Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 32k-Mile 2006 Buick Lucerne CXX.
In 2006, Buick sold about 240,000 vehicles. However, only one of those cars found fame (and fortune?) by being customized and featured at the country’s largest exhibition of automotive aftermarket manufacturers, called SEMA. This ex-show car is now being sold by a dealer in Winter Park, Florida, and the auction will end on Thursday.
Named for the city of Lucerne, Switzerland, the Lucerne had a six-year model lifespan from 2006 through 2011. In terms of hierarchy, the car slotted at the top of Buick’s sedan lineup, taking the place of the LeSabre and the Park Avenue.
To commemorate the inaugural model year for the Lucerne, car customizing facility Rick Bottom Designs in Mendota, Illinois, decided to use this car as a blank canvas to showcase its capabilities. Among the upgrades added were a RAZZI body kit, a decklid spoiler, 20-inch WELD forged aluminum wheels, an Eclipse audio system, a lowered suspension, a big-brake kit, and a Corsa exhaust system. The result was a Lucerne with strong presence and exclusivity, as shown by photos taken inside the show’s convention hall.
SEMA, which stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association, took shape in 1963 and serves as an organization that fosters communication, collaboration, and promotion of the automobile aftermarket industry. One interesting historical note is that the acronym originally stood for Speed Equipment Manufacturing Association. Because remember, the 1960s were a time of horsepower wars – and SEMA played a role in contributing to the muscle car mania during its heyday. The largest of SEMA’s activities is the annual exhibition in Las Vegas each fall. Last year’s 2023 event showcased over 2,200 exhibitors and hosted about 160,000 attendees.
Back to the Lucerne in question – like all Buicks, the Lucerne was mechanically similar to other General Motors cars and it rode on what GM called the H-body platform. The engineering arrangement used a front-engine, front-wheel drive system, and the car could be optioned with two different V6 engines or a Northstar 4.6-liter V8 (as seen in today’s featured car). A four-speed automatic was the only available transmission, however.
The cool thing about this car is that it carries provenance but could still be daily-driven. The Lucerne was replaced by the LaCross as Buick’s flagship in 2012, and we don’t yet know if the Lucerne will be collectable or desirable as a classic in the future, but we do know that custom builds – especially when promoted as widely as SEMA cars are – carry unique appeal.
Don’t miss your chance to own a one-of-one ex-show car!
The auction for this 32k-Mile 2006 Buick Lucerne CXX ends Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 11:15 a.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
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