New Zeta Architecture Underpins Buick Velite Convertible
When General Motors announced that Oldsmobile was to be fazed out of production, a common joke being bantered about the office went something like this: While none of us would be able to buy our fathers' Oldsmobiles anymore, at least we'd still be able to purchase our grandfathers' Buicks.
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| GM is set to reveal a practical four-seat Buick convertible at the New York International Auto Show next month, dubbed the Velite. (Photo: General Motors) |
Now that a couple of years have passed, for some unexplained reason it's still possible to buy a new Oldsmobile, and despite new SUV and crossover models bearing the Buick badge it's still the nameplate of choice by the octogenarian set.
But these same customers were those who once saw the GM division as one of the most desirable domestic brands, back when Roadmasters, Rivieras and Wildcats ruled the roadways.
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| Based on fond memories from the 1950s and '60s, Buick was one of the first GM divisions to show a concept roadster in recent years. The new car shows some strong similarities to this Bengal concept that first showed up in 2002. (Photo: General Motors) |
Attempting to generate the same emotional pull that such classic models did in the 1950s and '60s, Buick was one of the first GM divisions to show a concept roadster in recent years, back in 2002. The Bengal was a gorgeous styling exercise, causing a great deal of interest from the press and show-going consumers alike.
As it seems the on-again, off-again roadster is now definitely on-again, having been slightly restyled, as depicted by the vague artist's rendering GM recently supplied.