reattadudes

it can be purchased at any auto paint suppy store. sometimes they will have a close color in an aerosol can pre-mixed, but many times you will need to ask to see the color book for your car. for example, look at the 1990 GM corporate colors, and pass the exterior colors...the interior colors are usually toward the back. if they mix the color in SEM, it is already pre-thinned, and you can use a Preval sprayer to spray it on. the auto paint supply store probably sells these, too, and if they don't, you can get them at Lowe's or Home Depot. I always thoroughly clean with alcohol before spraying, and make sure outside temperature is warm enough, too. a pint runs less than $20, and it can be used on vinyl, leather, and metal. be sure to get the semi-gloss, as it is also offered in flat.

some codes are different for the '90-'91 Reattas. here they are: artic white, code 40; black, code 41; sterling silver, code 13; gunmetal gray, code 85; light driftwood metallic, code 33; maui blue metallic, code 23; bright red, code 81; and claret red, code 76. I do not have a code for the '91 polo green, as this color was introduced after the order guides were printed.

should be on the spare tire cover, but here they are: arctic white, code 40; black, code 41; sterling silver, code 13; pewter gray, code 87; sapphire blue firemist, code 83; bright red, code 81;, and claret red, code 76.

"leather seating surfaces" is how the manufacturer's put it...as Vincent said, leather only where your body touches, and the balance is vinyl. I've seen some Reattas, however, that have had upholstery work done after the cars are older, and have had the leather replaced with vinyl, I'm sure from a cost-saving standpoint.

concerning the Mitsubishi sales increases: its certainly not the vehicles, which are nothing special, and its not the commercials...ITS THE FACT THAT THEY ARE OFFERING 0% INTEREST, NO DOWN PAYMENT, AND NO PAYMENTS UNTIL 2004. here in the Phoenix area, we have a dealer group who has purchased over 6,000 new Daewoos from the Daewoo bankrupcy sale , and is selling them for 40% off of MSRP. they are selling like hotcakes. does this mean they are exceptionally fine automobiles? nope...they're just cheap!! the Mitsubishi thing is exactly the same, but can you imagine how much this program is costing Mitsubishi? lots of sales, but no profits.

I just love the ads. (I think there are actually four different ones) its about time that GM looks to its incredible past and resurrects something from it, even if it is portholes. would much rather watch the ghost of Harley Earl, than Tiger Woods drive a Rendezvous any time.

use 87 octane regular, never the slightest ping in 120 degree heat.

we will have reproduction door panels available within the next sixty days. these will be re-vacuum formed, same as the originals. we have two sets ('88-'89/ '90-91) going thru engineering right now. we will post when they are available. will also be at our web site at: www.buickreattaparts.com Mike

1990 paint codes would be as follows: sterling silver metallic, code 13, and gunmetal gray metallic, code 85.

door pull straps on '90 and '91 models are totally different than the earlier models. the strap itself tucks over the opening for the screw, completely eliminating the need for the escutcheons. ddor panels on '90 and '91 models are identical.

I think the one reason the Grand National platform idea would'nt fly is because the full frame-rear drive intermediate ptatform was being phased out. the last Grand Nationals were '87s. the only models left for '88 were the Monte Carlo and the Cutlass Supreme Classic, and they did'nt even make it for the whole model year.

that, Dale is a question to ask the infamous Roger Smith, who was running GM at the time. it was his decision to "vanillify" the Reatta. I think he was afraid he would alienate all those white-shoed republicans who were Buick's stock-in-trade.

Phil at speedway automotive had told me a story about seeing several Reatta prototypes out at firebird raceway here in phoenix. if memory serves me correctly, I believe it was in '86 or '87, and there were 5 speed/rear drive Reatta prototypes at the raceway. I believe they had some Corvette parts. living south of Phoenix about 40 miles, I would say on the average day, I will see at least 20 prototype cars go by. lots of hot-weather testing.

