Chevrolet Beretta
74th Indy 500
May 27, 1990

The 1990 Chevy Beretta convertible is truly one of the most unique pace cars in Indy 500 history. Due to quality control issues, the drop-top Beretta model would never see production. Only three Beretta convertibles were used in pace car duty, and were supplemented by a fleet of 30 yellow and 50 teal Corvette convertibles for parade and festival duty.

The pace car was powered by a modified 3.4L V-6 engine, and the front-wheel-drive car featured a roll-bar with integrated strobe lights, as well as strobes added to the trunk face. The car was driven by Chevrolet general manager Jim Perkins.

Even though the convertible was never produced, Chevrolet did issue hardtop pace car replicas in yellow and turquoise. A GM press release indicates that 7500 replicas were made—1500 yellow and 6000 turquoise—while the book "Indy 500 Pace Cars" puts the number of turquoise cars at 3000.

For more information on the Beretta Indy, see The Definitive Beretta Indy Homepage
Also visit the Chevrolet 454SS Homepage for more information on the 1990 official truck.

More photos (click for larger version):
90-vette-sm.jpg   90-vette2-sm.jpg
Corvette photos provided by Howard Kirchenbauer

Photo submitted by Barb Moore

 

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