Buick

. Overseas the Celica received a small restyling, with new bumpers and headlamps, continuing its sales. Currently, the only Buick vehicle sold in Taiwan is the imported Rendezvous. However until mid-May, customers could still order one, although it was advised they took action before that time ended. In December 2004, General Motors signed a memorandum of understanding with Yulon, a firm based in Taiwan, for the licensed manufacture of Buick vehicles there. Exporting of the Celica ceased in July 2005. Buick has stated that it expects China to become its second largest market. This is a flawed theory, because Toyota owns Scion and is positioning the Scion tC as a successor to the Celica, as part of a greater brand positioning scheme.

Since then, Shanghai GM has replaced it with the Chevrolet Sail. Many attribute the 2004 loss in sales to the introduction of the cheaper Scion tC. Buick previously marketed the subcompact Sail, sourced from GM's Asian operations and based on the Opel Corsa B, until 2005. As of November 2004, just 8,216 Celicas had been sold for calendar year 2004. In June, 2005, Buick announced that it will build a car named the Buick Royaum in Australia for export to China, based on the Holden Statesman and Caprice luxury cars. [2] Celica sales hit 52,406 units in 2000, but dropped sharply to 14,856 in 2003. In addition, Buick of China also sells the compact Excelle (based on the Daewoo Lacetti/Nubira), a five-door hatchback version called the HRV, and a modified version of the Terraza minivan named the GL8. In July 2004, Toyota announced the Celica would be discontinued in the United States at the end of the 2005 model year because of increasing competition and lack of sales.

Since 1999, a Chinese version of the Buick Century/Regal has been produced and sold in China under Shanghai GM and has proven to be popular among upscale, professional families, establishing Buick as GM's most popular brand in China. In 2001, Honda released the Acura RSX for the 2002 model year with a 2.0 L 4-cylinder 200 hp engine, which competed directly with the Celica. Buicks used to be sold throughout the Middle East until the Buick Roadmaster was discontinued. However, the Celica enjoyed the spotlight for about a year or so, being that it was one of the few vehicles offering 100 hp/L for under $27,000 USD. For the 2006 model year, the Buick LaCrosse will be sold alongside the Rendezvous, which might replace the LeSabre in sales. Unfortunately, Toyota was too late to the sport compact party. In the 2005 model year, the Buick LeSabre and Buick Rendezvous were sold. The GT was available in both a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic and the GT-S was available with a close-ratio 6-speed manual and a 4-speed manumatic.

(UMI), which also imports other GM vehicles. The GT-S had a more aggressive system called the VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing with Lift and Intelligence) which would act as VVTi until 6200 rpm when the valves opened a fraction further and provided a 40 hp boost. In Israel, Buicks are imported by Universal Motors, Ltd. Both of these engines featured Toyota's signature VVTi (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence) system, which continuously varied the camshaft timing. However, at the end of World War II, the Buick name was not revived. This Celica came in two trim levels, the GT powered by a 1.8 L 4-cylinder 140 hp 1ZZ engine and the GT-S powered by a 1.8 L 4-cylinder 180 hp 2ZZ engine co-developed with Yamaha. Back then, they were also built at the GMNZ plant in Petone, outside Wellington. It closely resembled the XYR concept with the exception of the front bumper and rear spoiler.

Buicks used to be sold in New Zealand. In 2000, Toyota began production and sales of the 7th generation Celica. However, Buick has attracted a considerable market in a few countries. The XYR displayed an aggressive stance and radical styling not seen since the last Toyota sports car, the Supra. Currently most Buick sales are restricted to the United States and Canada. Also in 1999, Toyota released pictures of their next concept car, dubbed the XYR. In pre-World War II China, one in five cars were Buicks. The Celica was now available as a GT liftback or a GT convertible.

Some Buicks were also built in Europe or were available with specific trim for european market until 1996. In 1999, the Celica lineup was simplified even further with the elimination of the coupe model. Unlike some of GM's other brands, Buicks are currently not marketed globally, although the marque had a substantial export presence until a few years ago. All 1998 Celicas included additional standard equipment, making the Celica a better value. The Buick V8 engine, nicknamed the "nailhead", became popular with hot-rodders in the 1950s and 1960s, because the vertical attachment of the valve covers, in contrast to the angled attachment of other V-8 engines, enabled the engine to fit into smaller spaces while maintaining easy access for maintenance. All Celicas (coupe, liftback and convertible) were now GT models. This waterfall grille bears some resemblance to grilles of Buicks from the 1980s, such as the Grand National. In 1998, the ST model was discontinued to simplify the Celica ordering process.

