Mod Monday! 5 Vehicles That Will Make Your Head Spin!

To get the week started off on the right foot, we thought we would inject some custom car/truck magic into the mix. Check out these 5 modded Buick and GMC models and let us know which one is your favorite.

Finding the right vehicle for your needs is easier than ever on our website: Reynolds Buick GMC

Buckle Up for Flashback Friday

The "Click it or Ticket" seat belt initiatives across the nation seem to be a new phenomena with how frequently the slogan is on television or on road signs along the highways. This however is not new, and we found a 1979 PSA ad for seat belt safety that we thought you would enjoy for Flashback Friday.

What other vehicle safety slogans can you remember off the top of your head?

Stop by the dealership and visit our website to find out how Buick and GMC vehicles keep drivers safe on the roads. Safety is of the utmost importance when driving and we wish you safe travels each and every time you start the car!

Link to our website: http://www.reynolds1915.com/

Why the 2014 Buick Enclave Deserves a Second Look

Sometimes it can be tough to put your trust in a newer vehicle on the market. However, the Buick Enclave is one car you can feel safe taking a chance on. With the industry’s first front center air bag, voice-activated Buick IntelliLink infotainment and premium, soft-touch materials, the 2014 Buick Enclave gives you all this and so much more.

Safety: 
Buick Enclave’s newest addition to its already extensive list of available safety advancements includes available Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning. Its industry-first front center air bag, available Side Blind Zone Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and standard StabiliTrak with Traction Control keep you and your passengers both safe and comfortable.

Technology: 
The Buick Enclave is so much more than just beautiful. Intelligent, Buick-exclusive technology allows you to place and answer calls hands-free with Buick IntelliLink voice-controlled connectivity and Bluetooth and a built-in Color Touch Radio proves that luxury isn’t complete without the latest innovations.

Performance: 
Enclave delivers effortless performance with its standard 6-speed transmission, 288-hp 3.6L V6 engine with Variable Valve Timing. Dual Flow Dampers in the suspension system minimize impact and help reduce noise and vibrations from every road surface. The result? An unparalleled drive that’s controlled, quiet and efficient.

Looks: 
One look at the 2014 Enclave, and you’ll realize it’s a sight to behold. Sculpted lines, a signature Buick black chrome waterfall grille and LED-accented head and tail lamps showcase its modern design. Soft-touch premium materials, heated and cooled leather seating, warm wood tones, brushed chrome accents, and ambient lighting create a contemporary interior.

Fuel Efficiency: 
A bigger crossover doesn’t have to mean a bigger fuel budget. The 2014 Enclave is proof. Using an innovative powertrain system to achieve impressive fuel efficiency, the Enclave gets an EPA-estimated 24 MPG HWY.

If this has peaked your interest, consider stopping by Reynolds Buick GMC for a test drive! http://bit.ly/14diGMc 

Hot Wheels Buicks- Big fun in a small size

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday this year, and just in case Santa forgot to bring you the classic Buick you really wanted, there's good news in that the folks at Hot Wheels might just be able to fill the void. The iconic Hot Wheels toys, introduced in 1968, featured metalflake paint jobs and patented go-fast Mag Wheels. and over the years, have paid tribute to quite a few of our favorite Buicks. Having raced our share of Buicks over the years ourselves, here are a few we particularly enjoy:

Of course we love the boattail. This 1971 Riviera was introduced in 2005. It has been issued in a myriad of colors, including dark teal, purple, gold, blue and Bright Red. The model does an excellent job of capturing the boattail styling.


And you have to have an original Riviera for your collection. This 1964 was introduced back in 2002 and is still available. It has been issued in orange, ice blue, white, lime green, matte black, and even magenta.


This cool 1957 Century "Caballero" wagon was introduced in 2007. It has been issued in orange and white, dark blue, yellow and white, and Ice Blue with white. It is based on the first "pillarless" Buick station wagon.


The 1970 GSX was introduced in 2009. At launch, it was issued in the original factory color combinations of White and Saturn Yellow with black stripes. Later editions were red, metallic blue, metallic green, and orange. A MUST have for a Buick fan!

And that brings us to the iconic Grand National, or "Darth Buick" as we used to call it. Introduced in 2007, it was initially offered in period perfect black with black and grey interiors. Later issues have been in a cornucopia of colors- blues, red, greys, maroon- all fun but a cool black is a MUST HAVE.

Search out your own favorite Hot Wheels Buicks here.

Happy Halloween!

Taken from the cover of the BUICK Magazine, October 1954- Happy Halloween to one and all!

