The Grand National (GN) was the highest performing Buick you could buy in the 1980s (with the exception of the even higher performing GNX version of the standard GN). It was based on a 2 door Buick Regal, which in standard form was a bread and butter Buick. The GN had a 3.8 litre turbocharged V6 giving 235bhp and an impressive 330lb/ft of torque. This meant a 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 124mph (quite low given the power output of the car, but it did have the aerodynamics of a brick!).
Of course the above figures are for a standard GN, but the engine came straight from the factory in a relaxed state of tune and was easily uprated, so many GNs have much higher power and torque figures, and even better acceleration times. Production stopped in 1987, and since then the Grand National has become a collectors car with a large following in the US.
All GNs were black, with the exception of one GNX which was made in white. This is also modelled in 1:18th by GMP.
GMP make this model of the 1986 GN, and it was one of their first releases since they decided to make their own models instead of modifying ERTLs back in 1998-99. It scores lowly for bodywork as it does not have opening doors or an opening trunk. This is a fault shared with the GMP Nova series and was intended to keep costs down. However, collectors decided that they would be prepared to pay more to have opening doors and trunks, so subsequent GMP releases such as the 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge and their series of 1980s Mustangs have them. They are considerably more expensive though! When low budget companies such as Maisto and even Bburrago can offer basic openings at a lower price, then you should get them in a quality piece like this Buick.
The interior itself is not too bad, and the engine (a turbocharged V6 which looks lost in the huge engine bay!) looks quite good. The tires and wheels are very nice on this model, but the brakes are represented by a featureless disc glued onto the back of the wheels with no callipers.
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