It appears Buick may be preparing to abandon this styling cue for a new waterfall grille, as seen on the Buick Velite concept car from 2004 and the Buick Lucerne introduced for the 2006 model year. For 1997, the only change in the Celica was the discontinuation of the GT coupe. This has sometimes been called the Buick "dollar grin," particularly on the early 1950s models, which had thick, highly-polished ribs which did somewhat resemble teeth. Also available were optional driving lights in the redesigned grille area (standard on GT models). The one Buick styling cue (dating from the 1940s) which has most often reappeared, though, is for the grille to be a horizontal oval with many thin vertical chromed ribs bulging forward. The 1996 Celica received optional side skirts to improve its aerodynamic efficiency, as well as a redesigned rear spoiler. Since then, wide taillamps have been a Buick hallmark. At ASC, the roof was removed and a three-layer insulated and power-operated top was installed, producing a vehicle that was virtually water and windproof.

In the early 1960s, most models began to evolve a wide, rectangular pattern, until the '65 Skylark and Electra models appeared with full-width rear lamps. The vehicle arrived in the US as a partially assembled vehicle. During the 1950s, the characteristic form of the Buick taillamps was a tier of small circular bullet-shapes. Built off of the GT coupe, the conversion took place in the ASC facility in Rancho Dominguez, California. After that, the curved line was usually indicated either by a vinyl rub strip or simply a character line molded into the sheetmetal. 1995 saw the introduction of the third generation convertible. During the two-tone color craze of the 1950s, the sweepspear separated two different color areas. However, the team was banned from competition for a year after the car's single victory due to turbocharger irregularities.

In the earlier cars, this was a chrome-plated rub strip which, after it passed the front wheel, gently curved down nearly to the rocker panel just before the rear wheel, and then curved around the rear wheel in a quarter of a circle to go straight back to the tail-light. The car proved to be quite competitive in the 1995 World Championship. Another styling cue during the 1940s - 1970s was the sweepspear, a curved line running the length of the car. The 2500 homologation cars built to allow Toyota to enter the GT-Four as a Group A car in the World Rally Championship also sported extras such as all of the plumbing required to activate an anti-lag system, a water spray bar for the front heat exchanger and an extender spoiler mounted on risers. In a break with tradition, the Lucerne's portholes refer directly to engine configuration--six-cylinder models have six, while V-8's have eight. Influenced strongly by Team Toyota Europe, Toyota's factory team in the World Rally Championship, the final version of the GT-Four included improvements such as an all aluminium bonnet to save weight, four channel sports ABS, an improved CT20B turbocharger, and Super Strut Suspension. After the Park Avenue was discontinued, Buick salvaged the portholes to appear on the new Lucerne. This version was to be the most powerful Celica produced to date, producing between 240-250hp from an updated 3S-GTE motor.

In 2003 they were re-introduced on the Buick Park Avenue. Production of the Alltrac, or GT-Four as it was known outside the US, continued for the Japanese and Australian markets. Lower cost models were equipped with three portholes, while higher cost models came with four; when the number of portholes was standardized across the entire model line, buyers of the higher cost models complained bitterly that they felt shortchanged. Celicas also sported CFC-free air conditioning. These were originally called Ventiports (later just portholes), and have appeared sporadically on several models since, as nonfunctional ornamentation. New safety equipment in the form of driver and passenger-side airbags was standard, and anti-lock brakes were available on all models. The source of this design feature was a custom car (one not made by Buick), which in addition had a flashing light within each hole, each synchronized with a specific spark plug - a feature not used by Buick. Celicas were available in either coupe or liftback form, with the GT sports package available only on the liftback.

