One of the highlights of my teen years was visiting my hometown Chevy dealer and getting to sit in a brand new 1978 Corvette Pace Car on the showroom floor.
I even wrote a story and took photos of this historic Corvette for the weekly newspaper where I was in my early days as a writer.
That’s why, like many of you out there, no doubt, seeing the horrific condition of this ’78 Pace Car 44 years later is absolutely heartbreaking.
The car recently popped up on eBay, where the seller makes no bones about its poor condition and is offering it at the lowest price I’ve seen – $3,400.
Of course, the old adage that you get what you pay for has never rung more true.
Let’s start with what you can see on the outside. The distinctive black and silver paint is faded and worn out, and the bubble back glass that debuted that year has been totally smashed out, likely letting in the elements and an assortment of critters for who knows how long.
The interior ranks as a total disaster, too, including the “rare” cloth seats. The upper part of the driver’s seat has become separated from the lower part, you’ll likely notice right off the bat, and the dash is also badly cracked.
The car has the lower horsepower L48 engine that is “stuck” and not running, according to the seller. It’s connected to an automatic transmission. Would you replace the whole drivetrain while you’re restoring the car, or just rebuild what we assume to be the original parts?
Another critical part of the car is its “very rusty” frame, which will need to be replaced, the seller points out.
Would you be willing to take on this major project? Personally, I would hate to see any of the 6,502 Pace Cars fall by the wayside and hope it will soon see the better days it deserves, but after a personal experience that went awry on a rough 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am, I’m leery of cars like this Corvette. I could foresee never being able to get your sizable investment back out of what promises to be a gigantic money pit.
Source:
eBay Motors via BarnFinds.com
Related:
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Corvettes for Sale: 4,600-Mile 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 with ZTK on Bring a Trailer
Wednesday’s New York State General Surplus Auction is Offering a 1966 Corvette Convertible
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Like you it was love at first sight when I saw my first 78 Pace Car at Roosevelt Chevrolet In Jackson Heights New York. This was probably one of those cars that the owner said its not for sale I am going to fix it up so get lost. So many nice old cars rotting away at the hands of idiots.
Only good thing about this one is the VIN, which doesn’t mean much when you consider what needs to be done and what it would be worth even if pristine. Hard pass.
Just good for parts.
Bill, when I was 16 years old I too first saw the 1978 pace car at Roosevelt Chevrolet. My older brother worked there as a mechanic at that time.
L 78 I used to buy parts for my 65 From Roosevelt blonde headed guy maybe he was 25. Small world I am from woodside worked in bill’s bicycle shop on Roosevelt and 64st
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