1978 can be remembered as the year when two roads crossed: Wall Street and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Wall Street journal reported that the limited edition 1978 Indianapolis Pace Car Replica Corvette was a smart investment. As a result, buyers were paying up to twice the sticker price to have one of these cars in their garages.
Otherwise, the 1978 Chevrolet Corvette celebrated its 25th Anniversary in style. Aside from leading the pace lap at Indy, all cars were given a 25th Anniversary emblem, Electric Defrost!!!!. The car had a slight redesign, including the first fastback rear since 1967 and completely redesigned instruments.
The engine choices remained in the 350-ci small-block V8 category. A 135 kW capable of 185 horsepower and a 164 kW capable of 220 horsepower were available for the 1978 model year.
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.
Great sounding starter classic car for beginner enthusiasts. Great buy for people looking to get into carsJan 04, 2024
by Willie S
Jun 04, 2023
Awesome car, very rare 1978 Corvette pace car. The l82 really a nice feature Jun 04, 2023
by Anonymous
Aug 23, 2021
I think these cars are great looking but are down on power my personal opinion is buy an LS6, there a good value for the price. Then get the 5 speed manual and swap the engine then it is 100% to my likingAug 23, 2021
User rating:
by Joshua L
Jan 04, 2024
Great sounding starter classic car for beginner enthusiasts. Great buy for people looking to get into carsJan 04, 2024
by Willie S
Jun 04, 2023
Awesome car, very rare 1978 Corvette pace car. The l82 really a nice feature Jun 04, 2023
by Anonymous
Aug 23, 2021
I think these cars are great looking but are down on power my personal opinion is buy an LS6, there a good value for the price. Then get the 5 speed manual and swap the engine then it is 100% to my likingAug 23, 2021
by Robert M
Apr 04, 2021
Great car. nice shape, my garage out of room...Apr 04, 2021
by Jake D
Jan 23, 2015
Always dreamed of having the 78 since high school. It rides nice and I have restored the majority of the mechanical systems. Looks good and gets lots of thumbs up from passers-by. Fun for the car shows and summer cruises.Jan 23, 2015
by Anonymous
Apr 28, 2014
she is a very fun car to drive and show....she has the original working 8 track player and people are amazed she gets me a trophy every time, the down side to her is she gets about 8-10 mpg and parts are hard to come by but she is 36 years old (2014) people always ask me about her wherever we go.Apr 28, 2014
by Randy P
Nov 26, 2013
Love the look and feel of the older Corvette, my first automotive child hood memory is of my uncle restoring and 1957 Corvette and riding to school in his 1964 Corvette was so cool, I miss the good old days.Nov 26, 2013
by Anonymous
Oct 09, 2013
It rides rough but is fast. I love the looks. It burns a lot of gas. It was modified to be a racer. I would use this car for a show car. I believe with a little work it could win awards.Oct 09, 2013
by Bob P
Aug 22, 2013
Everything I mentioned in the "Pros". We get a load of compliments when showing it off at car shows and even thumbs-up from other drivers when cruising on the highway. The acceleration is awesome, from standing start to passing other cars while at speed.Aug 22, 2013
by Anonymous
Jan 24, 2013
Very quick, handles great, a real head turner. I've wondered if the front and rear spoilers are options added after delivery/sale. Not mentioned on original invoice, and I haven't seen any Silver Anniversary editions with spoilers ... only the Pace Car model.Jan 24, 2013
by Anonymous
Jul 27, 2012
We like the looks and performance of this vehicle. It runs well. It is not a vehicle for everyone. The uses of this vehicle is more limited than most others. We love the Anniversary edition. Driviing it makes one feel as if we are flying in it. Jul 27, 2012
by Joseph G
Jan 21, 2012
Not a bad car for a person who has the time to properly restore it. Performance wise it's lacking in HP and being as it's coming of age, the systems are slowly starting to deteriorate (2012) but that's what you get with the territory.Jan 21, 2012
by Robert S
Sep 09, 2011
The C3 corvette is immensely fun to drive. It certainly has the looks and the power. However, is only a two-seater and it has no hatch so you unless you can get over the seats its not going in the car. Sep 09, 2011
by Anonymous
Jul 26, 2011
traded my old HD sporty for it. I like driving it on weekends so I have not started to rebuild yet. Maybe i'll wait till I retire so it will not take years to do. I'm and old bodyman so stripping and painting won't be a problem. will need help with mechanican and electical thou.Jul 26, 2011
by Anonymous
Jun 06, 2011
This is a blast to drive, pull off the T-tops and cruise. A little low on power from the factory but I love the body lines and handleing. This is my most prized car of the 10 vehicles I own. Jun 06, 2011
by Blake B
Aug 10, 2010
If I could tell a friend what car to buy, I wouldnt tell them to go out and buy a Corvette, I would tell them to go and start out with a Chevy and start from there. GO 78' Corvettes.Aug 10, 2010
by Nicholas C
Jun 21, 2010
a very fast and fun carhandels very well for a old car but thats because its a corvette sppedo says 140mph but it will do about 155mph so a very nice car for 2000$ i will be racing this car for sureJun 21, 2010
by Juank L
Apr 08, 2010
365hps,nice accelaration,nice braking, top speed : enough !!
Its funnyto drive !! =)
This car talks by himself , it is not the faster car , but is for sure a enjoyiable kind of car, if u like drive fast and secure not forgetting confort and appereance!! A dream car for sure !! And its a 25th aniversary so it have history too!!Apr 08, 2010
by Anonymous
Jan 06, 2010
This was the last American car I ever bought. Nor will I ever buy any American car in the future. I bought the car brand new after having owned a '73 Vette, which I also had bought new. It was literally in the shop more than it was on the road - massive electrical problems, leaks, rattles (of course), etc., etc. After putting up with it for 3 months, I bought a Datsun Z and never looked back.Jan 06, 2010
by Blake P
Feb 21, 2009
this car is like the best car ever made!!! it was the pace car for indy 500 in 1978 and has a great paint scheme that is just plain out gorgeous!!! the car im sure is a dream to drive!! Feb 21, 2009
by Glen G
Nov 23, 2008
This is a picture of someone elses Vette!
