Buick Park Avenue

Last updated
Buick Park Avenue
2001 Buick Park Avenue.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Buick (General Motors 1991-2005)
Shanghai GM (2007-2012)
Production1990–2005 (U.S.)
2007–2012 (China)
Model years 1991–2005 (U.S.)
2007–2012 (China)
Body and chassis
Class full size
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1991–2005)
FR layout (2007–2012)
Chronology
Predecessor Buick Electra
Buick Royaum (China)
Successor Buick Lucerne

The Buick Park Avenue is a full-size car built by Buick. The nameplate was first used in 1975 for an appearance option package on the Electra 225 Limited. It became an Electra trim level in 1978 and its own model starting in the 1991 model year after the Electra was discontinued.

Contents

There were two generations of the Park Avenue that were manufactured in the United States until 2005. In 2007, the nameplate was revived on a large Buick sedan built by Shanghai GM for the Chinese market based on the Holden Caprice from the WM/WN range. The nameplate is derived from the affluent New York City boulevard, Park Avenue.

Electra Park Avenue (1975–1990)

1975-1976

Park Avenue first appeared as an appearance package on the 1975 Buick Electra Limited. It included similar seats to the Cadillac Sixty Special, optional full center console, Buick 455ci V8, posi-traction, 15-inch rallye sport wheels, rear automatic leveling, optional leather, optional Air Cushion Restraint System, remote mirror with thermometer, and automatic climate control. The 1976 cars were largely the same except for some styling revisions and added emissions systems. [1] [2] [3] [4]

1977-1984

Park Avenue, previously an appearance option package, became an official trim level on the Electra in 1978. Cosmetically, a different grille and redesigned tail lights were the only notable cosmetic changes that year but 1979 brought a redesigned, flat front end and a subtly different taillight treatment featuring a Buick crest and bisecting horizontal silver line. A more extensive redesign occurred for the 1980 model year. [5] [6] [7] [8]

1985-1990

Park Avenue remained the top trim on the Buick Electra, it was redesigned along with the rest of the Electra line, moving to the heavily downsized front wheel drive GM C-Body. It featured a Buick 3800 V6. [9] [10] [11] The coupe version was discontinued in 1987. For 1989, Buick introduced the Park Avenue Ultra trim level. The Ultra was an upgrade to the Electra Park Avenue trim and featured a standard leather interior with dual 20-way power front seats designed and manufactured by Lear Siegler and styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign; lower-body accent exterior paint treatment; distinctive thick-padded french-seamed vinyl top with limousine-style rear-window surround (available only on Ultra); simulated burled elm trim on the doors and instrument panel; unique aluminum wheels; anti-lock brakes; chromed B-pillar moldings; specific grille and tail lamps; leather-wrapped steering wheel; electronic instrumentation; padded glove-compartment door and unique interior door panel trim. The Park Avenue Ultra carried a higher base price than Cadillac's Sedan de Ville. The Park Avenue Ultra did not gain much popular recognition, however, until the following generation of Park Avenue where the "Ultra" badge offered even more features. [12]

Essence concept car

1989 Buick Park Avenue Essence 1989 Buick Park Avenue Essence White 01.jpg
1989 Buick Park Avenue Essence

The Buick Park Avenue Essence was a concept car designed and engineered by the Buick division of General Motors to showcase advanced technology and styling. First shown in 1989 in a metallic light green color, the Essence made rounds through the auto show circuits later in a metallic white. Inside the Essence was a wide, sweeping instrument panel that housed a prototype Delco Navicar navigation system among other innovations. Smooth, graceful body lines forecast the eventual production Park Avenue, introduced in 1990. The Essence was powered by the then-new 165 hp version of Buick's 3800 OHV V6 engine.

