Reatta Fan

For 900081, here's pictures of the cowl tag behind the right front headlight, build/emissions door label, tire inflatiuon pressure label, and driver's side interior. The cowl tag carries more information than ones for my '90 and '91 models. Care to venture a guess on what the codes mean? I interpret "81U" being Bright Red (8774) as the Primary Color, "JL9" as having antilock brakes, and "55A" indicating a gold pinstripe. The car currently has a gray accent stripe but the car has been repainted. I did visually confirm the origial color of the accent stripe was gold. "000116 7" = Is that a date code? The door label indicates "01/87" as the build date. "00081" = the unit number? I was told by the previous owner the small label to the left of the build/emissions one is an internal asset tracking number. Now that a delivery database is being generated, I'm very curious what "dealer" 900081 and 900061 were delivered to. More pictures as I have time.

Thanks for your quick reply on the info on decoding the options! Do you have a guess as to what 0ZM is? A varient of the rear (transverse) spring code perhaps? Regarding AC1, 900081 and 900061 have the 16-way power seats on both driver and passenger. The seat pod controls layouts are mirrored/reversed. For 14Q, 900081 presently has red body molding. Would you venture a guess it originally had black metallic painted molding versus unpainted/nonmetallic painted black as indicated by maybe the 41Q code? For B84, it makes sense this code is left off the SIL for 900061 as it has no body molding permanently attached. No mounting hardware is installed but it does have the holes in the front & read bumpers for clips. Can we get the Webmaster to update the service code page on reatta.net? The last mod date indicated is 4/25/2003. I got an email from a member requesting pictures of the cowl tags behind the right headlight assembly. I'll work on that.

On the latest database revision, I was pleasantly surprised to find information on more of the first hundred cars was added. Being graced with two of these special gems, I'd like to learn as much as possible about them. They're not in magazine front cover condition any longer (even by any stretch of a Reatta junkie's imagination) and need of lots of TLC which hopefully I'll be able to do some day. I've enclosed a couple of pictures showing the SIL and the "true" 16-way seat adjusters in 900081. Other differences from later production ones I've noticed are the interior color (a shade darker gray than later units and has suede/leather on the seat faces), steering wheel & turn signal/cruise stalk (not sure which car line they're from), engine label placement (on the radiator support not the shock tower), and different Buick script on the wheels (looks like it's from the LeSabre line of the same era). 900061 is basically the same. It's red in color (#81) with the #82 interior color code with the same 16-way seat adjusters but the body/bumper molding is not permanently attached and magnetic instead. Two sets came with the car, one red and one black. This one also has hand written tags on the wiring looms, a compass module, and remote keyless entry (with the later production rear window with antenna). The SIL differs in that "B84" and "xxQ" are not present and "D60" is. Can anyone please share more information on these cars? How was it determined these were for press use? Is there any other supporting documentation available? Also, can the Service Codes page on the reatta.net website be updated with the additonal ones found on the SIL's of 900081 and 900061? Namely AC1 (suspect this has to do with seat type), 0ZM, 14Q (it has red body color molding), 6LN, 7LN, 82F, 82I, 824, and 829. Even an "unknown" descriptor next to each as an acknowledgement would make me feel like less of a parent of unwanted step children. (I did make this request in 2003 when I first obtained the cars but it must have got lost in the shuffle.) Thanks in advance!

Front on shot of the model on the wood stand.

Here's a shot of the underside of the car. It has "005" on the muffler.

Tom, You might be onto something. Here's a picture of one of my two boxes that my Reatta model came in. Note the Caddy promo wording. Maybe a coincidence, then again maybe not ...

Count me in. I'm in Castaic by the Grapevine north of LA. Wouldn't mind driving for something even if it was just a few folks.

I need some help about the area. Please PM or email me offline. Thanks! Chuck mags1118 AT aol DOT com

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> If anyone is interested, I've attached an image of the service tag for this car. Good luck & happy hunting! </div></div> Randy, You don't have to wait. I originally attached a copy of the Service Equipment tag to my first post above. If you're having trouble downloading it, PM me and I'll send it to you via email. (The car does not have the code.)

Padgett, I know the windshield was replaced on the car because when I initally saw it on a dealer lot in Ontario, CA, it had a two foot crack in it travelling from the passenger side to the midsection. No way could this be fixed. The car was in rough shape, had a less than perfect complete repaint job, and carried a bargain basement price of $2995. The unit was whole and nothing that couldn't get fixed given enough time and money. When I went to look at the car in late 2004, the subsequent purchaser had the window replaced and told me that she had it tinted brown instead of blue at the top to better match the interior. I'd guess by your comments that this was not an original SoftRay replacement. Also, she put a lot of time and energy in cleaning up the interior since the first time I saw it. The car's exterior was newly freshened and worked on further but still not perfect. At 20/20, it looked great. The price though had increased to $5500 and not comfortable enough for me to gamble on given no proof of the Select Sixty claim except for the hood ornament.

