What happened to the Buick Reatta? This is how GM had high hopes for the unique Reatta two-seater.
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- Опубліковано 17 жов 2024
- Being available for the public, the Buick Reatta had its share of unusual features for its time. The car displayed an all-digital dashboard. It even boasted one of the very first LCD touchscreens installed in the center stack of any other production car foreign or domestic.
The new tech was dubbed the Electronic Control Center (ECC) and was similar to the Graphic Control Center which had debuted on the 1986 Buick Riviera. The driver was allowed to visually access and scroll through diagnostic information regarding the drivetrain and other vehicle operating parameters. The ECC even allowed operating the car’s climate control system and sound system, which although mainstream by today's standards, was rather futuristic in the 1980s.
The Reatta featured twin bucket seats with a storage area behind the seats featuring two lockable bins and a lockable access hatch to the rear trunk.
It was known as the only Buick's with traditional pop-up headlamps, not the moveable covers that were seen on the early Rivieras and the Skyhawk.
Underhood was the 3800 V6. The transversely mounted 3.8L overhead valve V6 was pretty much the same power plant that Buick used in the Grand National. However, the Reatta’s version of the engine made less power, was naturally aspirated and sent power to the front wheels.
Starting with its first model year, the engine was rated at 165 hp. By 1991, it was rated at 170.
Mated with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic, the Reatta’s V6 served as a midway point between the Fiero’s smaller, optional 2.8-liter V6 and the more powerful, not to mention pricier, V8 that propelled the Allante.
Having 165 horsepower, the Reatta wasn’t exceedingly powerful but it wasn’t necessarily slow either-thanks to its low weight coming in at roughly 3400 pounds. It had a top speed near 130 mph.
We will get you up to speed. So grab a drink and lets get down to the nitty gritty!
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. One of the systems, in particular the ECC, had “bugs” and was even considered by some buyers as being defective.
The screen at times would completely “black out” and once that happened, you could say goodbye to climate control functions or any other systems that were controlled solely by the touchscreen.
It was also this year ,1988, when fifty-five examples were designated "Select Sixties" and allocated to Buick's top sixty dealers. The models, internally designated model X22, came with a black exterior, tan interior, and unique "Select Sixty" hood emblems.
Back in 1986 when the first pilot car was built, Jay Qualman projected to move 20,000 of the Reattas annually. So far, it was falling short of that goal, with model years 1988 and 1989 combined only producing a total of 11,717 cars.
I’ve owned an ‘88 Reatta since 2014, had wanted one since it debuted. Bought it from the original owner, with only 27K miles. Now have 39K, don’t regret it a bit! Love the looks, the GCC, the overall quality & rarity.
Nice. Yeah I definitely want to get a Reatta before they become even less abundant or price increases…90s era cars have been going up in price lately.
This was a certified sleeper. I remembered my College professor drove one. Back home in Miami FL cats like putting 24s on these and on the Caddy XLRs
Yeah they are nice, wouldn’t mind owning a nice example. As far as Miami, guys putting 24s on a Reatta is the “hoodest” thing I’ve ever heard of haha.
@@MotorMaster_Stunticon 😂😂😂 Miami dope boyz love wasting 💰 My friend would buy the car dirt cheap after those cats got tired of them. Dude bought a Cadillac Brougham fully decked out with candy paint and 24s for 4k, after D boys dropped 30k on it.
That’s money well spent!
I'm from Miami and ain't ever seen a Reatta on 24's. Miami is the capital of European cars.
I watched your video. I thought was interesting the content you have in the video. The photos and images were great. What also was great was the information. You know Mr. Reuss' son is now president of GM. The content was informative on every level. Keep doing what you do.
How’s it going? Yes, I’m aware his son is now president. I was going to mention that in the video but I didn’t want it to be too long. The Reatta has a lot of history. This was actually going to be a two part video, but it was condensed into one instead. Thanks for tuning in and we’ll see you on the next one!
I had an '88, from 2011- 2021, and I took it to cruise-ins all the time because it still looked new (lots of lookers & very positive comments too). The build quality was better than most cars of that era, & no problems w/ the ECC. It was dependable & fun to drive. However, as it aged, I was getting tired of aging parts replacement/s, etc. etc. etc., so I finally let it go to another enthusiast. I miss it.
Glad to hear you had no issues with the ECC. I know some earlier models had glitchy electronics. I like the look of the Reatta. David North did a great job styling it. I Wouldn’t mind owning a clean, low mileage example.
@@MotorMaster_Stunticon Yeah; eBay usually has half-dozen of 'em listed all the time & of those, there's always two or three minty-condition ones for around 10k-ish ('91 converts start around 15k, if you ever see one fer sale!) BTW... good vid.
Hey thanks man, and I’ll definitely check out eBay for that.
Not now... touch screens are becoming hard to find @@1628gary
No they dont @MotorMaster_Stunticon
I own both a 1989 and a 1991 Reatta 😁. Had my 89 for about 2 and a half years now, the red one about a year. You’re honestly the first guy I’ve found on UA-cam that has all the facts straight on the development and history of the Reatta 😂. Thanks for the awesome video, you did a great job.
Hey man thanks. Yeah they’re great cars that’s becoming increasingly rare and needs more recognition-that’s why we dedicated an in depth “semi-documentary” for it. An ‘89 and ‘91? That’s quite a nice lineup.
@@MotorMaster_Stunticon Totally agree 👌. It’s great to hear and see people’s reactions to the car haha. Some have never seen or heard of one, others haven’t seen them in a long time. I had the 89 model given to me by my Cousin, he just wasn’t a fan of it and didn’t know much about it. I tuned it up, got everything working again and now I take it to Car shows here in the OKC area 😁. The 91 is a parts car for now, but I’m hoping one day I can get it fixed up. I still haven’t run into anyone here in Oklahoma with another Reatta, but here’s hoping I do lol 🤞
Cool, and keep us posted on the ‘91.
