Buick (/ˈbjuː.ɪk/), formally the Buick Motor Division, is an upscale automobile brand of the American manufacturer General Motors (GM). For much of its existence in the North American market, Buick has been marketed as a premium automobile brand, selling luxury vehicles positioned above GM’s mainstream brands, e.g. Chevrolet, while below the flagship luxury Cadillac division. Buick-branded vehicles are also known for reliability, ranking high for reliability in Consumer Reports‘ brand reliability rankings.[2]
Buick has the distinction of being the oldest active American marque of automobile, and was the company that established General Motors in 1908. Before the establishment of General Motors, GM founder William C. Durant had served as Buick’s general manager and major investor. Buick also has the distinction of being the first automobile maker in the world to equip its cars with overhead valve engines, which it did starting in 1904.
In 2015, Buick sold 1,231,941 vehicles, a record for the brand.[3] The main market is in China, where 80% of Buick-branded automobiles are sold.[4] Buicks are also sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Since restructuring in 2009, GM has also started to share technology, vehicles and development between Buick and GM’s European Opel division.
History
Buick was founded in 1899 in Jackson, Michigan by David Dunbar Buick as the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company, an internal combustion engine manufacturer. Buick is one of the oldest automobile brands in the world and the oldest in America. (Autocar, founded in 1897, is the oldest motor vehicle manufacturer in the western hemisphere; while originally an automobile maker, Autocar now builds heavy trucks. Oldsmobile, also an early auto maker founded in 1897, is now defunct; Studebaker was founded in 1852, but didn’t begin producing automobiles until 1902; Ford produced his first car in 1896 but did not start the Ford Motor Co. until 1903, and during the period in between was involved with other automobile manufacturers such as Cadillac, founded in 1902).
The first two Buick automobiles were made in 1899 and 1900 by Buick chief-engineer Walter Marr,[7] but David Buick was reluctant to begin making automobiles, being satisfied with stationary and marine engine production, so Marr left Buick in 1901 to found his own automobile company under his own name. His replacement was Eugene Richard, who applied for a patent in 1902 for Marr’s valve-in-head engine, which patent, number 771,095, was awarded to Richard in the name of Buick in 1904.[7] This was the world’s first production overhead valve internal combustion engine, although it was called “valve-in-head” because the cylinders were horizontal so the valves were not actually “overhead.” In 1903, the third Buick automobile was made, this time by Richard, but in 1904 Buick moved to Flint, Michigan, and Richard stayed behind. Marr was rehired in Flint as chief engineer, to begin making automobiles in production. That year, 37 Buick automobiles were made, production increasing to 750 in 1905, 1,400 in 1906, 4,641 in 1907, and 8,800 in 1908, taking the number one spot away from close competitors Oldsmobile, Ford, and Maxwell.
David Dunbar Buick incorporated his company as the Buick Motor Company on May 19, 1903, in Detroit, Michigan. In March, 1904, the company was purchased by Benjamin Briscoe, who quickly sold it to James H. Whiting (1842–1919),[8] owner of Flint Wagon Works, in Flint, Michigan. Whiting moved Buick to Flint that summer, to a location across the street from his factory, with the idea of adding Buick’s engines to his wagons.[7] David Buick stayed on as a manager, and re-hired Walter Marr as chief engineer. The engine Buick and Marr developed for this automobile was a 2-cyinder valve-in-head engine of 159 cubic inches, with each cylinder horizontal and opposed to each other by 180 degrees. Whiting built only a few automobiles in 1904, by bringing Buick engines across the street where his workers shoehorned them into his wagons, before running out of capital, causing him to bring in William C. Durant that year as controlling investor. Durant was co-owner, also in Flint, of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, which was the largest carriage-making company in the country.[7] Durant spent the next 4 years turning Buick into the biggest-selling automobile brand in the US. David Buick sold his stock upon departure in 1906, and died in modest circumstances 25 years later. In 1907, Durant agreed to supply motors to R. S. McLaughlin in Canada, an auto maker, and in 1908 he founded General Motors.
