Vehicle Description
As far as I'm concerned, the 25th Anniversary Corvettes were the
best-looking 'Vettes built in '78. Who cares how many they built,
the point is that you can get a great-looking and distinctive
classic Corvette for the price of a used Malibu sedan. The two-tone
color scheme has aged well and this one sports a sparkling interior
that's pure 1978 cool.
A big part of the Corvette experience is hanging out with other
Corvette guys, and you'll find that this Anniversary car will be
welcomed with open arms wherever you go. The distinctive silver
over dark gray paint scheme has aged well and a lot of non-Corvette
folks will assume it's a custom job. The truth is, this is how the
factory did it, and the recently freshened paint looks fantastic.
There's a great gloss to the surface with only minor signs of use,
and the crisp bodywork, even gaps, and overall look suggest a car
that has been a cherished toy all its life and never a daily
driver. All the special markings are still there, from the
insignias on the front fenders to the L82 badges on the hood, it's
definitely got a performance look thanks to the flared fenders and
sleek fastback roofline. For a car made in 1978, this one skips the
disco era goofiness and delivers a clean, chiseled performance vibe
that works rather well today.
The sparkling interior was called Parchment by some and Oyster by
the guys at Chevrolet when this car came out, but either way it's a
perfect match for 1978. The beautiful seats are obviously wearing
replacement covers, because upholstery that's 36 years old never
looks that good and the grippy cloth inserts aren't OEM. However,
the carpets may very well be nice originals and the door panels are
excellent. You'll note that this car is loaded with options,
including A/C, power windows and locks, and a tilt/telescope
steering column, all befitting Chevy's flagship. The gauges are
original and show quite well, along with a full set of auxiliary
gauges in the center stack. Color-matched floor mats help keep
those light-colored carpets looking their best, and with the T-tops
off on a sunny day, you'll appreciate this interior a lot more than
something darker.
The engine is a well-maintained and mildly modified crate 350 V8,
replacing the somewhat sluggish original piece. With an
open-element air cleaner, upgraded ignition system, long-tube
headers, and an aluminum intake manifold with a 4-barrel carburetor
on top, it's got more than a few more horsepower today. Finned
valve covers add a retro-looking bit of performance hardware, and a
few new pieces like the alternator and master cylinder brighten up
the formerly all-black engine bay. A TH350 3-speed automatic was by
far the most popular transmission choice in 1978 and it's flanked
by a brand new dual exhaust system that fits well and sounds right.
The chassis is impressively clean overall, perfect for a car that's
going to get driven, and the factory slotted aluminum wheels have
the right look inside fat 225/70/15 performance radials.
The other Corvette guys are going to be mighty surprised when they
see how well this Anniversary 'Vette moves, and the slick bodywork
and gorgeous interior are merely camouflage for a very fun car.
Call today!