First generation (1991–1996)

First generation
1st-Buick-Park-Avenue.jpg
Overview
TypePassenger car
ManufacturerBuick
Production1990–1996
Model years 1991–1996
Assembly Wentzville, Missouri, United States (Wentzville Assembly) 1991-1994
Flint, Michigan, United States (Buick City) 1994-1996
Designer Dave Holls (1988) [13]
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform C-body
Related Buick LeSabre
Cadillac Sixty Special
Cadillac Fleetwood
Cadillac DeVille
Cadillac Seville
Oldsmobile 98
Pontiac Bonneville
Powertrain
Engine 3800 V6 Series I L27 NA (91-94)

3800 V6 Series I L67 SC (91-95)
3800 V6 Series II L67 SC (1996)

3800 V6 Series II L36 NA (95-96)
Power outputL27 series I: 170 hp (91-94)
L36 series II: 205 hp (95-96)
L67 series I: 205 hp (91-93)
L67 series I: 225 (94-95)
L67 Series II: 240hp (96)
Transmission 4-speed 4T60-E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 110.8 in (2,814 mm)
Length1991–93: 205.2 in (5,212 mm)
1994–96: 205.9 in (5,230 mm)
Width1991–93: 74.9 in (1,902 mm)
1994–96: 74.1 in (1,882 mm)
Height1991–93: 55.3 in (1,405 mm)
1994–96: 55.1 in (1,400 mm)
Curb weight 3,536 lb (1,604 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor Buick Electra

The 1991 Park Avenue, introduced in July 1990, used GM's C platform and was previewed by the 1989 Park Avenue Essence show car. Much of the Park Avenue's styling vocabulary made their way to subsequent Buick models restyled in the 1990s. Projections were for sales of 100,000 annually. [14]

The Park Avenue was Buick's largest front wheel drive sedan, but the even larger rear wheel drive Roadmaster returned to the line for 1991 as a station wagon and 1992 as a sedan. However, the base Park Avenue was still priced higher than the Roadmaster Limited (its more luxurious trim). [15] Park Avenue was marketed as the flagship of the Buick line.

This generation offered Dynaride, where an air compressor pressurized the rear Chapman Struts to maintain a level overall ride height, which included a dashboard emblem to the left of the steering column. The system was not available on vehicles equipped with Gran Touring Suspension.

The base model Park Avenue featured a 3.8 L naturally-aspirated V6 engine and velour interior, upgradeable to leather. Starting in 1992, the Ultra came with a 3.8 L Supercharged V6 engine and leather interior. The Park Avenue received various exterior and interior cosmetic changes, as well as powertrain updates, during this run. Some of the new options and features added to the first generation included driver (and later passenger) airbags, dual zone climate control, traction control, and variable-effort steering (Ultra only).

Buick Park Avenue Production Figures [16]
Yearly Total
1991117,075
199263,390
199355,210
199464,665
199562,994
199646,953
Total410,287

Europe

The Park Avenue was available in Europe from 1991 until 1996 and varied from the North American version by featuring a truncated taillamps with separate amber turn signal indicators and red brake lamps, wider numberplate bezel, fitment of rear red fog lamps, headlamps with different lens pattern, white front side running markers, amber front turn signal indicators, side turn signal repeaters, "flagpole" external rear-view mirrors (mirrors on US version are fixed and do not turn), stronger seat belt and anchors, "softer" air bags, metric speedometer and gauges. They are to comply with the European regulatory and safety standards. This generation of the Park Avenue was the last Buick to be officially marketed by GM in Europe. This move was to reduce the "cluttered" model range that confused the European consumers. After 1996, Cadillac and Chevrolet remained the sole General Motors North American brands to be sold in Europe.

Second generation (1997–2005)

Second generation
Buick Park Avenue -- 01-07-2012.jpg
Overview
Production1996–2005
Model years 1997–2005
Assembly Hamtramck, Michigan, United States (Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly)
Lake Orion, Michigan, United States (Orion Assembly)
Designer Bill Porter [17]
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform G platform [18]
Related Buick Riviera
Oldsmobile Aurora
Cadillac DeVille
Cadillac Seville
Buick LeSabre
Pontiac Bonneville
Powertrain
Engine 3.8 L Buick V6 (Series II)
3.8 L Buick V6 (Series II Supercharged)
Transmission 4-speed 4T65-E automatic
4-speed 4T65-E HD automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 113.8 in (2,890 mm)
Length206.8 in (5,250 mm)
Width74.7 in (1,900 mm)
Height57.4 in (1,460 mm)
Curb weight 3,778–3,884 lb (1,714–1,762 kg)

An updated Park Avenue was released in October 1996 as a 1997 model, using GM's G platform, which was stronger and more substantial than its predecessor. GM chose to continue to refer to it as the C platform. [19]

The new generation was powered by updated Series II variants of the 3800 and as before, only Ultra models were supercharged. The base trim featured a hood ornament while the Ultra had a less conspicuous tri-shield inset on the upper edge of the grille. The base Park Avenue was the last USDM Buick to carry a factory hood ornament.

