Meticulously Maintained: 1991 Buick Reatta Convertible – Sold?
May 20, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this Buick Reatta “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.
In the late 1980s, Buick management believed the brand needed a two-seat personal luxury coupe. While the Reatta Coupe launched in 1988, 1990 marked the first year of production for the convertible version. Sadly, GM’s bean counters were not happy with the low sales of Buick’s hand-built two-seater, so this 35K original mile, 1991 red-over-red example originally listed on Craigslist in April 2021 in South Hills, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) represents the final year of production. The Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Grandfather’s Reatta priced between this guide’s #2 “Excellent” estimate of $11,800 and its #1 “Concours” appraisal of $18,900. We note that the three-year price trend of these cars appears to have bottomed out and now appears to be making the transition from “Used” to “Collector” car.
While designers originally penned Reatta as a two-seat sports car for Buick, by the time GM’s Bean Counters and Marketing-By-Committee executives had their say, the production car launched as a front-wheel-drive personal luxury coupe targeted towards older luxury-minded buyers in the same vain as Ford’s original Thunderbird. Hardly a sports car, Reattas featured Buick’s ubiquitous 3.8 Liter V6 power plant connected to an automatic transmission in a softly sprung front-wheel-drive platform.
In addition to being hand-built by teams of five assemblers at GM’s Lansing Craft Center, one of the Reatta’s most striking features is its touch-screen system, called the Electronic Control Center (ECC), which was considered to be one of the most advanced interfaces of its day. Remarkably full-featured, ECC provided access to audio, climate control, and trip computer functions, and it even included vehicle diagnostics functions. In typical GM fashion, however, by 1990 Reattas received a less trouble-prone and cheaper to build vacuum-fluorescent gauges just as Buick began offering an ASC-designed convertible version with a manually-folding cloth soft top and glass rear window.
We came across this Retro Review of a 1990 Buick Reatta Convertible on the MotorWeek YouTube Channel:
In addition to what appears to be an outstanding, low-mileage, example of a final-year Reatta convertible, we like the family-owned description of the grandchild of their grandfather who owned and showed the car. We like this Reatta as the styling has held up very well and while it may not be much of a canyon carver, it makes a compelling luxury alternative for cruising around town that is now eligible for the Antique Automobile Club of America’s (“AACA”) Preservation Class judging. If you are serious about buying this Buick Reatta, you can start the conversation by calling Elliott at (412) 478-0980. When you connect, please remember to mention you first saw their Grandfather’s Reatta featured here on GuysWithRides.com. Good luck with the purchase!
Here’s the seller’s description:
“1991 BUICK REATTA CONVERTIBLE
PA Antique Historic Vehicle
“Reatta: The Premium American 2-Seater.”
Produced by Buick from 1988 to 1991
Participating in dozens of car shows, this ‘Bright Red’ 1991 Buick Reatta has seen more awards than it has miles (practically). This vehicle has been garage kept its entire life, but made sure to have its spotlight at countless Mad Mike Metro Memorial Cruise Nights around Pittsburgh in the mid-late 2000s. Oh, and also in my grandpa’s own driveway when I would hand-wax her before, during, and after cruise season. In the trunk, it carried two folding chairs and a couple of magazines.
My grandpa had a passion for cars, especially the exclusively made Reattas, as he owned a 90′ coupe and a 90′ convertible in addition to the 91′. This vehicle is for sale as is, but is in excellent condition, probably needing only a battery and few minor cosmetic adjustments.
Less the 35,000 original miles. All records of maintenance and service on hand, including original Reatta Craftsman’s Log.
Insurance replacement valuation: $37,000
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Show or go: what would you do with this low-mileage Reatta Convertible? Comment below and let us know!
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