1988 Chevrolet Beretta

1988 Chevrolet Beretta GTU package
The 1988 Beretta became available to the general public
in spring 1987.

The 1988 Chevrolet Beretta, which came out in March of 1987, was the first Beretta model to be sold to the general public. Like its four-door Corsica sibling, the Beretta first appeared in late 1986 as a 1987 model but was sold only to rental fleets. These "early" 1988s differed slightly from the cars that were in the showrooms at the start of the normal 1988 model year in the fall, in that the later examples added an AM/FM stereo radio with digital clock to the list of standard equipment and an upshift light to models with the V-6 engine and manual transmission.

Otherwise, the sporty Beretta continued unchanged. Though it shared its platform and general lines with the four-door Corsica, most body panels were different. Powertrain offerings, however, were the same for both cars: A 90-horsepower 2.0-liter four was standard, with a 130-horsepower 2.8-liter V-6 optional. With either engine, a five-speed manual was standard and a three-speed automatic was optional.

Beretta prices ran a bit steeper than the Corsica's, with a base of $10,135. But like its four-door sibling, a well-equipped Beretta cost less than most rivals, and sales for the long model year nearly matched those of the Corsica at over 275,000.

1988 Chevrolet Beretta GT
The 1988 Beretta GT models came with a Z51 suspension
and 15-inch rubber.

1988 Chevrolet Beretta Facts

Model

Weight range (lbs.)

Price range (new)

Number built
Beretta

2,608-2,707

$10,135-$10,795

275,098

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