1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car 13887 Miles Black and Silver 350 cubic inch V

Chevrolet is notorious for putting out special-edition Corvettes to keep interest alive and assembly lines running, so if you’re going to own a reasonably-priced Corvette from the ‘70s, one that has a strong pedigree, there’s no better choice than the 1978 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Edition, RPO Z78. First, they are all “Silver Anniversary” models, but not to be confused with the OTHER “Silver Anniversary” cars. Second, they’re distinctive, as are all Indy Pace Cars, but not gaudy (looking at... you, 1998 Indy Pace Car), and that’s kind of a big deal when you’re talking about Corvettes in the 1970s. And finally, while not exactly rare, they’re finite, with only 6502 being built, enough to put one in every Chevrolet dealer’s showroom. The black over silver look is pretty timeless and accentuates the ’78 Corvette’s new shape rather well, and with just enough red to make it pop, this is still a great-looking ‘Vette! The most notable feature of this pace car is the fact that it has just 13,887 original miles. In fact, it’s so authentic that it’s still sitting on its original Goodyear GT radials! That’s the kind of authenticity that gets you bonus points in high-level competition. It is still wearing its original paint, and if you’re wondering why it isn’t wearing the pace car decals, that’s because they were shipped in the trunk to be installed by the dealer at the customer’s request—and yes, the original decals are still in the trunk! The finish is very good, certainly better than you’d expect for a car that just had its fortieth birthday, and it shines up beautifully to really show off the contrast between the black and silver. There’s zero checking on the hood decals, which obviously see a lot of heat and the red pinstripe that encircles the car is in excellent shape. Of course, the usual Corvette “perfect imperfections” abound, ranging from the front and rear end caps that don’t quite match the rest of the car to the light orange peel in the final finish to the slightly wavy rear spoiler, all of which were there when the car was new. Don’t you dare call them flaws, because that kind of imperfect detailing is what the judges at the highest levels are looking for. No, we’re not kidding—perfect Corvettes don’t win the top prizes, not these days. The silver leather interior is admittedly fairly Buck Rogers, but remember it was 1978 after all. Again, it works rather well with the black and silver bodywork and those are very comfortable chairs. The leather is in excellent condition with only modest comfort marks on the seating surfaces, with the upper seat back covers having been replaced, but the original covers are included with the car. The carpets are also original and show some light discoloration that’s probably inevitable after nearly four decades, and it’s worth noting that it carries replacement floor mats but the originals are included with the car (and you’ll note they, too, are perfectly imperfect). The Pace Cars came loaded with options, and this is no exception, with features including A/C, power windows and locks, a remote mirror, tilt steering column, and an AM/FM/8-track stereo radio, all of which are fully operational. The A/C has been converted to R134a refrigerant, so it’s effective and easy to service in the future. The gauges spring to life when you turn the key and the clock works when it feels like it, which is pretty typical. Remarkably, even the power antenna works, zipping up and down whenever you turn on the radio—that’s actually a pretty rare find. The cargo compartment is almost like new and the new fastback roofline offers decent luggage capacity for touring. The T-tops pop off easily and stow back there using handy straps, and these glass panels are the originals, not reproductions, which is a nice bonus. This car carries its original, numbers-matching L48 350 cubic inch V8. It’s interesting to note that 1978 was the first time the Indy Pace Car actually used on the track needed no modifications, which speaks highly of the road-going Pace Car’s credentials. No, with 185 horsepower, it’s not as fast as a new C7, but remember the era: Ford’s nastiest Mustang had 110 horsepower, so this was pretty fierce. The engine is nicely detailed and very original, and has never been opened beyond replacing a few gaskets over the past four decades. The single snorkel air cleaner is an easy way to spot the L48, and all the little stuff is exactly the way it was when it was new. Finishes, fasteners, and colors are all fairly correct for 1978, although there are modern hose clamps and a fresh alternator. It runs great, starting almost instantly, idling smoothly, and driving properly as only a low-mileage car can. It’s the kind of machine that’s ideal for a long-range cruise to one of the big Corvette rallies across the country. Get in and cruise, that’s what this car is all about—low mileage is nice, but it also means this car hasn’t been used up or abused. The transmission is a tried-and-true TH350, perhaps the most reliable 3-speed automatic gearbox ever built. It shifts cleanly and feels aggressive when you’re running hard, but for a gentle cruise around the neighborhood, it’s unobtrusive. Out back, this Corvette also features 3.08 gears, which are great for highway economy and the torquey L48 doesn’t seem to mind, giving the car a real aggressive feel at any speed. Legend has it that the C3 was a rattle trap that would knock the fillings out of your teeth, be that couldn’t be further from the truth here, because this car is tight, quiet, smooth, and rides rather well, all indicative of a low-mileage car that’s led an exemplary life as a permanent collectable, not a commuter car. The original exhaust system is under the car, including the original catalytic converter (which is fully functional) and one glance at the bottom of this car will remind you that it has never seen a rainy day in its life. The suspension, brakes, and fuel system are all original spec and in excellent condition with proper maintenance, helping with that “new car feel.” Shiny aluminum wheels were a great addition to the lineup and the red stripe around the perimeter is unique to the Pace Cars, giving them a unique look. These are the car’s original wheels AND original 255/70/15 Goodyear GT radials, which are in good shape for show purposes but we do not recommend any long-distance driving on them. We’ll admit that this car has grown on us. Yes, there are quite a few of them for sale and you have many choices at many levels if you really want to own one. But this one is incredibly clean, totally sorted, beautifully preserved, and exceptionally original. We would argue that if you’re going to own a car from the 1970s, there are few better choices than this. Call today!