Buick

Buick

"This classic convertible is a relic from a galaxy far, far away. Equipped with cluster missiles, this extremely heavy armored vehicle is perfect for beating the poodoo out of any Imperial forces"

- General Carlist Rieekan describing the Buick

The Buick was a unique vehicle called a convertible which was capable of ground, air, and space combat. Its construct was a unique design in the galaxy, as it apparently came from outside known space. It included a powerful, unseen engine system that could propel it through space at a quick rate and a very strong hull. The convertible also contained hidden weaponry consisting of laser cannons and cluster missile launchers that could challenge a number of different enemies. While its main role was dogfighting, its advanced systems and devices allowed it to take on installations, larger starships, and planet-bound structures.

The interior of the Buick was very basic when compared to other ships of its era, possessing little in the way of displays or buttons. Later upgrades added several key systems, including a detailed damage indicator and map. The Buick was originally restricted to only planetside combat as a landspeeder. Eventually, around 0 ABY, its systems were advanced so that the vessel could function at higher altitudes as an airspeeder. Soon after, its systems were once again upgraded and it took on space combat as another role. The addition of a hyperdrive further added to the Buick's strengths and allowed the ship to operate on its own against enemy targets.

At some unknown time, the car was owned by an individual named Rudy; during this time it was simply known as Rudy's Car. By 32 BBY, the Buick was in the possession of the Royal Naboo Security Forces, who utilized it in the protection of Naboo. The ship was old enough to be considered a relic by 0 ABY, when the Alliance to Restore the Republic started using the craft in their combat against the Galactic Empire; its use dropped off around the same time the Rebellion defeated the Imperials at the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY. The starfighter was seen again as late as 10 ABY before once again fading into obscurity.

Characteristics


The Buick was a jet black convertible, with chrome accent markings and trim. Described as a classic vessel by at least one person, the hull was also described as being heavily armored, protecting the pilot and any passengers. Above the pilot's head, an awning-like rooftop rested and was able to retract into the rear of the vessel. It would do so when the vehicle reached a cruising speed, and would cover the pilot again when the craft was accelerating. The ship also contained a unique atmosphere retention device, allowing the pilot to survive when exposed to empty space when the top was down. Two plate-like objects rested on both the front and rear of the Buick. On these white plates, letters from the alternate Basic alphabet spelled out California and KOELSH. These were later removed. Lighting devices sat on the front and rear of the vehicle, and were largely visible from any angle.

Inside the vehicle, multiple seats allowed seating for multiple passengers, including a spot next to the pilot. In total, four passengers and the pilot could fit comfortably in the car. There was also a spot for an astromech droid to sit. This droid would handle any repairs the Buick would need after any Imperial entanglements. The early interior of the Buick looked very similar to that of the V-wing airspeeder, though the ship was retrofitted at some point. After the modifications, control for the craft consisted of a basic steering wheel, responsible for manuevering, and a set of pedals located at the pilot's feet. The instrument panel was very basic when compared to other ships of its class, however, and contained few displays. It originally included only a set of dials and gauges, each detailing a specific readout of the Buick. Later additions included a display for a map as well as a way to summon wingmates and transmit orders, and updated the existing panel to include a higher-quality damage indicator and weapon readouts. Also present was a mirror hanging from the windscreen, and two mirrors on each door; these allowed the pilot to view events behind him, though none offered a very clear picture.



The latest tweaks to the Buick's interior included two decorative ornaments: one of Max, dangling from the roof-mounted mirror, and another of an unknown creature, whose most notable attribute was its oddly bobbing head. An early model included a device with unknown function to the right of the pilot's seat; this was removed at some point in the craft's history, leaving an empty area. Also included in the convertible was a targeting computer, allowing the pilot to easily distinguish enemies from friendlies, as well as detailed views on mission objectives.

