www.beforeblack.net
Home Page Links

1982 Grand National Concept Drawings &

The REAL Grand National Prototype

Original drawing by Buick Designer Steve Pasteiner that inspired the Grand National

This drawing was created by Buick Designer Steven Pasteiner Sr.  It appears to be influenced by Gary Byron's/Molly Designs 1977 Turbo Century.  The previous year, Steve designed the '81 Regal Indy Pace Car.  Buick already had a special Regal model called the Somerset, but it was, in Steve's opinion, kind of feminine.  He wanted to create a "car for the guys" .  He drew this up and presented it to Buick General Manager Lloyd Ruess.  It got approval.  Some noteworthy things about this drawing:

• It's black and silver
• It's a Turbo!
• No BUICK on the ¼ panel, but BUICK GN on the lower door instead
• 'Grand National' on the fender and no V6 logo
• No bar in the middle of the T Tops
• The wheels are American Racing Vectors, just like the '84 GN.
• The seats are black around silver, as later used in the 85/87 GN.

This picture appeared in a magazine article with the following caption "Here it is: the only know photo of the single prototype of the 1982 GN".
As you will see, there were several more.    

The next step was to create an actual prototype.  The was accomplished by Cars & Concepts, in Farmington Hills, MI (now defunct).  While C&C is sometimes given credit for designing the car, this is incorrect.  What they did is take Steve Pasteiner's drawing and made it a reality.  The photo above is reportedly from while the car was still at C&C (in the snow!), before delivery to Buick.  Note the colored Tri-shield emblems on the wheels and Uniroyal RWL tires.  Some noteworthy differences between Steve Pasteiner's concept and the actual prototype:

• It's charcoal and silver
• It's a not a turbo
• BUICK on the ¼ panel, and no BUICK GN on the lower door
• 'Grand National' still on the fender but now with a V6 logo
• Production T Tops
• The wheels are not American Racing Vectors, but instead are production RPO N78 aluminum wheels.
• The seats are silver around black Lear-Sieglars, which carried over to other Buick models.

This next photo is a close up of the fender.  Again, the car is still at C&C.  Notice the placement of the GRAND NATIONAL, V6 logo and single, red pin stripe.  (Read more about this V6 logo.)  The special Lear Seigler seats can be seen through the windshield.  Also notice the sticker with 52168.  Although hard to see, it appears the car has a VIN plate and number.

This picture is very interesting.  It is the most commonly reproduced image of a '82 GN.  Even Johnny Lightning used it on their diecast 1/64th car.  But this picture is  a little different.  It hasn't been edited yet.  Note the background clutter and shadows.  These will all be removed before printing for press releases.  Also notice the wheels.  The center caps now has V6 logos and the tires are Goodyear Polysteels.  NASCAR and Goodyear go together.  The V6 logo will be edited out and not used in production.  The front air dam appears to be one piece, unlike the three piece production unit.  The 52168 sticker is now gone.

Next is the same style studio picture but of the back of the car.  Though very hard to see, there is a small GRAND NATIONAL decal on the decklid, opposite the BUICK.  A trivial point is the lack of the lock bezel.  This car also has a rear defogger.  Although not officially part of the GN package, most '82 GN's have it.  Compare this picture with the B&W below.  The editing is obvious when you notice the press photo no longer has a tail-pipe!

www.beforeblack.net
Home Page Links