Between 1899 and 1902, two prototype vehicles were built[10] in Detroit, Michigan by Walter Lorenzo Marr. Some documentation exists of the 1901 or 1902 prototype with tiller steering[11] similar to the Oldsmobile Curved Dash. In mid-1904, another prototype was constructed for an endurance run, which convinced James H. Whiting to authorize production of the first models offered to the public.[12] The architecture of this prototype was the basis for the Model B.
The first Buick made for sale, the 1904 Model B, was built in Flint, Michigan at a re-purposed factory that was known as the Flint Wagon Works.[13] There were 37 Buicks made that year, none of which survive. There are, however, two replicas in existence: the 1904 endurance car, at the Buick Gallery & Research Center in Flint, and a Model B assembled by an enthusiast in California for the division’s 100th anniversary.[14][15] Both of these vehicles use various parts from Buicks of that early era, as well as fabricated parts. These vehicles were each constructed with the two known surviving 1904 engines.
The power train and chassis architecture introduced on the Model B was continued through the 1909 Model F.[16] The early success of Buick is attributed in part to the valve-in-head, or overhead valve (OHV), engine[17] patented by Eugene Richard and developed by David Dunbar Buick. The Model F had a two-cylinder engine, an 87-inch wheelbase and weighed 1,800 lbs.[18] The creation of General Motors is attributed in part to the success of Buick,[19] so it can be said Marr and Richard’s designs directly led to GM.[20]
The basic design of the 1904 Buick was optimally engineered even by today’s standards. The flat-twin engine is inherently balanced, with torque presented to the chassis in a longitudinal manner, actually cancelling front end lift, rather than producing undesirable lateral motion. The engine was mounted amidships, now considered the optimal location.[21]
Durant was a natural promoter, and Buick soon became the largest car maker in America. Using the profits from this, Durant embarked on a series of corporate acquisitions, calling the new megacorporation General Motors. At first, the manufacturers comprising General Motors competed against each other, but Durant ended that. He wanted each General Motors division to target one class of buyer, and in his new scheme, Buick was near the top — only the Cadillac brand had more prestige, a ranking that Buick occupies currently in the General Motors lineup. To save on resources, Buick vehicles shared a common platform, called the GM A platform, that was shared with Chevrolet, Oakland, Oldsmobile and Cadillac. The ideal Buick customer is comfortably well off, possibly not quite rich enough to afford a Cadillac, nor desiring the ostentation of one, but definitely in the market for a car above the norm.
At first, Buick followed the likes of Napier in automobile racing, winning the first-ever race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.[22]
The first full-size Buick to join the smaller Model B was in 1907, when the Model D was introduced with a four-cylinder 255.0 cu in (4,178 cc) engine, installed in the front with rear wheel drive.
In 1911, Buick introduced its first closed-body car,[23] four years ahead of Ford; the car was built at the all-new factory in Flint which later became to be known as Buick City.[24] Buick during the 1920s made various sized vehicles, with series designations for different years, sometimes using numbers, while later years using lettered designations. One of the larger vehicles with straight-six and straight-eight engines was the Buick Master Six.
In 1929, as part of General Motors’ companion make program, Buick Motor Division launched the Marquette sister brand, designed to bridge the price gap between Buick and Oldsmobile; however, Marquette was discontinued in 1930. All Buick, Marquette, Viking, and Oldsmobile products shared the newly introduced GM B platform starting in 1926. Buick debuted two major achievements for the 1931 model year, the OHV Buick Straight-8 engine and a synchromesh transmission in all models but the Series 50. The Eight was offered in three displacements, the 220 cubic inch (bore 2 7/8 in. stroke 4.25 in.), was available in the Series 50 with 77 brake HP. The Series 60 engine was a 272 cu. in. unit (bore 3 1/16 in., stroke 5 in.) giving 90 brake HP.
The Series 80 and Series 90 used a 344 cu. in. version (bore 3 5/16 in., stroke 5 in.) for 104 brake HP. Automatic vacuum-operated spark advance was another new feature replacing the steering column mounted spark lever although an emergency lever was now dash mounted. Buick scored another first in 1939 when it became the first company to introduce turn signals, which did not appear on other car brands until almost a decade later.[25] All 1939 models also had a steering column mounted shift lever.
