One of two surviving Buick Grand Nationals used in the fourth "Fast and Furious" movie is heading to auction at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale, Arizona, sale January 29.
The Grand National was featured in the opening scene of the fourth "Fast" movie, simply titled "Fast and Furious." That scene involved a gasoline-tanker heist and a lot of high-speed driving in reverse by Diesel's Dominic Toretto.
While the other surviving "Fast and Furious" Buick Grand National was customized specifically for those reverse-driving shots by having its engine moved to the trunk, the 1987 model heading for auction is closer to stock. It did get some modifications for movie duty, however, including a roll cage with a fake passenger seat designed so that Michelle Rodriguez could stand on the floorboard and crawl out the window for one shot.
The car was also equipped with a pulley system so it could pop a wheelie for another shot, according to the listing. It also has a fuel cell, lowered suspension, non-stock wheels, and a large dent in one rear quarter panel.
Every car used in the movie was an authentic Grand National, according to "Fast and Furious" technical advisor Craig Lieberman. One car got a V-8 swap, but this one retains its stock 3.8-liter turbocharged V-6, which made 245 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque in 1987, the Grand National's last model year. A limited-edition GNX model bumped output to 276 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque as a sendoff.
This "Fast and Furious" car won't be the only Grand National crossing the block at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale sale. The auction will also feature the last Grand National ever built, which has just 33 miles on the odometer. Will originality and history or a Hollywood connection generate a higher selling price? Stay tuned.
Source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1134735_1987-buick-grand-national-driven-by-vin-diesel-in-fast-and-the-furious-heads-to-auction
