2006 SEMA Gallery: Daddy Buick Goes to Vegas

Eleven custom Lucernes knock down the SEMA show door

by Autobytel Staff

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November 1, 2006

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6 min. Reading Time

2006 SEMA Show: Custom Buick Lucernes – Photo Gallery: Buick and SEMA go together like beer and a corned beef hash breakfast. While it may like an odd pairing, it's actually quite a delight to the senses.

Seriously. So keep all those jokes about wheelchair racks to yourself. And while you're at it, keep your Mustangs, your ‘Vettes and your Vipers, too. Make mine a Buick Lucerne CXS, its long body gently nudged toward a more European style and its interior swathed in quality aftermarket materials. Stick a kickin' stereo in the dash, tint the windows, give it a nice, deep paint and some custom wheels, put rhinestones in the Buick crest…and there you have it: Buick, SEMA style.

Classic 1964 Buick Electra

Before you go thinking that Buick is for old men who can't afford a Cadillac, guess again: Buick is a nameplate steeped in performance heritage. Buicks are just as American as Ford and Chevrolets, by gum, and now aren't you ashamed? Consider the vintage 1964 “Deuce and Quarter” Buick Electra, on display at the 2006 SEMA Show: meticulously restored, it boasts a 620-horsepower ZZ572 crate engine, a hydra-matic turbo 400 automatic transmission and a custom radiator outfitted with twin electric fans. The Electra is fitted with chrome 20-inch five-spoke wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

Best of Show: Buick Lucerne by Rides Magazine

Sometimes the beauty of a car is already there – it just needs to be fleshed out. That's what did with their Lucerne: they turned it over to the capable hands of designers who applied a light, sophisticated touch inside and out, and came up with a custom application that we think stands out among all 11 creative Lucernes. Called VIP, the Lucerne reflects a Japanese-influence tuner trend involving full-body sedans. Modifications on the Lucerne VIP include a black-on-black color scheme, custom body kit; lowered suspension and 20-inch wheels and tires. Designers enhanced the lines at the back of the Lucerne with a flat spoiler, and slightly smoked tail lamps and a mesh covering around two hearty exhaust pipes.

Best of Show: Buick Lucerne by Rides Magazine

Inside, mobile and iPod video plays through the factory navigation system and Critical Mass C652 component speakers are mounted behind custom metal mesh grilles. Existing wood grain dash plastics are painted single stage black, set inside an all-charcoal interior, including charcoal headliner treatment, door detail and seat trim. Two seven-inch Icon widescreen LCD monitors are located in each rear-seat headrest.

Buick Lucerne by Concept 1

A distinctive, two-tone exterior finish -- gray over bright silver metallic – are separated by two thin blue stripes highlights and enhanced by Razzi ground effects and a rear spoiler. Twenty two-inch wheels with a satin finish add a touch more aggressiveness to the Lucerne, and are wrapped with Toyo tires. Spokes are painted in the body color gray. Eibach springs also give the Buick an aggressive look.

Buick Lucerne by Concept 1

If you like suede, you'll love the headliner inside the Concept 1 Lucerne, as well as interior paint that matches the exterior. And if you like sound, you'll love it: there's a Kenwood double-din video/navigation head unit; amps and speakers are smartly incorporated in the trunk, leaving room for day-to-day Lucerne duty, meaning room for luggage and golf clubs.

Buick Lucerne D3 Signature Series

Performance is where it's at for the D3 Signature Lucerne, including a 325-horsepower V8 engine with a carbon fiber engine cover; twin stainless steel exhaust and throttle body. The exterior features a Signature Series front grille, black chrome finish emblems and a front fascia chin spoiler upgrade. Inside, the D3 Signature Series Lucerne sports embroidered tan suede inserts in the doors, seat and console; three seven-inch monitors and a navigation head unit. This luxury package rolls on 22-by-9-inch wheels in the front and 22-by-10-inch wheels in the back.

Buick Lucerne by Fesler Built

Sleek and elegant, the Buick Lucerne by Fesler Built features large, 22-inch luxury wheels painted to match the car and accented by chrome; an Eibach sport suspension, larger brakes, low-profile, and high-performance tires. Exterior paint is a deep, bright red.

Buick Lucerne by Fesler Built

The Fesler Built Lucerne interior boasts features such as a unique monotone color theme, a mobile audio/video system and with a matching interior color theme with accents that include fiberglass, suede and leather. In building out the Lucerne, Fesler Built completely disassembled the car and repainted it inside and out. All wood grain trim is also painted to match exterior colors, and there's a custom air brushing on Buick emblems and badges.

Buick Lucerne MTX

As one of the most extensively reworked Lucernes, the MTX features a custom grille, 22-inch wheels wrapped by Michelin tires, custom paint, exhaust, and custom body work. All told, there are 14 significant new parts and systems, including a custom burnt orange and piano black two-tone body paint and Razzi body kit.