Vehicle Description
This car is considered the defining line where the C3 Corvette was
no longer just seen as a sports car, and people began to see them
for the collector's pieces they are today. This 1978 Chevrolet
Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car edition is a numbers-matching
L82 car with low miles, is highly documented, and has some nicely
well-preserved original accessories.
RPO Z78 radically transformed the Corvette's looks, adding the
two-tone black over silver metallic paint job with a bright red
pinstripe in between. Then a spoiler was added at each end to
really give it an aggressive look. This was such a unique
appearance for the Corvette that we're happy to see it looking so
well presented on this coupe. The official pace car deals were so
well coordinated, that many of these special editions wear them
quite proudly, but this one has a cool secret. It has actually
never had its original decals placed on the car. You'll see in the
pictures that the factory-issued pace car graphics have been
preserved and come with the sale. The ones you see on the car today
are part of a reproduction that were added when the coupe was given
a original-spec respray (that's also why the shine continues to
look amazing today.) The final piece to this package are the
15-inch alloy wheels that come with the same red stripe, dividing
the silver wheels and black tires as it does on the paintwork -
what a cool touch, right?
The silver leather interior is perfect for the special edition car,
and it's one of the truly unique elements of a late C3s. This car
has only averaged about 1,600 miles per year, and the low mileage
has equated to little seat time. But it's not just the leather
buckets that are in stellar condition. The carpets, door panels,
and dashboard have all been treated with respect over the years.
Pace cars came loaded with just about every option Chevy could
throw at a Corvette, including glass T-tops, full gauge package,
power windows, AM/FM stereo, electric rear defogger, sport mirrors,
power door locks, factory A/C, and a special 25th anniversary
leather-wrapped tilt/telescope steering wheel. This one is so 1978
authentic, you even get a CB radio!
The engine is the optional (and numbers-matching) L82 350
cubic-inch V8. This higher compression motor was a must-have for
the performance fans in 1978 because it offered 17% more horsepower
than the standard Corvette V8. It starts quickly and idles easily
with a nice V8 burble out of the dual exhaust that never gets old.
It will be a hit at the car shows simply because Corvette people
love seeing an original-looking engine bay that's so clean you
could serve lunch on the factory air cleaner. You'll have no
worries taking this to any of the events no matter how far away.
After all, Corvettes are good for speed, but this one is a nice car
for the long trips, too. That's thanks to features like the TH350
three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, cruise control,
and four-wheel disc brakes.
You'll understand the level of care on this low mileage Corvette
just by the amount of documentation that's included. This includes
the factory build sheet, original bill of sale, maintenance
records, and much more. A pace car silver anniversary Corvette is
always in-demand. So when you see one that's this well sorted and
affordable you know it's an irresistible deal. Call today!!!