Vehicle Description
With just 75 original miles (yes, you read that correctly), this
1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car is a stunning time capsule that is
a must-have for any serious Corvette collector. While not exactly
rare, with 6502 being built (which is about one for every Chevy
dealership in 1978), these cars remain popular with Corvette fans,
and this one is so clean and untouched, even the original window
stickers are still on the passenger side window and the seats are
wrapped in dealership plastic. We've been in this business a very
long time, and we've never seen a Pace Car with so few miles. If
you're looking for the best, you've found it.
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, and a spoiler was tacked on at each end to
alter appearance more dramatically. Pace Car decals were shipped
uninstalled, allowing the new owner to decide whether he wanted to
go all the way with his replica or to simply enjoy his new
Corvette, so this one isn't plastered with a big billboard on the
side. No, this low-mile Pace Car is mostly decal-free, which many
folks seem to prefer and while not exactly low-profile, it looks
sophisticated rather than aggressive. Paint is largely unblemished
and exactly the way GM applied it, and every panel is aligned as it
was from the factory. With only 75 miles, there's absolutely no
sign of damage or road rash anywhere on this car, and it's clear
that it has been properly stored and protected throughout its life.
Only minor swirls from years of car washes show when you look very,
very close, which was common in these late '70s GM paints, but a
high-speed buff would easily bring it back to 1978-fresh. But as
far as time-capsule cars go, this is one has obviously been
hermetically sealed and is about as nice as they come.
The silver leather interior is equally well preserved, with plastic
wrapping on the seats protecting them for years. We don't know if
anyone has ever actually sat on the Pace Car-specific seats, but
there's no question that everything is as it was when it was
installed in 1978. There are no creases, no wear, and not even a
wrinkle in the leather that wasn't there when the cow was wearing
it. Heck, even the original carpets are in great shape, show only
slight fading that's to be expected after almost 45 years. Pace
Cars were loaded, too, and this one has just about every option
Chevy could throw at a Corvette: T-tops that have never been
removed, power windows, rear defogger, air conditioning, sport
mirrors, tilt/telescope steering wheel, power door locks, and an
AM/FM stereo. It even still smells new and with the window sticker
still clinging to life on the passenger's side window, so it's a
sure bet that it has never been down.
Powering this time capsule of a Pace Car is the original,
numbers-matching L48 350 cubic inch V8 that's logged a miniscule 75
miles since it left the factory floor. Everything is stock under
the hood, and I mean everything, from the belts, hoses, clamps, you
name it. That means the engine bay is clean as can be and just as
GM built it, with blue enamel on the engine and valve covers, and a
big, snorkeled air cleaner up top that helps the small block
breathe. Underneath, it's pretty much immaculate, from the TH350
3-speed automatic to the fully independent 3.08-geared rear end,
and even the original exhaust still carries its catalytic convertor
from 1978. Factory markings remain completely intact, and there's
no evidence of structural rust or damage anywhere, further proof
that this car has barely been outside. 15-inch slotted alloy wheels
were part of the Pace Car package, and this one wears its original
set of 225/60/15 Goodyear Eagle GT white-letter radials, which are
the only set of tires it has ever worn.
Documented with its original window stickers and all the original
manuals, this insanely preserved low-mileage Pace Car Corvette is
as close to brand new as you're going to find. A collector's dream,
in the flesh. Call today!
