1978 Chevrolet Corvette Indianapolis 500 Edition T-top Coupe

Designer: William "Bill" Mitchell Without Reserve

Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000

Chassis Number: 1Z8748S906143

Decoded: 1=Chevrolet; Z87=Corvette T-top Coupe; 4=L82 5.7L V8; 8=1978; S=St. Louis, MO assembly; 9=Pace Car Ed.; 06143=6,143rd Indy 500 Pace Car scheduled for production.

Engine: 350 cid OHV V8

4-barrel Carburetor/220 bhp

4-Speed Turbo Hydramatic Automatic Transmission

Power Assisted Four-Wheel Disc Brakes

Odometer: 27,625 Miles

Celebrates Corvette's 1st Time at Indy 500

Outstanding Condition All Around

Well Appointed From the Factory

The Model - It seems odd that it wasn't until 1978, the 25th Anniversary of America's sports car, that the Corvette was selected to be the official pace car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's 500-mile race. Not since the 1950's had there been this much interest from a factory in producing replicas of the official car and making them available to the general public. Using the first two-tone paint scheme offered on a Corvette since 1961, the distinctive black over silver motif made these cars instantly recognizable. With a base price of $13,653, dealers, who were limited to just one unit, would often load these cars up with all the toys to jack up the delivery price, as well as their profit margins, through the roof. For 2017, a Grand Sport edition paced the Memorial Day Classic for the 14th time. A lot of great Corvettes have led those 33 racers down to the green flag, but it is the first one that people still recognize and it is the first one that sets the standard for all the rest to try and meet.

The Car - The 1978 Corvette Pace Car replica we are proud to offer has it all. Under the hood was the L82, 220 HP, 350 cid $525 optional V8 engine. Even more expensive than the L82 engine was the AM-FM-CB radio, listed at $638, it found over 7,100 buyers in all Corvettes, just a few of those were installed in the Pace Car replicas. While this car has enjoyed a bit of road time, under 27,700 miles from new. This Pace Car has never been abused or involved in any type of traffic altercation. The car still wears 100% of its factory applied paint plus its original Indy 500 decal identification package. Included in the Pacer Car package but optional for all other models were the cast alloy wheels with their red pinstripes. Wearing vintage Goodyear Eagle ST radial tires that show plenty of life left. Fitted with silver leather seats, which show minimal wear, and that all important accessory from the late 1970's, a CB radio, this is one car you can go hunting for a bear with and let your good buddies on the interstate know where the Kodiak with a Kodak is hiding out.