In the 1930s Buicks were popular with the British royal family, particularly Edward VIII.[26][27] He imported and used a Canadian built McLaughlin-Buick that were GMs top brand in Canada, Cadillac not having caught on there.[28] George VI used one for a coast to coast royal tour of Canada in 1939.
Early Engines[edit]
1904 – 1911. Two cylinders horizontally opposed at 180 degrees, OHV, 159 cu. in.
1907 – 1924. Four cylinders, in line, OHV, 165 to 392.6 cu. in.
1914 – 1930. Six cylinders, in line, OHV, 191 to 331 cu. in.
1931 – 1953. Eight cylinders, in line, OHV, 221 to 345 cu. in.[29]
Post World War II years
Post World War II years[edit]
1940s–1950s
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1940s[edit]
- 1940 — Estate introduced as wagon designation on Super
- 1942 — Produced the M18 Hellcat army tank and supplied radial engines installed in the B-24 Liberator, Douglas C-47 Skytrain, and Douglas C-54 Skymaster.
- 1948 — Dynaflow automatic transmission first offered
- 1949 — VentiPorts debut
1950s[edit]
- 1953 — Buick’s 50th Anniversary. Introduction of Buick V8 engine and Roadmaster Skylark.
- 1955 — Best model year sales to date with 738,814 Buicks sold
- 1957 — New 364 cu. in. engine block & Ball joint front suspension debut. Roadmasters now had aluminum finned brake drums.
- 1959 — Electra, Invicta and LeSabre and 401 cu. in. V-8 (in Electras & Invicta) introduced. Electra was the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 race.
1960s–1970s
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1960s[edit]
- 1960 — Electra 225 was the Official Pace Car of the Daytona 500 race.
- 1961 — Skylark nameplate returns as top model of new Special compact car with new 215 cu. in. aluminum V-8
- 1962 — Wildcat introduced as trim level on Invicta. Special named Motor Trend Car of the Year.
- 1963 — Riviera introduced as its own model with 425 cu.in. V-8 as an option. Wildcat introduced as its own model. Electra 225 was the Official Pace Car of the Daytona 500 race.
- 1964 — Special reintroduced as intermediate sized car on GM “A” body platform
- 1967 — Radial tires available as options on all full size Buicks [30]
1970s[edit]
- 1970 — Estate introduced as its own model. GSX high performance package first offered on Gran Sport (GS) 455.
- 1971 — Centurion and “boat-tail” Riviera introduced
- 1973 — Apollo introduced. Regal introduced as upper trim level on Century.
- 1975 — Skyhawk introduced. Park Avenue introduced as trim/option package on Electra 225 Limited. Century was the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 race.
- 1976 — Century was the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 race for the second year in a row
- 1977 — Best model year sales to date with 773,313 Buicks sold
- 1978 — Buick’s 75th Anniversary. Turbocharged V6 introduced in the Regal Sport Coupe.[31] Best model year sales to date with 795,316 Buicks sold.
- 1979 — Riviera S-Type named Motor Trend Car of the Year
1980s–1990s
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1980s[edit]
- 1980 — Diesel engine became available on select Buick models. Somerset introduced as trim/option package on Regal Limited.
- 1981 — T-Type performance trim introduced on Riviera. Regal was the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 race.
- 1982 — Grand National high performance package first offered on Regal. First Riviera convertible produced.
- 1983 — Riviera was the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 race. Best model year sales to date with 810,435 Buicks sold.
- 1984 — Official Car of the XXIII Olympiad. Best model year sales to date with 906,626 Buicks sold.
- 1985 — Somerset introduced as its own model. Best model year sales to date with 915,336 Buicks sold.
- 1987 — Limited production GNX high performance package introduced and offered one year only on Regal
- 1988 — Official Car of the U.S. Olympic Team. Reatta 2-seater introduced.
