ol' yeller

Somebody got a great deal!

God Bless you Kingsley! You have been a good friend to us here in the Reatta community. Enjoy every day that you have been given. Greg

Possibly but often the plastic pockets of the door panels that hold the clips are broken too. You can repair it using epoxy. Once you get the panel off you can see what needs to be done. Pry carefully.

Pete, I sent you a PM with a possible source. Good luck! Greg

Pete, the '64 had the aluminum heads. Is this what is on your engine? If so you can only use '64 cast aluminum heads or have to change out both to the later cast iron head along with the Intake manifold.

If you disassemble the unit you will find that the radio is one piece and the tape deck is a separate piece. First separate the 2 units. If you unplug the plug that connects the 2 (inside the tape deck) The radio should work but ,of course, the tape deck won't.

Funny how most of the '68s came with no vinyl roofs and so many '69s had a vinyl roof.

I have used Craft Custom several times for different cars. It is expensive but totally worth it. On my first Reatta, I picked up a dirty Roadmaster wheel at the wrecking yard and used that while I sent my Reatta wheel to be recovered. I also had them pad and leather wrap the original cracked hard plastic wheel in my '69 Riviera which gave it a much better feel yet retained the original look. They do great work and have a quick turn around. When I had mine done 10 year ago, they told me they also did the original wheels for some GM cars for GM.

I think the short answer to the OP's original question is yes, they can be towed on a dolly. I asked a similar question here a few weeks ago and the general conscientious was that many have done that. I read elsewhere that towing on a dolly is easier on the car because the front end is much higher and the road debris will not do as much damage to paint and windshields as a lower tow. The Reatta is definitely not towable 4 down. Make sure you check out the dolly and how it pivots (steers) and how close the fenders come to the Reatta when turning. My concern was that the Reatta has such a long overhang in front that it may be a problem. I was assured by several who have dolly towed Reattas often and for many miles, that that was not an issue. Also check that the ramps (if permanently attached to the dolly) don't hit the undercarriage of the Reatta. Make sure that the dolly has an additional means (chains/cables) to attach it to the car besides the straps on the tires. Make sure that the dolly has break away chains that attach the dolly to the tow vehicle (required in all states). Finally, make sure the dolly has brakes (surge or electric) as the Reatta is a heavy car and brakes will assist you in stopping (it is a requirement in many states to have dolly brakes). If you are only towing once across town to get the car somewhere these may or may not be considerations. My request was looking to tow my Reatta behind my RV. I decided I just couldn't subject her to the indignities of having road debris flung at her behind the RV so I am getting a more suitable tow vehicle and tow it 4 down.

I think registration is $20 day of show. Bring a chair and a lunch unless you want to eat from one of the many food vendors at the Meeker Days event. Bring beer money if you want to hang out in the beer garden if that floats your boat. Parking comes with your registration. If you aren't showing your car, there is no charge but you won't be able to park with the cars at the show. It is an amazing event for a Buick Only car show, 100-175 bucks of all ages, styles, & conditions. Greg

Dean, don't forget that the All Buick Open car show is being held next Saturday in downtown Puyallup. Last year we had 5 or 6 Reattas there. I will be there with my white roadster as the purchaser hasn't completed the sale yet. Hope to see you there. Greg

It was several years ago when I had this done so my memory is a little fuzzy on what I paid. I remember it was surprisingly low compared to what new injectors cost. I want to say it was $100-$150 for all 6. I didn't do anything with the fuel rail. I did just pull the injectors and dropped them off at Dr. Injector. I picked them up the next day and reinstalled them. Have you replaced your fuel filter recently? You may also want to check your fuel pressure for a bad fuel pump.

Mailed mine today. Hopefully it gets there in time.

