A new oil filter was installed following each regular oil change and the engine was never started afterward with a dry filter. The transmission has been replaced within the past 30,000 miles or so with a factory new Mr. Goodwrench tranny and an external transmission oil cooler was also installed at that time. An external oil cooler for the power steering system was installed in the cars early days to eliminate annoying power steering whine caused by fluid aeration from a bad reservoir design. Within the past 15,000 miles the engine/car has gone through a major "tune-up" consisting of ... new coil tower, spark plugs, wires, crank and mass air flow sensors, plus an upgraded ECM (engine computer control module) was installed in addition to.... a new radiator core, water pump, drive belt, hoses, thermostat and fan relay, new electric fuel pump, relay, filter, Kirban fuel pump wiring harness upgrade kit, battery, alternator, AC compressor, Powermaster brake unit, brake line flush, new rotors and pads for the front brakes, new steel drums for the rear, new Midas mufflers, shocks and a NOS Turbo hood pad was added. So you can see that this car has continued to receive a lot of TLC lately! In the trunk (which by the way has the trunk trim kit option often deleted on these cars) are a number of spare parts including, two storage bags for the T-Top glass, an after market trunk brace/rear stabilization kit (not installed) but a front brace kit has been installed, two used Powermaster brake units, two servicable front brake rotors, the original aluminum rear brake drums (one good, the other has a repairable crack), three 3.8 SFI TURBO body emblems (not attached following top re-paint), three new GM interior air vent/grills, custom ignition kill kit for anti-theft, the original speedo/dash unit and hardware, Buick V6 Turbo book, Grand National model kit, Turbo Club literature for parts upgrade and troubleshooting info, the original Delco spark plug wire set for future show or bartering purposes, ECM engine code reader with manual, plus misc. spare accessory parts for the engine. This WH1 T-Type has had a black (top surface) repaint a number of years ago which is in very good condition. The original dark gray metallic side panel paint is generally good, but there is a small area around the driver's door handle which has some checking. The body panels are for the most part straight but the right front fender side panel has a recent shallow dent and scratch from a runaway shopping cart and the driver's side door panel underneath the side mirror has a dent from a similar situation... one where you can't seem to park far enough away from these idiots! The front body to bumper extension has been replaced with NOS GM, but the rear filler has a crack near the license plate, has a temporary repair, and needs replacement. However, the front and rear chrome bumpers are excellent. The front tires are new, but the rear tires are nearing their wear bar indicators. The custom aluminum wheels and center caps are in good condition, but one of the center caps is missing its Buick tri-shield logo. The car has no rust and has spent its entire life garaged in the drier inland San Diego area. The car's gray interior is in overall good condition and has a 60/40 front seat arrangement which accompanies the column shift. The driver's seat fabric is worn and has a vinyl slip cover but the passenger seat is in excellent condition. The rear bench seat has a quarter sized wear mark in the fabric due to some hungry moth I suppose but is otherwise free from wear. The carpets show little wear front and back. The dash/front panel is good except for the air/grill vents chrome outline being worn thin (new ones in trunk). The gray cloth headliner and sun visor fabric is new. Both interior door side panels are in excellent condition. This is not, I repeat not a restored vehicle but one kept in overall good condition and has a good track record. Despite all the TLC the car has received over the years and thousands of dollars spent on maintenance, this Buick is not without what I call its "Nuisance Problems". The car could use a few hours of troubleshooting with a Buick scan/diagnostic tool by someone who knows these cars inside and out. Here are my current gripes: 1. The RPM indicator stopped working after the "professionals" at the shop replaced the coil pack... so something was probably not hooked up right. The engine is a bit cold blooded until it warms up and then runs smooth. Many of the vacuum lines and hoses are original and could probably use replacement. 2. The odometer portion of the GNX type speedo is no longer working either but the MPH indicator is OK. You may want to put the original T-Type dash unit back in at this rate, ha! Please be advised that the car's mileage is estimated for this reason. The original speedo had app. 55,000 miles on it when it was replaced, and the current odometer had app. 85,000 miles when it quit working. Since the car became just an occasional driver around that time, I have estimated that I have put an additional 25,000 on the car bringing the total estimated mileage to 165K. 3. The air conditioning system no longer blows cold air. The compressor was replaced not that long ago and the compressor seal appears to be the source of the leak this time, but the system was converted to accomodate the new R134 refigerant when the new compressor was installed. 4. The mufflers and their exhaust pipes were replaced by Midas but the exhaust pipes aft of the catalytic converter were not and now need replacement. Temporary small hole repairs have been made to these pipes. 5. The factory Delco AM/FM Cassette is and always has been a piece of junk (just look at the number for sale on ebay) and now puts out volume to the right and rear speakers only. I have owned this car since new and have decided to sell it due having too many other car projects around the place here... aka. "Wife Forces Sale." She has owned a Mustang for 30 years and therefore has never figured out my Buick infatuation, ha! However, I think that you other Buick guys will enjoying owning and driving this high performance car as I have. It will continue to be a good investment due to the types low production numbers and being recognized as one of Buick's true muscle car classics. Just Google.. Buick WH1... if you have your doubts or go to... http://inventory.bestofshowautomotive.com/CarDetails_sold_post2010.asp?VIN=131865 for one of the finest WH1 examples around today to use for comparative info. I think that this car is fairly priced in this down economy and have included in the photo section a copy of this years Hemmings Motor News Collectible Vehicle Value Guide for your reference. I will be available thru my email InvaderLane19@aol.com during the bid period to answer any questions or requests for additional photos, etc. that you may need. Note: The additional side mirror seen in the trunk photo is not included with the sale of this car. Regards, David Lane Poway, CA