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CLASSIC CORNER BUICK REATTA

2015 ISSUE 2

5 THINGS
YOU DIDNT KNOW
ABOUT SPARK PLUGS

TOP-DOWN FUN
COMES STANDARD

The brief history of the 1988-91 Buick Reatta is one of


technological innovation and daring design. It was the first
two-seat Buick since the 1940s and featured retractable
headlamps.

1. Early adopter The use of a spark device to


ignite a fuel-air mixture was first demonstrated
way back in 1777 by Italian physicist Alessandro
Volta, who also advanced the study of electrical
capacitance. The scientific world was suitably
impressed and dubbed the unit of electrical
potential after him: volt. He also invented the
conventional storage battery. Smart guy.
2. A big jolt A minimum of 20,000 volts is
required for most spark plugs in an automotive
internal-combustion engine, but modern engines
ignition systems can generate 40,000 volts or
more.
3. Hot stuff Within the first 2 nanoseconds of its
arc, the spark reaches 100,000 degrees F
about 10 times hotter than the surface of the sun.
4. Out of this world Iridium is used in many plugs
to increase durability. A member of the platinum
group of metals, iridium is one of the densest
chemical elements and is very heat resistant.
Because of its abundance in the earths crust, its
existence is largely attributed to meteorite impacts
millions of years ago.
5. Wood you believe it? The ceramic material used
in the spark plug insulator the white body that
wraps around the central terminal is composed
mostly of an aluminum oxide material designed to
withstand the heat and pressure generated by the
voltage that passes through the plug. That wasnt
always the case, however. Early spark plug
designs used porcelain, mica (a silicate mineral),
glass and even we are not making
this up wood.
To learn more visit, acdelco.com.

Under the skin, the Reatta shared a number of architectural


components with other Buick models, but was built at a
unique craft center in Lansing, Mich., that featured teams
of specialist builders rather than a conventional assembly
line. A powerful V-6 gave the compact two-seater strong
performance.

All-new 2016 Cascada is Buicks first convertible


in 25 years and it packs turbo power

And if you thought touch-screen radios were a recent


innovation, think again. The Reatta offered one in 1989
that also controlled the climate system and other functions.
Although the green-screen CRT display admittedly looked
and performed more like an early ATM than todays
touch-screens, it was technology in a car that was 25 years
ahead of its time.
Only 21,751 Reattas were built during the 4-year
production run, including about 2,400 convertibles. They
are rare sights more than a quarter-century later, and their
blend of unique design and technology is generating more
interest with collectors.

BY THE NUMBERS BUICK EDITION


1,170,115 The number of Buick vehicles sold globally in
2014 an all-time record.
1903 The year Buick was incorporated under founder
David Dunbar Buick.
225 The length in inches of the first Buick Electra 225
model a car that would be affectionately nicknamed the
deuce and a quarter.
37 The number of Buick automobiles built in 1904.
9 The number of cylinders in the radial engine that
powered the M18 Hellcat tank built by Buick during

STAY

COOL

Tips for telling whether your AC system


needs attention

2015 General Motors. All rights reserved. The marks appearing in this ad are the trademarks or service marks of GM, its subsidiaries, affiliates or licensors.
AD-PU-0008-15

A young technicians aspiration to


start his own business

5 THINGS YOU DIDNT KNOW ABOUT SPARK PLUGS


CLASSIC CORNERTHE BUICK REATTA

World War II. It also used an early automotive automatic


transmission.

OWNING

HIS DREAM

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KEEP CHILLED

THIS SUMMER

During a hot summer, theres nothing worse than an air


conditioning system that doesnt cool you down in the car. Have
yours inspected if any of the following symptoms are present:

Preproduction model shown.

NEW BUICK CASCADA OFFERS DRIVING FUN IN THE SUN


Buick recently unveiled the 2016 Cascada a dynamic,
stylish convertible that uses innovative powertrain and
chassis technologies to complement a sporty driving
experience. It will be the first Buick convertible offered in the
United States in 25 years and the latest globally developed
vehicle to join the brands growing portfolio.
The Cascadas classic 2+2 configuration offers comfortable
room for four adults, with an expressive driving experience
rooted in a rigid body structure. And when it comes to
dropping the top on a whim, it lowers in only 17 seconds at
speeds up to 31 mph. When its up, thermal and acoustic
insulation contribute to driving comfort.
Designed from the outset as a convertible, the Buick Cascada
has a flowing, sculpted profile, with fast-raked A-pillars that
convey a wind-in-the-hair flair. When lowered, the top folds
neatly and completely beneath a hard tonneau cover behind
the rear seats, giving the car a pure open-air aesthetic.

