Description
To commemorate the Corvette’s 25th Anniversary, Chevrolet built a special Corvette to lead America’s most prestigious race, the Indianapolis 500. With Indy 500 veteran Jim Rathmann at the wheel, it introduced a most dramatic race with 2nd place Tom Sneva finishing only 8 seconds behind Al Unser of the Unser family of champions. In order to celebrate, Chevrolet decided to built the Indy 500 Pace Car limited to only 'one car per Chevrolet showroom' across the US. It featured a series of special options including a 2-tone black over silver paint scheme, a drag-reducing front and rear spoilers, glass T-top panels, thin shell lumbar-supporting seats, alloy wheels and choices of AM/ FM eight-track or CB radio and manual or automatic transmission. Despite its 45% higher price tag all cars were immediately sold to collectors. Of these very few cars were manufactured with additional, special options such as the L82 350ci engine. Its higher lift camshafts, forged crankshaft, larger valves and aluminum intake manifold produced 225 bhp and 330 lb-ft which propelled the Indy 500 Corvette from standstill to 60mph in just 6. 5 sec.
The Indy Corvette offered was specially optioned by the factory to feature the L82 engine, the 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic auto gearbox, the Gymkhana suspension, the Cruise-Master speed control and the AM/ FM radio with eight-track player. Throughout its 26 years in Georgia, this Indy 500 was treated with no-expense spared maintenance and careful preservation that was awarded twice by Corvette chief engineer David R. McLellan. In 2004 and only 32000 mi, the Indy 500 was imported in the UK by a collector who fostered and continued the preservation treatment. In 2010 it was specially sourced to become part of a private collection of low mileage post-war historic vehicles. Soon after its unparalleled authenticity was certified by FIVA and featured in a Car and Driver magazine article. It is now offered with 35777 original and documented miles, in uncompromised original condition that includes all factory options, all factory delivery original documents. a comprehensive service and registration history file and last but not least its collection of 8-tracks during its days in Georgia.
Specifications
Year: 1978
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Corvette
Series: C3
Version: Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Limited Edition
Assembly plant: St. Louis, Missouri
Dealer and Date delivered: A. D. Bolton Chevrolet Inc. Commerce, Georgia, US, May 23rd, 1978
Chassis number: 1Z8748S902192
Body style: 2-door, T-top, fastback coupe
Engine number: 85902192, matching
Engine type: L82, 350 ci 5766 cc, small block, OHV, 8-cylinder in V configuration, Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted, 225 bhp and 300 lb-ft output
Transmission, Type: Turbo Hydra-Matic, 3sp automatic
Body color, code: Black over Silver, two tone, 19L
Interior color, trim, code: Silver/ Smoke, leather, AYY2 152
Indy 500 Pace Car Package Options (RPO Z78):
Two Tone Paint
Special Limited Edition Decals
Rear Spoiler & Front Air Deflector
Silver/ Smoke Leather
Aluminum Wheels
Aramid Belted Tires
Glass Roof Panels
Sport Mirrors
Contoured Bucket Seats
Air Conditioning
Stereo Tape System W/ AM/ FM Stereo Radio
Power Antenna
Dual Rear Speakers
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Tilt Telescopic Steering Wheel
Rear Window Defogger
Convenience Group
Heavy Duty Battery
Anti-Theft Audio Alarm System
Automatic Transmission
Standard Emission System
Additional Special Options:
L82 350-4 V8 Engine
Gymkhana Suspension
Cruise-Master Speed Control
Odometer reading: 35777 mi
Registration:
Federation International des Vehicules Anciens (FIVA) of Greece, issued 2010
Certificates:
Federation International des Vehicules Anciens (FIVA), issued 2010
Awards:
National Corvette Museum Prizes awarded by David R. McLellan, Chief Corvette Engineer for 2 years
Articles:
Car And Driver Magazine, February 2011 issue
Documents:
- 1978 Chevrolet Division of General Motors Invoice, original
- 1978 Warranty Information on Chevrolet New Cars, original
- 1978 Chevrolet Motor Division Labels, original
- 1978 Instruction and Adjustment for Optional Outside Sport Mirror, Ignition and Turn Signal Card, original
- 2004 Bill of Sale, copy
- 2004 Vette Hound Description, copy
Registration History:
- Certificate of Title, State of Georgia, issued Feb. 1990, original
- ‘INDY 78’, State of Georgia Motor Vehicle registration, issued 1999 renewed 2004, copy
- ‘VET 257S’, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, issued 2004, UK, copy
Ownership History:
Mr. Richard LeF., Cartersville, Georgia, US, 1978-1990
Mr. Phillip Dr., Mableton, Georgia, US, 1990-1999
Mr. Eric Gr., Tifton, Georgia, US, 1999-2004
Mr. Roy S., Hertfordshire, UK, 2004-2010
Mr. St. Ch., Athens, Greece, 2010-present
Mileage History:
8350 mi, May 1999, State of Georgia Certificate of Title, US
8485 mi, September 1999, Butler Tire Invoice, Marietta, Georgia, US
32000 mi, March 2004, Vette Hound Description, US
33430 mi, October 2004, MoT test certificate, UK
34259 mi, May 2006, MoT test certificate, UK
34789 mi, May 2007, MoT test certificate, UK
34961 mi, May 2008, MoT test certificate, UK
34961 mi, April 2009, MoT test certificate, UK
35259 mi, April 2010, MoT test certificate, UK
Maintenance History, Invoices:
USA
- The Last Detail Invoices, dated 1999
- Butler Tire Invoices, dated 1999
- Muffler Shop Invoice, dated 1999
- One Mid America Place Invoices, dated 1999
- Eckler’s Quality Parts and Accessories Invoice, dated 2000
- Napa Auto Care Center Repair Orders, dated 2000
- Corvette Central Invoices, dated 2000
- Mariette Radiator Service, dated 2001
- Kool Kars Inc Invoice, dated 2002
UK
- Dart The Corvette People Invoices, dated 2005-2010
