Opinions On: 1986-1989 Buick LeSabre T-type and GN

[Remy-Z]

Yeah, I like this week's pic..



In 1986 GM shifted the coupe and sedan models of the LeSabre to the new H-platform FWD, the same one shared with the Olds Delta 88 and the '87 Bonneville. Seeing the upcoming demise of the RWD G-platform, and also seeing a chance to capitalize on the success of the turbo Regals, Buick made an interesting choice and applied performance measures to the LeSabre, a car with a history of being a big-ass land barge.

First, in '86, came the LeSabre Grand National. No more than 117 copies were made, making this LeSabre one of Buick's rarest models ever. Packing the 3.8 V6, this was mostly a looks package, with the requisite black paint and black/grey interior.



Starting later in '86, the T-type LeSabre came to market. Similar to the LeSabre GN, the T-type had a few color options, a different nosecone with front spoiler, rear spoiler, and different taillights. Paired up with Buick's "Gran Touring" suspension package and P215/65R15 Eagle GT+4 tires, the LeSabre T-type surprised many a critic.

GM, though, in typical "shoot-themselves-in-the-foot" fashion, decided that sporty and badass were not to be for Buick, and in '90, pulled the plug on the T-type. The LeSabre returned to it's large, wallowing ways, and ultimately was killed off in 2005.

So, what to do with this little FWD surprise? The first answer is obvious...shove a L67 3800 V6 with a blower in it and really have the fun Buick intended. But, what about a Northstar? Maybe an older Caddy FWD V8 from the '80s? LS4 from a late-model Impala SS? Hell, they're probably cheap enough, why not convert it to RWD and make one a correct GN?

Discuss...

[1988montecarloss]

one of these has been for sale locally for as long as i could remember. i think its for $1000

[Nik]

one of these has been for sale locally for as long as i could remember. i think its for $1000

A GRAND?? And you haven't snagged it just to thrash it for a while?

[Junk Whisperer]

There's a few of those in my area,the T-type versions. The guy who owns the local 'Quick-Lube' has two,a Red one & a Black one,both are mint & alway's well polished. Jim Lowery(Landlord's employe...)has a Pewter(Silver...)one which He bought back in the 90's for His Wife,She hardly drives the thing..it just sits in the Garage. There's a couple more running around,in my little Yuppie 'hood...most are owned by the Gray Haired crowd,who wash-n-wax them. They are a nice looking Car,it's just that awful FWD setup :P. However,in the end,I like my massive late 60's Le-Sabers MUCH more.....a MUCH BETTER Car IMHO ! ~J/W-OO6.

[SpiderGearsMan]

the 86 gn lesabre had opera windows

[Bamfster]

I like 'em...IMO, they do what they were designed to do rather well. My vote goes towards the sideways mounted blown V6.....way cool sleeper.

[fabricatordave]

one for sale in my area craigslist no reply from email says solid car paint peeling 500$ wrong 350$ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
call me back email something

[nosnerd]

nice car...by ex bizz partner had one for a year or so....not the GN edition but it was black...


cool car, ugly wheels......

[streetshark]

My son's first car was a 1988 LeSabre T-Type. Burgundy with grey interior. Hit a deer with it and shattered the whole front end. Pretty neat car that never gave him any trouble.

[CTX-SLPR]

Love those things! I think they are cool looking and they are supposed to be rather nice riding cars. Obviously with the rarity I have never seen one in person muchless ridden in one. They were there simply to provide Buick with a body for NASCAR, the whole reason the Grand National came about in the first place. The '82 Grand National was to celebrate the 81 manufacturer's win that Buick got with the new Regal body style. With the demise of the RWD G-body they moved to the FWD H-body. That LG3 V6 is pretty simular to the classic 3.8L V6 with a revised oil pump (gerotor) and water pump to make it more compact and a roller cam design. The EFI system is basically the same as the LC2 Turbo6, in fact the TB is the same too. They use a chain mounted cam sensor like the later L36 motors instead of the distributor stub though it works identically in the code.

I would love to have one "just as a beater" but it would probably get that L67/4T65E-HD swap eventually. Mostly I just want to harvest the badges off of one since they are smaller still the same style of the Regal T-type for my Riviera. Are you serious about a LeSabre GN for $1k or less?