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One Family Owned 1978 Corvette Pace Car

I’m not sure if it’s just that I have C3 Corvettes on my mind, but these cars have really been growing on me! This 1978 Pace Car Edition is really tempting, with just 35k miles and the L82 it could be a fun driver. I’m not a huge fan of the two-tone paint job, but I love the interior that this special edition car received. Chevrolet built about 6,500 of these Pace Car replicas, so they are fairly rare. That being said, there are always a few low mileage examples on the market. This one is said to be a one family owned car and looks to have cleaned up nicely. You can find it here on eBay in Henderson, Nevada with a current bid of $9,100.

The silver upholstery really reminds me of the materials used to make the spacesuits in just about every old science fiction show, but that’s what makes it so cool. The Nevada heat hasn’t exactly been kind to the vinyl in this one, but it looks serviceable.

Here’s the L-82 version of the 350 V8. It might not have the kind of power found in older big block Corvettes, but it’s 220 horsepower feels respectable when your driving and with a 0 to 60 time below 7 seconds you can keep up with most modern cars. Yes, a modern Honda Civic Si has more horsepower and a quicker 0 to 60 time, it won’t ever produce the kinds of sounds this V8 does and it certainly won’t look as good!

It will be interesting to see just how much this Corvette ends up going for. The Pace Car Replica option is cool but is just cosmetic. I think it looks great without the Pace Car stickers installed, but it would be nice to have them if they are still with the car. Given that it was resprayed once in its life there’s a good chance they are long gone, but it would be worth asking the seller. So, do you think the Pace Car package adds value?

Comments

  1. Avatar leiniedude Member

    No room for another Corvette but I would make some space for that Skee Ball machine! That LT-1 they have for sale would be a blast though. I wonder if the cash in her hand is from the flipper?

    Like 3
  2. Avatar Miguel

    classic-car-garage_nevada really knows how to sell a cars on Ebay with three whole pictures.

    Like 3
    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      Miguel, if you click See full item description link in the ad you will see a ton of photos.

      Like 3
  3. Avatar Classic Steel

    Nice automatic lady’s car!

    I like the color and design but a vette is a manual trans car! This my opinion of course but owning many manual Corvette cars one can say shifting is the fun part as well as the thumbs up 👍 from onlookers 😎

    Like 5
  4. Avatar cyclemikey

    Blowing out the vacuum onto the hood and piling the (nice clean) bundles on the back to get that “Barn Find” vibe is hilarious.

    It cleaned up OK, but really, it’s in ‘meh’ condition overall. The L82 is a plus, as is the low miles if it can be documented, and the automatic is fine. But on the whole, I’m underwhelmed.

    Like 10
  5. Avatar gbvette62

    “Chevrolet built about 6,500 of these Pace Car replicas, so they are fairly rare.” I have to disagree.

    Chevrolet built 6502 Pace Car replicas, one per dealer, but they’re hardly rare. About 15% of all 78’s were Pace Cars. The only Corvettes built for 7 weeks in April and May of 78, were Pace Cars. Any day of the week, there are a half dozen of them for sale on eBay, many with less than 500 or 1000 miles on them.

    As Pace Cars go, this one is rare, only because it appears that it was actually driven. Looking at the condition of it, it either wasn’t taken very good care of, or the miles are higher then the indicated 35000. It was real easy to disconnect the speedometer on these, if they have cruise control. The cruise transducer is located just below the master cylinder, and all you had to do to disconnect the speedo, was to pull the output cable, off of the transducer. Something a lot of owners did, to keep their “miles” low!

    There are a few things that aren’t correct on the car (antenna, radio, etc), and the paint and striping look tired, but for $10000 it could be a nice driver for someone. For someone looking for a show car, or one with good paint, they’d be better off spending another $10000 for a better car.

    Like 8
  6. Avatar Jimmy

    Never understood the need for piling stuff on top of your car, selling or storing. It irks me to death.

    Like 9
  7. Avatar Tim S.

    Least-rare collector car in history. If it’s your dream Vette, make a deal & drive the damn thing.

    Like 4
  8. Avatar Ike Onick

    I like the advanced-design air bag system.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Chebby Member

    Oooh it’s got the rare Acapulco padded roof. Big money for this one!

