Back in the eighties...

[Mr. Michael]

So I am getting to be an old guy... Back in the eighties I bought one of these turbo Buick's new. It was my 1st new car. I talked a bank into giving me a loan ($285 per mo) & sold my then daily driver for the down payment ($3500). It was November 1985 when the car showed up at the dealer.

I had a ball. I did it all in my 1986 GN (with only 9 personally selected options). I sold real estate out of it, and raced it in any way that I could. It was a dream come true for a young man like me (gear head). I toyed with it, and tinkered it down to a 13.5 without any chips or mods past removing the cat converter. I actually fabricated my own bled off valve so I could add a few extra ponies (remember this was very early in the tuner car days). But even then if you ran past 16 pounds of boost the knock retard would just slow you down. It was a great time though.

Finally I adapted a NOS wet kit & ran in the 12's. I owned that car for 2 years then sold it for exactly what I paid for it ($14,400). What a ride.

I never gave them up completely. Always watching for one & looking at the classifieds Then recently I had a dealer associate that got one in on consignment. He was states away but asked me if I would make an offer on a '87 he had. I did ~ and he took it without even a counter!

The car came in and looked pretty good. However within a block & right off the trailer I knew something was up. I was seeing a lot of boost. I checked the basics then called Nick @ AZ-GN to conform some thoughts. After further experimentation I found a stuck wastegate puck (car had sat for years) in the aftermarket down pipe. Replacing that puck was a non-event but then I found myself looking at too much boost creep. A little more research lead me to port the wastegate hole and remedy that. But... More was in store. So I got a Scanmaster... The readings were close but for some reason they were not dialed in. What do I find but a broken spark plug insulator causing occasional knock & missfires. A quick replacement with a new cooler set & I was golden. Hey why not go with the 160 thermo while I am here? Done & done. Test pipe? Done. Nice fluid service with some ZDDP - yep. Car has a big downpipe, Magnaflow exhaust, Fuel pump Hot wire & adjustable fuel reg but the rest seemed stock. Better order up a current chip (has stock chip) and a good set of mild injectors. And I better put some good shocks on it as it needs some!

I am getting it there. Its very close to my original car (few options) so I enjoy that.

I appreciate having this forum as a resource so watch for future updates. I will plan on adding a few stories from the past as well as the future. That is now that I am back in the eighties.

 

[Mr. Michael]

To add to the story...

So I said I "raced" my 1986 back in the day. that included drag racing (even went to & ran at the Buick Nats in KY) and I drove some SCCA events (Hill-climbs & autocross) to take advantage of the great power. It did pretty well on both fronts (added a good rear anti sway bar).

But more than anything I would head up to Dukes Drive-in in Chicago and pick grudge races for cash. In early 1986 EVERYONE thought this car was a Monte SS, so it was like fishing in a barrel. I actually carried a small notebook in the center console to write down my wins & loses. I recall over 200 wins, and 12 (twelve) losses. The car was unstoppable. I paid for most of my monthly bank payments with the wins. The car held its own for certain. I only bolted on the Nitrous (75 shot) for "emergencies" - but rarely squeezed it.

The car made wins happen back then. I think you know what I mean.

Here are two photos. One of me and mine in 1986 at the GS Nationals... One of me & mine now. Things have not changed much 'eh?

 

[achalmersman]

Neat story. Got your vanity plate again I see

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. Michael]

Hey thank you. 'Ya know... I still had the vanity plate in an old box in the basement. I pulled it out & bolted it on. Its staying! I figure why not?

 

[Mr. Michael]

More to the story:

So I was as into speed as I am now. This was my driveway back in November 1985. I had restored that 1970 GTX (440+6 four speed with 4.10 Dana 9&3/4 axle) myself. Paint & all. But that GN really took my breath away.

Quite a pair for the mid eighties! (sorry for the lawn)

 

[Dream Come True]

View attachment 274704 View attachment 274704 Great read Micheal! I know feel your passion. I didn't' own one then but I got to ride in one a few times and I was hooked! In September of 2013 I was able to purchase one and can't think of ever parting ways with it.

