2023

By Jeffrey D. Brasie
Images Courtesy of the Author
Published 11.29.2023

Buick Reatta an early design CROPPED AND RESIZED 1 An early design sketch of the Buick Reatta

Seventy years ago, General Motors entered the two-seater market with the Chevrolet Corvette. The iconic vehicle was first assembled in Flint, Michigan with 300 units being shipped to dealerships.

Today, the Corvette lives on.

Since the 1980s GM’s various divisions have introduced and mass-produced a number of two-seaters. Among these are the Cadillac Allante and XLR-V, Pontiac Fiero and Solstice, and Saturn Sky.

In 1954 Oldsmobile built a two-seat prototype called the F-88, which never made it to the market. Not a true two-seater, but with a single bench seat was Chevrolet’s El Camino.

A Buick Reatta coupe 2 A Buick Reatta coupe

What about GM’s Buick division developing a two-seater?

GM floated the idea in the early 1980s to develop a stylish two-seater using the Buick Riveria, Oldsmobile Toronado, and Cadillac Eldorado’s platform.

At a Buick collector gathering earlier this summer in Flint, Reatta designer David McIntosh revealed GM President Roger Smith gave the “go ahead” for the Buick brand to enter the two-seater vehicle market. With the given parameters, McIntosh began sketching designs in 1982. Throughout the entire process, McIntosh, along with modelling designers, engineers, marketing, and financial leadership teams, ensured the vehicle would exhibit Buick’s unique and cutting-edge brand identity. In summary, this was not a reduced in size Buick Riviera.

The Reatta conventible 3 The Reatta convertible

Both the Cadillac and Buick Divisions were proceeding with the design and production of a two-seater. Cadillac would arrive first with the Allante market introduction in 1987, followed by Buick’s Reatta in 1988.

On naming the Reatta, McIntosh said the name was attributed to the 1956 movie “Giant,” starring James Dean, Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. The ranch in the film was called Reata. Buick and their advertising agency reworked it, and the Reatta name was born.

Production began in January 1988 at Lansing’s Reatta Craft Center. The front-wheel drive Reatta was powered by GM’s 3.8L V-6 engine and assisted by a four-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle was equipped with four-wheel disc brakes and anti-lock brakes.

The original Reatta was introduced as a coupe with the convertible arriving in the 1990 model year.

Another view of the Buick Reatta CROPPED AND RESIZED 4 A view of the author's 1990 Buick Reatta

For the first two years, the vehicle’s dashboard offered an “Electronic Control Center.” This screen offered touch control of HVAC, the radio system, a number of sensors, date and trip reminders, and an over-speed alarm reminder. The 1990 and 1991 models returned to a more traditional dashboard design. This decision was based upon research into their target audience who saw the center as an excessive electronic level.

The 1990 and 1991 models also offered a steering wheel-mounted airbag.

With all models, the exterior offered pop-up head lamps, fog lights, wrap-around tail lamps, push button trunk and fuel doors, along with a power antenna.

For the most part, the drivetrain remained the same until the 1990 and 1991 models, when transmissions were upgraded.

The distinctive “R” logotype was frequently found in the vehicle’s interior and exterior –- including the floor mats, wheel covers, steering wheel, owner’s manual, and related materials.

Priced in 1988 at $25,000, GM’s sales target was mature adults. The vehicle was literally hand-assembled by a team. The goal was to annually sell 20,000 units. The Reatta was competing against its Cadillac sister and numerous European and Japanese two-seater models -- all in the same price range.

The 20,000-unit annual sales goal was never achieved. In fact, when the last Reatta was assembled on May 14, 1991, a total of less than 20,800 units were sold over the model’s four-year run. Coupled with the low sales, the hand-crafted production process was expensive and difficult.

There is a national Reatta Club with information found at www.reatta.org. In addition, Marck Barker of Durham, North Carolina, operates a significant Reatta parts and vehicle sales business. Information can be found at www.EastCoastReattaParts.com.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes historic feature stories and op-eds for various Michigan newspapers. He grew up in Alpena and resides in suburban Detroit. He drives a gray 1990 Buick Reatta coupe.

