WHAT IS IT?
First introduced in 1988, the Buick Reatta was intended to be Buick’s Halo car. It was fitted with the Buick 3800 V6 engine mounted transversely with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The early Reattas had a whopping 165 horsepower and 210 lb-ft torque, which was increased by the end of the four-year run to 170 horsepower and 220 lb-ft torque. Initially available only as a coupe, a convertible option was added to the lineup in 1990. Being the halo for Buick, the Reatta was fitted with an Electronic Control Center (ECC), a touchscreen computer interface for controlling the radio, climate functions, and more. Buick later replaced the ECC with more conventional push-button stereo and climate controls. Total production for the four-year run was under 22,000.
WHY THIS ONE HAS BEST ONE ON THE PLANET CHOPS
This example is owned by Paul Gomberg and sports just 24,000 miles on the clock.
After finding a very nice Reatta online, I emailed Marck Barker, the owner of EastCoastReattaParts.com, a great parts supplier for Reatta’s, and asked, “Who has the nicest Reatta that you know of?” Marck’s reply was quick and emphatic, “Here are photos of my customer Paul Gomberg’s 1991 Buick Reatta with just 24,000 miles on it. It’s stunning with its Black/Flame Red color combination and also features the CD player and 16-way seat options. 1991 is the final year for the Reatta so they are hard to find and very desirable. Very likely one of the nicest in the world.” Marck would know if there are any better, and he can’t think of any. Just looking at the pictures, it is hard to imagine a better one.
– Alan Galbraith
It’s stunning with its Black/Flame Red color combination and also features the CD player and 16-way seat options.
I have to agree with Alan and Marck–this Reatta is absolutely beyond reasonable criticism. The interior, dash engine compartment and black paint all look absolutely in-the-box, minty perfect.
This person has not one, but TWO Reattas? That’s some dedication. This is a super clean example, too. Bummer that it doesn’t have the CRT touchscreen that set these things apart back in the day, but real buttons are probably better than a geriatric HAL or WOPR wanting to play games with your defroster.
These are strange cars — I remember the dual-circuit braking system operating diagonally versus front/rear, which was tricky to bleed. But you have to hand it to Buick for building something different, and pushing the boundaries of the available tech to do it.
Plus one from me. But I want to see the other one, too!
The other Reatta in the garage is another 1991. Beautiful artic white with a flame red interior as well. It has 76K on the clock and a sunroof.
I may have a contender. 1991 green, 19,000 miles, showroom condition. (not for sale)
Dan, if you want to submit some photos and a description, we’re happy to feature another contender on the site. Cars don’t have to be for sale to qualify for BOOTP!