The Buick Reatta is a low-volume transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive, two-door, two-seater grand tourer manufactured and marketed by Buick as a coupe (1988–1991) and convertible (1990–1991) — both featuring a 3.8 liter V6 engine and shortened version of the GM E platform, shared with the seventh generation Buick Riviera.

As Buick's first two-seater and its first convertible since the 1985 Riviera, the Reatta was manufactured in a highly specialized assembly program at the Reatta Craft Center (later known as the Lansing Craft Center) in Lansing, Michigan—achieving production of over 21,000 units in four years.

Overview

thumb|left|Rear view (1988 coupe)

For the Reatta's manufacture at the Reatta Craft Center, specialized teams of workers assembled the car at a series of stations rather than on a conventional assembly line. After a team had completed their portion of the assembly, the car would be moved by robots to the next station. Paintwork was performed on site under subcontract to PPG Industries.

The Reatta used GM's transverse Buick 3800 V6 with 165–170 hp (123–127 kW) and 210–220 lb·ft (285–298 N·m) of torque with the highest output in the last year of production. The car used a fully independent suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, and front wheel drive. Top speed was electronically limited to 125 mph (201 km/h). The Reatta was rated at 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) in the city and 27 mpg (8.7 L/100 km) on the highway.

Intended as a halo car for Buick, production was projected at 20,000 Reattas annually, and was available while the Cadillac Allanté and Pontiac Fiero were also available. GM announced the end of production in early 1991.

Features

left|thumb|1989 Buick Reatta coupe interior

The Reatta featured twin bucket seats with a storage area behind the seats featuring two lockable bins The 1988 listed retail price was $25,000 ($ in dollars ).

In 1990, the Select Sixty program was repeated, with 65 white convertibles including special emblems, and a flame red interior with white bucket seats, white 16-inch wheels, and cup holder.

Convertible

thumb|1991 Buick Reatta convertibleAfter a delayed introduction due to design difficulties, Buick introduced the convertible Reatta in 1990 with a manually operated top designed by ASC, available in vinyl or cloth with a glass rear window and electric defroster. When retracted, the top was protected by a rigid tonneau cover. The 1991 models featured power pull-down motors to assist in tightening the rear bow of the top to the tonneau cover.

A Buick convertible would not be offered again until the four-seat Buick Cascada debuted in 2016.

Production

right|thumb|Buick Reatta emblem

The first pilot car was finished at the Reatta Craft Centre in December 1986. Series production began in January 1988 and ended on May 10, 1991. The original car was sometimes referred to as a "1988½ model year", owing to its January introduction.

{| class=wikitable

!Year!!4EC97 Coupe!!4EC67 Convertible!!Total!!Notes

|- align=right

|1988||4,708||0||4,708||align=left|First year. Early '88s had suede seat bolsters. Only year for remote glove box

|- align=right

|1989||7,009||0||7,009||align=left|Larger hood ornament, keyless entry, sunroof option (mid-88 addition)

|- align=right

|1990||6,383||2,132||8,515||align=left|First year of the convertible. Revised interior with new instrument panel, console, and steering wheel-mounted airbag. Select Sixty model gets 16 inch wheels.

|- align=right

|1991||1,214||305||1,519||align=left|16 inch wheels, tuned-port "L-code" engine and electronically controlled transmission, and a new ABS system. Twilight Sentinel, and a cup holder

|- align=right

!colspan=3|Total:

|21,751

|

|}

References

1991 Buick Reatta sales brochure

  • Buick Reatta Club Enthusiasts at ReattaDriver.com
  • The Reatta Farm at reattas.com (archived)