It's what I hope mine looks like when I'm done restoring it.
With the oil crisis of the seventies, the big powerfull V8's were no more.... instead you got meager 185 horse 225 ft/lbs torque, smog pump, non performers. But that can be changed ;^) Nov 23, 2008
by Keith L
Oct 15, 2008
custom built from the ground up late model stingray bored out 350 performance heads and carb 700r4 transmisiton five speed looking to put multiport fuel injection with twin turbo set up on it. over all its a dream car in the making. the custom color is blue pearl with black diamond dust set over it.Oct 15, 2008
by Nathan W
Aug 05, 2008
It is a classic so who couldn't love it. It is sleek while looking intimidating and has power. Even better there is so much you could do with it. Engine compartment has plenty of space unlike new cars so it is easy to work on. Only downside I see can't drive it in the rain or snow.Aug 05, 2008
by Anonymous
Jul 25, 2008
i bought ths car when i was 16, in 2002. it wasnt that good looking when i bought it, so i start doing every thing from the beggining. so here we are now.. but still because it a very old car, it needs maintenance from time to time and still i have to give it more attention cuz of its old age... the best thing about it that there are few of it on my country and you cant get one because there are no more for sale.. generally the car is soo gergeous and sexy.. i just love it..Jul 25, 2008
by Amber N
Jul 11, 2008
It has the little 350 bored to a 355, so it's not really the speedy beast one might expect from a Vette. But, it's all about just being a VETTE, baby. Some engine work would definitely help, though! It has alot of original GM components...they certainly don't build them like they used to! I mean, that stuff is 30 years old and still works. It's the shiz! All in all, I love it because I've always wanted one. Why? It has those super sexy curves!Jul 11, 2008
by James M
Jul 06, 2008
fun sums it up reallyJul 06, 2008
by Hesham S
Jun 28, 2008
Its the only car u will regret if u sell ....!
Old yeah, but speedy, tough in driving, not so easy for handling, great body shape and material, light and strong fiber glass, had hard time to get some stuff repaired and to find the spare parts, interior not so good cuz it costs hell to buy new parts so i had to live with the interior i had, bought it with good price, but to overhaule the engine and get it perfect i spent 1000 dinars, then at the end the resale price is the same!
its so nice to drive, if u find good deal, buy it or let me know ;)
but if u wanna drive car without hard time in gerages or spare part shops, or dont wanna spend money for this old shark,, dont think about itJun 28, 2008
by Rob V
May 30, 2008
-car has superior handling and good traction on dry pavement.
-has a timeless body style
-Grade A American muscle car!!May 30, 2008
by Ron R
May 19, 2008
All the bells and whistles of newer cars, interior hugs your body.May 19, 2008
by Daniel D
May 15, 2008
Got the car when I was 15! Just a car for show, it doesn't get out much.May 15, 2008
by John N
Apr 23, 2008
Sure, this generation wasn't the best on gas effeciency, but it's still a sleek car that outperforms a Porsche of the same year!Apr 23, 2008
by Amanda B
Apr 15, 2008
This is my favorite car we own. Are in the process of rebuilding and restoring it.Apr 15, 2008
by Sarah R
Mar 30, 2008
When I drove it, it was really hard to handle. If you move the steering wheel a little bit it turns a lot. One reason for that was a part of the steering column of other similar part was broken. It was also wierd to sit so far back in the car. I love the silver color and shape of it.Mar 30, 2008
by Jordan S
Mar 26, 2008
Fantastic car!!! I had a L-82 with a 4-speed on the silver anniversary paint. Great car, amazing to drive. This is a slow one by Corvette standards however it is still a Corvette and loads of fun. This car is completely worth it!Mar 26, 2008
by Anonymous
Mar 18, 2008
umm gas is is a lil touchy, steering lil stiff but overall i love my car wouldnt trade it for anythingMar 18, 2008
by Anonymous
Mar 14, 2008
A fun, fast car with a fresh black paint job. The T-top is good and there are no leaks.
Everything in the car works to my knowledge. It has a 350 V-8 with dual exhaust. It also
sounds really good. It has a stock interior and has good tires and wheelsMar 14, 2008
by Chris O
Mar 10, 2008
all original, only 6587 ever built and I own one of them...Mar 10, 2008
by Anonymous
Jan 27, 2008
Several GM original parts are difficult to find. This appears to be a great vehicle / database to list information from a group of corvette subject matter expertsJan 27, 2008
by Anonymous
Jan 11, 2008
I have owned my 78 Pace Car replica vette since early 1985 and basically love the car. As it gets (and I get) older, however, finding good mechanics who are familiar with older vehicles is becoming progressively more difficult. Jan 11, 2008
by Annatjie C
Dec 31, 2007
Has bucket seats, black interior leather. Stylish, good handling overall performance very good.Dec 31, 2007
I have a Gazelle kit car of a 1929 Mercedes SSK replica (kit car) in perfect condition that was built in 1988 I am told it have an "orange" colored engine underneath. Can anyone tell me what year the engine is from (so I can get parts and repairs), and what size of engine it is?
I am a widow as of last year and I have decided to finally sell my husband's gift to me. It's too painful to keep. It's a 1978 Corvette but as you can see it is a C4 modified (with a kit). It runs great but needs a little cleaning up. I need to know what a good asking price would be.