- 1989 — Ultra introduced as trim/option package on Electra Park Avenue
1990s[edit]
- 1990 — First Reatta convertible produced
- 1991 — Park Avenue introduced as its own model. Roadmaster returned to lineup after 33-year absence.
- 1993 — Buick’s 90th Anniversary. Special 90th Anniversary Edition LeSabre produced to commemorate the milestone.
- 1999 — Limited production Riviera Silver Arrow produced to commemorate original 1963 concept
Recent years[edit]
Recent years
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2000s[edit]
In the 2000s, Buick’s lineup was modified with the compact and performance segments being abandoned in favor of the crossover/SUV market which was growing in popularity.
In 2004, Buick introduced its first SUV, the Ranier. In 2003, the Buick Centieme crossover concept car commemorated Buick Motor Division’s 100th anniversary. Some of the Centieme’s exterior design and interior features would later appear on the 2008 Enclave crossover. In 2004, Buick added the Rainier mid-size SUV. Buick began consolidating its lineup in 2005 and by 2008 had reduced it to just three models with new nameplates: the 2005 LaCrosse/Allure, the 2006 Lucerne, and the 2008 Enclave. In 2008, the Super name returned after a 50-year absence as a new performance trim level on LaCrosse and Lucerne. While the brand’s total overall sales slipped in the United States,[32] the profitability of the model lineup ensured Buick’s future within General Motors.[33]
Since 2005, GM had gradually consolidated Buick with GMC and former Pontiac dealerships to create the current Buick-GMC network. During General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization and emergence in 2009, the company designated Buick as a “core brand”, citing the division’s success in China.[34] Behind the scenes, GM began to move products originally planned for other brands to Buick. The Opel Insignia was originally intended to become the second-generation Saturn Aura, but instead became the new Buick Regal.[35][36] In the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, Buick tied with Jaguar as the most dependable brand in the United States.[37]
2010s[edit]
The 2010s saw the return of a classic Buick nameplate (Regal) as well as the addition of several new ones, plus the brand’s first factory convertible since the early 1990s.
In January 2009, Buick unveiled the new 2010 LaCrosse sedan, an all new styling direction which included traditional Buick cues. The market responded to the LaCrosse, with reviews favorably comparing to luxury models such as the Lexus ES.[38]In 2010, Buick became the fastest growing automotive brand and attracted a younger customer demographic.[39] An all-new Regal sedan, a smaller model based on the European Opel Insignia, was re-introduced for the 2011 model year after a seven-year absence. For 2012, the all-new Verano a compact sedan based on the Chevrolet Cruze joined the lineup. Additionally, the performance-oriented Regal GS officially went on sale and became the first Buick in almost 20 years to be offered with a manual transmission and a turbocharger. Buick also entered the hybrid market with the introduction of eAssist technology on the 2012 LaCrosse and Regal which helped improve fuel economy ratings by as much as 38% over the regular gas-engine versions. Meanwhile, sales of the Enclave crossover remained strong. In January 2012, the all-new Encore mini crossover was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Also in 2012, a turbocharged version of the Verano was introduced and the Enclave was redesigned for the 2013 model year. In 2013, GM confirmed plans of a “hybrid global brand” which includes Opel/Vauxhall and Buick using more synergies between the brands.[40][41] LaCrosse and Regal were refreshed for the 2014 model year. In 2015, the all-new Cascada compact convertible debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In November, the all-new 2017 LaCrosse was shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Buick also confirmed that the Envision mid-size crossover would be sold in North America starting summer 2016.
As of 2017, Buick’s North American lineup consists of the Encore compact crossover, the Verano compact sedan, the Cascada compact convertible, the Regal mid-size sedan, the LaCrosse full-size sedan, the Envision mid-size crossover, and the Enclave full-size crossover. There are plans to add a Sub-brand to accompany Buick, with the Avenir badge being applied to its top of the line level trims, starting with the 2018 model year, utilizing the same strategy as GMC’s Denali Sub-brand, which has been successful for GM.[42] With GM spinning off the Opel/Vauxhall division to Group PSA in March 2017, Buick is expected to move away from sharing the same Opel model/designs upon the completion of the current generation vehicles or a debut of a replacement after the sale closes.[43]
A GM company spokesman said that Buick is positioned as a “premium” marque (entry-level luxury) to compete with Acura, entry level Lexus models, and Volvo, while Cadillac is aimed at the “luxury” performance segment which includes BMW and Mercedes-Benz.[44]
Current lineup
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Concept cars
Concept cars
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Buick has a long history of creating intriguing concept cars dating back to the Y-Job, the industry’s first concept car, of 1938. Its most recent concepts have included the Avenir, unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, and the Avista which was unveiled a year later at the 2016 North American International Auto Show.
