Vehicle Description
1978 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car Replica
"When the pace car announcement was made October 17, 1977, orders
for replicas flooded the Chevrolet Motor Division offices.
Initially, 2,500 replicas were to be produced at $13,653.21 per
unit. The order swelled to 6,500 before race day, then an
additional 500 afterwards. The special two tone paint was perhaps
the most exotic yet seen on a pace car. The black area above the
belt and wheel area and "hot" metallic silver on the lower portion
of the body gave a startling shark-like effect." From 'Pace Cars of
the Indy 500'
For consignment, a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car replica
showing 60,172 miles which are not actual. The pace cars lapped
Indy on May 28, 1978, but this car was built for a different kind
of track. In fact, 11.50 was the goal for this quarter mile pacer
but you would never know it by looking at its mostly "standard"
exterior.
Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by
the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws
to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public
highways in your area.*
Exterior
The distinctive black over silver configuration is split by a red
stripe that encircles the car and would blend well with the red
letters of the pace car's optional door decals. The color scheme
does accentuate the coke bottle shape of the car capped off by a
rear canted decklid spoiler and this car lacks the front air dam
that fronted pace cars and extended a wedge in front of the tires.
A gently cowled hood wears an L-82 emblem in the rising section
that would be silver on pace cars and the 15-inch slotted aluminum
wheels are correct and forgo the red stripe. The tires are heavily
staggered with big 275/60R15's on the back, large enough to give
the car a slight rake and a kill switch is mounted between the tail
lights hinting of some potential modifications. Overall, the paint
is very good with an area of orange peel, and some chips. Window
trim is unpainted and clean and the flush, up facing door handles
perched on the shoulder of the car are a feature that ups the cool
factor of this Vette.
Interior
Gray padded vinyl door panels are in great shape with carpeted
lowers and the one piece door pull/armrest that was prevalent on GM
sports cars of the day. Two piece Corvette buckets are up front in
silver leather with mild patina, and the driver is afforded a five
point racing harness from RCI. The padded steering wheel is stock
but the big tach on the column was added and has an accompanying
shift light and the combination mostly blocks view of the standard
dash. But not to worry, a plethora of condition gauges, new and
added, are found in the center stack that looks not unlike
something out of the space shuttle with eight gauges and five
toggle switches on a carbon fiber baseplate. Just behind it, a
Turbo Action shifter stands poised on an aluminum base topping the
center hump which is surrounded by low pile gray carpet that
extends to the back cargo area in good condition. It's back here we
get a good look at the roll bar that's in place, instilling some
extra confidence for those 1320 foot blasts.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, a rather innocent looking but chrome accented 350ci
V8 sits cleanly in the back, flanked by headers and wearing a
4-barrel carburetor. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission with
reverse manual valvebody is behind the powerplant, sending power to
the 4.11 gears out back. The power disc brakes all around are new,
including the rotors.
Undercarriage
Relatively clean and rust free underneath with some new parts that
include shocks, coil springs, A-arms and a transverse leaf spring
in the back by VBP. Fat exhaust travels from the headers, through a
crossmember of the frame, and back to a pair of Borla mufflers and
angle-cut tips. There is no catalytic converter on the system.
Drive-Ability
And that fat exhaust that renders this pace car just a bit louder
than your average '78. This fire breathing 350 puts us on the test
loop without protest and delivers noticeable power with a car that
grips the asphalt and tracks straight, as it was built to do. The
new suspension handles imperfections in the road and handling
remains very good. All functions are in good working order. While
Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at
the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions
will be working at the time of your purchase.
While it was designed to commemorate a 500 mile race, this car is
better suited for � miles. It's got all the right ingredients, fat
tires, a big exhaust, a roll bar, and racing harness. Want
something a little different that will raise some eyebrows at the
next Corvette meet? This is it. The black and silver is already an
attention getter, wait until they get earful of that exhaust!
1Z87L8S900445
1-Chevrolet
Z-Corvette
87-Coupe
L-350ci V8 4bbl 185hp
8-1978
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
900445-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
G21-March 21st
TRIM 152-Silver Leather
PAINT 19U 47M-Black & Indy Silver
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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