Buick almost created a legendary car in the Reatta, with talk of the production car having rear-wheel drive and a supercharged V6 engine. As it is, it’s hard to argue with the wow factor of the design and quality, as these were hand-built cars made in Lansing, Michigan in a special facility. This 1990 Buick Reatta is posted here on craigslist in Syracuse, New York and the seller is asking $4,995 or best offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mitchell G. for the tip!
I wonder what a four-door Reatta may have looked like. Just kidding, I won’t subject you to another oddball Photochop exercise. They did offer a convertible in 1990 and again in 1991, the last year of production. Buick made the Reatta from 1988 through 1991 and it’s a shame that it didn’t stick around to see what the next generation would have looked like. Hagerty is at $5,900 for a #3 good-condition Reatta and $12,500 for a #2 excellent car. This could be a very good buy.
Going back over 100 years, the Buick name has been on two-seaters other than the Reatta, but there haven’t been many. The company has been known for solid, dependable, quiet luxury sedans for decades without a lot of drama or boy-racer goodies. They stuck its toe in the muscle car waters in the 1960s and 70s, and we’ve seen the Grand National go from an affordable model to a crazy hot collectible. For the most part, when a person thinks of the name Buick they most likely think of a nice, big sedan. The trunk looks as clean as expected.
Some wear on the driver’s side floor mat and wrinkles or creases on the driver’s seat are about all I can see as far as visible issues go inside. I can’t argue with red leather, even if it’s more maroon than red, and if the digital gauges are functioning as they should, this would be a very fun car to own. There is no back seat, instead having two lockable storage compartments under a flat floor. Here’s what the compartments look like when the doors are open.
The engine is Buick’s 3.8-liter transverse-mount OHV V6 with 165 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque when new. It sends power through a four-speed Turbo-Hydramatic transmission to the front wheels and the seller says it runs great, and it has a new battery and rear brakes. You can’t get much for less than $5,000 anymore, this would be a fun car to own. Have any of you owned a Reatta?
Rare model. The Reatta.
Nice cars but it needs about 50 more hp-can you turbocharge these v6’s? (has it been done)
I’ve read some articles about adding a supercharger from a 3.8 SSEI. It’s not as straightforward as you think it should be….almost easier to swap engines. I’ve had a couple 3.8’s which are “bullet proof”…watch some Car Wizard videos for 3.8 upgrade/mods. I grew up with Regatta’s, as a young adult, and really want to purchase one…need to sell my 87 AMC Eagle wagon first.
I used to live in Syracuse back in the eighties and they have some harsh winters, which makes the condition of this car surprising considering it has over 100000 miles on it. Didn’t the Grand National have a 3.8? Turbo charging would be an option then, but putting that power through the front wheels doesn’t seem like a good idea.