Deane and the World Record, Part II

It seems that a certain Reynolds salesperson of long standing is getting quite a bit of recognition these days for his accomplishments, and we couldn't be prouder of him.

It was only back in July that we shared the story of our own Deane Salter and his Guinness World Record for having the longest continous career selling automobiles at a single agency, which was 54 years and 4 months at the time of certification. We did a piece called Deane and the World Record, and hung the handsome plaque on his wall.

Well, it seems the world isn't quite done with the story. This week a young lady named Juliette Funes from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune came to call and interviewed Deane for a nice article in their newpaper:

Covina octogenarian holds Guinness World Record for being longest-serving car salesman

You can click on the headline to read it and see a really good picture of Deane under the Reynolds sign. It's a very well done article and we're most appreciative.

So one good turn sometimes does inspire another, because no sooner then we all get our copy of the Tribune and are looking it over, than the KABC Channel 7 News Truck pulls up with Rob Hayes and a camera crew, and they'd like to interview Deane and Pete Reynolds. Well, we think the whole thing went super well and Rob did a great interview which you can watch here:

And we can't have newsprint and television having all the fun to themselves, so of course we got a call from the Ashley Bailey, an Assistant Producer with Morning Edition over at KPCC Public Radio in Pasadena, and she wanted to come talk to Deane as well. Well, Deane talks to people for a living so he had no problem with that, and she put together a very nice interview as well as a little slide show of pictures of both Deane and the dealership, and you can click on the headline to listen:

West Covina car salesman sets a Guinness World Record

Here's what he told Ashley that we think sums things up nicely:

“I can’t think of a better dealership to work for. It’s like working for your own family,” he said. “We have fun together and we’ve worked together so long, we know each other’s families and everything. There (have) been a lot of changes, but over the years, it’s been great.”

And that's what happens when a local business is operated by the same family for 97 years- we get to know each other, but also everyone else in the community. And we care for each other and look out for our customers and understand how it's all interrelated. There's no corporate office in South Dakota to call- there's a Mr. Reynolds in his office and there has been ever since we opened in 1915.

So if you're in the area some weekend, feel free to drop in and meet the hottest media celebrity in all of West Covina. And while Deane may not be quite as famous as Betty White yet, he can still give you a heck of a deal on a new Buick or GMC. 

FAST FRIDAY: Buick Carries the Olympic Torch

                                             The 1984 Buick Riviera Torch Relay Car

Certainly Buick in the 1980's is best remembered for creating two of the fastest production cars in history- the Grand National and the legendary GNX. These two rocket ships challenged the traditional view of Buick and along the way managed to embarrass a lot of Ferrari buyers. Darth Buick, as they were nicknamed, is the stuff of legends.

But Buick was a bit more versatile than that, and also managed to engineer a fleet of cars to go slow. Yes, slow. It's a fun story and it turns out there's a lot of engineering involved in making a slow car.


                                                    Buick's Offical Olympic Sponsor Logo

Buick signed on to be be a major sponsor of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. It would be the first hosting of the Summer games on American soil since 1932, which coincidentally were also held in LA. Buick felt that the publicity of the Olympics would bring enormous new exposure to its fine line of cars.


                                                The Torch Relay Route included 33 states

One major part of the buildup to the games was the Torch Relay. For the games of 1984, an enormous 84 day relay was planned, beginning at the United Nations in New York and ending up at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles some eighty-four days and seven thousand miles later. And the pace car for such an event would be a very special Buick.

Actually, more than one. Three Turbocharged 1984 Riviera Convertibles were prepared as Torch Relay Pace Cars. Powered by the same basic engine as a Grand National, these cars were modified not for speed, but for slow endurance. They had enormously advanced computer controlled cooling and electrical power output systems- they were designed to be able to traverse all kinds of terrain smoothly and at speeds of 2 to 12 mph. The Rivieras were accompanied at all times by a fleet of two new front drive Electra sedans, and affiliated GMC support vans. In all, a total of 32 specially prepared slow moving vehicles were constructed for the special Olympic fleet.


                            Period advertisement touting Buick's involvement in the Torch Relay


                            The Torch is carried through the Buick Plants (from All Things Buick)

The white Buick Torch Relay fleet performed flawlessly as it traversed the country at a speed averaging 6 mph. The route traversed the United States in a series of zig zags reaching major cities in 33 of the 50 states. In deference to Buick, the Torch Relay traveled right through Buick's Headquarters in Flint, MI where Buick employees carried the Olympic Flame between the plant buildings while their coworkers cheered them on.


