To Barney

[jonlabree]

We had a dust off show today at Suburban Buick here in Wheaton, IL.

The dealer had a Select 60 Reatta on display. She claimed it was a 89.

It was a white convertible with flame red dashboard and carpet, white seats

and door panels. It also had a air bag steering wheel that was flame red.

I didn't think about it until after we had left, or I would have taken some

pictures. Unless I'm wrong, it seems to me that this car is a mismatch of

parts from different years. Was this combination possible??

JON...

[manikmekanik]

This description includes all the correct optional colors for a 1990 S/60.

The owner may have purchased/recieved it in 1989, but it IS a 1990 car. It should also have white 7-spoke wheels.

Sorry I missed the dust-off, Jon. I was building a Gazebo for Panikmekanik, and had a party for Mom's 65th.

Hope to see you at Cream City's 5/21 show at Greenfield PBGmc.

[Barney Eaton]

The car was a 1990. They were built in early 1990 and the recognition event for the 1989 Select Sixty Dealers was held in Miami in March or April of 1990.

So the confusion on the part of the owner is understandable.

The 1990 Select Sixty convertibles contained several items that would be on the 1991 cars. The 16" wheels, the flame red interior (white seats were also a 1991 option on convertibles only) and the famous center armrest cup holder.

These cars DID NOT have the 1991 motor and transmission...probably because they were not DOT certified at the time.

[jonlabree]

Do, are you saying that the white seats do not belong on a 89?

This one had Flame red dash, steering wheel, and carpet. But the seats,door panels, and trim behind the seats was white.

[Barney Eaton]

The car was NOT a 1989.... first they did not make any 1989 convertibles.

It was made FOR the 1989 Select Sixty dealers.

[jonlabree]

I understand that it is not an 89. BUT WHAT i wanted to know if this

color mix was an option ???????????????????????

[Barney Eaton]

White seats were only available in 1991 (to the public) and only on convertibles.

There were only 5 1991 convertibles ordered with white seats.

White seats were not available in 1988, 1989, or 1990 (except for the 65 Select Sixty convertibles)

The 1990 Select Sixty convertibles could not be ordered by the public they were awards to the top 60 dealers only. Most dealers eventually sold their Select Sixty convertibles.

Did I miss anything?

[Roadster90]

Somewhere along the line of talk there was a notion that the dealer had a stipulation that if awarded and bought (I never knew or thought that they had to buy their award---is that true?)that they were not allowed to retail the S/S to the public for a year or so.....any truth to that possible myth as well Barney????

[jonlabree]

The select 60 that I am talking about, according to the dealer/owner of Suburban Buick said she took this car on a trade-in. Of course she also said she was the second owner and that it was an 89. Figure that one out. I just thought that the white seats and white side/rear panels looked out of place with the flame red dash and carpet.

If I go down there again I will ask her if I can take some pictures and get the vin#. She said she was interested in taking my Park Avenue & Reatta for a new Lecerne.

[Barney Eaton]

The biggest problem I see on this conversation is you are beliving a car dealer.

There were NO convertibles made in 1989. If it was a 1989 convertible it would have a touch screen. If she can come up with such a car then we would have something to talk about.

If I thought she really had such a vehicle, I would drive the 1100 miles to Chicago to verify the car.