I had the same thing happen once on an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and the seat motor and hardware had to be replaced. it seemed to happen mostly in the "tilt" mode, and the left and right sides of the seat did'nt respond together. actually, one side of the seat is'nt responding at all, that's why you have the odd tilt to the seat. don't know why this happens, perhaps the seat was moved to a position it has'nt had in a long time...like full forward. the power seat uses "screws" to move, and perhaps one side is out of kilter with the other. we do have the seat motors/track assemblies available. please email us at www.buickreattaparts.com, or reattadudes@aol.com you might want to have a mechanic take a look at it first, but I would put 99% odds that this is what is wrong. I'm sure the detail shop would pay for it, too. thanks, Mike

the dealer was very wise to steer you to replace both of your horn buttons, as the "repair" you have done won't be very long-lasting. that string that looks like fishing line is there to prevent the horn buttons from flying off in the event the airbag deploys. I would definitely grab the buttons while you can, as many of these parts are evaporating very quickly. they are easy to install, too...took me about a half-hour on our '90.

what color dash top are you looking for? we have several '90 dashes available. we just got in a '90 convertible last week. email us back at reattadudes@aol.com, or www.buickreattaparts.com thanks, Mike

WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TO FIND CONVERTIBLE PARTS...SEALS AND GASKETS FRONT DOOR SEALS/TOP HEADER SEAL--THIS IS OVER 16 FEET LONG,(one piece) STARTING FROM THE REAR EDGES OF THE DOORS, RUNNING ALONG THE DOOR SILLS, AND UP THE A-PILLAR, AND CONTINUING OVER THE WINDSHIELD, AND DOWN AROUND THE OPPOSITE DOOR. NO DRY ROT, VERY GOOD CONDITION, $550. REAR TONNEAU SEAL-- THIS RUNS FROM BEHIND THE DOORS, RUNNING AROUND THE REAR OF THE TONNEAU COVER, SPLITTING TO RUN AT THE FRONT TRUNK EDGE, AND AT THE FRONT EDGE OF THE DRAIN TROUGH. ANOTHER ONE PIECE SEAL, NO DRY ROT, AND INCLUDES BOTH REAR DRAIN TUBES. $375 TRUNK SEAL (SAME AS COUPE) PERFECT, NO RIPS, TEARS, BRUISES, $65 ALL PRICES PLUS SHIPPING these are not items that are ever for sale often, and also have been discontinued for many years. buy them, put them in a plastic bag in a cool place, and use them later, if you don't need them now. they will be impossible to find in the future. we would like to thank everyone who emailed and called from our first parts listing yesterday. the response has been tremendous. you can reach us at reattadudes@aol.com, or at our website, www.buickreattaparts.com if there is a convertible item you need, (or coupe) no matter how small, please don't hesitate to contact us. THANKS, MIKE

there is an old saying in the car business: "a car is worth what it brings." well spoken. if the people who are paying these "high prices" for Reattas now did'nt see some intrinsic value in these cars, they would'nt be buying them, would they? its rather interesting to see Reatta convertibles bringing prices within several thousands of what Allantes are bringing, considering the Allante was almost twice the price ($62,000) as the Reatta convertible when new. I always get a kick about people complaining about the high prices of Reatta parts. let's compare some of those parts to the Chrysler TC: headlight, $2,600; front clip, $6,800;, front turn signal lens, $350;, or a soft top with window, (parts only) $2800. everyone should be glad that there are people who still have Reatta parts available. as the GM cars of the Reatta's era are rapidly disappearing, Reattas stand out even more now than when they were new. it is a rare day indeed that I don't get at least one "thumbs up", or have someone comment in a positive way about my Reatta...and I'm sure many of you have the same experiences, too... something I sincerely doubt you would experience in your new Acura or Camry.

my '90 did the same thing. it was a solenoid, less than $100.

first, remove the rear license plate. then, open the trunk and remove all the black plastic wingnuts. the entire tail light assembly will drop back, exposing all the bulbs.

CORRECTION!! that should be 128K miles, and its still showing on cars.com

did anyone in the group get the '90 red/tan convertible that was in the Los Angeles Times on Thursday? the asking price was $2995, and the guy that owned it called me back yesterday to say that it was sold, and that he sold it for $2500. car was apparently in decent shape, 123K mi., with a bunch of new parts. nothing wrong with it, he was just tired of it. did JJ get it, and he's just not talking yet??

the funniest part (!) of all is that the part number is on the bag in the photo on ebay.

another suggestion would be to get a professional appraisal from someone who specializes in special-interest cars. you can find these people listed in Hemmings Motor News. this usually costs between $200-300. they will many times ask you where you would like to see the appraisal come in. if you are well-prepared when you go to the insurance company, and speak to a supervisor (as well suggested), you will have a better chance of getting a fair settlement. and DO go...not a phone call, but go to the regional office personally. its much harder for them to jerk you around when you are standing in front of them. all of this is assuming that you are dealing with a "first line" insurance company, like state farm, allstate, farmers, etc. if its a "secondary" company, good luck.

a good independent muffler shop would probably be your best bet. normal cost installed should be about $130.