The Cascadas design blends the suggestion of speed with


sophisticated and uncompromising details, says Holt Ware,
Buicks exterior design director. Most convertibles are
designed from existing coupes or sedans, meaning stowage
of the top is an afterthought, but not this Buick. It looks
handsome and has a premium appearance when the top is
lowered and a perfect, seamless profile when its up.
The windswept exterior design is further accented with a
sweeping bodyside line and sleek headlamps that flow into
the front fenders. Buicks signature wing-shape Light-Emitting
Diode (LED) daytime running lamps deliver a distinctive
appearance, day or night.
There is also plenty of storage space for the trappings of a
weekend getaway, including 13.4 cubic feet of cargo room
with the top up and 9.8 cubic feet with the top down*. The
rear seatbacks fold down electronically to expand cargo
capability for longer items.
*Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution.

The air blowing out of the vents is cool, but not as cold as it
used to be.
Performance is spotty or intermittent it will blow cold, but
seems to cut out for a while before blowing cold again.
The floor is inexplicably wet. (The water drain hole may be
plugged.)
There is excessive noise when the AC is on.
There is an odor if it smells like a musty gym locker when
the AC is on, have the system inspected right away for mold
or bacteria that like to grow in dark, damp places such as the
evaporator.
Ask your ACDelco Professional Service Center Program member to perform an inspection and make necessary repairs on
your vehicles AC system. ACDelco has the parts to repair most
vehicles on the road. Its your surefire way to keep cool for the
rest of the summer!

DID YOU KNOW?


That little puddle that forms under your car after
running the AC is water that has drained from
the air conditioning systems evaporator. As
air passes over the evaporators fins, moisture
condenses on the fins and flows out of the
vehicle through the drain.

OWNING HIS DREAM


Andrew Sexton and his father always tinkered with
cars in the familys barn not as a hobby, but as a
necessity.
We werent a very wealthy family or anything, so
we had to fix our own cars just to keep them on the
road, he said.
Sexton had no idea hed eventually use those skills
to open his own automotive service shop ATS
Automotive in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sexton opened
the shop in 2009 at age 21. He is the third young
auto service professional featured in The Part That
Built Me, a video series developed by ACDelco
to honor the work of technicians and encourage
young people to pursue careers in the industry. To
see the video, go to youtube.com/acdelco.

OWNING YOUR
OWN BUSINESS
IS THE BEST THING
IN THE WORLD.

TURBOCHARGED PERFORMANCE
The Cascada is driven by a 1.6L turbocharged engine rated at 200 hp. It is a
very power-dense engine, with more than
100 hp per liter. It also delivers strong
torque, estimated at 206 lb-ft, with an
overboost feature that briefly pushes
torque to an estimated 221 lb-ft.
Power from the turbocharged engine is
translated into driving enjoyment via the
innovative suspension system, which employs
the sophisticated HiPer Strut front suspension
pioneered on the Buick LaCrosse and Regal
models. It is designed to enhance ride and
handling by reducing torque steer, providing
more linear and communicative steering and
improved impact isolation on bumps and
rough surfaces.
The Cascada goes on sale early next year.
Go to buick.com for more information.

Five years on, ATS Automotive is growing every


year, thanks to loyal customers who continually refer
new clients.

WHATS THAT SOUND?


Is there a buzzing or rattling sound that seems to come from
beneath your vehicles floor, either at idle or when accelerating?
It could be a loose shield around the exhaust system and
something your ACDelco Professional Service Center Program
affiliate could diagnosis in a jiffy. Just ask!

It was the scariest thing Ive probably ever done in


my life, said Sexton, an ASE-certified technician.
But owning your own business is the best thing in
the world. I love being able to help a wider range
of people.
Sexton said a big part of taking care of customers
is using the right parts. He uses ACDelco parts for
almost every job because, using inferior parts
is not taking care of anybody.
Watch it at acdelco.com or
visit youtube.com/acdelco.

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