Why have GM performance specials like the Chevrolet Beretta GTZ not become more favored by collectors? It seems to have all the right stuff, from a firmer suspension, slick aerodynamic enhancements, color-matched wheels, and a powerful Quad 4 engine. Years later, I still find these cool as heck and among my favorite early 90s GM products, but the rest of the world still seems to render them as cheap, if not borderline throwaway, cars. The Beretta GTZ shown here on Facebook Marketplace not only remains in stock condition but also features the preferred 5-speed manual gearbox, all for $2,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Lothar… of the Hill People for the find.
The color-matching was peak styling for the era, and while the GTU may have been slightly less obnoxious, the all-white GTZ was just stunning to my adolescent eyes. I found the exhaust note to be among the best in the business (really, anything with a Quad 4 and a stick was a treat, hearing that delightful crackle at each upshift) and the Beretta has always been one of GM’s better-looking cars. From the Indy Pace car edition to the more sedate Beretta GT with its cross-lace wheels, Chevy had its best and brightest styling team at the wheel of the Beretta. Even now, with its large blacked-out taillight panel, it’s a very eye-catching design.
180 horsepower was also nothing to sneeze at. Sadly, many of these cars came equipped with an automatic, which surely killed off some of the joy these front-wheel drive machines were capable of delivering. The interior of this car is in shockingly nice shape for a model that wasn’t exactly known for interior build quality, and with 160,000 miles on the clock, it would also suggest that it has been looked after. Generous bolstering on the buckets means it’s well-suited for spirited driving, and the chassis was certainly capable of doing more than just commuting; autocrossing seems like a sport it was meant for.
Like many almost-great GM products, it had a few flaws; I’ve read the Quad 4, all of its attributes notwithstanding, had a tendency to eat headgaskets. With 160K, you’d think this one has already had that job done once before. The seller notes the cracked windshield, but I imagine Safelite can still get you a finely-made Chinese screen to replace it with. The bright blue paint is still quite sharp even if white-on-white is my personal preference. Really, all of the Quad 4-equipped models with performance-oriented pedigree seem wildly underappreciated; do you agree?
Seeing that smoke coming from the exhaust pipe makes me wonder if this needs a head gasket now. But for $2000, what would you expect.
Condensation, maybe? Probably should have warmed it up before the photo shoot.
Myself I think its an ugly car, the dimensions seem weird to me and the smoke coming out of the exhaust is a deal breaker.
I’m a big fan of ’90s GM. I have a 1995 Park Avenue Ultra with 82k miles on it in my fleet and I love it as much as my German cars. But i would have to give this one a Jalopnik “no dice,” even at the low entry point.
You would be into this thing for 15 grand before you even knew it. It looks like it needs significant engine work, and you will probably need to do tires, suspension, brakes, and surely some electronics, and on and on.
And that’s assuming you could even find the necessary parts to carry out the mission. This might prove to be surprisingly difficult as very few people preserved Berettas. Most got used up as regular appliances, and probably a ton of them were lost to the Cash for Clunkers program, which was not well timed for the long term survival rate of these. Neither Cars & Bids nor Bring a Trailer has ever had one on there, which I think says a lot.
This would have to be a true labor of love. Unfortunately, I don’t think enough people love these enough for that to be a likely outcome here.
I’m not sure that these were the focus of cash 4 clunkers. Most were probably used up and tossed.
That is a fair point. The primary victims of Cash for Clunkers were gas guzzling mid/late 1990s SUVs, like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Cherokee XJ. But the few of these that were still clinging to life by 2009 were probably carted off for a gift certificate for a Chevy Cobalt or something.
Being the complete nerd that I am, I looked it up and indeed, only 1 Beretta (a 1989 model) met the doom of the orange engine paint that characterized the CFC program. So I apologize and stand corrected here. So in other words, most of these things were probably long gone by 2009.
