Last Grand National Auction Price Took Our Breath Away
After over three decades with its original owner, the very last Buick Grand National has a new owner, and it shattered our price estimates.
Just over a month ago, we brought you the story of the final Grand National that Buick ever built. It’s a triumphant story of a man named Bob Colvin, who owned a Buick dealership in the 80s. His dealership sold a substantial amount of Grand Nationals, and he wanted one to keep. So Colvin worked up the nerve to start making phone calls and eventually even wound up on the phone with the then CEO of GM Roger Smith. Though the suits at GM didn’t particularly like his call to the CEO, his moxie paid off. As a result, Colvin took ownership of the final Buick Grand National ever built in December 1987. Along with it came the signature of all the employees who worked at the plant at the time. Furthermore, handmade signs from the employees accompany this gorgeous and rare piece of GM history.
As we told you last time, Colvin put this beautiful relic up for sale at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2022 auction. We also told you that we wouldn’t at all be surprised to see it surpass the $250,000 mark when the hammer drops. Quite frankly, we were right. However, we were indeed surprised to see how much it kept going after it breezed on by the quarter-million-dollar mark as if it were chump change!
The Final Hammer Price Was Over Double Our Initial Estimate
This, folks, is why we’re not in the collectible automobile appraisal business. The last Grand National’s new owner placed a winning bid of $550,000. You’re not reading that incorrectly. This black beauty brought in over half a million dollars. While that may seem insane to most, this sale was for far more than just a car. The vehicle is a small piece of the story and history being bought here, and from a collector’s standpoint, this is an incredibly unique opportunity. After all, there can only be one final Grand National.
Fortunately, to better grasp the situation, there’s a fantastic video available that outlines Colvin’s story in getting the car. Furthermore, there’s footage of the day they picked it up and the assembly of the very last car. Through the tears, hugs, and celebrations Colvin and his family caught on video during this historic GM moment, the price adds up. Some GM employees at the factory lost their jobs, and it was their final day at work that day. Furthermore, the factory the Grand National was built in closed after this car was complete. So this wasn’t just the last Grand National; it was the final car ever produced in the Pontiac, MI plant.
Colvin Says Goodbye
In an interview with AZ Family news, Colvin explains that he’s selling the car because it’s become too valuable to be in his house.
So, Colvin now has an empty room in his house where the Grand National used to be. However, we expect having over half a million dollars should ease the pain a bit.
With only 37 miles on the odometer, this car is undoubtedly destined to sit undriven once again until the time comes for it to cross the auction block once again. Maybe, though, it won’t take nearly 40 years this time.
What do you think about the sales price? Was it justified? Was it not enough? Let us know on the LS1Tech forum!
Photos: Barrett-Jackson
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