1990 Beretta Indy GT

More fun than a hard e-brake turn, it Digital Amusement's Beretta Indy page

Closing remarks. 8-28-2002.
It's time to put the beretta and it's memories in a safe place. It was definately fun while it lasted. If you want to check out my new ride I've upgraded to, go here.

I ended up getting a decent claim and released the beretta. Progressive gave me $1850, which is more than I expected. So far, my girlfriend seems to be healed. We fought with the insurance company because they swooped down on her and she signed a release form that she should have never touched without consultation. It wasn't her fault - the insurance people want to jump in as fast as possible before sustained injuries begin cropping up. My lawyer basically said once that paper was signed, it's done. No more benefits. Take notes kids, don't sign a damn fucking thing for a good month if you're involved in an accident and consider yourself so much as bruised. Insurance companies suck.

I still scope out those fine looking berettas roaming the streets. I have two yellow Indy's that live around me. The one owner, Eddy, is a really cool guy. Old guy, driving a pimped out Indy, with a sound system? Seems kinda funny at first. It's too bad I never made it to a Berettafest.

I've retired D RIDE. I will not be transferring the plates to my new ride. The legend of D Ride began in the beretta. Thus, it will end in my beretta.

So that's it. All good things must come to an end.

Miles: 178225
Retired: Sunday, June 23rd, 2002

Update 6-24-2002. Final.
I fixed the knock, found that my oil leak is worse than I thought. All the oil leaked out in a short amount of time. Added a couple quarts to the engine, ran some carb cleaner through it... all better. D Ride ran smoothly again.

However, yesterday, the fateful day has come. A day I have dreamt about. A day I have expected. It ended. I wrecked D Ride in a roll-over accident. My beretta came to a halt on it's top. Loose gravel became ice under my new Goodyear Eagle RS-A's. I ended up backwards sliding sideways into a very low shoulder and putting it on it's top. The frame held out pretty well, only bent up a little. Wearing seat belts saved lives. My g/f got hurt, but she's doing ok. She crashed into the ceiling and hurt her neck. (she was wearing only the lap belt, because she wanted to sleep. Note that this can be MORE dangerous than NOT wearing a seatbelt at all). I'm very sad at the loss of my machine, and feel very bad that I hurt my girl.

If you scroll to the bottom of these updates, you'll see the whole insurance fiasco I went through last time with American Family. This is the first claim I'll be making with Progressive, and I expect things to work out better. Their rates are decent, and so far, I haven't had a problem with them. I suppose this won't be my last update then.

So far, what I expect to happen is one of two things. Either a) I get decent value on my car from my insurance, as I expect it to be claimed as a total wreck, or b) I don't get a decent claim and keep my beretta. If [b] occurs, I'll be selling it off as parts, here and maybe ebay and such.

It's a tradgedy. I loved my machine. My D Ride. It's always been reliable, and gone the distance for me. Chevy did an awesome job building this Beretta. This will sound strange, but my car and I had a form of communication. It told me in some way how it felt, and I knew how to respond before something happened. Every major breakdown was relayed to me weeks or months before it happened. The information was so reliable, I could specify the issues to people, and if I did nothing to prevent whatever was coming, it happened, on time, and in the way expected. Weird things, straightforward things, things that required many factors to happen. D Ride knew what was up and let me know. I considered D Ride to be a close friend. That in itself makes losing it tough.

If you have anything to say, let me know. Thanks for helping make my Beretta site one of the top on the net.

We'll see how my insurance deals with this in the meantime.

Update 6-22-2002:
The inevidable has occured. Minutes ago the legendary D Ride has accrued a hardcore knock. Now I have to figure out what I'm going to do about it.

Update 6-2-2002:
My beretta ages a little more...

So I was driving hwy 94 north, left lane. Semi truck in front of me, semi truck to the right in the center lane. We're crusing at just under 65mph I think, and I'm right behind the cab of the semi on the right. Nothing abnormal here, until I look and see a turn signal. But, um, I'm in this lane! And then it starts happening. He doesn't see me and starts moving into my lane. At about the 1/4 or 1/3 mark or whatever into my lane, I take evasive manuevers. Drop the gas and downshift, I cut hard into the thin emergency lane with a concrete barrier inches from my mirror. I pass the semi in front of me on the left and cut back into traffic. I wasn't pissed or anything. It was all instinct. I kinda had fun doing it. Had a state trooper seen me pull a stunt like this, you can bet I'd be playing 20 questions. I would have loved to see all this from the cars behind me.

Check out DA. New stuff, original concept, upcoming release of the new site.
http://digitalamusement.com

Update 5-1-2002:
Sup!

Update 12-12-2001:
It's the most awesome update in the history of this page: After two years of repairs, tweaks, fixes, replacing parts, countless hours of work, help from as many people as I have fingers and toes, THE FRONT END SUSPENSION HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT! No, not just drivable, but back to the once upon a time known SOLID suspension. The suspension that allows for breakneck lane changes at above highway speeds. The suspension that lets you take that corner (with some e-brake assistance) without so much as a chirp. The final piece of the seemingly never unending battle to rebuild my front-end suspension after a most unfortunate accident has come to an end. The body still needs to be done, but unless you look closely, the damage is pretty unnoticable. Of course I notice it, but my cash flow says I can look away in bliss another day.

So where am I headed? Well, since I just dropped almost $700 on tires, I'm going to wait until at least spring to do anything else that's major. I'm still very much looking into getting a stroker kit. I've ditched the idea of a turbo. My beretta will also remain an automatic. Manual would be fun, but I'm not confident with auto to manual conversions. As I said, the body needs work. Scratches, dents, necessary sanding and repainting... Heh. the attractive thing about the stroker kit (at least to me) is that my engine really could use a rebuild. 168k miles as of this writing, and it's not decreasing. I was talking to a local indy owner here, and he pointed out a known problem with the oil check valve (I believe that was it). Since I leak enough oil to notice, I'll be needing to fix that too. The interior is wearing out. The passenger side door is hosed, starting to get little air mounds in the ceiling cloth, the dash somehow warped a bit in the Wisconsin summer heat. I'm just about sick of finding little broken glass shards hidden from when my beretta got broken into, AND that damn nasty sticky shit underneath my seat!!! I also don't know what I'm going to do about tunes. I've gotten pretty used to the sound of my engine, and after a while, it's grown on me. The controlled growling makes D Ride seem even more sentient.

Hey, I don't get too many comments on my beretta page. If you've got something to say, let me know. I've been pretty busy lately working on DA, but I've always got a few extra minutes to talk berettas.

And don't forget to check out berettanet. If I ever need some dense beretta info, that's always the right place to start. Spose sometime I should list myself up there in their link section.

Update 9-23-2001:
Couple quickies. Got the muffler replaced, and the pipes don't hang at floor level anymore. Although I was quite satified with the excessive rumble of the exhaust, in a good way, it needed to get fixed. I replaced the thermostat last night, with a thanks to Jim who gave me some quick pointers. Again, I am dealing with emissions. SUCKS.

Update 9-20-2001:
Alright, here's the latest scoop on the amazing D Ride.

This week, after over a year and a half of the breaking of my suspension, I finally had the front suspension rebuilt again, due to impending problems. I was getting a wicked nasty sound from the right front side when I took turns. In the beginning of spring, I had the same problem on the front left side. I replaced the whole hub assembly because replacing packed bearings suck. The problem was gone for a couple weeks, but apparently there was some stress that had to find a way out. This caused friction in the right axle, which heated up the rubber boot nice and hot until the axle grease melted the rubber and spewed out. This was obviously not a Good Thing.

Fixing the suspension included replacing the right axle, stablizer links, struts, hub assembly, A-arm and support, left tie rod, and other various parts.

I took my car up to get the emissions tested yesterday. Let's just say I've got some tweaks to make if I'm going to drive legally next year. There was some corrosion on the battery cable, and I had to disconnect it from the battery. This meant that my fuel/air mixture went to shit because the computer has to go through a relearning process after losing power. It's some GM thing.

Then I've got my exhaust to deal with. I don't have a problem that it's loud and sounds strong, but I do have a problem with having a quad exhaust with two tips. For those that just don't get it, that means that there are more holes in the muffler than were factory installed.

There's an oil leak, and I'm hoping a steam clean and a careful eye will figure out where the problem lies. I'm still very seriously thinking about mod'ing the engine with a stroker kit (changes it from a 3.1 to a 3.4). We'll see how the finances will allow such toys.

Lots of problems indeed. People tell me "why don't you just get a new car?". Right. This is the legendary D Ride. It's mine until d-day (heh, sounds like a pun). By spring time I should have the cash to do all the mods that I want. We'll see.

Oh yeah, did I also mention that American Family is sending me postcards and spam about how much they want my business? Stupid. If you don't understand this one, read farther down. I'll sum it up here if you're feeling lazy. American Family sucks a rotten core hole. Or something.

Update 3-25-2001:
Let me put it like this. I don't update this page anymore. It is obsolete. I may use some existing content in the new page, but I have noting new that will end up on this page. The stuff that's here is still funny and such, just no new content. Peace.

Update 5-22-2000:
Yeah it's been a month since I've touched my Beretta page. However that would be because it's obsolete. How?? you ask! I'll tell you. Since my stereo was stolen in November, and other happenings, there is a lot of out of date info here. And of course it's going to be totally redesigned to fit into the new scheme, which can be viewed straight off the homepage. I guess this stuff isn't that obsolete, but the fact remains that it will be redesigned soon, and updated with new info as of then. How my baby right now? Well I don't remember mentioning it before, but D Ride failed emmisions with flying colors. It didn't help that I just got it up, had old gas in it, needed to clean it out.. blah blah blah. So we're just going to try that again soon.