My other obsession (besides Grandkids) is camping in our RV. I have a 2008 Winnie Aspect 26A Class C. We have been RVing for the last 13 years with a couple year hiatus when my heart attacked me and sidelined me for awhile. Now that I am feeling better and have reached a truce with my heart, we have started using our RV more and more. My next purchase will probably be something I can tow 4 down behind the RV. It will also have to be different and have a following on the interwebz like the Reattas. I haven't decided what that will be but in the running now are Ranger 4X4s or maybe a Beetle convertible. I am proud to be part of this group. I have paid for my admittance 3 times which shows that maybe I'm not as bright as I thought I was, LOL. I'll troll through here from time to time. My car isn't going anywhere for at least the next few weeks so maybe something else will break and I'll have to ask you guys about it. NO, NO, NO, don't say that or even think it.

That's what I thought Padgett. My friend just doesn't have a FSM and therefore doesn't feel comfortable using the self diagnostics. He is the person who bought my convertible and with it comes a FSM and a friend (me) who knows how to check for both current and history codes. I will show him how to use the self diagnostics and he will see how helpful it is. I was just like him on my Maui Blue coupe a few years ago and then you guys helped me understand the diagnostics and how to read what it was telling me. It makes repairs easier, but not easy. It made me realize how special these cars were as they were made before computers became integrated in a vehicle's operation.

It is with mixed emotion that I report to you, my Reatta brothers, that I sold my '90 Roadster today. I am pleased that I sold it to a friend in the BCA local chapter that also happens to be my Hagerty agent. I know he will give the car great care and keep it from the evil clutches of the wrecking yards. I have learned a lot over the years from you folks and I also tried to give back as much as I could. I still love hearing you talk about reprogramming the ECMs or other systems that control our Reattas and how you do that. It is like listening to 2 French girls conversing. I have no idea what they are saying but I could sit and listen all day. This Reatta was my third one but I enjoyed it more than the other 2 combined. I think it will probably be my last one. My buddy has some business to attend to but he will be completing the deal in a few weeks hopefully. I'll still hang around and contribute if I can but I wanted say "Thank You" to all the great folks here. Your mission is noble and you have great fun accomplishing it. Please keep the fire burning. Greg

I have a buddy with a 1990 Reatta. He has an intermittent CEL. He said he took it to a trusted shop and they couldn't find a code. After questioning he said that they plugged a scanner into the ADL port and didn't see any codes. Is it possible that the scanner couldn't read the code? I know that the OBD1 is pretty primitive compared to what today's mechanics are used to. I explained to him how to use the self diagnostics but he just seemed leery of doing it even after I reassured him he couldn't screw it up. He says the car runs fine. I told him to try and replace the O2 sensor and see if it goes away which he seemed to be willing to do. It probably needs replacement anyways and they aren't going to break the bank.

Padgett, I spent a couple hours at 2 different FLAPS going through books of vacuum connections and came up dry. I don't think you can get them new anymore anywhere. Fortunately they are still plentiful in the wrecking yards. I just drilled mine out and superglued in a straight vacuum line connector as a temporary fix while I waited for Jim Finn to send a couple of them to me.

Sold, Sold, Sold!

