Chevy Parts | Chevy Beretta Parts
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What is the history of the Chevrolet Beretta?
The Chevrolet Beretta was a front wheel drive coupé produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1987 through 1996. It was built in Wilmington, Delaware and Linden, New Jersey along with its GM L platform mates, the Chevrolet Corsica and the Canada-only Pontiac Tempest sedan. The Beretta was designed in Chevrolet Exterior Studio 3, the same design studio as the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, but the Beretta slotted below the two. There were three versions of the Beretta produced, Base/CL, GT, and higher-end GTU/Indy/GTZ/Z26. A Beretta convertible was the pace car for the 1990 Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet announced a production version of the Beretta convertible for sale in the 1990 model year, but the vehicle never reached showrooms.
General Motors was sued by Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta for trademark infringement over the naming of the Beretta. The suit was settled out-of-court in 1989. GM and Berreta exchanged symbolic gifts a Beretta GTU coupe and a pair of Beretta shotguns. GM donated US$500,000 to a Beretta-sponsored charity which was also affiliated with the GM Cancer Research Foundation. Beretta's sales steadily declined every year of production as the market turned away from two-door models, and in 1996, Chevrolet ended production of both the Beretta and Corsica after 10 model years. While the Corsica would be replaced in 1997 by the Chevrolet Malibu, the Beretta would not be replaced.