I’d post a link but they hate that here, so I won’t. But this is easily googled. It’s a fascinating list that actually includes a GMC Syclone, GMC Typhoon, and even a Regal Grand National! The program claimed just over 677,000 cars. The biggest victim, by far, was the 1995-03 Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer with 46,676 scrubbed from the roads.
Best to do all the work and repairs yourself, and save the labor cost! Also, a great way to know how to repair your car if something breaks or wears out! If you have the space, a parts car can save a fortune, and it sure is a convenient way to get the parts you need. I think viewers of barnfinds.com generally repair their cars.
I had 1990 teal green with grey buckets and 5 speed pace car loved it. should have kept it for nostalgia…
There was a guy in my neighborhood who had one brand new in red.
It’s my top #1 GM car of this era. 90’s design that may have not well aged but back then it was a blast!
Had a white GT with blue interior and a stick. Very fun car and never gave me trouble. Marriage and a few kids made me trade it in on a Pontiac 6000. Would love to get another one but the mileage on this one is a no go.
This time of year, I’d assume that ‘smoke’ is actually vapor from it being cold outside. Years ago I bought my ex a ’91 Lumina Z-34 that was one of the most comfortable cars I’ve ever owned. Very sporty too. I could see getting into one of the sporty cars of this era, but not as a project. There has to be some clean, low mileage examples out there somewhere.
Jeff, I agree with you, this was / is a cool looking ride with the correct number of doors. Love it in blue, but would rather a Z26 with the 3100.
i would say condensation smoke. if that were a/f it would be a lot whiter. either way it still an ugly car. looks like a hooptie to me.
all the white smoke exhaust comments look at the trees no leaves look at location Wisconsin do you guys thing maybe its cold out? all these knowledgeable guys on here and automatically go head gasket/intake gasket
Your question: Why have GM performance specials like the Chevrolet Beretta GTZ not become more favored by collectors?
Answer: They are front wheel drive and covered in plastic cladding. Performance is mediocre, even for the time period. Good luck finding any parts beyond the basic mechanical pieces. Looks like a Honda Accord of the same vintage, but far less performance, durability, or reliability.
Other than that, it is a decent looking car.
During development another one of our drivers called these and the Corsica, pookie backed cars.
I always thought the basic shape of these cars was very attractive. Blue is my favorite color so this is peak Beretta for me.
For $2k, could be some cheap fun until the problems set in.
Had a 1989 Beretta GT with the V6, red with grey interior, put 161k on it before the transmission case broke where the shift shaft entered. Donated it to the local BOCES. Overall it was a fun car to road trip in, definitely got some looks back in the day. Only issues were the concave front seats (my kingdom for lumbar support!) and the beam rear axle which has zero lateral refinement, so be prepared to be rocked back and forth over transverse bumps.
The styling on these is *this close* to being great. Cut back on the extra wide plastic window trims and put turn signal lights next to the headlights and *bang* nailed it.
This one could be fun, but good luck on locating some of the fiddly bits because there just are not many left. Also has an aftermarket sunroof, so hopefully it was installed correctly. But for $2k, its worth a shot.
These made great looking Pro Stockers!
I love the Quad 4! I owned a 1988 Olds Calais Coupe that I called “Scalded Cat” that was my driver for about 18 months. Then I blew the head gasket. While looking for a replacement engine (and avoiding warped head issues), I found a 1991 Olds Calais Sedan Quad 4 for $600. I sold the coupe and drove the sedan for another year until…well, until 4 rods had had enough and decided to exit through the oil pan and block, But I would STILL buy another one.
I saw a couple comments re: the possible scarcity of parts / parts cars:
It looks like 2-3 parts cars (GTZ / Z26) can be had within 25 – 50 miles of the featured car:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1869875037219442/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1634648971028760/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2370493953373073/
I don’t know if the quality of the parts is good or if they’re fairly priced but they’re out there…
My dear old Dad had a 1988 GT w/ a 2.8 V6 and a 5-speed. It was very good to him and it was fun to drive. The exhaust note was awesome.
~Lothar