Buick Reatta

The Buick Reatta is a low-volume transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive, two-door, two-seater grand tourer/sports car 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, the same one that underpinned the Buick Riviera.

Buick Reatta
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Production1988–1991
AssemblyLansing Craft Center, Lansing, Michigan
DesignerDave McIntosh (1983)
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer/Sports car
Body style1988–91: 2-door coupe
1990–91: 2-door convertible
LayoutTransverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
PlatformE-body
RelatedBuick Riviera
Oldsmobile Toronado
Cadillac Eldorado
Powertrain
Engine1988–90: 3.8 L LN3 Buick V6
1991: 3.8 L L27 Buick V6
Transmission1988–89: 4-sp 440T-4 automatic
1990: 4-sp 4T60 automatic
1991: 4-sp 4T60-E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase98.5 in (2502 mm)
Length183.7 in (4666 mm)
Width73.0 in (1854 mm)
Height1988–89: 51.2 in (1300 mm)
1990–91: 51.6 in (1,311 mm)
Curb weight3593 lb (1630 kg)
3392 lb (1539 kg)

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.[1]

The presence of the Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac Fiero, Cadillac Allanté and Oldsmobile Toronado at the time of the Reatta's introduction meant that all of GM's passenger-car divisions offered a sporty coupe during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Overview

Assembly at the Reatta Craft Center was performed at a series of stations each with a specialized team of workers, 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 sported 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.

The Reatta was intended as a halo car for Buick with projected production of 20,000 units a year. GM announced the end of production in early 1991.

Features
Rear view (1988 coupe)

The Reatta featured twin bucket seats with a storage area behind the seats featuring two lockable bins[2] and a lockable access hatch to the rear trunk. At introduction, options included 16-way power seats in lieu of 6-way power seats, side moldings in either black or body color and pinstripe delete. A sunroof became optional in late 1988, and in 1989 keyless entry was added as a standard feature.

Reatta had the distinction of being Buick's only car with pop-up headlamps with entire headlamp assembly moving up and down. The other Buick cars with hidden headlamps, Riviera (1965–1969) and Skyhawk (1987–1989 for certain trim levels), had the fixed headlamps hidden behind the moveable covers.

Initially (1988-89), the Reatta featured a touchscreen computer interface, marketed as the Electronic Control Center (ECC), that included radio and climate control functions, date reminder, trip computer, user-configurable overspeed alarm as well as diagnostic access to the vehicle's electronic systems and sensors. Later models were equipped with conventional push button stereo and climate controls. The new system eliminated trip computer functionality and the climate control buttons could access diagnostic information, replacing diagnostic scanner capability formerly provided by the touchscreen.

In 1990, the interior was redesigned, adding a driver's airbag and an optional CD player. In 1991, the "L27" 3800 engine and 4T60-E transmission replaced the "LN3" and hydraulic 4T60 units and the Reatta received a new ABS system, new 16" wheels, automatic headlamps and a cup holder built into the armrest.

Each Reatta included a leather book containing the owner's manual and pen. In 1990 and 1991, a zippered owners folio was included holding the owners manual, pen, flashlight, tire gauge as well as a "Craftsman's Log" with the signatures of the supervisors for the car's assembly.

1991 Buick Reatta coupe, with the model year specific 16-inch wheels

In 1988, approximately fifty five examples were designated "Select Sixties" and allocated to Buick's top sixty. The models, internally designated model X22, featured a black exterior, tan interior and unique special Select Sixty hood emblem.

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

Convertible

After a delayed introduction due to design difficulties,[2] 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.

1990 Buick Reatta convertible

Production
Buick Reatta emblem

The first pilot car was finished at the Reatta Craft Centre in December 1986.[3] 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. However, various accounts of much earlier and later cars exist, and the handbuilt nature of the car and long development cycle makes accurately dating production difficult.

Year4EC97 Coupe4EC67 ConvertibleTotalNotes
19884,70804,708First year. Early '88s had suede seat bolsters. Only year for remote glove box
19897,00907,009Larger hood ornament, keyless entry, sunroof option (mid-88 addition)
19906,3832,1328,515First year of the convertible. Revised interior with new instrument panel, console, and steering wheel-mounted airbag. Select Sixty model gets 16 inch wheels.
19911,2143051,51916 inch wheels, tuned-port "L-code" engine and electronically controlled transmission, and a new ABS system. Twilight Sentinel, and a cup holder
Total: 21,751

References
  1. "G.M. Ends Reatta". The New York Times, May 16, 1991.
  2. "Buick Introduces Reatta Convertible". The New York Times, September 8, 1989.
  3. 1988 Buick Reatta: Development History (Press Release), Flint, MI: Buick Motor Division, 1988-01-15, p. 7

1991 Buick Reatta sales brochure

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