We hope everyone has a fun and safe New Years Eve!

Tomorrow, it is time to put our new years resolution(s) into action!  What do you have planned?

Have a great New Years weekend!

We here at Beck & Masten Buick GMC hope you have a great weekend and holiday!  Stay safe!

The engines found in the 2014 GMC Sierra are the best ever released.

Check out a small glimpse of vast amount of technology that went into the creation of these engines!

Buick to use micro-patterned polycarbonate at core of LED lighting

"Microstructured plastic inner lenses enable even illumination and design freedom in rear tail lamps, while reducing the number of LEDs required and part complexity in lamp. The first such inner lens thermoformed from polycarbonate (PC) has debuted in the 2013 Buick Enclave.

Developed by 3M (Minneapolis, MN) and known as Uniform Lighting Lens (ULL) technology, the precision engineered inner lens incorporates two types of microstructure with detail of less than 100 micrometers. These structures are designed to balance the optical properties of uniform illumination from all angles and luminous intensity.

Close-up of the lighted cavity shows consistency of light as it wraps around a tight corner, enabling design flexibility of tail lamps.

Thermoformed and micro-structured inner lens realizes uniform lighting.

Production of the lenses involves extrusion of a 1-mm-thick PC film with micro-replicated features using Makrolon 2447 from Bayer Material Science (Leverkusen, Germany), followed by forming of the lens itself in a multicavity thermoforming tool. Tool making process innovations have enabled the combination of micro-structure and macrostructure features in the finished tool. Post-process trimming is carried out in a metal die. A micro structure size of 100 micrometers on an inner lens is not possible with the injection molded part process according to 3M.

The lenses are shipped to Tier 1 Magna International (Troy, MI), which worked with 3M on the development of the lens, in optimized packaging to ensure moisture control, for integration into the lamp assembly.

The ULL lamp employing the new lens with two LEDs weighs 620g versus 1134g for the original Enclave bulb lamp whose inner lens was injection-molded. The minimal thickness achieved by thermoformed microstructured lens also has potential to reduce number of LEDs needed to execute lamp design, contributing to reduced energy consumption and weight reduction in rear lamps. Power requirement has been reduced to 3.5W versus 35W for the stop function. A further bonus is that lamp lifetime has been extended from 5000 hours to 30,000 hours.

"Our Uniform Lighting Lens technology is a solution to several challenges our customers face," said Jeff Boettcher, new business development manager, 3M Automotive. "It can be used not only to create new, modern lighting designs, but also allows for manufacturers to create signature images to generate brand differentiation."

Courtesy of Plastics Today

Pop quiz: Why did old Buicks have portholes on their sides?

Answer:  It's actually quite simple!  The portholes--and the amber lights that would flash intermittently inside of them-- were there to mimic superheated exhaust firing out of the headers of a WWII era warplane!  Buick designer Ned Nickles came up with the idea originally (after having done the modification to his personal '48 Roadmaster convertible no less!), and decided to add them to production model schematics only 7 months before mass production.  

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by today's monstrous shooting.

We continue to grieve for the loss of so many innocent men, women, and children in today's sickening school massacre.  Please give your thoughts and prayers to those affected by this monstruous act.

We will never forget you.

Check out the latest on Beck & Masten Buick GMC

"Just bought a GMC Terrain from Arial and Beck & Masten.  Great experience and would send everyone I know to their dealership.  

Fair pricing and gave a VERY competitive rate on our trade in.  Very happy with the experience."

-Jennifer Y. on Yelp

Thanks Jennifer!

If you are buying someone a car for the holidays, make it a Buick.

Don't make the mistake of getting someone a gimmicky car from other brands that the novelty will wear off of within days.  Get them something that will last for years to come.  Get them a Buick.

Need service soon? Beck & Masten can take care of you!

Don't let your vehicle's parts wear down into failure.  Come in to Beck & Masten Buick GMC to get 10% off any of the following services: Fuel Injection Service; Coolant Flush; Transmission Flush; Brake System Flush; Power Steering Flush.

Please remember to cutout the above coupon and present it at the time of servicing!

Click HERE to see more deals!

Car tip of the day!

Do not fill up if you see the tanker!

If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.

 

Courtesy of Reader's Digest

Beck & Masten Buick GMC will make your car buying experience quick and easy!

"I talked to Mike three months ago and told him what we were looking for. He sent me options over those three months until it looked like he found the perfect match and the perfect price. Most of the other dealers in Houston made two or maybe three attempts and then disappeared.Some wouldn't even give a price. This made the experience easy for us."

-tremors69 on DealerRater

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Buick proved that biggest isn't always better with the '87 Grand National

"During the heyday of the American muscle-car craze, the Detroit mantra for horsepower was “Bigger is always better.”

