The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition stands as a celebrated
icon in American performance history, marking both the 25th
Anniversary of the Corvette and its selection as the official pace
car for the Indianapolis 500. With its exclusive appearance package
and commemorative touches, this special-edition Corvette was built
by Chevrolet to be a collector's item from the moment it rolled off
the assembly line. The example offered here is an extraordinary
survivor, showing just over 48 actual miles. It remains in highly
original condition, complete with factory window sticker and even
the original interior plastics still in place-making it one of the
most authentic, investment-grade examples available on the market
today. Before we dive into the details of this stunning Chevrolet's
exterior, interior, and powertrain, we'd like to introduce
ourselves.
Smoky Mountain Traders is a premier classic car dealership located
in East Tennessee, specializing in muscle cars and vintage
vehicles. As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in
offering one of the largest and most trusted selections of classic
cars for sale in the region. Unlike many dealers, we own 100% of
our inventory-we do not accept consignments-so you can buy with
confidence, knowing every car on our lot is hand-selected by our
team.
Finished in a stunning two-tone combination of black and silver
metallic with red pinstripe accents, the 1978 Corvette Pace Car
Edition was designed to command attention. The example shown
retains its original factory paint and exhibits beautifully
preserved body lines, free from previous damage or restoration
work. It features factory-issued T Tops, authentic Corvette
badging, and color-matched front and rear spoilers unique to the
anniversary edition. The factory aluminum slotted wheels are
wrapped in correct Goodyear GT Radial tires with raised white
lettering and red pinstripes, exactly as they left the showroom.
Removable mirrored-glass T-tops add to the car's distinctive look,
while the pop-up headlights are fully functional and give the front
end that unmistakable late-C3 presence. The original glass remains
crystal clear, and all weatherstripping is tight and in excellent
condition-further evidence of the car's pampered storage and
preservation.
Inside, this Corvette continues to astonish with its untouched
silver leather interior, still protected by the original plastic
wrapping on the seats and dealer-installed protective film on the
carpeting. Everything from the seat bolsters to the door panels to
the dashboard presents as factory-new, untouched by time or wear.
The console features a commemorative 25th Anniversary badge along
with a special limited-edition plaque identifying its unique place
in Corvette history. Equipped with an AM/FM stereo and factory
8-track player, the dash also houses a full gauge package with
crisp needles and vibrant backlighting. The tilt and telescoping
steering column provides added comfort, and the air conditioning
system remains fully functional, delivering cold air just as it did
from the factory. Remarkably, the original blue hang tag outlining
headlamp operation is still affixed to the turn signal stalk-a
testament to how meticulously this car has been preserved. Even the
T-top headliners and visors are as clean as the day they were
installed and it has the factory jack too.
Powering this Pace Car Edition is its numbers-matching L48
350-cubic-inch V8 engine paired with the Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
automatic transmission. While the L48 wasn't the most aggressive
engine in the Corvette lineup that year, it delivered a strong
balance of torque, reliability, and smooth performance. This car's
engine bay is all original, with factory decals, hoses, and
components still in place. It retains its factory air cleaner
assembly, emissions components, and factory-installed hardware
throughout. The driving experience is further enhanced by power
steering and four-wheel power disc brakes, offering confident
stopping power and a refined feel on the road. The factory air
conditioning system is in place and operating properly, and the
undercarriage is clean, solid, and dry, showing no signs of
corrosion or abuse-further confirming its status as a true
low-mileage survivor.
This 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition is a true collector's
dream-a factory-original, ultra-low-mileage survivor that
celebrates one of the most iconic moments in Corvette history. With
just over 48 miles on the odometer, original paint, an untouched
silver leather interior, and factory documentation including the
window sticker still present, this car offers a rare chance to own
a museum-quality piece of General Motors history. Whether you're
building a world-class collection or looking to preserve a piece of
Corvette and Indy 500 heritage, this Pace Car is an irreplaceable
find.
With a rotating inventory of 70 to 80 high-quality classic cars,
we're committed to offering the best selection at unbeatable
prices. Whether you're looking for a fully restored muscle car, a
survivor classic, or a weekend cruiser, Smoky Mountain Traders
delivers quality, value, and unmatched customer service.
?? Call us at <a title= "CallUs" href="tel:
1-865-9888088">(865) 988-8088
?? Call Devvin directly at <a title= "CallUs" href="tel:
1-865-2562366">(865) 256-2366
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