Oh yeah, and American Fuckover Family decided to cop out and drop me. Ha!! I've got til June with them. Bastards, burn!! Burn!!!!!!! See your corrupt operation go up in flames!! HahahaeaheheaheahahaaAA!!!!

Update 4-21-2000:
Say it with me! D MAN!!!!! (make it sound like deeeeee maaahne) D Ride is now fully mobile and versatile!!!! Structure completeness is 99.9%! Both struts have now been replaced, and the alignment straightened it all out (cause the steering was getting REALLY sloppy). Looks like I actually did slightly bend the frame, like a fraction of a degree, as I was informed that the damaged side would be very close to perfectly aligned, as that was the best they could do without a frame straightener... I'll take it!! The steering is even tighter than before the accident, which makes for even more versatility. I'm psyc'd.

Update 4-10-2000:
So all was ok for a little while. Still can't get those bolts out.. but just when I think I have some time.. the alternator dies. Well I'm just going to have to put up with this inconvienence for a short while as I install the new one. I've got a new O2 sensor installed (which installed fairly smoothly if I do say so myself). That should help clean up emmisions - but we don't need an ozone layer, now do we?

Update 3-29-2000:
Last structural fixes are the passenger side strut and the alignment. We would have had the strut out ourselves, but after bending a Snap-on 18mm wrench more than 15 degrees using a breaker bar to release the last two bolts unsuccessfully, it was decided that I can pay someone to torch it out, and they get to fix it if they f-ck it up. Ha! Got new front brakes and cut rotors.. good deal! My 'MECH CIK' friend (mechanical chic) has been instrumental in the repair to D Ride. Many thanks go out to her.

Update 3-24-2000:
Why can't I win. New insurance companies don't like a tainted driving record I see. So now I get to be raped still by American F-cking Family. In other newz, D Ride didn't make emmisions today (i.e. FAILED) - so I get to figure out why my baby is sick. Still have more structural tweaks to do, but for now D Ride is partially versatile. More newz Tuesday.

Update 3-21-2000:
All componets have been reassembled. D Ride is mobile - but not versatile. I got a new rim overnighted to me ($65 in shipping), and the finishing repairs are in effect. By Wednesday night, all will be good.

Update 3-14-2000:
We have successfully removed EVERYTHING from the driver side wheel well. It's pretty empty in there.. Oh yeah, and my friend's car decided to die dead, leaving me with a situation, car, and an angry friend. This sucks, but progress ensues.

Update 3-9-2000:
We begin repairs this weekend. Let the games begin. I so appreciate the help I'm getting to get D Ride working again..

Update 3-3-2000:
Beretta damage pics are now online. Check the damage for yourself. I've been reading my Chilton's manual.. this is not nearly as bad as I believed. It's still ugly and the entire driver side suspension has to be replaced, but the frame appears to be ok.

Update 3-2-2000:
American Family Insurance has turned down my claim for D Ride. So I'm out three grand. Die mutha f-ckas. Wait - did I forget to mention that in the same letter they want me to pay THEM back?? They want some reimbersment ($90) for a towing charge that occured at that time. They rack in hundreds of million dollars a year, and want $90 (ninety bucks) back just to add insult to injury? They get my official thumbs down.

Next newz:
They however did come through (barely and finally) with the $$ to pay for at least some of the damage to my friends' car. That doesn't even score them any brownie points. Laters while I find a more compitent insurance company.

More newz:
Looks like the damage to D Ride isn't that horrible. The control arm is f-cked along with a bunch of other componets. Anyone have a crosslace rim, preferably with teal interior paint? Check the pics of my car above.. That's what I need. Front left (driver side rim). I'll have to check the Beretta mailing list if someone there might have a hookup too.

This is my ride, the 1990 Beretta GT Indy Special Edition. I've owned it since June of 1997, in which my previous car chewed on itself from the inside out. Pics of that car's final day may be available someday for your consumption.

I've been far more than happy owning such a great machine. Many miles have been put on it since I've owned the car, since I used to constantly cruise east Wisconsin, from near upper Michigan to the Illinois border, but usually no farther west than Madison. I reside pretty close to my current work, so home to work travel is light. Then I'm working during the week, which pays for the car. When the weekend comes, the D-Ride is my mobile base. And now - stats on my teal chariot.

Interior

Exterior

Mods

History

Pics

Dream Machine

the INTERIOR

The interior is gray with teal highlights, Indy decals stitched into the seats. The seats themselves are extremely comfortable. Switch on the cruise and enjoy the ride.

