Though Buick intended to shift 20,000 Reattas per year, only 21,751 were produced in a four-year production run from 1988-1991. This car features Buick’s “Electronic Control Center,” which contained radio and climate controls on a touch-sensitive CRT screen. The screen, first introduced in the 1986 Riviera, proved unpopular and unreliable, and was dropped for the 1990 model year. In retrospect, though, it was far ahead of its time.
Santa Monica, CA
Photographed June 2015
The Liberté trim level was for 1987 only, supposedly commemorating the 100th anniversary of France gifting the Statue of Liberty to the United States. For unknown reasons, 505 Libertés had a different engine than the rest of the US-spec 505 line, with an ancient and wheezy 2.0L 4 that was soon to be discontinued. Oddly, the car also came without power rear windows – again, nobody really knows why.
Cheviot Hills, Los Angeles, CA
Photographed March 2013
Paris, France
Photographed July 2013
A car that was a mess of different parts from different manufacturers: Lotus engine, Vauxhall suspension, Chrysler transmission…none of it worked very well. Most of these rusted out a long time ago; this one seems to have lived its whole life in Southern California and has fared considerably better.
This car, which marked the end for two fine British marques, was not so fine itself (I suppose that’s why it marked the end, then).
Santa Monica, CA
Photographed June 2011
El Segundo, CA
Photographed November 2013
Paris, France
Photographed July 2013
El Segundo, CA
Photographed April 2012
Mar Vista, Los Angeles, CA
Photographed August 2012