For 2001, the base model's cloth interior was dropped as an option in favor of standard leather trim. Ultrasonic rear park assist was a new option that year as well. For 2003, trademark Buick "Ventiports" returned on the Park Avenue Ultra along with a bolder grille that carried a larger monochromatic tri-shield badge in the center. New 17-inch wheels, a revised interior and revised instrument cluster were changed for the 2003 model year on the Ultra.

For 2005, the final model year in North America, base Park Avenues received a revised grille, and the previously Ultra-exclusive Ventiports. Also, the rear fascia was updated across the model line with a prominent chrome bar above the license plate holder with an embossed Park Avenue script and amber turn signal flashers.

The last 3,000 of 7,000 Park Avenues carried Special Edition badging that featured the namesake script underneath a silhouette of the New York City skyline. 300 of these were painted with a special two-tone black-on-platinum finish. Production ended on June 18, 2004. [20] The Park Avenue was discontinued after 2005 in the North American market and was replaced in 2006 by the Buick Lucerne.

Third generation (2007–2012)

Third generation
Buick Park Avenue CN China 2012-05-27.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer GM Shanghai
Also called Holden Special Vehicles Grange Holden Caprice/Statesman
Chevrolet Caprice
Daewoo Veritas
HSV Grange
Bitter Vero
Production2007–2012
Assembly Elizabeth, South Australia (All Parts)
Shanghai, China (Final Assembly)
Designer James C. Shyr (2007; interior)
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout FR layout
Platform GM Zeta platform
Related Holden Commodore
Pontiac G8
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Lumina
Powertrain
Engine 2.8 L LP1 V6
3.0 L LF1 V6
3.6 L LY7 V6
Transmission 5-speed GM 5L40E automatic (2007–2009)
6-speed GM 6L50E automatic (2010–2012)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,009 mm (118.5 in)
Length5,175 mm (203.7 in)
Width1,899 mm (74.8 in)
Height1,480 mm (58.3 in)
Chronology
Predecessor Buick Royaum
Back of the Buick Park Avenue Buick Park Avenue rear China 2012-04-15.JPG
Back of the Buick Park Avenue

In April 2007, General Motors reintroduced the Park Avenue nameplate in China on a luxury sedan that replaced the Buick Royaum. Like its predecessor, the vehicle is based on the Australian-built Holden Caprice (this time on the contemporary WM/WN generation), though, unlike the Royaum, it was assembled by Shanghai GM from CKD kits shipped from Holden's Elizabeth factory in South Australia. [21] It is offered in five trim levels: 舒适型 (Comfort), 精英型 (Elite), 豪华型 (Luxury - 2.8 only), 旗舰型 (Flagship) and 旗舰版 (Ultimate - 2010 only)

The Park Avenue was powered by Australian-built versions of the GM High Feature engine. The standard engines were the 2.8 L LP1 and the 3.6 L LY7 engine available as an option on the Elite and Flagship models from 2007 to 2009. The engine control unit is a Bosch E77 32-bit ECM processor. [22]

TypeDisplacementPowerTorqueModel years
2.8 L LP1 V62,792 cc (170 cu in)150 kW (201 hp) at 6500 rpm265 N⋅m (195 lbf⋅ft) at 2600 rpm2007–2009
3.6 L LY7 V63,564 cc (217 cu in)187 kW (251 hp) at 6600 rpm340 N⋅m (251 lbf⋅ft) at 2800 rpm2007–2009
3.0 L LF1 V62,994 cc (183 cu in)187 kW (251 hp) at 6700 rpm296 N⋅m (218 lbf⋅ft) at 2900 rpm2010–2012

In 2010, only one engine option was offered, a 3 L SIDI (251 bhp) replacing the old 2.8 V6 and 3.6 V6 due to fuel consumption with the 2.8 litre engine rated at 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres (20.6 MPG US) and the 3.6 litre engine rated 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres (20.3 MPG US) respectively. The 3 litre engine was rated 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres (21.6 MPG US). The third-generation Park Avenue remained a China exclusive and was never offered by Buick in North America. A version of the car did eventually see release in the US market as the stripped down, rebadged Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle).