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of GM Media Archives
Published 11.22.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Chrysler Archives and Walter P. Reuther Library
Published 11.15.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Cragar Industries/Gary Gabelich Blue Flame Rocket Engine
Published 11.8.2023

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Archives, Wayne Ferens Collection
Published 11.1.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Media Archives
Published 10.25.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of R.M Sotheby’s Car Auctions and The Robert Tate Collection
Published 10.18.2023

The front end of the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car (R.M. Sotheby)

For many years, show cars have represented a vision of the future for automakers, with designs showing where they were thinking for new and upcoming models.

In 1955, the Lincoln Indianapolis show car made its debut at the Turin, (Italy) Automobile Salon as a unique and different automobile design. Today, the car is a mostly forgotten design.

The 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car (R.M Sotheby Car Auction)

The Lincoln Indianapolis show car was designed in collaboration with Carrozeria Boano Turino. Ford Motor Company’s design team had nothing to do with the vehicle, as the styling was commissioned to Italian Fiat designer Gian Paolo Boano, who had also coined the concept vehicle’s American-sounding name. Because of this, many automotive historians have said that, in no way was it a Lincoln show car.

Another view of the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car (R.M. Sotheby car auction)

The 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis was designed to compete with jet age and Buck Rogers-esque space age designs unveiled during the 1950s. The project began with a Lincoln chassis provided by Ford CEO Henry Ford II. The styling featured a jet aircraft look with its pointed nose, rear fenders, great looking fender intakes, and those high marked fins. The interior was designed for two people with leather bucket seats and a divided console. This futurist streamlined aircraft-like design was supposed to represent 1930s Le Mans racing cars. However, I don’t think that worked out.

1955 Auto Age Magazine Robert Tate Collection 2 A 1955 issue of Auto Age Magazine (Robert Tate Collection)

The Indianapolis show car had some success with the Turin show, and a 1955 issue of Auto Age magazine put the car on its cover with the question “Is this the next Lincoln?”

Some auto enthusiasts did not like the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis show car, and historians have said the model left much to be desired. Some did not like the orange paint color finish, along with the front end and hood design. Ultimately, this was not the future design for Lincoln production as the 50s continued.

1955 Lincoln Indianapolis museum display R.M. Sotheby car auction 5 The 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis on display in a museum (R.M. Sotheby car auction)

After Henry Ford II purchased the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car, it was later sold to Thomas Kerr, a prominent Packard collector. Kerr looked to undertake a total restoration project for the car, which included the engine and body enhancements as well. Some automotive historians have reported that the restoration led to numerous awards at prestigious events around the country, like the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance and the Greenwich Concours.

A glance at the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car's interior (R.M. Sotheby car auction)

The 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car had many owners over the years. When it was part of the Andrews Collection, it was displayed at various automotive museums. The car was also a part of the Automotive Renaissance collection for a time.

A view of the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis interior panel (R.M. Sotheby car auction)

In 2013, the fully restored 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car sold for $1.21 million dollars at RM’s Andrew Collection sale in Fort Worth, Texas.

A look at the engine of the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car (R.M. Sotheby)

In conclusion, Lincoln Indianapolis concept car was introduced to the public in 1955. Featuring a stacked head light design, it was a car that automotive enthusiasts would not talk about for many years. However, this concept is still an intriguing part of our auto history.

Bibliography

Ernst, Kurt. “Straight from Pebble Beach: Lincoln Indianapolis Boano Coupe Heads to Auction.” Hemmings.com, September 13, 2013.

Newton, Andrew. “Sadly, This Gorgeous 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis was Only a Pawn.” Hagerty Media Car Profiles, July 19, 2019.

Auto Age Magazine. “Henry Ford Boano Lincoln.” November 1955.

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of GM Media Archives, Wallpaper.com
Published 10.11.2023

by Bob Sadler, MotorCities Director of Communications
Photos by Bob Sadler, the Robert Tate Collection and the Automotive Hall of Fame
Published 10.4.2023

by Brian Yopp, Deputy Director, MotorCities
Images Courtesy of MotorCities, Robert Tate Collection
Published 9.27.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Jay Leno Collection
Published 9.20.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the GM Media Archives
Published 9.13.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Archives, Chrysler Archives, GM Media Archives, Mecum Auctions and the Robert Tate Collection
Published 9.6.2023