                                               The Torch passes through Northridge, CA

All told, over 3,600 runners were part of the historic event. Gina Helphill, granddaughter of Olympian Jesse Owens was the first torch bearer and Rafer Johnson was the last, carrying the Torch into Memorial Coliseum on July 28, 1984.



                                    Josh Reynolds models his Dad's Torch Bearer Uniform

We have a bit of personal involvement as well, as one of the Torch Bearers was none other than nineteen year old college student Don Reynolds, who just happens to be our Dealer Principal and CEO today. And while there are no pictures of him carrying the torch, his son Josh agreed to try on the togs for a photo opportunity.


                                      The Torch is carried through the City of Orange, CA

The Torch Relay pace car for that final leg was car number 31, one of the three Riviera convertibles. At the comclusion of the games, the car was presented to the Los Angeles Natural History Museum as a momento of the games from Buick. It remains in their collection today, in as new condition, and can be viewed once a month when their vehicle fleet is open to the public.




                         Torch Relay Riviera #31 in the basement of the Natural History Museum.

BUICK Set the Pace at Indy Six Times

One year after the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Indianapolis 500 race, let's take a moment and remember some of Buick's role in this iconic American Experience. Buick was one of the first manufacturers to take part in racing at the Indy track, and won several events in 1909, two years before the first Indianapolis 500 of 1911. Many, many Buicks were also raced at Indianapolis including factory sponsored racing engines as recently as the 1980's.

But Buick has also served as the Official Pace Car at Indianapolis on six different occasions, and created some very special cars to suit the role.

The first Buick Pace Car was a 1939 Roadmaster Series 80 Convertible Sedan. It used Buick's most powerful 320 cubic inch OHV straight eight engine in a slightly smaller chassis for high speed performance. Although nearly stock in appearance, The Roadmaster had no trouble maintaining the high speeds required of a Pace Car.

The next time Buick was selected as Pace Car was 1959. This was a great opportunity to showcase the all new 1959 Buick with its swept back fins. A white Electra 225 convertible with red bucket seats was specially prepared for the event. Following the race, the car itself was presented to race winner Rodger Ward.

The 1975 Buick Pace Car wrapped itself in the red, white and blue. A loaded Century Colonnade Coupe with 455 V8, bucket seats, and T-Tops was chosen and finished off with a patriotic red, white and blue flag-derived paint scheme which was very much in keeping with the Bicentennial mania that was sweeping the country. In addition, white Le Sabre convertibles were supplied for race executives and a fleet of replica Century coupes, with the same cosmetic treatment, were offered through Buick dealers.

Buick was the Pace Car again in 1976, but this time the technology was all new. The 1976 Century Pace Car featured the first Turbocharged V6 engine which was specially developed for this high speed application. This concept would lead to turbocharged V6 engines in the 1978 model year, and ultimately to the legendary Buick Grand National. It was finished in an aggressive color scheme of silver, red, and black, and again replicas were offered through Buick dealers, but they had conventional 350 V8 engines.

The Buick Regal was chosen as the 1981 Indianapolis Pace Car, again showing off Buick's V6 power. This time, a highly modified 4.1 litre V6, conventionally asperated, developed 281 horsepower and helped further establish the performance reputation of the Buick V6. The actual pace car had a Targa-style roof with an integral roll bar, and was finished in a unique color scheme of silver and dark maroon with bright red and orange trim.

Buick's most recent trip to Indianapolis was in 1983. That year a special Riviera Convertible was chosen to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Buick's personal luxury car. A special color scheme of two shades of tan, a leather and suede interior, a fuel injected turbocharged V-6 engine and even genuine wire wheels set the car off. A replica coupe called the Riviera XX was offered through Buick dealers, although only 500 were ever made.

So when you sit back and enjoy the 101st anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, remember that Buick has been a important part of the Indianapolis story. Many times, we've set the pace.

Feature Car: '54 Buick Super- Out of the Stream of Commerce

 This beautiful 1954 Buick Super convertible is a rare car indeed. One of only 3,343 produced that year, it still wears its original color combination of Casino Beige with a matching top and all original interior of two shades of green. It is one sweet Buick. But the story behind it is just as sweet as the car.

In the spring of 1954, Ruth Helm bought the car off the showroom of the  Buick dealer in Hollywood. Both Ruth, who was president of the Hollywood Democratic Club, and her husband Harvey, who was the head writer for the George Burns Show, were repeat Buick customers. Ruth traded in her 1947 Buick convertible. Harvey would buy a new 1955 Century convertible the following year.

