Vehicle Description
This 1978 Chevrolet Corvette 25th Anniversary model helped GM
celebrate in a big way. With distinctive two-tone paint, a
beautiful Oyster leather interior, and a modestly upgraded 350
under the hood, it's a great entry-level 'Vette that will get you
into all the big events and put a smile on your face every time you
crack the throttle.
1978 was the first year of the fastback styling, and combined with
the two-tone paint, the results are a homerun. Wearing an older
repaint that still looks decent, this Anniversary 'Vette is perhaps
the most handsome built that year. More understated than the pace
cars, but emphasizing the bulging fenders, there was no doubt that
this was a high performance machine. A lifetime in the warm
southern US means that it hasn't had to contend with the elements,
and this is a car gets attention simply because of what it is.
There's some cosmetic damage on the passenger's side, and while
there are the usual signs of age in other spot as well, it doesn't
have any immediate needs and you can enjoy it for many years
without worries. The price is certainly right and if you don't mind
a car that looks like it's got stories to tell, this is a great
place to start your Corvette adventure.
Oyster leather was an unusual choice with the two-tone bodywork,
and most enthusiasts prefer it to the much more common silver
leather that came on most Anniversary models, as well as the pace
car. Wearing bright, clean seat covers, the buckets are supportive
and comfortable, and the contrast between the off-white upholstery
and silver paint is extremely appealing. The door panels, carpets,
and dash pad are also in excellent shape with few signs of use,
even on the light-colored carpets. Loaded with options including
A/C (needs to be serviced), power windows, and a tilt/telescope
column, it's as comfortable as any car you can buy today but
infinitely more stylish. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels
great in your hands, and someone has added a woodgrain applique kit
to the center console, warming up the interior in a big way. An
upgraded AM/FM/cassette head unit replaces the original, which
probably included an 8-track, and has been neatly installed with no
hacking or cutting. In back, the cargo bay is protected by tinted
hatch glass and a retracting cargo cover, and you'll note a pair of
speakers discreetly tucked into the corners.
The original, matching-numbers 350 cubic inch V8 is still under the
hood, although it has seen its share of upgrades. Those upgrades
include a polished Edelbrock intake manifold, a matching Edelbrock
4-barrel carburetor, and plenty of chrome dress-up. It's quite
clean, with conscientious maintenance and no radical mods to ensure
reliability. Underneath, there's a TH350 3-speed automatic
transmission, plus a set of 3.08 gears in the original rear end
that make it a comfortable highway cruiser. The exhaust system
features a high-flow catalytic converter in place of the original,
which might free up some horsepower, but it is otherwise quite
stock. The undercarriage is very clean even though it's unrestored,
suggesting a car that has not seen much in the way of inclement
weather. The original machined aluminum wheels wear staggered
255/60/15 front and 275/60/15 rear performance radials that really
stuff the fenders.
Distinctive Corvettes don't have to be expensive and this '78
Anniversary model is a great way to get into the Corvette hobby for
not a lot of money. Call today!