Dutchboys Hotrods, a custom shop located in Vicksburg, Michigan, made quite the splash at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this year, showing up to the party with this jaw-dropping, LS7-powered 1987 Buick Grand National. This meticulously customized Grand National was built for a client named Angelo, and was honored with the Goodguys Gold 2024 award. The build represents a remarkable 10,000 hours of custom work spread out over four years, culminating in a vehicle blends retro design with modern performance.
Starting with the foundation, Dutchboys Hotrods swapped out the Buick Grand National original chassis for a custom-built setup from Detroit Speed, including an X-Gen front subframe and quadralink rear end. The body was lowered and extensively modified for a more aggressive, streamlined stance. Under the hood, the shop dropped in a beastly 427 LS7 engine equipped with twin 72mm turbochargers, pushing output to an estimated 1,500 horsepower. Custom fabrication abounds, from the metal front-end components, to the fenders, to bits in the interior.
The car’s aesthetics was given particularly close attention. The hood on this Buick Grand National now features an enlarged bulge with machined vents to optimize airflow, while a number of plastic elements were swapped for more durable metal components. Unique, custom-designed Greening Auto Company wheels complement handmade fender flares, giving the Grand National an aggressive, yet nostalgic style. The massive 20-inch by 12-inch rear wheels are fitted with 345mm tires sit flush with the fender flares, enhancing the vehicle’s stance even further.
Inside, this Buick Grand National showcases both its ‘80s roots and modern upgrades thanks to Avant-Garde Design. Using 3D scanning technology, Avant-Garde reimagined the cabin with custom panels, a digital dash, and HVAC controls. Magnetic components were added to facilitate assembly and access, while custom trim gives the interior a high-end, cohesive finish.
On the technical side, the electronics are fully modernized, managed by a Holley Dominator system and supported by custom wiring. In the trunk, custom storage compartments with magnetic lids and redesigned hinges keep everything neat and accessible.
The attention to detail extends throughout, making this car a real standout, even at a show like SEMA. Check out the full vehicle walkaround and details in the video below:
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If Buick were making the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade body, they could have made a GNX version of this model somewhere between the Tahoe RST and the Escalade V Series. That would be an interesting project.