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images Courtesy of the Ferens Collection
Published 8-30-2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images courtesy of Ford Motor Company Archives
Published 8.23.2023

By Brian Yopp, MotorCities Deputy Director
Images Courtesy of MotorCities and Visionalist Entertainment Productions
Published 8.18.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Zippo Manufacturing Corporation
Published 8.16.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection/Chrysler Archives
Published 8.9.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Automotive Hall of Fame
Published 8.2.2023

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images from Ford Motor Company Archives and the Ferens Collection
Published 7.26.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Packard Archives, Moment Auctions, Hershey Auctions, the Robert Tate Collection
Published 7.19.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of GM Media Archives, Ford Motor Company Archives, Chrysler Media Archives, Shorpy Historic Archives
Published 7.12.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of GM Media Archives
Published 7.5.2023

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images Courtesy of the Ferens Collection
Published 6.28.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy Studebaker Museum Archives, Mecum Auctions, the Robert Tate Collection
Published 6.21.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Archives/Robert Tate Collection, ClassicCar.com
Published 6.14.2023

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Archives/Carroll Shelby Collection
Published 6.7.2023

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images Courtesy of The Henry Ford, Ferens Collection
Published 5.31.2023

2023

The Buick Reatta: Short-Lived -- But a Legendary Design

The 1958 Chevrolet Impala was a Great Looking & Popular Car

Remembering the Great Automotive Legacy of Charles W. Nash

Remembering the History of Cragar Wheels

Remembering Ford's Custom Car Caravan

Remembering the 1957 Chevy Corvette & Super Sport Show Car

Remembering the Rare 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Show Car

Bibliography

The 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Was a Great Looking Muscle Car

Robert Tate Exhibit: An Appropriate Salute to a Trailblazer

Robert Tate Exhibit Opens This Weekend at Auto Hall of Fame

Jay Leno's Automotive Collection is One of the Best

Remembering the 1964 General Motors Bison Truck Concept

Remembering the Automotive Class of 1963

When Convertibles Thrilled Daytona

Remembering the Great Ford automotive designs by Dean Beck

EXTRA: Detroit: The City of Hot Rods and Muscle Cars

Remembering the 1947 Chrysler Zippo Windproof Lighter Car

The 1960 Dodge Polaras & Matadors Offered Aircraft Styling

The Automotive Hall of Fame: Where the Pioneers Are Honored

Before Le Mans, There Was Monte Carlo

Remembering the Last Year for Packard Automobiles, 1958

World War II and the Interrupted Production of 1942 Models

Remembering Buick's Great 1930s Advertising

Kaiser Darrin America's 1st Production Fiberglass Sports Car

Remembering Robert Bourke, a Great Designer for Studebaker

Remembering The Famous Ford & Mercury Woody Wagons (1928-51)

Remembering the Early Days of Carroll Shelby's Auto Career

The Miller-Ford V8 Indy Cars

The 1952-55 Aero Willys Paved the Way for Future Compacts

Remembering Dodge's Great Advertising Pencil Artwork in 1917

Remembering the Dodge Concept with No Name

Remembering the 1969 Corvette Manta Ray Concept Car by GM

Autism Awareness Month: Don and Edward Nicholson

Remembering Fisher Body's Great Advertising

Remembering the Original 1970 Ford Maverick

Remembering the Ford Times

The Kaiser Traveler, America's First Utility Vehicle

The Influence of Women Consumers on Automotive Design

A History of Alice Ramsey & Women Who Became Auto Mechanics

The 1955 Chevrolets Were Some of the Hot Ones

Nellie Goins, the 1st African American Woman Funny Car Racer

EXTRA: John A. James: A Giant in Transportation & Logistics

Remembering Former Chrysler President Lynn A. Townsend

EXTRA: Angela Henderson: A Diversity Champion at Ford

Clara Doutly, Betty Reid Soskin & Black "Rosie the Riveters"

EXTRA: Robert Tate: A Look at Our Own Automotive Historian!

Remembering Rajo Jack, One of the 1st Black American Racers

Auto Designer Crystal Windham is Blazing a Trail at GM

Remembering the Early Days of Ford Dealerships in America

Remembering Chevrolet's Great Class of 1970

Remembering the 1963 Ford Allegro Concept Car

Remembering the Popular 1966-67 Chevrolet Corvettes