Chevrolet Beretta

The Chevrolet Beretta was a 2-door coupe version of the Chevrolet Corsica sedan, and they were both introduced to the public in February, 1987 as early 1988 models (they were actually available as far back as November, 1986 as fleet models only). The Beretta rode the same 104.3" wheelbase as the Corsica, and shared most of its drivetrain options. It turned out that the Beretta gun manufacturing company was none-too-amused at General Motors's choice of using the Beretta name, it initially attempted to sue GM for rights to the name, but eventually an "out of court" settlement was reached. Car and Driver magazine attempted to capitalize on the absurdity of the lawsuit in 1989, when its testers staged a tongue-in-cheek "comparison test" between a Beretta handgun and a Chevrolet Beretta. Naturally the handgun "shot" from 0-60 alot faster than the car could - .00096 seconds vs. about 9.5 seconds for the car. The gun also proved lighter and easier to handle (gee, who would have thought?).

Mock handgun comparisons aside, the Chevrolet Beretta was initially available in base and GT models. Base models had the 90 hp 2.0L I4, while the GTs had the 130 hp 2.8L V6. Both models could have a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic with either engine. The Beretta was one of the first GM models to have GM's new pull-down "beer-tap" exterior door handles. Although the Beretta and Corsica were identical underneath, they shared no exterior body panels.

To be continued...