Here is the Reatta form: Year: 1990 Convertible Mileage:107,000 Considered Correct? Yes Location: Redmond, WA, east of Seattle VIN: 1G4EC33COLB906416 Title: Clear Any Accident History? None Asking Price: $7,000 Willing to take trade No Exterior Color: White Interior Color: Garnet, Maroon Paint Original? Yes Paint Condition? Excellent Belt & Bumper Molding Color: Black Body Dents: None Body Rust: None Windshield Chipped or Cracked? No Vent Glass Intact? Yes Rubber surround molding for windshield condition? Excellent Out Side Mirrors Intact? Yes Headlight Motors Function Correctly? Yes, mechanisms were rebuilt with Kingsley parts Tail Light Lens: Pretty clear, some minute cracks, it polished up nicely Convertible Top Material: Vinyl Convertible Top Color? White Convertible Top Condition? Very Good Please describe any flaws or problems with the convertible top. It has one small crack about 1/16” long where installer didn’t pad correctly. It is taped and padded on the inside, does not leak and hasn’t grown in length. It is barely noticeable. The top is 3 years old. Interior Original? Yes 16 Way Seats? No Seat Condition? Very good to excellent. No cracks, rips, tears or color wear Drivers interior door panel condition? Very good to excellent. No cracks, rips, tears or color wear. There is some minor alligatoring on the pad Passengers interior door panel condition? Same minus the alligatoring Center console top armrest condition? Excellent Door weather stripping condition? Very good Headliner Condition? Excellent Carpet Condition? Very good, minor fading, Hey it’s a convertible! Original Floor Mats: Yes, plus a set of driver mats Floor Mat Condition: Very good Condition of Steering Wheel Leather: Excellent for a Reatta. There is some wear of the color but no rips cuts or tears Functional Keyless Entry? Yes Both Remotes? Yes, I also bought 2 remotes from Ronnie, one I programmed so as to not kill the originals with daily use. Problems with Electronic Dash items? None, everything functions perfectly Power Windows Work Correctly? Yes, the tracks and slides were just lubed a few months ago Power Seats Work Correctly? Yes Power Door Locks Work Correctly? Yes Power Antenna Work Correctly? Yes Original Sound System? No, but original is included in sale. If desired, I’ll put it back in. Factory CD Player? (90-91 only) Yes but not working Sound System Fully Functional? Yes, see next question Aftermarket Sound System Equipment? Yes If Y describe: Alpine AM/FM/single CD player with Bluetooth and USB port, rear speakers were replaced with Kickers, fronts (door) were replaced with Apline 2 way speakers. Stereo upgrade was completed a few months ago. Total cost for the equipment was just under $500. It sounds awesome, even with the top down. A/C Functional? Yes, but If N describe problem: It occasionally will turn on a service AC light. Trouble code points to a low pressure switch which I have replaced to no avail. The system works great even when the light comes on. I haven’t been inclined to chase this further because it works and I seldom use the AC in a convertible. Has the A/C been converted from R12 to R134A? Yes, 2 years ago. Compressor, condenser, drier, orifice tube and all O-rings changed to R134A compatible. Does the suspension require any attention? No, new Monroe struts and mounts all around in the last 2 years Tire Brand: See below Remaining Tread: 75% Are All Tires Matched? No, Toyo Eclipse in front, Federal Formozas in the rear. Same size all around. Factory Wheels? Yes Factory Wheel Center Caps Condition: Mostly excellent to very good. No dents, just a couple have some minor peeling of the clearcoat Any Brake Components Replaced? Yes If Y describe the part(s) replaced and when? New rotors and pads in front last year, Rears still had great pad left Last Time Brake System Was Flushed? 2 years ago, about 6,000 miles Original Engine? Yes Original Engine Rebuilt? No Does Engine require attention? Yes, Minor issue, see next question If Y what needs to be done. The oil pressure sensor needs to be replaced. One is included in the sale. I can change it for you if you want prior to sale. It is just one of those things I never got around to. When was last tune up? 3,000 miles ago. Replaced plugs (with AC Delco), wires, ICM and coils (Motorola), O2 sensor Does the engine, cooling system, power steering, or brake system leak any fluids? Not a drop. How often do you change the oil? Every 3-5K miles Original Transmission? Yes Original Transmission Rebuilt? No Does Transmission require attention? No When was last Transmission Service? Last year I replaced the pan gasket due to a leak. At that time I had system drained, flushed and refilled along with a new AC Delco filter. It shifts like new. Any Transmission Leaks? None Have CV joints been replaced? No I have most if not all receipts for this vehicle's service history since new including the purchase papers from the original owner. Does the car have the owners manual portfolio? Yes For 90/91 Reattas only, does the owners manual portfolio contain: Craftsmen?s Log Yes Tire gauge Yes Flashlight Yes Buick Road Atlas Yes The Owner’s Portfolio was put on a shelf and never opened by original owner. It is very complete and rare to find. In General, What items need attention? Nothing My Reatta Drives: Like a magnificent stallion at the head of the herd I am the second owner of this Reatta. I have owned this Reatta for 3 Years and 7Months. Contact me via PM here or email me at 4drs4ever@gmail.com My Reatta has a special story that probably doesn’t add to the value but should be shared. This is a true 2 owner car. The original owner was a wealthy car collector well known here in the Pacific Northwest. He bought the car as a nice day driver for his wife. She loved the car. It was always stored inside a garage and it shows. When they bought the car new it did have some mileage on it as it was originally donated by Buick to be a pace car for the Great American Race in 1990. The dealership gave the purchaser the decals that were used in the race all rolled up in a tube which they passed on to me. I had one of the decals mounted on a sign to display with the car at car shows. The other is still in the tube. The original owner is well known for not selling any cars he collected and I was fortunate to pry this one from his grasp. If you are interested I would be happy to share that that story with you. This car has spent its entire life, garaged in the Pacific Northwest. There is absolutely no rust anywhere. The cradle bushings and ABS leads are in great shape as the car was seldom driven in winter conditions. This car was my 3rd Reatta and the best one so far. When the BCA held their National in 2014 in Portland Oregon, I entered my car in the 400 point judging. She scored 387 points out of 400 bringing home a Gold Award her first time out. I have since changed the dash panel and console to a wood grained one from a Riviera as I like that look better. I have kept the originals and they will go with the sale if desired. I can also reinstall them if the buyer desires it. I attempted to sell my car a year ago but found that I couldn’t go through with the sale. We had agreed upon price but no money had changed hands. Things have changed and I am very ready to part with the car now. There are cheaper convertible Reattas out there and there are much more expensive ones out there as well. This car is a well sorted car, one you could just use to cruise as is with no issues. The cheaper ones seldom have had the maintenance done that these cars require when they approach the 100K miles mark as this one has had. The more expensive ones typically are low mileage garage queens. I am asking $7,000 which is a fair price for this caliber of a Reatta. I will assist in loading the car onto the carrier of your choice at your expense but if you have time, I highly recommend driving it to its new home.

