1978 Chevrolet Corvette L-48 Pace Car

Description

Never titled, ultra-low mileage, and highly documented - 1978 Chevrolet Corvette L-48 Pace Car has truly been treated like the collector car it is. So take extra time looking over this time capsule, but don't linger too long because an opportunity like this doesn't come along too often.

The fact that your name can be the first one on the registration history and that the odometer hasn't even hit the tens place makes this one a collectible. But even before you even know that, this car lets you know that you're in the presence of something special. Chevrolet made sure these pace cars looked more like a custom car than any Corvette before it. The two-tone black and silver is a timelessly tasteful color combo. And the sophistication has a sporty red streak helping to divide the colors and show off the C3's best curves. This was expensive to produce, and thus, it was made for a defining moment for the Corvette. It was the car's silver anniversary, and while there was an anniversary edition, these pace car factory replicas were the real prize. They were a true limited edition that cost almost 50 percent more than the base price. The combination of history and money creates exclusivity, and this is seen as the one that turned the Corvette from a nice sports car into a true collector's item. These were often put on display for a few years before being sold to true collectors. It's a story we're heard a few times, but more than 40 years later, we pretty much assumed these museum pieces have long since been sold, titled, and driven. So this is an especially interesting find. Most people take more steps in a week than this car has been driven in all its life thus far. No stones have chipped the front end, no bugs have stained the windshield, and even the tires are believed to be original. The largest imperfections you're likely to find are from the finish quality at the St. Louis factory and anyone getting too close if this car was being exhibited. The total impression is clean, sharp, slick, stock, and awe-inspiring for true enthusiasts.

You can tell this one has been stored correctly because opening up the doors feels like unsealing a time capsule. It's the silver anniversary, and so the silver leather interior is the perfect color for this special edition car. It feels supple, complete, and inviting. The carpets, door panels, and dashboard all feel like they could be a benchmark for those wanting to restore their cars to stock. This is also attractive because it's luxurious. The high price for the Indy Pace cars meant they were loaded with glass T-tops, power windows, electric rear defogger, sport mirrors, a tilt steering wheel, and air conditioning. This one even still has its original AM/FM/8-track stereo. You can verify all these features because the original window sticker is part of the impressive paperwork file.

Of course, the engine is the numbers-matching L48 350 cubic-inch V8. It has the same kind of time capsule style as the rest of the car, right down to factory markings and decals. And the way it fires up and runs shows that nearly no miles does not mean missing out on maintenance. This V8 is mated to the numbers-matching three-speed automatic transmission. Chevy built these to be great cruising cars, and so the fully independent suspension, power steering, and four-wheel disc brakes are there if you do feel like being the first to add to the odometer.

The sale comes complete with terrific documentation that includes the factory buildsheet, original window sticker, owner's manual, and the Indy door decals. And because this has yet to be on the road or registered, it's our full belief the odometer represents the full actual mileage. When it comes to Corvette history, you might never again find another opportunity to be the first to add your name to such a significant classic. So if you're a Corvette connoisseur, don't miss this pace car. Call now!