More to the story:

So I was as into speed as I am now. This was my driveway back in November 1985. I had restored that 1970 GTX (440+6 four speed with 4.10 Dana 9&3/4 axle) myself. Paint & all. But that GN really took my breath away.

Quite a pair for the mid eighties! (sorry for the lawn)View attachment 274654

 

[kidsixpack]

Great story and I love all the pics! It reminds me of my buddy that purchased three GN's in 87. Yes three!! We spent a lot of time at the track and it didn't cost me a thing. It sure was a lot of fun street racing them into the early 90's. By 91 it was getting harder to get a street race in a GN. Driving my 5.0 it was easy.
Both your cars look awesome! Thanks a lot for posting!
KID

 

[Mr. Michael]

Here is a photo from the day I picked it up. November 1985. Stopped to pick up a sandwich on my way home...

 

[TURBOELKY]

Cool story. Do you ever wonder what happened to your car? I'm curious if someone on here owns it now. It's very possible unless you know different.

 

[Mr. Michael]

Cool story. Do you ever wonder what happened to your car? I'm curious if someone on here owns it now. It's very possible unless you know different.

I followed it on Car-Fax for several years. It stayed in the Chicago area for a long time, May still be there. It failed emissions tests a dozen times as shown on the record. That is about all I remember. I was actually sheepish about tracking it down as I assumed I would find a well used 'ol Buick that would make me cringe. However, who knows. It may be nicer than the one I have now!

The last six of the Vin are 219807 as read right off the window sticker I have sitting in my hands.

 

[EVIL]

Whats the whole vin?

I can look it up right now.

D

 

[Mr. Michael]

Sure I dont mind:

1G4GK477XGP219807

Could be interesting!

 

[EVIL]

Here is the text I received on your old car. It may still be in good shape.

Fwd: Not much on it. Last I can see, in IL in June 2008 at dealership for service with 48k miles. No accidents found. Mileage goes in line but has gaps from 9k to 44k

D

 

[Mr. Michael]

Here is the text I received on your old car. It may still be in good shape.

Fwd: Not much on it. Last I can see, in IL in June 2008 at dealership for service with 48k miles. No accidents found. Mileage goes in line but has gaps from 9k to 44k

D

Hey I have a little update on this. I did find the 'ol car through a friend... Or I should say that I found the location, and the ownership contact info. So... I 1st reached out to the owner via a phone number or two (public knowledge phone numbers). He would not pick up. He also would not return voice mail from messages left. So I figured I would send a text... It shows that he read it, but no reply. So next I sent a letter and enclosed a copy of the original window sticker (that I still have), a phone number & email address. But now its been two weeks, with no return correspondence.

The 'ol car is only an hour & a half away from me, but heck... I think the current owner wants no part of communications.

 

[1986 Buick GX1]

Hey I have a little update on this. I did find the 'ol car through a friend... Or I should say that I found the location, and the ownership contact info. So... I 1st reached out to the owner via a phone number or two (public knowledge phone numbers). He would not pick up. He also would not return voice mail from messages left. So I figured I would send a text... It shows that he read it, but no reply. So next I sent a letter and enclosed a copy of the original window sticker (that I still have), a phone number & email address. But now its been two weeks, with no return correspondence.

The 'ol car is only an hour & a half away from me, but heck... I think the current owner wants no part of communications.

It’s unusual for a turbo regal owner to turn down the opportunity to reminisce about taking down the almighty V8 back on the day.
I’m glad you found your car and I hope the current owner responds with stories of how he has enjoyed the car over the years too.

 

[Mr. Michael]

You never know. He could be getting a bunch of collection calls... Or maybe it is a divorce deal. He could think I am some PI, or the Feds/Cop or something. I figured the window sticker copy would calm anyone but... No.

No social media profile, but in his thirties. So he is an anomaly. I am going to just think that the car is up on blocks, with a bad engine, leaking main seal, cobbled up MAF, rusty floors, blown bumper fillers and sagging headliner. I would not want to see it that way anyhow.