Up for sale is a 1978 Corvette Indy Pace Car. This was the 25th Anniversary for the Corvette and GM decided to celebrate this milestone in style. This was the first time a Corvette had ever paced the Indy 500 race and to commemorate that Chevrolet built
6,502 Pace Car replicas for every GM dealership across the country to get just one.
This one is extremely rare and unique as it was ordered with the optional L-82 engine and a 4-Speed manual transmission. Most all of these pace cars were equipped with just the base L-48 engine and an automatic transmission. This pace car is number 783 out of the 6,502 and only 1 of 626 Pace Cars with the Borg Warner 4-Speed transmission.
These Pace Car replicas had their own vehicle identification number sequence, a Corvette first. Initially, these were to have two-tone silver paint with red striping, special Goodyear tires with “Corvette” sidewall letters, and a build quantity of 300 to honor the 1953 model. The special tires were eliminated and quantity ratcheted up several times as dealer and public interest skyrocketed. Chevrolet finally decided to build on for each dealer (about 6000) plus some extras. The final build quantity released by Chevrolet was 6,502; however, other quantities have been published.
These Pace Car replicas ended up being a black color on the top followed by the lower lighter silver color with striping and decals. The aluminum wheels had a red stripe around them, all had the sport mirrors, glass T-Top roof panels, larger 60-series tires, special seats and a console plaque, unique front and rear spoilers exclusive to the Pace Car model only but did become and option in 1979, and basically all power equipment such as power windows, steering, and brakes, cruise control, factory alarm system, leather wrapped tilt/telescopic steering column, factory air conditioning, and the list goes on. These new seats actually folded down flat for easier access to the rear storage area. These cars all came with door decals which some owners opted to not install. Other features such as dual rear speakers and a power antenna, a first since 1965, was standard equipment.
Chevrolet marked the Corvette’s twenty-fifth year by introducing the most extensively redesigned model since 1968. New “fastback” rear end styling featured a large rear window, but not a hatchback. This design change created significantly more luggage space behind the seats. Also, a retracting cover was added for security and sun protection.
The 1978 interior was redesigned significantly. The speedometer and tachometer were redone in a more square, vertical mode. A glove box was added. Inner door panels were completely new and featured screwed-on armrests instead of the molded-in style common to Corvettes since 1965. Windshield wiper and washer controls were moved back to the instrument panel, but the dimmer remained on the steering column. The center console, redone for 1977, essentially carried over.
“25th” Anniversary” emblems appeared exclusively on 1978 models.
Wider 60-series tires became available as a 1978 Corvette option and required fender trimming at the Corvette assembly plant for clearance.
The original base MSRP for the 1978 Pace Car was $13,653.21
This Pace Car has the numbers matching engine and is mostly all stock and original with the exception of the tires, routine maintenance items such as new exhaust, upgraded AC registering 53 degrees and a rebuilt carburetor with kit from Cliffs.
This Corvette does have some nice paperwork and documentation including the order form from the dealer when new, manufacturer’s statement of origin, dealer invoice, owners manual and the original window sticker, previous owner copies of titles with verifiable mileage, various receipts, photos, internet files and photos, spreadsheet; original decals plus an aftermarket set of decals from Phoenix Graphics.
This car has been garage kept and under a cover on a trickle charger when not being driven. The paint for its age is excellent with some small spidering on the nose and two 1.25” scratches on the passenger door. The carpet and interior is in very nice condition. The leather seats are still really nice with no rips or tears.
The engine runs out strong and the transmission shifts smoothly. It has the G95 rear axle which is believed to be a 3.36 gear ratio that allows 65 mph cruising at 2200 rpms.

Please note that this vehicle is being sold on a consignment sale and is not currently at our location in Nixa Missouri. The owner is local, in the Springfield Missouri area, and can show the car at most anytime. If interested please contact us and we will forward the owners information to you if you are a potential buyer or we can have the car brought to our place of business for viewing if desired.
The owner also stated that he would not hesitate to get into this Corvette and drive it anywhere in the US without any reservation.
With that being said this vehicle is sold “As-Is” and any information that was provided was given by the owner of the car.