Then big changes started occurring in the 1970s as a reaction to rising gas prices, higher inflation and steeper insurance premiums. Performance fell out of favor with the car-buying public during this time of uncertainty.

Produced during 1980s, the Grand National wasn’t your grandparents’ stodgy, grocery-getting Buick. Unlike its four-wheeled predecessors that relied on eight cylinders, the Grand National utilized a V-6 engine, bolstered with a turbocharger to make its tire-smoking magic.

John O’Connell owns a 1987 example of this fast machine, the final year of the model’s production. The last Grand National rolled off the assembly line on Dec. 11, 25 years ago this week. O’Connell can attest to the auto’s all-out performance nature.

“I don’t race the car, nor do I take it to the drag strip, but even on the open road or tollway, I quickly figured out why it was the fastest production car of 1987,” the Lake Zurich resident said. When the Garrett T-3 turbocharger kicks in, it actually throws you back in the seat, he says.

“The car will get away from you in no time if you’re not careful to watch the throttle.”

After being assembled in the Pontiac, Mich., his coupe was sent to a buyer in Ottawa, Canada, before eventually making its way to a 2006 auction in Pennsylvania. It was purchased by a Roselle dealer and brought back to the Chicago area, and shortly after O’Connell made the acquisition.

“The vehicle was in good cosmetic condition, but mechanically neglected,” he said. With the help of his son, John Jr., the gear head performed a proper overhaul. At some point the 231-cubic-inch V-6 had been fitted with an aftermarket intake system, which was the first thing to go.

To aid in the exhaling process, the well-worn, low-restriction exhaust system with dual mufflers was replaced with a new unit. The Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R transmission received a rebuild and a new torque converter.

To put the race-ride back into the suspension, new coil springs and shocks were mounted at each corner. The interior also got a refresh: new upholstery, door panels and roof panels to the gray and black cabin.

The all-black exterior is made even more sinister with the addition of factory blacked-out bumpers, headlight and taillight trims and grille. To bring back some sparkle to that sinister demeanor, the original 16-inch wheels were rechromed.

Performance for the Grand National was rated at a 13.5-second, 102-mph quarter mile with a zero-to-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds.

“I honestly feel GM stubbed their toe when they built these highly potent cars,” O’Connell said, because its engine outperformed those in GM’s standard-bearer. “I’m sure there were a lot of Corvette owners who were more than a little disappointed with their purchase.”

O’Connell said there is a documentary, “Black Air,” being released this week in conjunction with the 25-year anniversary to commemorate the Grand National powerhouse.

“It’s mind-blowing to think that the stereotypical ’60s and ’70s muscle cars commonly had such displacements as 409, 440, 455. Here’s this V-6 engine and for all practical purposes, is half the size,” he said. “Despite that, it still runs with the big boys.”

Courtesy of Daily Herald

 

Remembering Pearl Harbor

It has been 71 long years since the attacks on Pearl Harbor, but we will always remember those who lost their lives in the attack.  We salute those who made a sacrifice that day--and in the days, weeks, months, and years that followed--to fight for the future that we currently share.  Most every American banded together to help their country in their own way.  Let us learn from their spirit and their resolve, so that we too can give our children and our children's children a future worth having.

Not sure where to buy? Check out our latest 5 star customer reviews!

"Great buying experience. I would definitely buy another car from B&M. Justin Seureau did a great job. Knowledgeable, responsive, and friendly. I highly recommend Justin and B&M."

-stan.wysocki.3 on DealerRater

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Buick massively popular in China

"Imagine a world where Buick outsells Chevrolet.

It’s called China.

Buick is the top seller for General Motors' Shanghai GM venture. November sales in China for the Buick brand reached 70,172 vehicles, a 17% gain from the same month a year earlier. The Regal sold 9,204 units, almost 10 times the volume it sold in the U.S. last month.

Chevrolet sold 63,012 vehicles in China last month, a 15% gain over the same period a year earlier.

GM is the largest foreign automaker in China.

After just 11 months, GM and its joint ventures in China set an annual sales record of just under 2.6 million vehicles, about 45,000 more than the automaker sold in all of 2011. That was up 10% from the same month a year earlier.

China is GM’s biggest market and will outsell what the company does in the U.S. this year by 10% to 15% depending on the December sales results in both nations.  

GM sold 260,018 vehicles in November there, its best November ever and its second-highest for any month in China."

Courtesy of LA Times

Check out the latest customer reviews of Beck & Masten GMC!

"Fantastic Experience from Sales to Finance and follow up! Found me the perfect Truck and gave me a great deal! No Surprises or any old car dealer tricks, just fair, straight forward and incredible deal."

-dpeve on DealerRater

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