The car's current owner, retired GM interior designer Blaine Jenkins, was a student at Art Center at Pasadena when he first laid eyes on the Buick. It was 1955, and he had come west to study automotive design. His mother suggested he look up a college friend of hers that turned out to be Ruth Helm. He became good friends with the Helms, who quickly became almost like an extra set of parents to him. He also took an immediate liking to the Super, and recalls that it was the same color of his Grandfather's new 1955 Super sedan back in Kansas. He recalls driving both the 1954 and 1955 convertibles, including a trip to the VIP opening of Disneyland (George Burns was not without influence) in the 1955.

Blaine kept in touch with the Helms after college and his subsequent move to Detroit to work for General Motors, and visited them on trips to Los Angeles. He continued to communicate with Ruth after Harvey's passing in 1965, and recalls his surprise on a visit in 1968, when he saw a new Electra convertible in Ruth's garage. But sitting next to it, covered with a tarp, was the old 1954 Super. Apparently Ruth hadn't been impressed with the trade allowance the dealer had offered her, and decided to keep it instead.

Ruth's health had declined in the 1970's and one day in 1976 Blaine received a letter from the Helms' attorney advising him that she had passed away and that it was her wish that he should have the old Super. He shipped it to his home in Michigan where it was reconditioned mechanically and repainted in the original Casino Beige color.

When Blaine retired from GM in the 1990s', he moved to Palm Springs bringing the Buick along with him. Absolutely stock except for the addition of a set of accessory wire wheels, it remains in largely original condition today and is a regular visitor to classic car shows in the desert.

The garage wall alongside the Buick is adorned with photographs of the Buick through the years, including several with the Helms. One photo shows Ruth standing behind the brand new Super convertible alongside the highway in Palm Springs. The car now lives minutes away from where the picture was taken. I find it remarkable that after Ruth wrote a check to the dealer for the car brand new in 1954, it has not been resold. She kept it thirty-two years and then willed it to Blaine, who had now had it for thirty-six. Almost sixty years since it has been in the stream of commerce. And Blaine certainly has no plans to ever sell it.

Thanks to Blaine Jenkins for sharing the amazing story of his rare Buick. Hopefully we'll get to see it at the next Reynolds Buick Open House. 

FAST FRIDAY: Grand National Part V: 1987

1987 would be the final year of the Grand National. Although Buick knew that the end was in store for the mighty monster, they certainly didn't let the news ruin the party. In fact, they decided to go out with style and make it a year to remember for muscle car enthusiasts worldwide.

The car itself was little changed. The 3.8 Litre Turbocharged and Intercooled powerplant was rated at 245 HP @ 4400 RPM and the Torque was pegged at 355 ft/lbs at 2,000 rpm. The only exterior change was new all black grille without the bright header, leaving the only the badging as bright trim. The chrome wheels introduced in 1986 were carried over and the interior was unchanged.

Options were pretty much carried over from 1986 and included Hatch Roof (CC1) or Silver Glass Astroroof (CF5), Electronic Rear Window Defogger (C49), Electric Door Locks (AU3), Remote Electric Trunk Lock Release (A90), Manual Seat Back Recliner (AT6), 6-Way Power Driver Seat (WG1), Power Windows (A31), Electronic Cruise Control (K34), Front Seat reading lamps (C95- N/A with CC1), Electronic Instrumentation (U52), Theft deterrent system (YA6) and Twilight Sentinel Lamp Control (T82). Not all options were available through the production run as the order guide was revised during the year.

The phase out wasn't due to a lack of sales success. The impending deadline would be the introduction of the new GM W-Body front wheel drive intermediates for 1988 - GM was in the midst of converting all of its platforms to front wheel drive. The LeSabre went FWD for 1986 and converted the entire Flint complex to front wheel drive production. That move forced the relocation of Regal production to Pontiac Michigan to be built alongside the rear drive Grand Prix, and the new 1988 W-Body Regal would be front wheel drive, so the Grand National would be going into forced retirement.

But the production schedule was wide open, so Buick could schedule as many of the Intercooled Supercars as they could find engines for. And schedule them they did. Sales soared, especially as word spread that this would be the last year. The Pontiac plant was scheduled to be closed, so Buick took advantage of the opportunity to continue production (with a simplified order guide) all the until December 11,1987, when the final Grand National was assembled.

Happily, that car exists in time capsule preserved condition today. In total, a staggering 20,193 WE2 Grand Nationals were made- more than ten times the quantity of the 1984 model- plus another 6,362 Turbo coupes, for a staggering total of 26,555 units. A fitting tribute to a Buick that had become a legend.

But even that wasn't all- there was also a "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals"- but that's for next time.