1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car

Description

With just 75 original miles (yes, you read that correctly), this 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car is a stunning time capsule that is a must-have for any serious Corvette collector. While not exactly rare, with 6502 being built (which is about one for every Chevy dealership in 1978), these cars remain popular with Corvette fans, and this one is so clean and untouched, even the original window stickers are still on the passenger side window and the seats are wrapped in dealership plastic. We've been in this business a very long time, and we've never seen a Pace Car with so few miles. If you're looking for the best, you've found it.

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, so this one isn't plastered with a big billboard on the side. No, this low-mile Pace Car is mostly decal-free, which many folks seem to prefer and while not exactly low-profile, it looks sophisticated rather than aggressive. Paint is largely unblemished and exactly the way GM applied it, and every panel is aligned as it was from the factory. With only 75 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. Only minor swirls from years of car washes show when you look very, very close, which was common in these late '70s GM paints, but a high-speed buff would easily bring it back to 1978-fresh. But as far as time-capsule cars go, this is one has obviously been hermetically sealed and is about as nice as they come.

The silver leather interior is equally well preserved, with plastic wrapping on the seats protecting them for years. We don't know if anyone has ever actually sat on the Pace Car-specific seats, but 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 in great shape, show only slight fading that's to be expected after almost 45 years. Pace Cars were loaded, too, and this one has just about every option Chevy could throw at a Corvette: T-tops that have never been removed, power windows, rear defogger, air conditioning, sport mirrors, tilt/telescope steering wheel, power door locks, and an AM/FM stereo. It even still smells new and with the window sticker still clinging to life on the passenger's side window, so it's a sure bet that it has never been down.

Powering this time capsule of a Pace Car is the original, numbers-matching L48 350 cubic inch V8 that's logged a miniscule 75 miles since it left the factory floor. Everything is stock under the hood, and I mean everything, from the belts, hoses, clamps, you name it. That means the engine bay is clean as can be and just as GM built it, with blue enamel on the engine and valve covers, and a big, snorkeled air cleaner up top that helps the small block breathe. Underneath, it's pretty much immaculate, from the TH350 3-speed automatic to the fully independent 3.08-geared rear end, and even the original exhaust still carries its catalytic convertor from 1978. Factory markings remain completely intact, and there's no evidence of structural rust or damage anywhere, further proof that this car has barely been outside. 15-inch slotted alloy wheels were part of the Pace Car package, and this one wears its original set of 225/60/15 Goodyear Eagle GT white-letter radials, which are the only set of tires it has ever worn.

Documented with its original window stickers and all the original manuals, this insanely preserved low-mileage Pace Car Corvette is as close to brand new as you're going to find. A collector's dream, in the flesh. Call today!