No visible external engines of any sort were present on the vehicle, though it was able to move itself through space at a quick rate. There were, however, two glowing lights that may have been the endings of the engines, as their continual glow was reminiscent of other engines at the time. The vehicle also contained repulsorlift units, allowing it to exit the hangar and fly atmospheric missions. The engines present, however, often failed, especially when exiting a hangar into space: when the Buick reached the end of the landing deck, the repulsorlifts would become ineffective, and it would drop underneath the ship it was exiting for an unknown reason. Strangely, this only seemed to affect the later model of car. The engines would quickly catch up, however, and would allow the pilot to regain control and movement. Also present on the convertible were 4 wheels, two located at the fore and two located at the aft. The pair towards the rear of the craft were mostly covered by the hull of the ship. These were not used, as their use as a method of transportation was made unnecessary due to the repulsorlift drive. A very compact hyperdrive was installed on the craft, allowing it to travel to distant places without the need for additional support craft or units; in this way, it was entirely possible for the craft to act autonomously.



As was the case with the engines, the weapons present on the Buick were not outwardly visible. There was a large amount of firepower, however, in the form of dual laser cannons and two cluster missile launchers. While the laser cannons fired from the front of the ship, the cluster missile launchers were located toward the rear and underneath the convertible. The laser cannons were able to provide a steady, long-lasting string of fire.

The Buick could also be flown in atmospheric conditions, where it originally functioned as a landspeeder much like the V-19 landspeeder, commonly known as a Gian speeder. It was upgraded to become an airspeeder which operated similar to the New Republic's V-wing airspeeder, including the rate of speed and armament. Originally, the Buick was only intended for this role, but it was eventually retrofitted once again to include space-based travel and combat as another method of use. The installation of the hyperdrive allowed it freedom to work as its own unit.

Role
Originally used in a purely atmospheric manner, the Buick was almost identical in function to Naboo's security forces' V-19 landspeeder, where it performed as a landspeeder. Later the model was changed to allow it to function at higher altitudes as an airspeeder, not unlikeNew Republic's V-wing airspeeder in form and function. Its quick nature allowed the craft to reach a target in a timely manner, and the amount of weaponry made it a large threat to many targets. Later, the convertible was converted to be able to utilize space travel by further upgrading the systems of the craft, going so far as to include a compact hyperdrive to ensure the craft's autonomous nature. In space combat, it was largely responsible for engaging in dogfights with enemy units; due to its firepower and abilities, however, it could be called upon to take out larger vessels or turrets, even up to engaging Imperial escort carriers.

History
The Buick was once under the ownership of Rudy, and was known at that time simply as Rudy's car. In 32 BBY, the car turned up in the hands of the Naboo Security Forces, where it may have participated in the ground-based Battle of Naboo. Later, some time as early as 0 ABY, the ship came into the Alliance to Restore the Republic's possession; at this time it was old enough to be considered a relic. The Rebellion stored it in different hangars, and Rebel pilots could use it during missions against the Galactic Empire. The convertible remained in their possession throughout the Galactic Civil War, up until the Battle of Endor. After this battle, use and sighting of the Buick dropped off significantly. It wasn't until 10 ABY, during the time of the First Battle of Mon Calamari, that the Buick resurfaced. Shortly after, though, it again faded into non-use.

Behind the scenes
The Buick is a recurring easter egg present throughout every game in the Rogue Squadron series of games, as well as Star Wars: Battle for Naboo, as a special unlockable. The only way to unlock the convertible, however, was through the use of cheat codes. In the Nintendo 64 version of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, a glitch causes the game to crash if the player pauses the game while flying the Buick. However, the Buick is absent from the PC version, as the cheat code to unlock it does not work properly. The source files do remain in the PC version, and it is possible to unlock the craft using game modifications; the same "pause glitch" occurs in the unlocked PC version. In Star Wars: Battle for Naboo, the ship is accessible in both versions of the game without any modification.



In Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike, the Buick contains two references to other LucasArts games: first, a swinging Max head, from the classic adventure series Sam and Max, and second, a bobblehead monkey, reminiscent of the adventure series Monkey Island.

The vehicle is based on American automobiles from the 1960s, possibly as a tribute to George Lucas's proclaimed appreciation of classic automotive vehicles. It most resembles the 1969 Buick Electra convertible, especially under a comparison of the front ends and grills. In fact, the in-game car is modeled after Factor 5 employee Rudolf Stember's personal 1969 Buick Electra. Due to this, the designation "Rudy's Car" was often used in several sources to find the cheat code to unlock the Buick in each respective game.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Battle for Naboo
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike