In addition to my IROC, I have a 1993 Beretta GTZ. The Beretta interior changed in 1991.

I was looking at the center console on my GTZ it thinking about how swappable it'd be into an Camaro/Firebird.

Appearance wise, it has a high armrest, cupholder/ashtray (its hard to explain), 5 speed or auto combinations... and the best part, the window switches and trunk release button IS IN THE CONSOLE already. It even looks like it bolts in the same place (2 bolts in the back in the armrest compartment) and it looks like it'd be a direct replacement on the Firebirds because it slopes in the front almost exactly like the Firebird consoles.
Even the E-brake looks like its in the same place.

I know what you're all thinking - its out of a Beretta... well, here's my take, Its got the potential to be a direct replacement, Berettas (In my opinion) are easier to find in most junkyards and parts seem to be more reasonably priced because they don't say CAMARO....

The only drawback I can see is colors are somewhat limited.

From 1991-1996 they made a few different interior colors. There were Gray, Red, Blue, Tan and on some VERY rare 1991 models there was black.

The consoles themselves are nice in design and are still carpetted on the sides like a Camaro.

Just thought I'd throw this idea out there. I like the 4th gen console, but I'm seriously wondering if the Beretta console isn't as good of an idea because of pricing, availability, and the fact that its got a lot of the features that we want already in them.

If this idea is of interest to anyone, I'll take my Beretta console out and compare it with my '01 T/A console.

 

Yeah man take some pics. I dont know what a beretta console looks like.

 

what he said, pics

 

Here's a basic on what they look like:

 

Front is ok... smooth/simple.. but the back just looks iffy to me.

Couldnt hurt to try though. Like you said it'd probably be cheap in a yard.


-Bud

 

I'm familiar witht he console because my friend had a Corsica and it's the same exact thing. The front isn't a bad match at all, but the arm rest storage area is very small compared to an f-body console and appears to be significantly more narrow. It's a good idea, but I think 3rd gen consoles are plenty easy to find and just as cheap at most yards. I've thought about using a newer grand prix, grand am, or Monte Carlo console... but i think all of them have smaller storage areas

 

As far as being narrower, they are slightly narrower. I was more or less offering the idea as a sustitute for the highpriced 4th gen consoles. I mean, the Beretta consoles are cheap and from what I've seen, plentiful.

 

Yep looks just like the one on my 91 Corsica.

 

not worth it to change a console without cupholders :P

 

I dont think it will work.........

mainly because of the shifter, and allt he little mumbo jumbo (ie parking brake etc) that poke UP in the third gens, and that console seems to be quite short

 

I was going to say the same thing, but if you look close at the console... the side is part plastic and part is covered with carpet (dont know if you noticed that or not, but I didn't initially). Still dunno if it's tall enough though.

Looks like the same shifter **** that came on my Camaro when it was an automatic... wonder how similar it is under the console.


-Bud

 

My sister has a 96 with the same console in her car (91-96 same for all Ber/Cor)

I dont think she would like me ripping her's out to try the fit and finish but I am wondering how it would fit and look.

So whos gonna do the ripping and tearing?

I kind of like the 3rd styled one besides the cheap way they made the E-Brake boot type thing into the design looks cheap and the fact I keep my center section with nothing besides change in it so I can drive with it open (drop my 44OZ drink cup in it at the front so I dont have told it (fits snug)

I havent tried the plastic cups yet tho. When I drop my soda in the only bad part is there isnt a arm rest there so i tend to use the cup top asthe arm rest at first I punched lots of holes in the cups with the straws and broke a lot of straws now I am adjusted to it and dont.

But yes a real cup holder would rock, the Ber/Cor has the small can sized ones but the plastic and such with the smaller bottom fits fine as my sister always get them and use's them in her car.


Donnie H.

 

The thirdgen center console is really bulky, and
screams PLASTIC LOL , id work on making one out of sheet metal.. then covering it with some sort of fabric..

On a side note.. those seats look real sweet ..

 

I was thinking the same thing slap some Gtz,Gtu,Z26 seats in a fbody if they would fit would look sweet and fit nicely


Donnie H.