Production models
Information below is for the North America market as of model year 2017.
Current
- Regal (1973–2004, 2011–present)
- LaCrosse (2005–present)
- Enclave (2008–present)
- Verano (2012–present)
- Encore (2013–present)
- Cascada (2016–present)
- Envision (2016–present)
Past
- Model B (1904)
- Model C (1905)
- Model F & G (1906–1910)
- Model 10 (1908–1910)
- Model 14 & 14B (1910–1911)
- Special (1936–1958, 1961–1969)
- Roadmaster (1936–1958, 1991–1996)
- Century (1936–1942, 1954–1958, 1973–2005)
- Super (1939–1958)
- Skylark (1953–1954, 1961–1972, 1975–1998)
- Invicta (1959–1963)
- Electra (1959–1990)
- LeSabre (1959–2005)
- Wildcat (1963–1970)
- Riviera (1963–1993, 1995–1999)
- Estate (1970–1979, 1990)
- Centurion (1971–1973)
- Apollo (1973–1975)
- Skyhawk (1975–1980, 1982–1989)
- Somerset (1985–1987)
- Reatta (1988–1991)
- Park Avenue (1991–2005)
- Rendezvous (2001–2007)
- Rainier (2004–2007)
- Terraza (2005–2007)
Concept cars
BANG SENG – BUICK BENGAL
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – Y-JOB CONCEPT SPIDER 1938
MINICHAMPS – BUICK LA SABRE 1951
MINICHAMPS – BUICK – WILDCAT I CONCEPT SPIDER CABRIOLET 1953
MATRIX SCALE MODELS – BUICK – LANDAU CONCEPT 1954
MINICHAMPS – BUICK – WILDCAT II CONCEPT SPIDER CABRIOLET 1954
MINICHAMPS BUICK CENTURION CONCEPT 1956
BUICK CARS
BUICK – SERIES 40 SPECIAL
IXO-MODELS – BUICK – SERIES 40 SPECIAL 1936
WHITEBOX – BUICK – SPECIAL 4-DOOR 1936
BUICK – SPECIAL PLAIN BACK 4
BROOKLIN-MODELS – BUICK – SPECIAL PLAIN BACK 4-DOOR SEDAN M-47 1937
BUICK – SERIES 80
MATRIX SCALE MODELS – BUICK – SERIES 80 N 83486795 OPERA BROUGHAM FERNANDEZ & DARRIN 1938
BUICK – CENTURY SEDAN
BUICK – CENTURY SEDAN M-61
BUICK – ROADMASTER 79 ESTATE
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – ROADMASTER 79 ESTATE 1947
BUICK – RIVIERA COUPE 1949
TRUESCALE – BUICK – RIVIERA COUPE 1949 – BASE IN PELLE
SPARK-MODEL – BUICK – RIVIERA 1965
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – RIVIERA GS 1969
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – RIVIERA 1970
TRUESCALE – BUICK – RIVIERA 2-DOOR 1971
COLLECTION711 – BUICK – RIVIERA 2-DOOR 1971
YAT-MING – BUICK – RIVIERA GS 2-DOOR 1971
EDICOLA – BUICK – RIVIERA GS 1971
LUCKY-DIECAST – BUICK – RIVIERA 2-DOOR 1971
WHITEBOX – BUICK – RIVIERA COUPE 1972
PREMIUM-X – BUICK – RIVIERA COUPE 1972
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – RIVIERA CUOPE 1982
BoS-MODELS – BUICK – RIVIERA 2-DOOR 1988
BUICK – ROADMASTER CABRIOLET 1949
TRUESCALE – BUICK – ROADMASTER CABRIOLET 1949 – BASE IN PELLE
MOTOR-MAX – BUICK – ROADMASTER SPIDER OPEN 1949
EDICOLA – BUICK – ROADMASTER – TIN TIN AU PAYS DE L’OR NOIR 1949
NEWRAY – BUICK – ROADMASTER DYNAFLOW CABRIOLET 1949
