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1 of 65: 1990 Buick Reatta Select 60

The Buick Reatta was a low production, 2-seat grand touring car built by Buick in the late 1980s/early 1990s. It came first as a coupe, but a convertible was added later. Buick marketing gurus came up with the idea of creating the Select 60, which were sixty convertibles made available to the company’s Top 60 dealers, first in 1988 then 1990. The dealers were welcome to keep the cars, but most of them ended up being sold to well-heeled customers ($36,000 price tag in 1990!). This car is one of the 1990 editions that looks to be in great shape, although not a garage queen at close to 100,000 miles. It’s in Perrysburg, Ohio, and available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $7,650.

As with much domestic auto production of the day, the Reatta used a transverse front-engine/front-wheel-drive format between 1988-91. Based on a shortened version of the GM E-platform, the Reatta featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine that was shared with the Buick Riviera. Reatta’s were built at a highly specialized facility at the Reatta Craft Center (aka Lansing Craft Center) and saw the production of just 21,750 cars in four years.

Though sixty of the Select 60s went to dealers, five more were supposedly kept by GM and are still tucked away somewhere. The concept behind the Select 60 was to offer a stylish 2-seater that was half sports car, half luxury touring machine, one that would appeal to buyers who wanted “something different”. It was more a car to take out on weekends and have fun, not to be a practical commuter.

The Select 60 had a list of power accessories as long as your arm, plus features like ABS disc brakes and an innovative touch-screen control center. Buick went all-out to make the cars friendly for the driver and his/her passenger by providing two locking storage bins behind the front seats with a hatch that gave way to the trunk. While the 1988 Select 60’s were black, the 1990s were white and had flashy red-and-white interiors and white folding tops.

This ’90 Select 60 wears its original paint and interior, which look to be in excellent condition except for some minor chipping from road stones. The convertible top, however, is new. We’re told everything works as it should and all its original paperwork has been retained and will come with the car. Because of the personal attention that went into building these 60-65 cars, we’re told that all the workers who had a hand in building the cars signed a special certificate (also included). We’re told the Buick runs and drives well and is ready to hit the road. Unless bidding gets crazy toward the end of the auction, this rare car may be had for under five figures.

Comments

  1. Avatar nycbjr Member

    Always thought these were handsome cars, too bad they didn’t offer a stick, but they weren’t really designed for that.. I like this one but too much cheeder!

    Like 1
    • Avatar Rick

      Agreed. I’ve always liked the Reatta despite their electrical nightmare with the digidash. If this one stays under $10K I think it’s an excellent buy. The 3.8 is bulletproof… and a supercharger could always make this little toy that much better…

      Like 3
  2. Avatar CCFisher

    I believe the touch-screen dash was replaced with a more conventional system for 1990. Many, many buttons, but probably still easier to operate than that early touch-screen.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Barry Skog

    I was working for Buick when they came out and they were really something at the time! I drove one as a demo for awhile and really liked the car! They were delivered one at a time in an enclosed transport and were all wrapped up like a Christmas Gift!

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Patrick Curran

    I could never understand why the Select 60 cars came with the pinstripe delete option. To me, a red pinstripe on this car would have looked good. I had a red 1990 convertible with the tan top and interior and really liked the car.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Rich

    I happen to own a 90 convertible and find it to be a wonderful car. Don’t really understand why the buy price is so low for such rare and great car. There are many other makes that were unsuccessful that command more then $10k and do not compare.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Motorcityman

    Can u believe people forked over 36K for this back in 1990!!?? 😁
    That was like, what, about 100K today??

    Like 0
  7. Avatar DRV

    This would be excellent for lunch money.
    A hand made low production convertible GM with a bulletproof drive train! It’s even a cheap daily driver.
    The only issue for me is the weak cowl in the convertible, but a little shake never hurt.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar CaCarDude

    Have 3 of these, great all around driver, and the 3.8 V6 is truly a bullet proof best put out by the General. On this listed Select 60 the 16″ wheels on this 90 were made for the ’91 model year only. They are a much better looking wheel than the 88-90 15″ style IMO.
    That Flame Red interior is quite shocking at first glance, but is actually a nice shade if you like the color Red.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar G M B

    I’ve got a 1990 Reatta convertible, having had a 1988 coupe with the rare factory sunroof before this… IMO, great cars, easy to drive and ride in, and all the creature comforts that anyone could want! No, not built to be Corvettes (I’ve had 6 of those), BUT still have excellent build-quality and you can cruise all day long and not feel tired (and I’m 70+ years old). Super price for this very rare convertible!! Best of luck with the auction!

    Like 0
  10. Avatar PRA4SNW

    SOLD for $10,975.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Barry Skog

    Sad, I was about to bid $12,000. It was a bargain!

    Like 0

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