1987 Buick Grand National

The Grand National proved you don't need a V8 to be fast. In 1987, this turbocharged V6 sedan could embarrass Corvettes at the drag strip — 13.4 seconds in the quarter mile, stock. Car and Driver called the GNX 'the quickest American production car ever.' The all-black styling earned it the 'Darth Vader' nickname, and the menacing looks backed up the performance. This was the last great rear-wheel-drive American performance sedan of its era, and it killed the malaise attitude dead.

Grand Nationals don't really patina — they either get garage-kept or they rust. The all-black paint shows every scratch and swirl, which is why concours examples command premiums. Original cars with the distinctive turbocharged whine and that surge of boost are increasingly rare. The plastic interior bits age poorly, but the drivetrain is essentially a truck engine — it'll outlast everything else.

The turbo V6 is a torque monster that's relatively easy to modify. The aftermarket is strong, especially for turbo upgrades. The 200-4R transmission is the weak link — they can handle stock power, but upgrades demand a rebuild. These cars rust in predictable places (rocker panels, trunk, floors), so rust-free examples from the South or West command premiums. Daily drivable? Absolutely — it's just a G-body with a boost button.