EDICOLA – BUICK – ROADMASTER DYNAFLOW CABRIOLET 1949
BROOKLIN-MODELS – BUICK – ROADMASTER 75 4-DOOR HARD-TOP 1958
BUICK 50
FRANKLIN MINT – BUICK – 1950
BUICK – SUPER CABRIOLET
SOLIDO – BUICK – SUPER CABRIOLET 1950
SOLIDO – BUICK – SUPER HARD-TOP 1950
BUICK – CENTURY
TRUESCALE – BUICK – CENTURY 2-DOOR CONVERTIBLE 1954
TRUESCALE – BUICK – CENTURY ESTATE WAGON 1954
NEWRAY – BUICK – CENTURY CABRIOLET 1954
TRUESCALE – BUICK – CENTURY COUPE 2-DOOR 1954
NEWRAY – BUICK – CENTURY CABRIOLET 1955
EDICOLA – BUICK – CENTURY CABRIOLET 1955
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – CENTURY CABALLERO SW ESTATE WAGON 1957
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – CENTURY CABALLERO ESTATE 1957
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – CABALLERO CENTURY SW ESTATE WAGON 1959
BUICK – ROADMASTER
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – ROADMASTER HARD-TOP COUPE 1957
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – ROADMASTER CONVERTIBLE 1957
GLM-MODELS – BUICK – SET 2X ELECTRA PARK AVENUE 1986 + ROADMASTER 1994
GLM-MODELS – BUICK – ROADMASTER 4-DOORS 1994
BUICK – EIGHT
NEWRAY – BUICK – EIGHT CABRIOLET 1958
BUICK – SPECIAL
VITESSE – BUICK – SPECIAL CONVERTIBLE 1958
BUICK – FLXIBLE
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – FLXIBLE PREMIER AMBULANCE FIRE RESCUE 1960
BUICK – ELECTRA
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – ELECTRA 225 4-DOOR 1960
GLM-MODELS – BUICK – ELECTRA 225 4-DOOR 1976
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – ELECTRA SEDAN VERSION 1 1977
GLM-MODELS – BUICK – SET 2X ELECTRA PARK AVENUE 1986 + ROADMASTER 1994
GLM-MODELS – BUICK – ELECTRA T 1986
GLM-MODELS – BUICK – ELECTRA T 1987
BUICK – SPORT WAGON
MATRIX SCALE MODELS – BUICK – SPORT WAGON 1965
BoS-MODELS – BUICK – SPORT WAGON SW 1967
BoS-MODELS – BUICK – SPORTWAGON 1967
BUICK – SKYLARK
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – SKYLARK SEDAN 4-DOOR 1968
BUICK – LE SABRE
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – LE SABRE 2d CONVERTIBLE 1974
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – LE SABRE 2 DOOR HARD TOP COUPE 1974
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – LE SABRE – ESTATE – STATION WAGON 4 DOOR 1974
BUICK – REGAL
AUTOWORLD – BUICK – REGAL T-TYPE 3.8 SFI TURBO 1986
GM Buick Regal
GM – Buick Regal 2000
LUXURY – BUICK – REGAL 2011
BUICK – DOM’S
GREENLIGHT – BUICK – DOM’S GRAND NATIONAL 1987 – FAST & FURIOUS II (2003)
BUICK – PARK AVENUE
NEO SCALE MODELS – BUICK – PARK AVENUE 1991
BUICK – LACROSSE
LUXURY – BUICK – LACROSSE 2011
BUICK ENVISION
GM BUICK ENVISION 2015
BUICK SAIL 1.6 L
Buick Sail Wagon
Buick Sail Sedan