A traditional Buick styling cue dating to 1949 is a series of three or four portholes or vents on the front fender behind the front wheels. Styling of the new Celicas was acclaimed by most publications as "Supra-esque" with four exposed headlights. A version of the traditional crest appeared on Electras through the 70s. The Celica was only available in ST and GT trims in the US for the 1994 model year, but the addition of the optional "sports package" to the GT produced GT-S-like handling. The shields are adopted from the shield of the Buick family crest, which in modified form had been used on Buicks since the 30s. The sixth-generation Celicas bore very little resemblance to their previous brethren. This design, known as the Trishield, was adopted in 1959 for the 1960 models and represents the three models that comprised the lineup that year—LeSabre, Invicta, and Electra. For 1994, Toyota pulled out all the stops.

If represented in color, the leftmost shield is red, the middle white, and the rightmost blue, although white is sometimes represented by light gray. However, in August of 1991 an earlier change was made, namely the front brake discs which where solid, were made vented. Buick's emblem consists of three shields, each bisected diagonally to the right by a straight line, the shields arranged touching each other in a left-diagonal pattern, inside a circle. In 1992 Toyota facelifted the range, the changes include:. This will leave the marque with just three models by 2009. Special features include:. The company will replace both of its SUVs, the Rendezvous and Rainier with the Enclave within 18 months, while the slow-selling Terraza minivan likely to end production shortly after. The special rally edition of 5000 is known as the Carlos Sainz (CS) in Europe (in honour of their famous WRC driver) and the RC in Japan.

Buick began consolidating its lineup in 2005, replacing the Century and Regal with the LaCrosse, and the LeSabre and Park Avenue with the Lucerne the next year. With a 2.0 L turbocharged 3S-GTE producing 149kW (200 BHP), it was also one of the most powerful Celicas made thus far. However, with the development of the Zeta platform apparently still ongoing (including the development of the 2006 VE Holden Commodore), it may be likely that Buick will survive still. With its sport-style interior, power-operated driver's seat, and a sunroof as standard equipment, the All-Trac (known as the GT-Four outside of the United states) was the most expensive Celica yet. Speculation [1] exists, however, as to whether GM will repeat its termination of the Oldsmobile by eliminating the Buick brand in order to further cut costs, following the temporary suspension of GM's planned Zeta project to develop new rear wheel drive cars which would have fit the Buick market niche [2], and the consolidation of Buick, Pontiac, and GMC trucks into a single dealer franchise, which would make it simple to eliminate the Buick brand without leaving any dealers with no product. Anti-lock brakes were available on GTS all four years and was avalible on the GT from 1992-93, as were numerous luxury items -- all of these were standard on the All-Trac model. The ideal Buick customer was comfortably off; possibly not quite rich enough to afford a Cadillac or not desiring the ostentation of one, but definitely in the market for a car a cut above the norm. In North America, the GT and GT-S were powered by the 2.2 L 5S-FE, while the ST sported the 1.6 L 4A-FE - all were DOHC 16-valve.

Even today, Buick retains that position in the GM lineup. The Celica received revised styling, upgraded wheels and tires, and a more powerful GT-Four (US: All-Trac). In 1929, the marque launched the Marquette designed to help bridge the price gap between Buick and Oldsmobile, however the Marquette was discontinued in 1930. The fifth generation Celica was introduced in 1990. He wanted each General Motors division to target one class of buyer, and in his new scheme Buick was near the top—only the luxurious Cadillac brand had more prestige. In some European countries these models were available instead;. At first, the different manufacturers who comprised General Motors competed against each other, but Durant put a stop to that. With full-time all wheel drive and a turbocharged version of the GT-S 2.0 L engine producing 190 hp (3S-GTE), it immediately took its place as the flagship of the Celica range, and became the official Toyota rally car for all years of production.

Using the profits from this, Durant embarked on a series of several dozen corporate acquisitions, calling his new mega-corporation General Motors. In 1988, Toyota introduced the "ultimate Celica", the All-Trac Turbo or GT-Four. Durant was a natural, however, and Buick soon became the largest car maker in America. Front wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension made the Celica a great all-around sports car. Buick himself unwisely sold his stock for a small sum at his departure, and died in very modest circumstances forty years later. The GT-S was given a 135 hp version of the DOHC 2.0 L engine (3S-GE) featuring T-VIS. Durant to manage his new acquisition. STs and GTs came with a SOHC 8 valve, 2.0 L, 92 hp engine (Engine Code 2S-E) from the Toyota Camry, but quickly changed to an all new DOHC 116 hp engine (3S-FE) for the 1987 model year, also shared with the Camry.