I have a ton more pictures and they can be provided upon request. I just didn't want to clutter things up here too much.

Glad it worked out for you Bill!

Bill, the reason this is happening is most likely because you are missing the insulating plate that goes between the carb and manifold.

You're welcome Deano. It is actually held in the middle of downtown Puyallup where the old Cornforth Campbell dealership was originally. It is held in conjunction with Meeker Days so there is plenty to do for the whole family as well. The show usually has anywhere from 100 up to 175 Buicks of all years. It will be on June 18th. If you are interested, our local chapter is a very fun group. They try to arrange at least one Buick driving event per month. No pressure, I just thought I'd mention it. If you come to the show, ask for me at the booth and say hello, or I'll probably be hanging out next to my white '90 roadster. Greg

Welcome to the forum! I too live in the Great Northwet, a few miles from you in Redmond. I'd be happy to share whatever knowledge I have gained about these great cars if you wish. PM me for my contact info. The local Buick Club of America chapter holds its annual All Buick car show in Puyallup in late June. It is a good opportunity to meet up with other Buick and Reatta owners and compare notes. You car doesn't have to be a show car to attend. I have brought some pretty rattty cars in the past and still had a great time. To attend and even show your car, you don't have to be a member and if you don't want to have your car peer judged you can enter it as Display Only. If you are interested, I can send you more information. I had my injectors cleaned at the Federal Way DR Injector store on a previous Reatta. I was amazed at the improved performance too. I was also surprised at how easy it was. I pulled the injectors and dropped them off. A day or so later and they were as good as new. Ronnie's site is a great resource. I visit there daily. Greg