It was discontinued in China in October 2012. [23]

Related Research Articles

Buick is a division of the American automobile manufacturer General Motors (GM). Started by automotive pioneer David Dunbar Buick in 1899, it was among the first American automobile brands 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. With the demise of Oldsmobile in 2004, Buick became the oldest surviving American carmaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Impala</span> American full-size car

The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size car that was built by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to 2020. The Impala was Chevrolet's popular flagship passenger car and was among the better-selling American-made automobiles in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile Cutlass</span> American car model

The Oldsmobile Cutlass was a series of automobiles produced by General Motors' Oldsmobile division between 1961 and 1999. At its introduction, the Cutlass was Oldsmobile's entry-level model; it began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate. The Cutlass was named after Vought F7U Cutlass, as well as the type of sword, which was common during the Age of Sail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Riviera</span> Motor vehicle

The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that was marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Electra</span> Full-size luxury car (1959–1990)

The Buick Electra is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Buick from 1959 to 1990, over six generations. Introduced as the replacement for the Roadmaster lines, the Electra served as the flagship Buick sedan line through its entire production and was offered as a six-passenger four-door sedan with two-door sedan, two-door convertible, and five-door station wagon variants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadillac Cimarron</span> 1982-1988 U.S. motor vehicle from General Motors

The Cadillac Cimarron is an entry-level luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac division of General Motors for model years 1982–1988 over a single generation, with a mild facelift in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Century</span> Line of upscale performance cars

Buick Century is the model name that was used by Buick for a line of upscale full-size cars from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958, as well as from 1973 to 2005 for mid-size cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Regal</span> Mid-sized car model

The Buick Regal is a line of mid-size cars marketed by Buick since 1973. For nearly its entire production, the Regal has served as the premium mid-size/intermediate offering of the Buick product range. Introduced as a submodel of the Buick Century, the model line is currently in its sixth generation. From the 1970s to the 1990s, the Regal served as the Buick counterpart of the Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick LaCrosse</span> Motor vehicle

The Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size sedan manufactured and marketed by Buick since 2004. Now in its fourth generation, the LaCrosse is slotted above the Buick Regal as the brand's flagship vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Rendezvous</span> Motor vehicle

The Buick Rendezvous is a mid-size crossover SUV that was sold by Buick for the 2002–2007 model years. Introduced in the spring of 2001, the Buick Rendezvous and its corporate cousin, the Pontiac Aztek, were GM's first entries into the crossover SUV segment. The Rendezvous featured a four-speed automatic transmission with a V6 engine and optional all-wheel-drive (Versatrak). The SUV used the same platform as GM's short-wheelbase minivans, the Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana. The Rendezvous provided a passenger- and load-carrying capacity not seen in the Buick lineup since the discontinuation of the Buick Roadmaster Estate station wagon in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Malibu</span> Mid-sized American car

The Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-size car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet from 1964 to 1983 and again since 1997. The Malibu began as a trim-level of the Chevrolet Chevelle, becoming its own model line in 1978. Originally a rear-wheel drive intermediate, GM revived the Malibu nameplate as a front-wheel-drive car in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Caprice</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Caprice is a full-size car which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1990 to October 2017. The similar Holden Statesman, which was also introduced in 1990 as a model below the Caprice, was discontinued in September 2010. Between 1971 and 1984, Holden marketed their long-wheelbase sedans under the Statesman marque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera</span> Motor vehicle

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is a mid-size car manufactured and marketed for model years 1982-1996 by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors — over a single generation. Body styles included a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan, and the 4-door wagon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile Omega</span> Motor vehicle

The Oldsmobile Omega is a compact car manufactured and marketed from 1973 to 1984 by Oldsmobile, as the brand's most affordable, entry level vehicle — across three distinct generations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick LeSabre</span> American full-size car

