The early 1990s might feel like a bygone era, but the cars from that decade still hold a unique charm for automotive enthusiasts. While memories of dustbuster vans and Dodge Neons might spring to mind when thinking of cars from twenty years ago, the reality is that time continues to march forward. Many 1990s vehicles are now showing their age, bearing the marks of time with high mileage, rust, and faded paint. However, amidst the sea of well-worn classics, there are gems to be found, like the remarkable 1990 Chevrolet Beretta Indy we recently encountered – a vibrant yellow time capsule ready to transport you back to the era of big hair and bold designs.
For those of us who grew up in the 90s, cars like the Beretta were a common sight, family staples navigating suburban streets. As a child of the early 90s, I witnessed these General Motors front-wheel-drive cars firsthand. Now, decades later, there’s a newfound appreciation for these vehicles, recognizing them not just as transportation but as pieces of automotive history.
A promotional image highlighting the Chevrolet Beretta’s era.
The unfortunate reality is that spotting a 1990s car in pristine condition today is a rarity. Many are simply worn out, their original glory faded by time and use. It’s easy to forget just how striking these cars looked when they were new. That’s why a recent visit to the Volo Auto Museum proved to be such a revelation. This museum, part permanent display and part classic car dealership, offers a constantly rotating collection of automotive treasures, making each visit a unique experience.
During our visit, a stunning DeLorean initially caught our eye, its iconic design as captivating as ever, factory engine or not. It was undoubtedly a highlight, until we ventured into the modern car barn. There, we discovered incredibly preserved vehicles like a Chevy Blazer with a mere 21 miles on the odometer and a Plymouth Prowler boasting just over 300 miles. For someone who missed the chance to truly appreciate these cars when they were new, it was an eye-opening experience.
However, it was a bright yellow beacon near the entrance that truly stole the show: the 1990 Chevrolet Beretta Indy. It’s hard to recall the last time a Beretta crossed my path, especially one not showing significant wear and tear. This particular example was not just any Beretta; it was an Indy edition, and it was immaculate.
The Beretta: More Than Just a Commuter Car
The Chevrolet Beretta and its sedan sibling, the Corsica, have surprisingly garnered a dedicated following over the years, even earning nominations as potential “Holy Grails” among car enthusiasts. While not the high-performance Z26 variant, this Beretta Indy is a rare bird in its own right, possibly one of the most flawlessly preserved Berettas remaining worldwide.
The Beretta emerged from a period of significant challenges for General Motors. As previously discussed in our retrospective on the Lumina Z34, the 1980s presented considerable hurdles for the automotive giant. Ford’s introduction of the Taurus in 1986 left GM struggling to compete with a truly modern and appealing offering. While models like the Chevy Monte Carlo and Celebrity remained rooted in 80s aesthetics, the Taurus signaled a shift towards a more aerodynamic and contemporary design language. In response, GM initiated the GM-10 program in 1982, a massive $7 billion undertaking aimed at overhauling their mid-size car lineup, targeting replacements for the Chevrolet Celebrity, Pontiac 6000, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and Buick Century.
GM’s strategy to regain market dominance involved launching a wave of new models. However, as the development of the GM-10 program progressed, consumer preferences shifted, and GM’s market share declined. As highlighted in a previous article, GM’s market share decreased from 44.6 percent in 1984 to 36.6 percent by the time the GM-10 cars debuted in 1987. This decline was partly attributed to GM’s shift towards smaller, more fuel-efficient, front-wheel-drive cars in the early 80s, a move that coincided with a drop in fuel prices and waning consumer interest in smaller, less powerful vehicles.
Simultaneously, as reported by the Chicago Tribune in 1987, GM was also developing replacements for the much-criticized Chevrolet Citation. The N platform served as Oldsmobile’s successor to the X platform, while the L platform was Chevrolet’s equivalent. In 1987, Chevrolet launched the L-body Corsica sedan, aiming to compete against a broad spectrum of rivals, including the Dodge Aries, Ford Tempo, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Stanza, Mazda 626, Plymouth Reliant, and Mercury Topaz. GM projected ambitious sales figures of 600,000 Corsica units within 18 months.
Complementing the Corsica sedan was the sportier Beretta two-door coupe. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Beretta was intended to challenge competitors such as the Acura Integra, Chrysler LeBaron, Ford Mustang, Toyota Celica, and Nissan Pulsar NX. The Beretta was even positioned in the same competitive set as GM’s own Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Chevy Camaro, and Pontiac Grand Am, which is quite remarkable considering its market placement. The Beretta and Corsica aimed to attract buyers seeking to upgrade from smaller compact cars while also enticing customers to forget the shortcomings of the Citation.
