Buick's only production two-seat convertible -- the 1990 Buick Reatta -- was a here-today, gone-tomorrow misfire. Only 2437 were built, so the ragtop Reatta has already become a prized collector car.

1990 Buick Reatta
The 1990 Buick Reatta is today a prized rarity.
See more pictures of classic convertibles.

Buick's only production two-seater died after just four years (1988-91) and 21,850 copies, which was about what Buick expected to sell every year. Most Reattas were coupes, but the 1990-91 convertibles are now prized rarities with respective runs of 2132 and just 305.

1990 Buick Reatta
The 1990 Buick Reatta featured numerous standard luxuries.

The Reatta was basically Buick's "redownsized" 1986 Riviera cut to a 98.5-inch wheelbase. It was just as heavy, however, thanks to numerous standard luxuries and an identical front-wheel-drive powertrain comprising a 3.8-liter V-6 and four-speed Turbo-Hydramatic. Styling was unique and clean, but also quite conservative, and the convertible's manual top (with no power option) seemed mean for the initial $34,995 base price.

What sealed Reatta's fate was a fast-worsening cash crisis that forced General Motors to dump slow sellers, including Cadillac's similarly conceived Allante (1987-93). Happily, the Reatta has already carved a secure niche as a modern collectible Buick, and there's justice in that.

For more convertibles of the 1990s and 2000s, see:

1996 Chrysler Sebring Jxi1998 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Replica1999 Pontiac Trans Am 30th Anniversary Chevrolet Camero SS
2000 Panoz Esperante2000 Plymouth Prowler2002 35th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro SS
2003 Dodge Viper2004 Cadillac XRL

For more information on all kinds of cars, try these: