Makes › Buick › Reatta Convertible · Rare specification · 1990–1991 Rare
Buick
Reatta Convertible
Convertible version of the hand-assembled Reatta (Reatta Craft Centre, Lansing); the coupe is far more common.
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 2,300 Built
- Years
- 1990–1991
- Engine
- Transverse front-mounted 90-degree V6 · 3,785 cc / 3.8 LFactory: 3,785 cc
- Power
- 127 kW / 172 PSFactory: 170 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 201 km/hFactory: 125 mph · converted
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Reatta convertible was Buick's first convertible since the 1985 Riviera, and no further Buick convertible appeared until the four-seat Cascada of 2016. It was built at the low-volume Reatta Craft Center in Lansing, Michigan, in a team-station process rather than on a conventional line.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Buick Reatta Convertible (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · CC BY 2.0
Buick Reatta Convertible (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Bull-Doser · Public domain
Buick Reatta Convertible (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: IFCAR · Public domain
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory package productionReatta Convertibles produced, all years (1990-1991; approximate figure as given by Mecum) | 2,3001Strongest evidence | Factory production | Independently researched |
| Model-year production1991 model-year Reatta convertibles only | 3052,3 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Buick added the convertible in 1990 after a delayed introduction, with a manually operated top, glass rear window and a rigid tonneau cover. For 1991 power pull-down motors helped tighten the rear bow, and the 3.8 litre V6 became the one-year L27 with 170 hp. GM announced the end of Reatta production in early 1991.
The museum states 305 convertibles were built in 1991; conceptcarz lists 2,132 convertibles for 1990.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Reatta Convertible.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Transverse front-mounted 90-degree V64 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 3,785 cc / 3.8 LFactory: 3,785 cc4 Independently researched |
| Bore | 97 mmFactory: 97 mm4 Independently researched |
| Stroke | 86 mmFactory: 86 mm4 Independently researched |
| Compression ratio | 8.5:14 Independently researched1990 figure, 165 hp engine |
| Fuel system | Sequential fuel injection4 Independently researched |
| Power | 127 kW / 172 PSFactory: 170 hp · converted2 Independently researched1991 L27 engine; the 1990 engine is listed at 165 hp @ 4800 rpm by conceptcarz. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | 298 NmFactory: 220 lb-ft · converted3 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 4T60-E 4-speed automatic2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Front4 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Unitized steel4 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mmFactory: 98.5 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Length | 4,666 mmFactory: 183.7 in · converted4 Independently researched |
| Width | 1,850 mmFactory: 73 in · converted4 Independently researched |
| Height | 1,300 mmFactory: 51.2 in · converted4 Independently researched |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,620 kgFactory: 3,570 lb · converted4 Independently researchedSecond weight entry on the page (likely the convertible); the first entry is 3370 lb. |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 201 km/hFactory: 125 mph · converted3 Independently researchedMuseum text says electronically limited to 125 mph. |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | 68.9 LFactory: 18.2 gal-us · converted4 Independently researched |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
The convertible has a manually operated vinyl or cloth top with glass rear window and electric defroster, stowed under a rigid tonneau cover. 1991 cars carry the 170 hp 3.8 V6 (L27) rather than the 165 hp engine of earlier years.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Mecum Auctions – 1990 Buick Reatta Convertible (lot 1125909) Level B
- 2300 Reatta Convertibles produced
-
2
1991 Buick Reatta Convertible Level B Martin Auto Museum
- Only 305 Reatta convertibles were produced in 1991
- 170 horsepower
- 4-speed 4T60-E automatic transmission
- 98.5-inch wheelbase
-
3
1 of 305? 1991 Buick Reatta Level C Barn Finds · 2021-08-23
- 1 of 305 1991 Buick Reatta
- 170 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque
- topped off at 125 miles per hour
-
4
Buick Reatta specifications (1990) Level B conceptcarz.com
- V 6 90-degree
- 3785 cc | 231.0 cu in. | 3.8 L.
- Bore: 3.8 in | 97 mm
- Stroke: 3.4 in | 86 mm
- Compression: 8.5:1
- Sequential Fuel Injection
- Drive Type : Front Wheel
- Body / Chassis : Unitized steel
- Length : 183.7 in
- Width : 73.0 in
- Height : 51.2 in
- Weight : 3570 lbs
- Fuel Capacity : 18.2 Gal
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