    Like 3
  10. Avatar 86 Vette Convertible

    There’s one picture of what looks to be of a well from the bottom. There appears to be cracking damage on it but not having a C3 I’m not sure where that’s at.
    Don’t know how extensive it is, so might be an easy fix. This is one if you want it, drive it and enjoy it. It won’t be a money maker in the future.

    Like 1
    • Avatar gbvette62

      I think what you saw were cobwebs.

      In the one underside picture showing the catalytic converter, the bottom of one of the rear storage compartments, that are behind the seats, can be seen. It looks like it has cobwebs all over it, a good indication that it’s been sitting a while.

      Like 1
  11. Avatar Ray Smith

    There is some pretty thick oil and grime buildup on the cross member. Also a hole has been worn in the seat back side bolster. They are going to need some serious documentation to prove those miles. Looks to me to be more like 135,000 miles.

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Frank Sumatra

    Not a bad looking Pace Car. L-82 is nice to have and this is a car that can and should be driven daily. I like it a lot.

    Like 2
  13. Avatar Danger Dan

    I saw a cute young girl driving one Thursday. I almost spit out my sammich!
    So cool. Greatest paint scheme ever.

    Like 2
  14. Avatar Del

    Worst build year ever for Vette.

    No thanks

    Like 4
  15. Avatar bull

    This seller’s situation is pretty typical in today’s world and will be the “Norm” moving forward in the next 5+ years as all the “Baby Boomer’s” start selling their junk while they are still alive OR their heirs will be selling their stuff when they are dead and gone!

    It will be a lot cheaper buying it from the heirs!

    No need to get excited about any of this so called “Rare” stuff that KEEPS COMING UP FOR SALE every day from the “Baby Boomer’s as there is going to be a “LOT MO OF IT” coming to market in the near and far future!

    That means prices will continue to DROP!

    All you have to do is wait!

    Of course if you yourself and are a “Baby Boomer” intending to buy some of this junk for yourself you better not wait too long as you will be in the same situation very soon.

    Dead or dying!

    Like 6
  16. Avatar Thomas

    Having owned several Vettes, I can tell you that this car is not a 38000 mile example. I know where they wear with driven age and this car has been driven. Wrong components, a repaint, accumulated grime and grease, worn driver seat. This car is a 138000 mile Vette all day long. No question.Why is it so difficult for people to be honest these days?

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Comet

    I worked at a Chevrolet dealer when the 78 anniversary and pace cars arrived. The build quality, fit and finish were horrible. A mechanic bought one and had the body shop immediately repair all the body imperfections and give it a proper repaint. Many of today’s cars can be boring but you can’t beat the fit and finish. The days of stacks of fender shims to make steel bodied car panels fit correctly are gone. I hung a fender on a 2016 Kia recently, I honestly believe it weighed less than 3 pounds. How times have changed.

    Like 2
  18. Avatar Gus

    Jeez wize Bull, have a little compassion for us old fart baby boomers. We still love our cars and are not letting go yet.Who thinks like that?

    Like 9
  19. Avatar Oliver Felix Rojas

    This Corvette value is increased on account of having the L82 engine option and being associated with racing.

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Mike R in DE

    I’d buy the white Corvette that’s for sale here. It’s already cleaned up, running, driving & stopping. AC’s not a problem, just r134 retro fit kits – fill valves & fill to 80-85% of r12 volume. Black looks so good, but is such a pain to always look good! Always buy the driver, Because you can take it for a REAL test ride. Remember, it’s been sitting & it’s a still a used car. Good luck.

    Like 1
  21. Avatar Ned Murphy

    I’d lose the lettering and; like you said, they are growing on me! Josh, just check out what you wrote “but it’s 220 horsepower feels respectable when your driving”

    Like 1
  22. Avatar Mike

    Ghheezzz wiz guys.. most of yous are TOUGH!! When I sell my 78 Silver anniversary vette with 35k miles I cant list it here.
    By the way.. For that seller .. I have an Original in the box Oem decal set from a dealer when they were closing 20+ years ago.

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Buickguy

    I’ve always appreciated these and the Silver anniversary cars. I think this generation Vette is one of the sharpest looking Vettes. I get that they are underpowered, but I don’t need 500hp to take my wife out for a cruise and grab an ice cream…I’ve always liked the lines of these cars.

    Like 1

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