Holy Intrument Cluster Batman! Check my N.A.S.A control dash in the Beretta!

Da Speedo, digital readout and bar readout
The Tach, digital readout and bar readout
MPH to KPH conversion
Odometer, Trip range meter
Outside temperature
Average MPG, Instant MPG
Temp, oil, battery, and gas bar readout

Dodging those damn speed traps are made simpler with Fuzzy the friendly radar detector.

Hey D! What the hell is hitting so hard?? Is that you???

Hell yeah that's me
Pioneer deck
- DEH-835W, CD player
- 40x4 watts
- Detachable face
- Alarm
- 3 sets of preouts - front, rear, subs
- Remote control
- Auto positioning locator for finding local stations in the area
- Downloads text traffic announcements
- A whole shmack load of other features

That sounds great, but what wakes up the neighbors?

2 channel amp, 150 watts per channel
Pair o' Kenwood 100 watt max 6x9"'s
Pair o' Pioneer 4"'s, 75 watt max (these are getting REPLACED!)
And pair o' Thump Gold's 8" subs, 200 watts each
But the built in tweets on the box are not hooked up (although they scream at 200 watts each)

And don't let me forget to mention the MP3 player.

the EXTERIOR

Metallic teal paint
Crosslace GT rims with teal interior highlights
Rear wing/spoiler
Ground effects
Indy decals
Custom plates - [D RIDE]
Mmm mmm yummy!! Soak it up!!!

the MODS

Window Tinting

30% rear
50% front

Plates as specified before
K&N conical air filter
GTS tinted headlight covers
MP3 System

the HISTORY

History has it that my car kicks ass and I shouldn't have to say more. But instead I pulverise you with informational shrapnel.

The attention factor is high - which means heads turn, necks snap, and radar detectors go off. Rarely is anyone allowed to drive D Ride, but few have. The first being my brother when I got real sick - by my own fault. Oops. When I bought my car, I immediately had some work ahead - new tires, struts, shocks, brakes.. but all worth it. Now I have to get my procrastinating self up moving and ready to fix things like the trunk (cause it shuts only 95% of the way), maybe some dents n scratches, and what the hell is that sticky shit underneath my seat?? Damn previous owner dumped over a soda or something. That's supposed to be the D Ride Change Fund down there, but all coins come back sticky! Yuk, yeah I'm looking for a 'sticky pun'. Stuffed 7 people in my car once. I don't race often, and I sure as hell don't race mustangs anymore - just the 5.0 ones though. Not until the engine is rebuilt. And deer. I fucking HATE deer. The mounted antler I have is proof of how stupid deer are. Not more than three (3) weeks after I get my car, a damn deer goes prancing on it four legged way into my windshield. Poor D Ride. But I did get two chics numbers that night because of it! Hm, don't forget Berettas attract other Berettas, so those chics with the base models and GT's go "whoa that's a sweet looking Beretta, let's go check him out". Needless to say I've changed plans a few times on the fly for this reason. Hey, does YOUR car have an e-brake (or handbrake)? If not you're missing out. 180 degree turns are made e a s y when used correctly. Not to mention it looks cool as hell by those watching. However, I don't suggest doing them in vast quantities.. new tires are expensive. Only once did D Ride have all four tires off the ground while in motion. That's a rush. Winter summer fall spring it doesn't matter you'll see me. Being that funds are not sufficient enough to store D Ride in the winter, I deal with what I have to. That's D Ride history for now; this will remain mostly static as I continue the November 1999 rebuild of Digital Amusement. Don't stop reading, now keep moving soldier!

the PICS

Hey giblet head, they're at the top of this page. New pics don't exist yet!! Go host a banner ad and generate 35 cents so you call someone that cares - uh I mean I'll have new pics up asap or something.

the DREAM MACHINE

This actually belongs in the Crackhead Corner but what the hell.

Paint
- Bright yellow at the bottom, fading up into the metallic teal color
- 'D Ride' scriptedly airbrushed onto the car
Engine
- Duplicate Original Indy's engine specs
- [NOTE: this does not exist but would kick ass if it did] Bolt on interchangible V12 and V6 engine, V6 is twin-turboed and supercharged, interchanging them would take under 20 minutes for an experienced crew
T-tops
Re-designed ground effects
Felt-texture dashboard with large pink Indy splash letters
Hide-a-way laptop connected into the stereo head unit aux in, to play mp3's and for GPS
Full quality thick and bright teal neon underbody shadow
Neon behind the rims (I reserve this idea)
Dental-floss thin neon highlights in the interior
Glow-in-the-dark wax (told you, should have been in the Crackhead Corner)
Drop car height about 1.5" - 2"
Blue ion headlights
Voice activated everything

Did I screw something up? Tipity tapity BLAOW!! fire some info my way! webmaster@d.igitalamusement.com [mod d. to d]

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