Why This Car Is Special

The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette was already a landmark vehicle before Chevrolet decided to make it the Official Pace Car for the 62nd Annual Indianapolis 500. Nineteen seventy-eight marked the Corvette's 25th anniversary as a production model, and General Motors chose to celebrate in a big way. The C3 body received its first significant restyling since 1968, gaining a fastback rear window that completely transformed the car's profile and gave it a much more modern, aerodynamic appearance. That change alone made the 1978 model year a turning point in Corvette history.

When it was selected to pace the Indy 500 on May 28, 1978, Chevrolet created a limited-run replica package that any customer could order through a Chevrolet dealer. The Pace Car Edition became one of the most talked-about special editions of the entire C3 generation. Only 6,502 were produced, and this is one of them. The package included a specific black-over-silver two-tone paint scheme, a full set of pace car decals, a unique front air dam, front and rear spoilers, aluminum wheels designed specifically for the package, and a silver leather interior. Dealers famously applied the decals before delivery in some cases, and in others they were left for the owner to apply — many cars still have them intact today, and this one does.

The Pace Car Edition was priced at a significant premium over a standard 1978 Corvette, and dealers often added substantial markups above sticker. Some sold for two to three times the window price. While not every Pace Car Edition was ordered with the L82 engine, the ones that were represent the most desirable combination from that model year. This car carries the L82 — the high-output 5.7-liter V8 that was the top engine choice for 1978 — confirming it was built as a fully optioned example from the start.

Features List

• L82 5.7L V8 engine
• 3-speed automatic transmission
• Official Pace Car Edition — 62nd Indianapolis 500
• One of 6,502 Pace Car replicas produced
• 25th Anniversary badge
• Glass T-tops
• Fastback rear window (new for 1978)
• Front and rear spoilers
• Pace car decals
• Aluminum pace car wheels
• Goodyear Eagle GT II tires
• Dual exhaust
• Silver leather bucket seats
• Center console with 25th Anniversary badging
• Air conditioning
• Power steering
• 4-wheel disc brakes
• Power windows
• Power door locks
• Tilt-telescopic steering column
• Cruise control
• Rear window defogger
• Sport mirrors
• Tachometer with L82 designation on face
• Upgraded Sony stereo

Mechanical

The L82 was the performance-spec engine for the 1978 Corvette, producing 220 horsepower at a time when the base L48 5.7-liter V8 was rated at 185. The L82 used higher compression, a more aggressive camshaft, larger valves, and a specific carburetor setup to extract more output from the same displacement. It was a cost option that separated buyers who wanted the most performance the C3 had to offer in 1978 from those who were satisfied with the standard configuration. The tachometer face in this car is marked with the L82 designation, which you can see in the photos and which confirms the engine specification visually from the driver's seat.

Backing the L82 is a 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The 1978 Corvette's suspension used independent double wishbones up front and a three-link independent setup at the rear with a transverse leaf spring — a configuration that gave the C3 predictable handling and a reasonably comfortable ride for a sports car of its era. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard equipment on all 1978 Corvettes, a meaningful safety and performance advantage over many contemporaries. The undercarriage photos show the frame and suspension components in solid condition. Dual exhaust exits at the rear, consistent with the L82 specification and the Pace Car package.

Interior

The Pace Car Edition interior is one of the most distinctive elements of the package. Silver leather bucket seats were specific to this model — standard 1978 Corvettes did not receive this combination as a matter of course. The leather shows the expected patina of a car from this era but retains its shape and structure well. The center console carries the 25th Anniversary Limited Edition badge, which is a period-correct detail that collectors specifically look for on these cars. The dash-mounted gauge cluster includes a full set of auxiliary gauges — oil pressure, temperature, ammonia, and voltage — arranged in the characteristic C3 pod layout. The tachometer, as noted, is the L82-specific unit. The tilt-telescopic steering column is present and functional, and the three-spoke steering wheel wears the Corvette emblem at its center. Cruise control and the power window and door lock switches are in their original positions on the door panels and console. The Sony stereo is a modern head unit installed in the factory location — a practical addition that does not require cutting into the dash. The rear compartment, visible through the new-for-1978 fastback glass, is carpeted in silver to match the rest of the interior. The glass T-tops remove and store in the rear compartment in the bags provided, and the rear window defogger grid is clearly visible in the photos.

Exterior

The two-tone black and silver paint scheme was not a standard color option in 1978 — it was exclusive to the Pace Car Edition. The black covers the upper body, and silver covers the lower section, separated by a red pinstripe. The pace car decals — reading "Official Pace Car, 62nd Annual Indianapolis 500 Mile Race" — are applied to the doors and are present and legible on this car. The front air dam is body-colored and integrates with the front spoiler that was part of the Pace Car package. The rear spoiler is also installed. The aluminum wheels were designed specifically for this edition and differ from the standard Corvette wheel available that year. They are mounted with Goodyear Eagle GT II tires. Sport mirrors are in place on both doors. The fastback rear window, which replaced the previous flying buttress design, is one of the defining visual changes of the 1978 model year and gives the car a noticeably cleaner roofline. The 25th Anniversary badge appears on the exterior as well, recognizing the Corvette's milestone year.

Conclusion

The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition sits at the intersection of two significant events — the Corvette's 25th anniversary and its role as the Official Pace Car of the 62nd Indianapolis 500. With only 6,502 produced, it was a limited edition at the time of sale, and attrition over nearly five decades means genuine, intact examples are increasingly difficult to find. This particular car carries the L82 engine, the full exterior Pace Car livery including decals and correct aluminum wheels, and the correct silver leather interior with 25th Anniversary center console badging. It is a driver-quality example of a historically significant Corvette variant that represents the C3 generation at one of its most memorable moments.

To schedule a showing or ask questions about this 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition, call Skyway Classics at 941-254-6608. We are located in Sarasota, Florida, and happy to assist buyers near and far.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.