Beretta Debuts
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1988 Beretta GT Advertisement

Introduced to the public as a 1988 model in the fall of 1987, Beretta was initially sold to rental car agencies for testing and evaluation purposes. By sending to rental agencies, GM could test market the car to the public and catch quality problems. The plan worked, Public response was HUGE! Over 275,000 Beretta's rolled out to the public in it's first year of production. The Beretta's styling aged well in it's eight year run and benefited from its Chevy-exclusive status (body style and shape were not shared on other GM products); a rarity in the cookie-cutter world of General Motors. The Beretta impressed car mags as a sporty, quick coupe. A few didn't care for the early model interior (common quote "the interior was out of harmony with the exterior"), however, its aerodynamic looks and long list of standard equipment made it a hot seller. GM had a winner on its hands.

In 1988 Beretta was available in three distinct models. The Base Beretta, the Beretta GT and the Beretta GTU. Read on to learn about each model and how they differed greatly from each other based on suspension and appearance while sharing key components such as interior appointments.

1988 Chevrolet Beretta 2 Dr Coupe (click pics to enlarge)

  

Trim: STD
Class: Economy
Body Style: Coupe
Engine Type: 4 cyl 2.0 L (90hp/108tq)
Transmission: 5-Speed

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

4 cyl 2.0 L Engine, 5-Speed Transmission, AM/FM Stereo with digital clock, audible front disc brake wear sensors, base clear coat paint, body side moldings (bright accented) cigarette lighter, Color keyed safety belts and rear outboard shoulder belts, drawer style glove box with lock, Driver side instrument panel open storage compartment dual horns, dual sport mirrors (LH remote), easy access fuse panel, Extensive anti corrosion protection, fingertip-control instrument cluster pods, headlights on warning chime, flush door into roof styling, four-way driver's seat adjuster, full wheel covers, gage package (including speedometer, tachometer, voltmeter, temperature age, fuel gage and trip odometer):

(click pic to enlarge) front ashtray lamp, power front disc brakes/rear drum, power steering, power ventilation system, velour/cloth reclining front bucket seats with adjustable head restraints:

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side window defoggers, soft full upholstered door panels with two lower storage pockets on each door, sport suspension with rear stabilizer bar, tinted glass, P195/70R-14 all season steel belted radial ply black well tires with full wheel covers:

models produced after 12/87 come with door mounted seat belts, this continued until the end of the 1990 model year.

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Beretta standard interior with optional three speed automatic/AM/FM stereo cassette/air conditioning followed by five speed transmission/ standard AM/FM Radio/no air conditioning.

Base Beretta's  (shown above with 14 inch aluminum rims) side mirrors, window trim & body side moldings were painted  charcoal gray with bright accents.  Beretta was available in many colors, click here to see the color palette.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:

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6 cyl 2.8 L Engine (125hp/160tq), Auto 3-Speed Transmission, AM/FM Stereo Tape, Air Conditioning, Cruise Control (located fingertip-ready in the steering wheel center, Electronic Gages (liquid crystal digital read-outs, digital bar graph speedometer and tachometer, and trip computer that calculates fuel economy, cruising range and outside temperature available with V6 only): (click pics to enlarge) 
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Power Door Locks, Power Windows,  Power Trunk Release, Rear Defroster, Premium Sound System (includes AM FM stereo, cassette, tape player, graphic equalizer, clock and extended range speakers:
 (click pic to enlarge) CL Interior Trim (short for Custom & Luxury, includes custom seat fabrics in a choice of gray, blue, maroon-as seen below or light brown, included more deeply contoured front bucket seats,  red/gray center fabric trim, four-way mechanical seat adjusters on both front seats, custom door trim panels with CL identification, right hand visor mirror, pull down rear seat center arm rest).

 
 
Custom two tone paint on 14 inch steel styled wheels (shown above), 14 inch aluminum wheels were also available on Beretta and Beretta GT.

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GT Package (Includes Sport Steering Wheel and CL Interior with GT badges on door trim, gloss black exterior finish on mirrors, tighter suspension & 14 inch steel styled wheels) (click pic to enlarge):
           
Z51 Suspension Package (only available with Beretta GT, consists of a special rally tuned system, featuring larger solid stabilizer bars, firmer bushings and performance tuned front struts and rear shocks on Goodyear Eagle GT+4 P205.60R-15 all season radials mounted on 15 inch styled steel wheels).

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Beretta GTU debuts, featuring unique trim, aero body panels and 16 inch alloy wheels. Available in white, black and red only.

 
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The 1988 GTU debuted late in the year, basically it was a standard Beretta GT with Z51 option plus, unique exterior trim, aero body panels, GT interior with GTU door badges,  FE3 Suspension, exterior stickers and 16 inch alloy wheels & rear spolier.

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