This is a great documentary. Precisely detailed. TBH I recall seeing these on the road and I never knew they were Buick’s. I always thought they were some kind of weird Toyota or Nissan or a Subaru or something like that. I like how you explained everything in depth. Looking forward to more videos.
Thanks for watching. More to come!
one of my fav cars ever, this and the newer riveras
Splendidly researched; presented in your unique manner with terrific voice and speech. Another excellent post, Rob.
Thanks again Arne. New vid coming in a few days.
Such a good looking car!
Yes indeed. Back in the day I always thought it looked like a semi-super car.
Great job!!! This is very well put together. Please do the Fiero next!
Glad you enjoyed the show!Yes, the Fiero will definitely get its own episode in the near future.
Nice video rob if I got money the next day I would buy this for my grandmother
It was interesting looking car when I saw it at the Toronto car show
Yeah I think they look great.
Looking forward to the Cadillac Allente episode, along with the coolest car from the 90s the chevy berreta!
Hey bro. And yeah those episodes are definitely in the works.
Just discovered this channel today and I love it. I’d love to see a video on the Pontiac Fiero and Mitsubishi Starion/Conquest.
Hey bro we truly appreciate you for tuning in. Yes, the cars you mentioned are currently in queue. 😎
@@MotorMaster_Stunticon awesome! I’m watching the Legend video and it got me thinking about the Nissan Maxima, The Infiniti M30/J30, and the proto-Lexus Toyota Cressida. I’m can’t stop watching these videos!
Nice! Be sure to share the vid with your fellow car enthusiasts.
Great episode! I love the design of the Reatta but remember, even back then being disappointed it was fwd. Buick actually made rwd experimental GN's with it and the Regal using Corvette rear suspensions with high boost turbo and super charged 3.8's. Journalists went crazy but just like any great engineering ideas at GM.. outside of Corvette.... they went nowhere. I wonder what happened to them to this day.
Interesting little tid bit. I didn’t know that. Yeah the design was great. The L67 +Reatta would’ve made a nice combo.
@@MotorMaster_Stunticon if you look on UA-cam you can find the Motorweek test of them. Very cool. I may have it saved in one of my lists.
The Riviera could've been a 2 seater, but GM blocked that, for the same reason why GM finally dumped the F bodies, and also why the 2 seater Buick wildcat concept car, which was due to replace the Buick Regal Grand national after 1987, a 24V3.8V6 rear engine sports car,, instead they compromised and suddenly brought out the reattta, GM didn't want anything to detract from the popularity of the Corvette.❤😂
It looked classy and exotic for the time
It certainly did.
My grandmother is a big fan of buick
I was tempted to buy a Reatta last year. Thought it might be a fun project, until I saw how banged up and mistreated it was up close. I still want one eventually.
Same here. Love to get my hands on a well-kept example.
Built at the Reatta Craft Centre, in Lansing Michigan, formerly Oldsmobile Forge Plant, plant 2.
UAW Local 1618.
I own a 90 select 60.. will never sell it, it feels more special to drive than my 92 Zr1.. It feels like a classic Buick..
Even better you got a select 60. Very rare.
Interesting video 😃
Cool, glad you enjoyed the video!
I think that this was one of the first cars that GM tested out a GPS system on too. Not for production, the BBC did a little story on it back in the 80s
No olds toronado
@@bradygiltz5160 yup! You're right it I remember it now.
The Reatta would have been more successful if it had the Series 2 3800 V6(205hp normally aspirated; 240hp supercharged).
Yep! Without a doubt. More power would’ve helped.
Great video. But if you think SIZE is what sold the Grand National , then wow
You’re correct. Not exactly sold on size.
I'm such a nice guy I bought one for 600 dropped the fuel tank took off the rear axel and changed the fuel pump with a new car battery and I used sea foam and compressed air to bypass the old fuel lines and clear old materials and completely overhauled the car and accidentally broke the key ignition plastics and sold it for 300 to help another guy that needed a car
I didn't give a damn about the fiero but I did and still do love the allante and the reatta, I liked the reatta more than the Riviera especially after 1988,far as I was concerned reatta should've been the future Riviera, anyway, the allante as well was a or could've been a front wheel drive Vette.
Sounds like a neat idea but not sure how well-received a FWD vette would’ve been back then even if it was sold in conjunction with the C4 (we saw what happened with the mustang/probe).
I seriously doubt that because unlike the E cars of today back then both cars had their faults the allante more so than the reatta, I was more impressed with the reatta 3800 than Cadillac engine, maybe if the front wheel drive 5.3 V 8 had debuted in 1987 instead of 2006 the allante would have nearly the front wheel drive equivalent to the rear wheel drive Vette because the allante was more well equipped, which justified it's 50k price, just never had any balls under the hood that's all.
Perhaps so
I can't figure out why Oldsmobile never got their two seater.
A second-generation model would’ve been interesting.
They almost did and the name was going to be Silhouette.
GM should have updated the Fiero and have it use the Reatta platform.
That would’ve been interesting
Because you told me to sir
❤❤❤😮😮😮❤❤❤
Also 89 only sold roughly 2k abd 99 roughly 1k
I think one of the small details that contributed to the reattas reluctance to sell were the wheels. Those were just ugly bland and uninspired looking. I would have used the waffle patterned wheels offered on the Grand National in black. Had they offered same to the Reatta in body color would have looked great and they already had them available so wouldn't have added cost. The last wheel offering was a bit better but still just doesn't do it for me.
and these cars cost in todays money 61k base price
Mustang 2 didn't have anything to do with the pinto😊