Although the American high-performance car was virtually extinct by the mid-1970s, Chevrolet’s Corvette continued to attract committed driving enthusiasts. In addition to a sleek, new, fastback-style rear window treatment, the 1978 model year marked the 25th Anniversary of America’s only true series- production sports car. In celebration, the Corvette was selected as the Official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car for the first time, and it served its role especially well as the first production-based vehicle to pace the Indianapolis 500 field with a factory-stock drivetrain. The Corvette was also the first fiberglass-bodied pace car at Indy and the first pure two-seater performing the high-profile job since before World War II. Driving the pace car for the 1978 race was 1960 Indianapolis 500 winner Jim Rathmann, and when the checkered flag dropped, Al Unser won his third Indy 500 title. While the production of 2,500 RPO Z78 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvettes was initially envisioned to commemorate the Corvette’s high-profile use at the race, demand was so great that Chevrolet built 6,502 examples—one for each Chevrolet dealer in operation. This 1978 Corvette Pace Car Edition is well-preserved and includes the factory plastic seat and steering wheel covers. A Triple Crown recipient, this Corvette Pace Car’s spectacular condition is supported by a litany of awards, including Bloomington Gold, Survivor and Benchmark certification, NCRS Top Flight and 5-Star Bowtie awards, and a Chevy Vettefest Gold Spinner Award. Sporting black over silver paint and silver leather upholstery, it delivers ample power from an L48 350 CI V-8 engine rated at 185 HP with a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, which is mated here to an automatic transmission. Other features and options include power brakes and steering, factory C60 air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, removable glass T-top panels, sport mirrors, a tilt steering column, an AM/FM stereo radio with 8-track tape player, rear speakers and a power antenna, plus the ZX2 Convenience Group and special silver leather seats. Polished alloy wheels, Goodyear GT Radial tires, “Official Pace Car” graphics, red accents and Corvette-scripted floor mats finish this special, commemorative Corvette, which is accompanied by a three-ring binder with the window sticker and spare keys.