In 1904 the struggling company was taken over by James Whiting, who brought in William C. The Celica was now available in ST, GT and GT-S trim, all available as either coupe or liftback models, with the GT being offered up in a soft-top convertible coupe as well. Buick originated as an independent motor car manufacturer, the Buick Motor Company, incorporated on May 19, 1903 by the Scottish-American David Dunbar Buick (who invented the overhead valve engine on which the company's success was based) in Flint, Michigan. It was an all-new vehicle with front wheel drive, a rounded, flowing body and new 2.0 L four-cylinder engines. . For 1986, the Celica changed completely. The name is pronounced "B-YOO-ick" (IPA 'bjuIk). Chassis code:
ST: ST161
GT & GT-S: ST162
All-Trac/GT-Four: ST165.

Buicks are sold in North America, China, Taiwan, and Israel. The GT-S included larger wheels and tires, fender flares, independent rear suspension, a sports interior including special seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob. Buick is a brand of automobile built in the United States, Canada, and China by General Motors Corporation. In 1983, Toyota added the GT-S model to the Celica line to re-inject the sports image that Celica had lost as it grew larger and heavier with each subsequent model. Buick Velite (2004). Styling was changed considerably from previous models and power was now provided by a 2.4 L(22R-E) engine.In Australia, Toyota decided to drop the 21R-C in the celica instead of the American and Japanese 22R-E, as a result, the car only turned out a mere 67 kilowatts. Buick Centieme (2003). 1982 saw the introduction of the third generation Celica.

Buick Bengal (2001). A unique one-off development of this series was a car-derived pickup, designed by Toyota's California Studio in 1977. Buick Blackhawk (2000). The Camry was spun off into its own range two years later. 2000 Buick LaCrosse (2000). This model was a Toyota Carina with a Celica front end. Buick Cielo (1999). In 1980, a four-door version was announced, known as the Toyota Celica Camry.

Buick Signia (1998). This new generation offered more safety, power and fuel economy than previous models, and was awarded Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" for 1978. Buick XP2000 (1996). Power was provided by 2.2 L engines for both models. Buick Sceptre (1992). The second generation Celica was released in 1978 (production began in late 1977), and was again available in both ST and GT trim levels. Buick Bolero (1990). (See image).

1988 Buick Lucerne (1988). 1976 Saw the addition of the liftback version, available in GT-form with a 2 litre engine. 1985 Buick Wildcat (1985). There was also a GTV version, which could even be considered a hybrid between the GT and LT versions, as it had the 2T-G engine, with a slightly cut-down interior, and didn't come with things like power windows, but they were optional. Buick Questor (1983). The GT model came with various upgrades like underbody spoilers, tinted windows, different bonnet flutes, power windows, air conditioning, and shared a few things with the ST - a full-length centre console and oil pressure/ammeter gauges, rather than the LT's warning lights. Buick Riviera Silver Arrow I (1963). The 2T-G that powered the high-end GT model was a twin-cam, twin-solex carburettor 1600cc engine.

1956 Buick Centurion (1956). The lower-end LT was equipped with a 2T carbureted four-cylinder engine displacing 1600cc, while the ST came with a twin Solex-carburettor 2T-B engine. Buick Wildcat III (1955). The Celica came out in three different versions, the LT, ST and GT. Buick Wildcat II (1954). Allegedly a "cut-down" version of Toyota's supercar, the 2000GT, the Celica was a relatively affordable sports car. Buick Wildcat I (1953). The first generation Celica was released to the market in 1970.

Buick XP-300 (1951). Robert Huffman won the 2003 Dash Series Championship driving one of these Celicas. 1951 Buick LeSabre (1951). These Celicas started racing in 2000 and had 6th or 7th generation bodies but a steel tube-frame race chassis and a production based V-6 engine that was not avalible in the street Celica. Buick Y-Job (1938). A less stock version of the Celica with factory backing and development was campaigned successfully by several drivers in the Goody's Dash Series. Marquette. The Celica (usually the 1st through 3rd generation Rear-Wheel Drive model powered by the R series engine) is sometimes raced privately in stock car racing, usually in four-cylinder classes at the grassroots level.

