Discovering the Buick Blackhawk Concept: A Centennial Masterpiece

Heritage Reimagined - Every once in a while, the automotive world produces a car that isn’t meant to fit into a showroom or even a racetrack, but to spark imagination and showcase what’s possible when history, design, and engineering collide. For Buick, that spark came in 2003 with the creation of the Blackhawk Concept, a car that honored the company’s centennial while borrowing inspiration from its past and daring to reimagine it for the modern era.

The 2003 Buick Blackhawk concept. (Picture from: WeirdWheels in Reddit)

The Blackhawk was never just another concept. It was a rolling celebration of Buick’s identity, with its roots tied to the legendary 1938 Y-Job, the industry’s first concept car. Where the Y-Job symbolized a bold step into the future for its time, the Blackhawk was more of a tribute—an intentional nod to Buick’s legacy, but infused with muscle and modern technology. Michael E. Doble, then serving as Buick’s special vehicles manager, envisioned something extraordinary for the brand’s 100-year milestone. He turned to Steven Pasteiner, a former Buick designer and founder of Advanced Automotive Technologies in Michigan, to bring that vision to life. Pasteiner had worked with Buick since the 1960s, making him the perfect bridge between the brand’s heritage and its new centennial showpiece.

The 2003 Buick Blackhawk concept crafted by Steven Pasteiner, built based on a 1996 Buick Riviera. (Picture from: HemmingsDaily)

What makes the Blackhawk so compelling is the way it was pieced together. At its core, the car began as a 1996 Buick Riviera, but Pasteiner kept little more than its VIN and interior. The rest was transformed into something entirely different. The underpinnings were completely re-engineered with a scratchbuilt front-engine, rear-wheel-drive chassis stretched to a 129-inch wheelbase. Corvette-sourced independent suspension systems were added to give it proper handling, while a powerhouse engine ensured it had performance to match its dramatic looks. Under the hood sat a reimagined 1970 Buick 455 V8, retrofitted with electronic fuel injection and tuned to deliver 463 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with a 4L80E four-speed automatic transmission, the Blackhawk could reportedly dash from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds—a serious figure even by today’s standards.

Interior view of the 2003 Buick Blackhawk concept. (Picture from: Carscoops)

The styling was equally audacious. Pasteiner pulled elements from Buick’s greatest hits, blending them together like a designer remix. A bold 1939 Buick grille anchored the front, while sheetmetal from 1941 and 1948 Roadmasters added classic flair. Hidden headlights gave a direct nod to the Y-Job, and a carbon fiber hardtop introduced modern sophistication. Despite all these changes, the 1996 Riviera’s interior was kept, grounding the Blackhawk in a familiar sense of comfort.

Left side view of the 2003 Buick Blackhawk concept has a retractable convertible with styling from the ‘30s. (Picture from: HemmingsDaily)

Unlike many concepts that tour international auto shows, the Blackhawk was aimed at a different audience. Buick took it straight to enthusiast gatherings, where the crowds were already deeply passionate about the brand’s history. For them, it wasn’t a flashy hot rod with oversized wheels and chrome, but rather a thoughtfully reimagined Buick that celebrated design evolution. Its cultural footprint grew even further when Hollywood picked it up—Will Smith famously drove the Blackhawk in Bad Boys II, cementing its cool factor beyond the car enthusiast world. 

Rear side view of the 2003 Buick Blackhawk concept. (Picture from: HemmingsDaily)

Eventually, the Blackhawk returned home to Detroit, finding a place at the GM Heritage Center, a sort of museum for the company’s most important vehicles. But times were tough. In 2009, during the recession, GM put several of its Heritage Center vehicles up for sale, and the Blackhawk was one of them. For a car that was built to embody Buick’s 100-year journey, its fate carried a bittersweet edge.

Today, the Blackhawk remains a reminder of what can happen when a company looks back at its history not with nostalgia alone, but with creativity and ambition. It was never about mass production or sales figures. Instead, it served as proof that a brand’s past can be reinvented into something bold and new—a philosophy that still resonates with car designers and enthusiasts alike. For Buick, the Blackhawk wasn’t just a concept car; it was a time machine on wheels, blending decades of style with the power and innovation that keep the spirit of driving alive. (See similar concept car.) *** [EKA [09062015][03092021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HEMMINGS DAILY | CARSCOOPS | CONCEPTCARZ | WIERDWHEELS ]

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