The design of the Beretta was conceived within the same GM design studio responsible for iconic vehicles like the Camaro, Corvette, Monte Carlo, Cavalier, and Corsica. Overseeing the design process was Irvin Rybicki, a key figure who spearheaded GM’s downsizing initiatives throughout the 1980s. Rybicki’s career progression saw him rise from chief designer in the 1960s to Vice President of Design in 1977, succeeding the legendary Bill Mitchell. From a design perspective, the Beretta represented a progressive step forward for GM. Its integrated lighting and sleek body lines, coupled with galvanized metal panels for rust protection, showcased a more modern approach to automotive styling.
The 1990 Beretta Indy: A Collector’s Dream
The Chevrolet Beretta proved to be a sales success, with 275,098 units sold in 1988 alone. Its popularity even caught the attention of Fabrica D’Armi Pietro Beretta SpA, the renowned centuries-old Italian firearms manufacturer. As reported by the Los Angeles Times in 1989, the gun maker sought a staggering $250 million in damages due to trademark concerns. The dispute was eventually settled with GM agreeing to a $500,000 donation to the Beretta Foundation for cancer research and acknowledging in their materials that the “Beretta” name was used with permission from the firearms company.
The Beretta continued its sales momentum, even spawning performance-oriented variants like the GTZ and Z26. The car showcased at the Volo Auto Museum is a 1990 model, the year the Beretta was chosen to pace the Indy 500 race. The actual pace car was a vibrant yellow Beretta convertible, powered by a 3.4-liter V6 and driven by GM General Manager Jim Perkins. Notably, the Indy 500 concept car retained its B-pillar and roof structure, preserving the unibody’s integrity. Additional Berettas were also utilized at the track during the event.
To commemorate this prestigious event, Chevrolet produced limited-edition Indy 500 pace car replica Berettas. While the convertible concept remained just that, Chevrolet did manufacture coupes. Reportedly, only 1,500 yellow Indy coupes were produced. Turquoise versions were also available, with production numbers estimated between 3,000 and 6,000. Regardless of the exact figures, the yellow Indy edition remains the rarer and arguably more desirable variant.
This particular yellow 1990 Chevrolet Beretta Indy is currently for sale at the Volo Auto Museum. According to its CarFax report, it was initially sold in Alabama in the summer of 1990, with a reported mileage of just 44 miles at the time. Remarkably, aside from a GM recall, no other records exist until the Volo Auto Museum acquired the car earlier this year. The story behind this vehicle is intriguing: someone purchased it brand new, seemingly financed it, and then simply stored it away for over three decades. Even a seat belt retractor recall from 1991 appears to have been left unaddressed.
The Beretta Indy edition, as indicated by the window sticker, was based on the Beretta GT trim, a sport-oriented version. Power comes from a 3.1-liter V6 engine with multi-port fuel injection, producing 135 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. This power is delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. Performance figures put the 0-60 mph acceleration time at around 8.5 seconds – not blistering, but certainly not sluggish for its era.
However, when Car and Driver magazine pitted a Beretta GT against 12 other sport coupes in a 1990 shootout, it finished in 9th place. Reviewers acknowledged its highway cruising capabilities but criticized its suspension on rough roads. The magazine summarized the Beretta GT as a “low-excitement, low-stress, low-aspirations car,” despite decent track performance. This assessment underscores that the Beretta, even in GT trim, wasn’t designed to be a high-performance sports coupe.
Adding to the time capsule nature of this particular Beretta Indy is its price tag. Volo is asking $38,998 for it. Considering a destination charge of $445, the original MSRP in 1990 was $16,900, which translates to approximately $40,829 in today’s dollars. This suggests that preserving this Beretta as an investment may not have been a financially lucrative endeavor.
Ultimately, this 1990 Chevrolet Beretta Indy appeals to those seeking a nostalgic journey back to the 1990s, or perhaps a chance to finally own a car they admired but couldn’t acquire when it was new. For me, this Beretta serves as an incredible time capsule. Having been born in the early 90s, I missed the initial wave of Beretta enthusiasm, and most examples seen today are unfortunately weathered and worn.
However, this Beretta Indy retains that unmistakable new car smell, a scent that evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia. It’s free of imperfections – no dents, no seat creases, and absolutely no rust. It’s as if this car was preserved in a time warp, emerging three decades later in showroom condition. While generally advocating for cars to be driven and enjoyed, in this instance, there’s a sense of appreciation for the decision to maintain this Beretta in such immaculate condition. While some might dismiss a Beretta as just an ordinary car today, this particular example is truly a remarkable trip down memory lane.
(Images: Author, unless otherwise noted.)