Buick Wildcat (1963 - 1970). Toyotas run in the NHRA Funny Car class also used Celica bodies, although besides the body, these cars do not share any resemblance to their street counterparts. Buick Terraza (2005 - Current). 7th generation Celicas were also successfully campaigned in the NHRA Sport Compact Drag Racing series during the early 2000s. Buick Super (1940 - 1958). It was entered into GT300 class of the Japanese Grand Touring Championship. Buick Sport Wagon (1964 - 1971). Team Racing Project Bandoh created a special RWD variant of the 7th generation Celica using a 3S-GTE engine[1].

Buick Special (1936 - 1958, 1961 - 1969). Slightly modified versions of stock Celicas were also used as the spec car in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race from 1976 to 2005. Buick Somerset (1985 - 1987). The team captured many class wins and the GTO Championship in 1987. Buick Skylark (1953 - 1954, 1961 - 1972, 1975 - 1998). In road racing, The Celica was raced by Dan Gurney's All American Racers team with factory backing in the IMSA GTU and GTO classes from 1983 to 1988. Buick Skyhawk (1975 - 1980, 1982 - 1989). The ST185's homogolation version is called the Carlos Sainz (CS, after the driver), or RC in Japan.

Buick Royaum (2005 - Current, only sold in China). They are considered a collector's item by some enthusiasts. Buick Roadmaster (1936 - 1958, 1991 - 1996). Special editions of the GT-Four models were produced for the public in extremely limited numbers (5000) due to homogolation demands. Buick Riviera (1963 - 1999). Some time after TTE switched to the shorter Toyota Corolla. Buick Rendezvous (2002 - Current). Soon after introducing the ST205 in 1995, TTE was banned for 12 months from the WRC because of cheating.

Buick Regal (1973 - 2004). Carlos Sainz was the driver who drove to success in both the ST165 and ST185. Buick Reatta (1988 - 1991). A GT-Four Celica competed in Group A Rally racing from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. Buick Rainier (2004 - Current). In racing, the Celica is known for its rally racing prowess. Buick Park Avenue (1991 - 2005). .

Buick Luxus (1973 - 1974). Other versions include a four wheel drive turbocharged model (designated All Trac in the US or GT-Four in Japan and Europe, produced from 1988-1999), a hatchback model, and a convertible model. Buick Lucerne (2006 - Current). Through seven generations, the model has gone through many revisions and design forks, including the Toyota Celica Supra (later known as the Toyota Supra). Buick Limited (1936 - 1942, 1958). During the FWD generations, top-model Celicas came with a turbocharger and most recently, variable valve timing. Buick LeSabre (1959 - 2005). During the RWD generations, American market Celicas were powered by various versions of Toyota's SOHC 20R or 22R engines.

Buick LaCrosse (2005 - Current). The most significant change between generations occurred in 1986, when the drive train was changed from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive. Buick Invicta (1959 - 1964). Through all generations, Celicas have been built around Toyota's high-performance inline-4 engines. Buick GSX (1970 - 1971). The name is derived from the Spanish word for "heavenly" or "celestial". Buick Gran Sport (1968 - 1972). The Toyota Celica name has been applied to a series of popular sports cars made by the Japanese company Toyota.

Buick GL8 (2000 - Current, only sold in China). a tail light redesign. Buick Excelle (2003 - Current, rebadged Daewoo Nubira, only sold in China). a Toyota emblem on the hood; and,. Buick Estate Wagon (1940, 1946- 1964, 1970 - 1996). 15" wheels on the GT model fitted with Dunlop 205/55VR tyres;. Buick Enclave (2008 - Current). the ST and GT received a brand new bumper;.

Buick Electra (1959 - 1990). wider body for the All-trac and GT-S;. Buick Eight. uprated disc brakes (from 269 to 277mm);. Buick Century (1936 - 1942, 1954 - 1958, 1973 - 2005). a new 5S-FE, producing 100kW and 196Nm of torque;. Buick Centurion (1971 - 1973). improved gear linkage;.

Buick Allure (2005 - Current, only sold in Canada). new 3 way CAT system;. Buick Apollo (1973 - 1979). front and rear spring rates were increased significantly;. stiffer anti roll bar;. different bumper which is much lighter than the standard one.

different bonnet, the emphasis of which is to get rid of heat as fast as possible, (instead of scooping in air, as is the case with the standard ST185 bonnet);. a different intercooler (WTA as opposed to ATA) which TTE wanted so they could more easily tune their WRC car;.