The Buick LeSabre is a full-size car made by the division Buick of General Motors from 1959 until 2005. Prior to 1959, this position had been retained by the full-size Buick Special model (1936–58). The "LeSabre", which is French for "the sabre", was Buick's mid-level full-size sedan above the Special but below the Electra during the 1960s then remained in its market position when the Electra was replaced with the Park Avenue. The LeSabre was available as a 2-door convertible, sedan or hardtop, a 4-door sedan or hardtop and station wagon throughout its production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Limited</span> Line of upscale cars

The Buick Limited was Buick's flagship model line between 1936 and 1942, and, in celebration of GM's Fiftieth Anniversary, a single-year halo car for the Division in model year 1958. Since the 1960s Buick has intermittently used the term "Limited" as a designation denoting its highest level of trim and standard features in its various model ranges.

T-Type was Buick's trim level designation for the sportier variants of various model lines, recalling an approach the company used in the 1960s with the Buick GS designation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick GL8</span> Motor vehicle

The Buick GL8 is a minivan that is produced by Shanghai GM, a joint-venture between Chinese automaker SAIC Motor and American automaker General Motors. It is only sold in China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Caprice (WM)</span> Series of full-size upscale saloons produced by Australian brand

The WM and WN series are the third and final generation of the Holden Caprice/Statesman, a range of full-size luxury saloons produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from August 2006 to October 2017, sold primarily in Australia and New Zealand. They were also exported in various guises to the United States, the Middle East, China and South Korea. The range debuted alongside the smaller VE series Holden Commodore, which the Caprice shares its "Zeta" platform with, on 16 July 2006 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile Touring Sedan</span> Motor vehicle

The Oldsmobile Touring Sedan is a trim level of the eleventh generation Ninety-Eight,a full-size car manufactured and marketed by Oldsmobile from 1987-1993 across two generations, both using the front-wheel drive GM C-platform — itself marking GM's critical transition from rear- to front-drive for its full-size sedans.

References

  1. "1975 Buick". www.lov2xlr8.no.
  2. "1975 Buick". www.lov2xlr8.no.
  3. "Photo" (JPG). www.lov2xlr8.no. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  4. "1975 Park Ave Executive Deluxe Prototype". V8buick.com.
  5. "Auto Brochure". www.lov2xlr8.no.
  6. "Photo" (JPG). www.lov2xlr8.no. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  7. "Photo" (JPG). www.lov2xlr8.no. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  8. "Photo" (JPG). www.lov2xlr8.no. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  9. Klockau, Tom (15 February 2022). "Curbside Classic: 1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue – Best-Dressed C-Body Of The Year".
  10. "Photo" (JPG). www.lov2xlr8.no. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  11. "lov2xlr8.no". www.lov2xlr8.no.
  12. "Brochures". www.lov2xlr8.no.
  13. Lamm, Michael (13 December 2005). "Dave Holls, who led GM design, dies" . Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  14. J.P. Vettraino (March 26, 1990). "Buick's 91 Ultra not quite the Ultimate, p.26". Autoweek.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  15. "1992 Combined Car Base Price Information" (PDF). michigan.gov.
  16. Flammang, James M. (1999). Standard catalog of American cars, 1976-1999. Ron Kowalke (3rd ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. ISBN   0-87341-755-0. OCLC   43301709.
  17. "1997 Buick Park Avenue". 17 February 1996. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  18. Frame, Phil (16 January 1995). "GM H CARS MOVE TO G PLATFORM". Automotive News . Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  19. Frame, Phil (16 January 1995). "GM H CARS MOVE TO G PLATFORM". Automotive News . Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  20. "Buick Park Avenue". CarGurus.
  21. Dornin, Tim (11 April 2007). "WM Statesman derived Buick to be assembled from CKD kits and sold in China". Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2007.
  22. Nunez, Alex (10 April 2007). "Buick reintroduces the Park Avenue...in China". Autoblog.
  23. "Buick Park Avenue Is Coming to an End". ChinaAutoWeb. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2014.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Buick Park Avenue at Wikimedia Commons