UPDATE! Question about the mysterious 1991 Polo Green MSU Spartan Reatta Convertible

[Panama Jake]

Greetings all and glad to see that my original post about the MSU Spartan Reatta convertible generated so much conversation and conspiracy theory intrigue... I feel reassured that due to my heavy student loan debt and growing economic inequalities facilitated by corporate greed and conservative social and economic policies, that never being able to retire will actually be a blessing since I won’t have all the free time in the world as a retiree to spend on the Reatta Forum developing April Fool’s joke conspiracies…but I digress.

 

Anyway, as I had promised from my original post back in February, yesterday I spent the day at the Michigan State University Archives and Library trying to uncover any proof of the mysterious green MSU Spartan Reatta convertible. Unfortunately, after reviewing thousands of photos, old negatives, yearbooks and microfilm from the 1990s, I was unable to find any evidence of this rumored Reatta convertible. Rather, I was able to find numerous Oldsmobile convertibles used in the 1990s with Michigan State logos for parades, but never a Reatta. I'm assuming that someone thought they remembered a Reatta convertible at one of these parades when it was actually an Oldsmobile. I've attached a photo of a 1990s Olds Cutlass convertible used by the MSU tennis team as well as a link to about an MSU badged Olds Calais convertible that was sold (for a steal at $2,475!) back in 2009 at a Barrett-Jackson auction: https://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/barrett-jackson-2009-bargain-buys-for-under-10-000/#slide-364113

Note that this vehicle is two tone green/white, white top and has embroidered MSU leather seats...all very similar to the characteristics rumored about the green MSU Reatta Convertible. Again, I'm assuming that somehow this convertible was confused as a Reatta, as it showed up many times in the photos I reviewed illustrating MSU activities and celebrations in the 1990s.  As an interesting side note, I learned yesterday that this convertible was used during the 1997 MSU Homecoming parade to drive around the famous actor James Caan, who  served as the Grand Marshal (he was an MSU Alum and played football for Duffy Daugherty in the 1950s).

 

Anyway, I realize that this message does not provide any proof of this elusive white whale (actually a green whale with a white top and dorsal fin), but after spending the day researching and discussing this theme with archive specialists with over 30 years at MSU, I’m convinced that the MSU Reatta convertible never made an appearance at any MSU events, nor was trademark- licensed, nor owned by MSU and in my personal opinion does not exist. Nevertheless, long live the rumors and conspiracies!!!

1995 Yearbook page Cutlass convert.pdf

[Ronnie]

19 minutes ago, Panama Jake said:

Anyway, as I had promised from my original post back in February, yesterday I spent the day at the Michigan State University Archives and Library trying to uncover any proof of the mysterious green MSU Spartan Reatta convertible. Unfortunately, after reviewing thousands of photos, old negatives, yearbooks and microfilm from the 1990s, I was unable to find any evidence of this rumored Reatta convertible.

 

21 minutes ago, Panama Jake said:

but after spending the day researching and discussing this theme with archive specialists with over 30 years at MSU, I’m convinced that the MSU Reatta convertible never made an appearance at any MSU events, nor was trademark- licensed, nor owned by MSU and in my personal opinion does not exist.

 

I think that is the highlight of this topic.

[Cargirl]

Thanks for taking so much time and energy chasing down this story. As a real fan of Oldsmobile's all I can say is that is one good looking Olds!

[Barney Eaton]

We appreciate the research and update. 

 

[Booreatta]

There were about another 30 or so photos of the Oldsmobile in various other functions of the school and you are correct they were all Oldsmobile and from what I was able to find the only Buick that I could find was a 4 door used in one parade and that was all. 

Thanks for taking  the time as I think the Polo Green Reatta is dead and burried