In 1978, the Chevrolet Corvette turned 25 years old. A milestone birthday to be sure, Corvette celebrated in style with a number of unique, innovative, necessary and eye-catching changes. The most obvious was, of course, the new fastback roofline with a massive glass rear replacing the buttress treatment of the 1968-1977 Corvettes. While it seems like a simple design feat, it was actually a very involved process requiring a lot of accommodations for the fuel tank (which was larger for 1978), the dual exhaust system and the spare tire. Less obvious improvements included a 5 HP more powerful, standard-issue 350/185 HP L48 V-8 engine and an optional 350/220 HP L82 V-8 engine, an improved low-restriction dual exhaust system with a single catalytic muffler, an aluminum intake manifold, revised and lighter-weight transmissions, stiffer springs, larger shock absorbers and beefier Goodyear GT Radial tires. The interior also received welcome revisions, and all things told, 1978 largely marked a return to glory as a high-performance sports car with exceptional handling and styling characteristics for the Corvette. Each new Corvette boasted special badges declaring Corvette’s 25th Anniversary, and a special two-tone silver paint package was available with interiors colored in either black, red or oyster. This one boasts the black interior with the special 25th Anniversary two-tone silver paint scheme and shows just 1,600 miles on the odometer. Fitted with a matching-numbers 350 CI V-8, the original matching-numbers TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and the original 3.55 Positraction rear end, this Silver Anniversary Edition Corvette presents in impressive condition. Equipped with factory air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo system with the factory CB radio, a tilt and telescoping steering column, delayed windshield wipers, removable T-Tops and power windows, locks, steering and 4-wheel disc brakes, the car rolls on Goodyear GT Radial tires and the original, factory aluminum Corvette wheels. The recently removed leather and cloth seat covers are included with this car, as are the original window sticker, the original bill of sale, the buyer’s booklets, shop manuals and a dealer’s brochure.
