1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car

1978 was the Corvette's twenty fifth anniversary, nd all 78's featured silver anniversary nose and fuel door emblems. A new fastback rear window was the most dramatic and noticeable styling change, iving the ten-year-old C3 Corvette body style a fresh lease on life. The fixed-glass fastback benefited both aerodynamics and increased the usable luggage space behind the seats while improving rearward visibility in the bargain. A shade was installed that could be pulled forward to cover the rear compartment to protect cargo and carpet against the unrelenting sun. The tachometer and speedometer were redesigned to match the new “aircraft styled” center console and gauge cluster first seen the previous year. Redesigned interior door panels were also new as well as an actual glove box was added in front of the passenger seat, eplacing the map pockets of previous years. Available options now included power door locks, power antenna, ual rear speakers and a CB radio.[6] The optional convenience group, ntroduced the previous year, ow included intermittent (delay) wipers, loor mats, nd the passenger side vanity mirror was an upgraded illuminated unit. The base L-48 engine generated 185hp (138kW); Those destined for California or high altitude areas produced 175hp (130kW). Gone was the chrome-plated ignition shielding over the distributor, eplaced with a metal-lined black plastic unit. The single-snorkel air intake used since 1976 was changed to a dual-snorkel set-up on L-82 equipped cars helping to boost that output to 220hp (164kW). L-82 engines were also now fitted with an aluminum intake manifold which saved 24pounds compared to the cast iron unit of previous years. The Corvette converted to metric tires with the P225/70R15 as standard. Wider P255/60R15 tires were available as an option and required fender trimming from the factory for clearance. The fuel tank capacity increased from 17 gal to 24 gal on all cars. To make room for the larger tank, smaller (P195/80D15) space saver spare tire was utilized.

Two special editions were offered to celebrate Corvette's 25th year. Before he retired, ill Mitchell had suggested a Silver Anniversary model in his favorite color-silver, ppropriately enough-and it appeared as the $399 B2Z option package. The first two-tone paint option offered since 1961, t presented silver over a gray lower body with a separating pinstripe, lus aluminum wheels and dual "sport" outside mirrors as mandatory options, hich added another $380 to the cost. 6502 Indy-500 Pace car replica editions were produced featuring Black/silver two-tone paint, ront and rear spoilers, irror-tint roof panels and contoured sport seats. Reviewers praised the car's classic strengths including its impressive straight-line numbers, specially an L48/automatic's 7.8second 0-60 time and top speed of 123mph (198km/h), nd noted its more refined, ess rattling ride.

This is the history of the 1978 Corvette Pace Car.