The 1987 Buick Grand National that Vin Diesel drove in the movie "Wild Speed" is up for auction.
One of the two Buick Grand Nationals used in the fourth "Wild Speed" film will be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson on January 29 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The Grand National was featured in the opening scene of the fourth "Wild Speed" film. In this scene, Dominic Toretto, played by Diesel, performed a gasoline tanker heist and high-speed reverse drive.
The other "Wild Speed" Buick Grand National in existence was customized specifically for the reverse driving scene, including moving the engine into the trunk, but the 1987 model up for auction is near stock. However, several modifications were made for the film, including a roll cage with a fake passenger seat designed to allow Michel Rodriguez to stand on the floorboards and crawl out the window.
According to the listing, the car is also equipped with a pulley system, allowing it to wheelie for another shot. It also has a fuel cell, lowered suspension, non-stock wheels, and a large dent in the rear quarter panel.
According to Craig Lieberman, technical advisor for "Wild Speed," all of the cars used in the film were real Grand Nationals; one was converted to a V-8, but this one retained its stock 3.8-liter V-6 turbo and was the Grand National's last model year, 1987, produced 245 hp and 355 lb-ft of torque; the GNX's limited edition model, as a foregone conclusion, boosted output to 276 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque.
The "Fast and Furious" car was not the only Grand National at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale sale. The auction will also feature a Grand National with only 33 miles on the odometer. Will the originality, history, or Hollywood connection create a higher selling price? Stay tuned.