Buick The Buick was a unique vehicle called a car or , more specifically , a convertible , that was capable of ground , atmospheric , and space combat . It was a unique design in the galaxy , coming from outside known space . It included a very durable hull and an unseen engine system powerful enough to propel it through space at a high rate of speed . The Buick also contained hidden weaponry consisting of laser cannons and cluster missile launchers that were effective against a number of different enemies , including starfighters , tanks , infantry , space - and land - based structures , and even capital ships . The Buick ' s interior included a detailed damage indicator and map , as well as a steering wheel and several other dials and readouts . The convertible could perform in planetside combat as a landspeeder . Later , around 0 ABY , the vessel functioned at higher altitudes as an airspeeder . Around the same time period it took on space combat as well . The inclusion of a hyperdrive further added to the Buick ' s strengths and allowed the ship to operate on its own against enemy targets . At some point , 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 events following the Invasion of Naboo and the eventual recapture 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 war against the Galactic Empire , and continued to use it when the New Republic was formed , into as late as 10 ABY . Description . The Buick was a jet black convertible , with chrome accent markings and trim . Described in 0 ABY as a classic vessel by Alliance General Carlist Rieekan , the car ' s hull was also noted as being heavily armored , protecting the pilot and any passengers . Above the pilot ' s head , an awning - like rooftop rested and could retract into the rear of the vessel when the Buick reached a cruising speed , and would cover the pilot again when the craft was accelerating . Two plate - like objects rested on both the front and rear of the Buick . On these white plates , letters from the High Galactic alphabet spelled out " California " and " KOELSH . " These were later removed . Lighting devices sat on the front and rear of the vehicle . Inside the vehicle , multiple seats allowed seating for many passengers , including a spot next to the pilot . There was also a location somewhere in the vehicle for an astromech droid to reside . This droid would handle any repairs the Buick would need during any enemy entanglements . When used as a landspeeder , as the Royal Naboo Security Forces did in 32 BBY , the cockpit was very plain and consisted of a roofless area with a row of lights , dials , and switches located in front of the pilot . The car was controlled by a dashboard - mounted steering wheel and a set of pedals beneath the pilot ' s feet . By 0 BBY , the car was being used in the higher atmospheres of planets as an airspeeder by the Rebel Alliance , during which time the pilot was surrounded by multiple displays of different uses . Around the same time the Buick was also capable of taking on spaceflight . By this time , instrument panel contained few displays , including a display for a map of the surrounding region and enemies and allies within , a way to summon wingmates and transmit orders , a high - 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 Buick ' s interior included two decorative ornaments : one of the bunny Max , dangling from the roof - mounted mirror , and another of an unidentified creature , whose most notable attribute was its bobbing head . Also included in the car was a targeting computer , allowing the pilot to easily distinguish enemies from friendly craft , as well as detailed views on mission objectives . The car ' s engines , while powerful enough to move the craft through space at a high rate of speed , were not outwardly visible . Rather , two exhaust ports revealed the propulsion systems of the Buick ; their glow was reminiscent of other starfighters of its time . The repulsorlift engines responsible for making the car hover would often fail , especially when exiting a hangar into space ; when the Buick reached the end of the landing deck it would drop as it exited the starship . The sublight engines would soon initiate and allow the pilot to regain control and movement . Also present on the convertible were four wheel s , two located at the fore and two located at the aft . The pair toward the rear of the craft were mostly covered by the hull . The wheels were not used , as their use as a method of transportation was made unnecessary due to its hovering nature . Later , the car ' s hyperdrive allowed 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 . The laser cannons were able to provide a steady , long - lasting stream of fire . While the lasers fired from the front of the car , the cluster missile launchers were located toward the rear and underneath the convertible ; each launcher contained a payload of three . 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 participated in ground - based missions surrounding the events of the Invasion of Naboo . Although allied with the Naboo , the craft was piloted by a B1 battle droid . Later , some time as early as 0 ABY , the car came into the Rebel Alliance ' s possession ; at this time it was old enough to be considered a relic . The Rebellion stored it in the hangars of its Mon Calamari Star Cruiser s ; Rebel pilots , including Wedge Antilles , could use it during missions against the Galactic Empire . The convertible remained in their possession , and later that of the successor New Republic , throughout the Galactic Civil War , as late as the Battle of Calamari in 10 ABY . Rebel Alliance General Carlist Rieekan mentioned that the car was " a relic from a galaxy far , far away , " when covering the origins and specs of the vehicle . Behind the scenes . The Buick is a recurring easter egg present throughout every game in the " Rogue Squadron " series of games , as well as " " , as a special unlockable . In " Rogue Squadron II : Rogue Leader " and " Rogue Squadron III : Rebel Strike " , it replaced the A - wing once unlocked . The only way to unlock the convertible was through the use of . 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 unofficial game modifications . In " Star Wars : Battle for Naboo " , the ship is accessible in both versions of the game without any modification . In " " , the Buick contains two references to other LucasArts games : first , a swinging Max head , from the classic adventure series " " , and second , a bobblehead monkey , reminiscent of the adventure series " " . The vehicle is based on American automobiles from the 1960s , possibly as a tribute to George Lucas ' s proclaimed appreciation of classic automotive vehicles . The in - game car is modeled after Factor 5 employee Rudolf Stember ' s personal 1969 convertible . 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 .