The 1978 model year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary for Chevy Corvette production, and was the most extensively redesigned Corvette since the introduction of the third generation in 1968. There was a new fastback design, featuring a large “bubble” rear window that replaced the flat back glass and flying buttress design. The fastback created a much larger luggage area behind the seats, and a retracting shade was added to cover it.
In addition to the new rear glass, the interior received a redesign. The speedometer and tachometer were revamped from their traditionally round motif to one that was more vertical and square. The map pockets on the passenger side of the dash were replaced by a true glove box, interior door panels were restyled, and wiper controls moved back to the dash. All 1978 Corvettes featured special 25th Anniversary nose and gas door emblems. The 1978 also saw two special editions added to the Corvette lineup, the two-tone silver and gray 25th Anniversary Edition and the Indy Pace Car to commemorate the first time Corvette paced that most vaunted of open-wheel races, the Indianapolis 500.
The 1978 Chevy Corvette Pace Car went through a number of changes before making it to production. Initially, Chevrolet had planned a two-tone light and gray paint scheme, with the two colors separated by a red pinstripe, and only three hundred were going to be constructed, a nod to the total first year production in 1953. That design morphed into the Silver Anniversary appearance package, and the Pace Car became a black-over-silver with red pinstripe design.
The Chevy Corvette Pace Cars had their own exclusive VIN sequence, a first for any Corvette. 6,502 1978 Corvette Pace Cars were built, one for each Chevy dealer.
The Pace Cars were well equipped from the factory, as the package included RPOs A31 Power Windows, AU3 Power Door Locks, CC1 Removable Glass Roof Panels, C49 Rear Window Defogger, C60 Air Conditioning, D35 Sport Mirrors, N37 Tilt-Telescopic Steering, QBS Raised White Letter 60-Series Tires, UA1 Heavy Duty Battery, UM2 AM-FM Stereo with 8-track (could be substituted with UP6 AM-FM Stereo with CB for $170), U75 Power Antenna, U81 Dual Rear Speakers, YJ8 Aluminum Wheels (red accent), ZX2 Convenience Group and silver leather covered seats with split folding backs that allowed better access to the luggage area (the folding seatback design would be adopted for all Corvettes beginning with the 1979 model year). The price for the Pace Car was $13,653.21, a significant bump over the base Corvette’s $$9,351.89.
Our feature 1978 Chevy Corvette Pace Car is a remarkably original low-mile example, having covered just under 20,000 miles from new. It is powered by the desirable 350 cubic-inch L82 Small Block V8, producing 220 horsepower, and backed by the close-ratio M21 four-speed manual transmission. This Corvette has obviously received attentive care. The paint retains most of its original luster, but a bit of light patina is present in the hood decals. Polished aluminum wheels present well, and are shod in Goodyear Eagle GT II radial rubber. The seats don’t show the usual wear on the outside bolsters, the carpets are in good shape and colorfast. Interiors on third gen Corvettes usually age poorly, and this one is quite good. The factory stereo has been replaced by a JVC cassette head unit.
Beneath the hood of the Chevy Corvette Pace Car is the quagmire of wires and hoses that was the hallmark of late C3s. That said, the engine bay appears to be correct and clean, something that is rare enough on these cars to be worthy of mention.
This clean, original, low-mile Chevy Corvette Pace Car, part of the Hooked On Vettes collection, will cross the auction block at the Mecum Auctions Glendale, Arizona sale March 16th through the 19th.
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Personally do not Agree With German Government
neither we agree with USA or Biden interfering in others decisions, just saying. USA is far away, has nothing to do
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Loved This Statement 😘 China’s Foreign Ministry said Russia is an independent country and can make its own decisions based on its own interests.
So you support a Communist Regime invading a sovereign Country and murdering innocent people? There’s a special place in hell for people like you.
No that’s why America should be held accountable and have massive sanctions for the illegal war in Iraq. They also should charge the people who ordered the air strike in Afghanistan killing 13 innocent people with war crimes. FYI hell isn’t real sorry.
Oh kinda like how the white colonists did the Indians?
I graduated in 1978 I loved that style Corvette then and still do today.
yes,— when corvette was corvette, today is a ferrari
I recall driving one of these for the Home Coming Game years ago. It had 4,000 miles.
Pretty car but the quality control was horrible. It had many defects in the body and the interior fit and finish.
If I collected Corvettes I would have one of these just for the colors but it would not be my first choice.
As mentioned in the copy, there were only 6,502 of these built in ’78…one for each Chevrolet dealership in the U.S. at the time, though larger dealerships got bigger allotments, many smaller got none. But only 202 of those 6,502 built were factory 4-speeds. This car is one of those, making it a rarity for that particular option.
I always loved the 78 Pace car, but I’ve never seen one equipped with the L-82 option and a 4-speed. This is a great car, I hope it finds an equally great home.
My dad’s dental business partner bought one in ’78 thinking it was going to be a collector’s item. I thought it was underpowered and unattractive then and still do today. I think his son now has it, I’ll ask next week when I go in for another root canal!
None other than The Wall Street Journal did a big story at the time saying they would become collector’s items in the future. As a result, a lot of people bought them and put them away. In the last few years, several have come on the market with just a few miles. Their value remained steady and relatively low for many years, but in the past few, it has crept up considerably.
Occasionally I see one of these cars – I did not realize so many were built!
Normalmente no me gustan mucho los autos deportivos de Estados Unidos, pero este Corvette SÍ me gusta. Tiene un buen styling y lo veo muy completo en su equipamiento. Me gustaría verlo personalmente para apreciarlo mejor, aunque en este momento no puedo comprarlo.
Olvidé aclarar que el auto al que me refiero es el último modelo de Corvette.
I have a 78 Pace Car wich I wanted since I was 13 and I do have a L/82 4spd but with a 383 GM stroker motor makin north of 450hp it’s a real hoot and suprises many modern day muscle cars I also have 4:11 rear and open side pipes so she’s not quite either.