<span style="font-style: italic">First and foremost, let me preface my remarks that this thread is neither an attempt to discourage a potential buyer nor endorsement to purchase the vehicle advertised.</span> Item 4558326825 is an auction for an '88 model in black with a tan interior, VIN 1G4EC11C4JB900817. I originally came across it for sale through a dealer in Ontario, CA in 2003 and ended up being too late to purchase it then. It was later offered for sale in 2004 by a member of this forum and it was at this time the authenticity of it being a Select Sixty model came into question. Earlier this year, it was offered for sale by someone in San Diego through the AutoTrader and now is on eBay. I was very seriously interested in purchasing the car for it being an '88 Select Sixty and examined the vehicle. It is in very good mechanical condition for the age and mileage. (Yes, I know this is subjective opinion.) The windshield is new and has a brown tint (not blue) along the top. The member of this forum who owned it had the CRT overhauled or replaced. The exterior paint is not original. Both drivers and passenger seat bolsters have been replaced as the original stitching holes remain visible. I could not determine if this car originally had suede bolsters. It is strongly suggested for anyone who is contemplating purchasing the vehicle for it being a Select Sixty to do some research. Past postings on this forum are a good source and you can start here. As the story goes, the actual cars and hood ornaments were mated at the dealer and not at the factory which complicates things a bit. I passed on buying it because the doubt of it being authentic won out. I did as much digging into this particular car as possible and consulted with both Barney (our technical advisor) and Mike (reattadudes) for their opinions as well. The deciding factor for me was that the service tag lists no option accounting code different from any other common garden variety Reatta. It would make sense that a marketing campaign for a new model would be splashy and merit a special accounting code for the units built. Barney suggests maybe X22 should be there and this is logical as it was used by GM on Camaros and Caprices to designate special build trim packages. If anyone is interested, I've attached an image of the service tag for this car. Good luck & happy hunting!

Downloaded the latest rev from reatta.net timestamped 6/20 @ 7:37AM and everything works fine now. All three worksheets are unprotected. Thanks!

For the latest Excel workbook, the worksheet "050618" has password protection enabled. This has disabled the data sort and subtotal functions (among others) under the Data pull down menu for those of us who want to perform custom groupings and views such as for color, etc. The "Intro" and "Location" worksheets remain unprotected. In the past revisions of the Reatta database, all workbook worksheets were distributed unprotected. Any reason for the change?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Reatta.net has someone's account of knowing someone that wanted to stay unknown that had a "barnfull" of Reattas, including a turbo prototype and one of those black glass cars used for photo shoots. Without any photos, this tale is worthless. </div></div> The second meeting of Mensa is now called to order...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> ... we have available several NOS back windows for the Reatta. There are a few different type because of options ... </div></div> Can you please elaborate on the different types you have available? For all four years, I thought there were only two types: one with keyless entry antenna (late '88 - '91) and one without ('88 only). All Reattas came with rear window defroster and no tint option choice from the factory. Thanks.

Given this pod, the number of power functions should now add up to sixteen.

CLICK HERE

Mike, Thank you for the information on the green color units. Could someone in your list of contacts or someplace in your documentation offer an explanation of why green was not presented as a color choice on the 1991 Car Order Guide as shown on the reatta.net site?

I've found the body plate for my early 1988 Reatta located behind the the passenger headlight and attached a picture. I've got most of it figured out, however, is anyone knowledgeable to help with decoding the rest of it in the 4th line which is supposedly plant specific data? According to the Vehicle Certification Label, it was built in 01/87. First Line: J 01E 4EC97 B 900081 J = Model Year (1988) 01E = Build date (January / 5th week) 4EC97 = (4)Buick, (EC)Reatta, (97)Coupe 2DR Notchback Sport B = Assembly Plant Lansing, MI 900081 = Production Serial Number Second Line: 55A 81U 55A = Gold Accent Stripe 81U = Bright Red (8774) Primary Color Third Line: JL9 JL9 = Antilock Brakes Fourth Line: 000116 7 00081 000116 = No clue 7 = No clue 00081 = Not sure, could be the sequence number that the body was built Any help would be greatly appreciated. (PS: Yes, I've tried looking in the 1988 service manual and it's no help ...)

OK, I got bored and found the body plate Barney is referring to. I've attached a picture. Anybody knowledgeable to help with decoding this? First Line: J 01E 4EC97 B 900081 J = Model Year (1988) 01E = Build date (January / 5th week) 4EC97 = (4)Buick, (EC)Reatta, (97)Coupe 2DR Notchback Sport B = Assembly Plant Lansing, MI 900081 = Production Serial Number Second Line: 55A 81U 55A = Gold Accent Stripe 81U = Bright Red (8774) Primary Color Third Line: JL9 JL9 = Antilock Brakes Fourth Line: 000116 7 00081 000116 = No clue 7 = No clue 00081 = Not sure, could be the body sequence number

Regarding Southern California EV1's and the last ditch effort to save them, here's a link to the LA Times site. Go here. Here's another article

Reatta Man, I originally posted this to the forum on 1/24/05 and surprisingly received zero comments! Original Posting A real shame what GM did to the owners (and their cars)! Reatta Fan

Go here and look. In this case, the picture should generate more than a thousand words.

In a spare moment, I came across this link. Here, you will find a very interesting article on an Italian jeweler that donated a Buick to the Sloan Museum. Further down the article, you will find the following: "Some of the more notable cars in Bulgari's collection are a 1938 Model 90L (Limousine) that had been part of the official Vatican fleet for many years (he purchased it from the Vatican), a multi-carbureted 1941 Century sedan, a rare 1942 Woodie wagon and the last Reatta coupe and convertible produced." Our database shows the last convertible is owned by Buick. Is that correct? Also, I thought the last Reatta produced is now in the Sloan Museum purchased from Chuck Perry. Anyone knowledgeable care to comment?

From the autotrader.com website: Ad can be viewed here. Text reads: This Car's Details Price $55,000 Mileage 144,000 Exterior Color White Comments 1990 BUICK REATTA, very clean, white coupe w/burgundy int, at, ac, CD, 144k mi, all pwr, perf running cond, E-Mail: baileysur@aol.com, $55000, 714-960-1624 It's only 70 miles away from me so if someone is interested, I'd be glad to go and take some pictures and a look for them.