1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indianapolis Pace-Car Limited Edition
L-82 V-8 // 5.7 Liter // 350 cubic inch // Rare 4 Speed Manual Trans.
CONTACT: dave@rizzio.net or 215-880-2118
BROCHURE: http://rizzio.net/corvette/pdf/1978_IndyPacer_Rizzio_6Pgr.pdf
(Click Here to download a 6 page full-color PDF brochure.)
TRUE RARITY:
While Chevrolet produced 6,502 1978 Pace-Cars, this particular Pace-Car is of a much more
exclusive sub-grouping. This matching numbers Pace-Car is one of only 500 Pace-Cars with
the four speed manual transmission. The automatic transmission was on most of the
Corvettes, and if you look around at matching number '78 Pace-Cars, (i.e. unmodified) you
will see most have the automatic transmission. And additionally, most 1978's you see for
sale these days, have the smaller L-48 engine. <font color="#FF0000">THIS
Pace-Car not only has the desirable larger L-82 engine, but is ALSO mated with the strong
factory 4-speed transmission.</font> And if that isn't rare enough, this particular
Pace-Car has the added rarity of the original factory CB radio. This baby has all the best
factory options, and these are quite hard to find. Collectors and investors note: THIS IS
A TRULY RARE CORVETTE.
This Pace-Car comes loaded with features including power windows, power locks, power
auto-antenna, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, rear defrost, remote
adjustable sport mirrors, AM/FM stereo with CB radio and rear speakers. Independent rear
w/Posi-Trac, 4-wheel power disc brakes, factory A/C, correct black/silver exterior (paint
code 19/47), rare correct silver interior (trim code 15c), aluminum wheels, removable
mirrored glass T-Tops, (with vinyl cases) and dual-exhaust.
HOW IS SHE HOLDING UP:
This particular Corvette Pace-Car is in good condition, and starts right up even in the
coldest of days. (However it doesn't currently get much opportunity for cold weather
driving, as it is stored in a garage for the winters.) Over all, she's in nice shape, and
is a really fantastic weekend cruiser or daily driver, or she could be fixed up a bit, and
become an award winning show car.
PERFORMANCE:
She accelerates and handles like the true sports car she is. And that 4 speed manual
really makes for an exciting ride. Not much more needs to be said about the drive. She's a
Corvette. She likes to go fast in a straight line, but can take the curves too.
BODY:
Very straight and original body with original two-tone bc/cc paint. The first owner was in
Arizona, so there is no salt damage on the undercarriage, and she is garage kept for the
Pennsylvania winters. There are no serious body scars. The pin-striping is flaking in
spots, but she's over 30 years old... additionally, she has some small hairlines and a
small chip or two, but nothing serious or very noticeable.
INTERIOR:
All gauges work except for the trip-meter, and all the interior lighting works fine. The
carpets are wearing thin in places, and probably could stand to be replaced in places.
Throughout the car, the chrome is in good shape. The rubber is decent, but could stand to
be replaced here and there.
ELECTRIC:
She does have an electric short somewhere, and I use a battery cut-off switch when leaving
her parked for more than a couple days. (It also works well as extra security if you
completely unscrew the knob and take it with you.) The cut-off switch can be connected
with a quick turn of the knob, and she starts right up. No drama, just lots of Corvette
L-82 rumble.
T-TOPS:
The T-Tops really make for fantastic cruising. It really feels like a convertible, and the
mechanisms for the roof work great. The original vinyl T-Top covers are in good shape and
have retained almost all of their buttons.
OVERVIEW:
Over all, she's in nice shape, and is a really fantastic weekend cruiser or daily driver,
or she could be fixed up a bit, and become an award winning show car. Indy 500 Pace-Cars
are becoming very popular collector cars and their value is constantly on the rise, even
in these tough times. Take advantage of this opportunity to invest in your future and get
an amazing ride while doing it.
SPECIFICATIONS
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Corvette
Year: 1978
Color: Black and Silver
Engine: Chevrolet V8
Power: 220 bhp
Transmission: 4 speed manual
Brakes: Discs
Length: 185"
Width: 69"
Height: 48"
Chassis no: 1Z8748S925809
Mileage: 63,500
Asking: $18,250 (Reduced!)
CONTACT: dave@rizzio.net or 215-880-2118
BROCHURE: http://rizzio.net/corvette/pdf/1978_IndyPacer_Rizzio_6Pgr.pdf
(Click Here to download a 6 page full-color PDF brochure.)
HISTORY: Two Seats of American GLORY, PRIDE and POWER!
1978 was the 25th anniversary of the birth of the Corvette, and Chevrolet introduced the
most extensively redesigned Corvette since 1968 to mark the it's silver anniversary. The
1978 Corvette had new fastback rear styling, creating more passenger space and a larger
rear window. The interior was also modernized, the speedometer and tachometer were
redesigned in a new squarer more vertical style and a glove box was added. On the
exterior, all 1978 Corvettes had a 25th Anniversary emblem. And finally, 25 years after
the birth of "America's Sports Car", the Corvette finally got a chance to pace
the Indy 500.
The car came standard with a 350 ci. L-48 (185-hp) motor. An optional 220-horsepower, 350
ci engine (L-82) was available. And as special note, it was the first Pace-Car in history
to use an entirely stock drivetrain. The 1978 Corvette Pace-Car was driven by 1960 Indy
500 winner Jim Rathmann, his fifth time at the wheel of the Pace-Car.
Although only 300 replicas were originally planned to match the production number of the
1953 model, Chevrolet eventually had to produce 1 for approximately every dealer for a
total of 6,502.
Chevrolet was extremely proud of the fact that as an Indianapolis Pace-Car, the 1978
Corvette was the first car to use a completely stock drive train, the first to be built
from a one piece fiberglass body, and the only pure two seater since before World War II.
This was the first production Corvette to be identified as a 'Limited Edition' as it was
designated to be the Pace-Car at the Indianapolis 500 Race. A lead story on the front page
of the Wall Street Journal indicated this model would become an immediate collectable
Corvette. There was a quick impact on the selling price of these Corvettes with the asking
of $10,000 over the list price of $13,653 for the 1978 Pace-Car. The original list price
included all of the desirable options and included the standard L-48 motor and automatic
transmission. It could also be equipped with an AM-FM stereo radio with a CB feature, a
$170 upgrade for the Pace-Car.
These Pace-Car replicas had their own Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), separate from
the standard Corvette, another first for the marque. The difference between the VIN number
for the standard Corvette and Pace-Car replica is in the eighth digit, the Pace-Car
replica has a 9, the standard Corvette a 4. As well as having their own identification,
the Pace-Car replicas had their own paint scheme which consisted of a two tone paint with
a red stripe.
Indy 500 Pace-Cars are becoming very popular collector cars and their value is constantly
on the rise, even in these tough times. Take advantage of this opportunity to invest in
your future and get an amazing ride while doing it.
CONTACT: dave@rizzio.net or 215-880-2118
BROCHURE: http://rizzio.net/corvette/pdf/1978_IndyPacer_Rizzio_6Pgr.pdf
(Click Here to download a 6 page full-color PDF brochure.) |
