I have a 1985 Berlinetta with 53,000 mile on it. When I bought it the stereo was fake. There was a cavity where the cassette would be inserted and there were not moving parts. In addition, it did now have all the controls on the unit. However, it did light up when the lights are on.

It seems obvious this was a Chevy made fake stereo. But with that stereo being on the signature things about the Berlinetta that year, why would Chevy put a fake one in?

 

Previous owner could have replaced the Face Plate. I doubt GM installed a fake radio.

 

I thought about that but the "stereo"looks to professional to have been something made by the owner. I wasn't aware of anyone selling cover plates like this. I used to have another Berlinetta back in 1985 and never saw anything like this.

 

Looks like you could order a base radio without cassette in a berlinetta. Probably rare compared to one with a tapedeck. I know the berlinetta I had had a cassette player.

 

Not a fake. Thats a Berlinetta radio without the cassette option. Dont see many like that!

 

Did designing this whole thing for a few cars even save GM a damn dime?

 

GM was doing some strange stuff in the 80's so who knows what they were thinking.

 

Sure...blow moulding a plastic pocket Vs. the cost of a special cassette player? That's easy money.

And, it offers the buyer an option...the real reason for doing it.