1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car

Description

With just 7585 original miles, this 1978 Corvette Pace Car is a stunning time capsule that is a must for any serious Corvette collector. While not exactly rare, with 6502 being built (which is about one for every dealership), these cars remain popular with Corvette fans, and this one is a multiple show winner, including NCRS Top Flight, and is so authentic that even the original tires are included with the sale.

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. This low-mile Pace Car is decal-free, which many folks seem to prefer and while not exactly low-profile, it looks sophisticated rather than aggressive. Paint is unblemished and exactly the way GM applied it, and every panel is aligned as it was from the factory. With only 7500 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. It has had just two long-term owners, but even more remarkably, the current owner (who has owned it since 1995) is the first to hold title because it was in a dealer's private collection before that. Nice, right?

The silver leather interior is equally well preserved, with virtually zero wear on the Pace Car-specific seats, and 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 still unmarked! Pace Cars were loaded, too, and this one has just about every option Chevy could throw at a Corvette: glass T-tops, power windows, rear defogger, air conditioning, sport mirrors, tilt/telescope steering wheel, power door locks, and an AM/FM stereo, and all of it works. It even still smells new and the original Pace Car decals are still in the trunk.

Powering this time capsule of a Pace Car is the original, numbers-matching L48 350 cubic inch V8. It has been immaculately maintained and detailed with all its original equipment, including, we suspect, the belts and hoses. It's important to note that everything else in the engine bay is just as GM built it and the bottom of the engine has never been opened. Underneath, it's immaculate, from the 3-speed automatic to the fully independent 3.08-geared rear end. Factory markings remain completely intact, and there's no evidence of structural rust or damage anywhere. The only notable changes are stainless steel pistons in the brake calipers, which is a good idea for a car that sits, and a replacement washer pump that hasn't been installed yet. 15-inch alloy wheels were part of the Pace Car package, and this one wears 255/60/15 Firestones, but the original 1978-vintage tires are included for show purposes.

With full documentation (and we mean every single piece of paper) plus more than 50 show wins to its credit, there certainly can't be many Pace Cars that are as well preserved as this one is. Call today!