Make: | Chevrolet |
Model: | Corvette |
SubModel: | Indy500 Pace |
Type: | Coupe |
Year: | 1978 |
Mileage: | 2,108 |
VIN: | 1Z87L8S905840 |
Color: | Black |
Cylinders: | 8 |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Interior color: | Other |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | Anaheim, California, United States |
Corvette was celebrating its 25th Anniversary in '78. So, when it was chosen as the Official Pace Car for the 62nd running of the Indianapolis 500, the powers that be over a Chevrolet knew they had to come up with something special. After all, it was the first time Corvette had every been given this honor! So, after numerous color schemes had been debated, it was decided that the choice was going to be a duo-co Black top with Silver bottom and a striking Silver interior with special seats. Other Pace Car touches included polished YJ8 aluminum wheels with a Red pinstripe around the edge and Pace Car decals that could be installed by the selling dealer or new owner. When the Pace Car was first designed, only about 300 replicas were scheduled to be built. So, when the Wall Street Journal wrote an article proclaiming the '78 Pace Car as the next "Collectable", potential investors and collectors went nuts and the orders came flooding into Chevrolet dealers round the Country! Obviously 300 cars weren't going to cut it, so GM decided increase production 6,502 units. Enough for every dealer to get one. Major changes were in store for '78 with the first major body and interior re-design for the C-3 or Shark. The rear end featured a "fastback" rear window. And even though it wasn't a hatchback, the large backlight helped immensely with rear storage. The interior was also changed. The dash featured a rectangular interment bezel with housed the speedometer and tach. The map pocket was replaced with the first real glove box since '67! Exclusive to the Pace Car were seats that folded almost completely flat to give easy excess to the rear storage area. Because of the frenzy created by the WSJ article, a number of these Pace cars were driven very rarely (like our featured car) or put in mothballs as their owners hoped for a huge windfall upon selling. As a result, of all the speculating, that one little article is attributed with the Corvette collector craze!
This particular Pace Car was acquired by Mike from the estate of large collection of very low miles Corvettes. This one has managed to accumulate only 2,108 miles since it rolled off the line in St. Louis. Please note: The car was born an L48 and that's the engine that still resides under the hood. However, the previous owner decided to dress it up as an L82 with hood emblems and valve covers. We liked how it looked, so we left it alone. Options include automatic transmission, leather seats, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, tilt/tele steering wheel, and to complete the '70's through-back; a factory AM/FM/CB radio!! 10-4.
Do not wait to bid, or to make an offer, on this super low mileage Indy 500 Pace Car, as it is also available for sale in our showroom and will move fast. For more information, you can send us a question through eBay or call/text, us on our cell phones at: Jeff (661-510-3486) or Troy (714-712-0060).