1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Survivor 48 Miles 350 V8 Automatic Collector

The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition stands as a celebrated icon in American performance history, marking both the 25th Anniversary of the Corvette and its selection as the official pace car for the Indianapolis 500. With its exclusive appearance package and commemorative touches, this special-edition Corvette was built by Chevrolet to be a collector's item from the moment it rolled off the assembly line. The example offered here is an extraordinary survivor, showing just over 48 actual miles. It remains in highly original condition, complete with factory window sticker and even the original interior plastics still in place—making it one of the most authentic, investment-grade examples available on the market today. Before we dive into the details of this stunning Chevrolet's exterior, interior, and powertrain, we'd like to introduce ourselves.
Finished in a stunning two-tone combination of black and silver metallic with red pinstripe accents, the 1978 Corvette Pace Car Edition was designed to command attention. The example shown retains its original factory paint and exhibits beautifully preserved body lines, free from previous damage or restoration work. It features factory-issued T Tops, authentic Corvette badging, and color-matched front and rear spoilers unique to the anniversary edition. The factory aluminum slotted wheels are wrapped in correct Goodyear GT Radial tires with raised white lettering and red pinstripes, exactly as they left the showroom. Removable mirrored-glass T-tops add to the car's distinctive look, while the pop-up headlights are fully functional and give the front end that unmistakable late-C3 presence. The original glass remains crystal clear, and all weatherstripping is tight and in excellent condition—further evidence of the car's pampered storage and preservation.
Inside, this Corvette continues to astonish with its untouched silver leather interior, still protected by the original plastic wrapping on the seats and dealer-installed protective film on the carpeting. Everything from the seat bolsters to the door panels to the dashboard presents as factory-new, untouched by time or wear. The console features a commemorative 25th Anniversary badge along with a special limited-edition plaque identifying its unique place in Corvette history. Equipped with an AM/FM stereo and factory 8-track player, the dash also houses a full gauge package with crisp needles and vibrant backlighting. The tilt and telescoping steering column provides added comfort, and the air conditioning system remains fully functional, delivering cold air just as it did from the factory. Remarkably, the original blue hang tag outlining headlamp operation is still affixed to the turn signal stalk—a testament to how meticulously this car has been preserved. Even the T-top headliners and visors are as clean as the day they were installed and it has the factory jack too.
Powering this Pace Car Edition is its numbers-matching L48 350-cubic-inch V8 engine paired with the Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 automatic transmission. While the L48 wasn't the most aggressive engine in the Corvette lineup that year, it delivered a strong balance of torque, reliability, and smooth performance. This car's engine bay is all original, with factory decals, hoses, and components still in place. It retains its factory air cleaner assembly, emissions components, and factory-installed hardware throughout. The driving experience is further enhanced by power steering and four-wheel power disc brakes, offering confident stopping power and a refined feel on the road. The factory air conditioning system is in place and operating properly, and the undercarriage is clean, solid, and dry, showing no signs of corrosion or abuse—further confirming its status as a true low-mileage survivor.
This 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition is a true collector's dream—a factory-original, ultra-low-mileage survivor that celebrates one of the most iconic moments in Corvette history. With just over 48 miles on the odometer, original paint, an untouched silver leather interior, and factory documentation including the window sticker still present, this car offers a rare chance to own a museum-quality piece of General Motors history. Whether you're building a world-class collection or looking to preserve a piece of Corvette and Indy 500 heritage, this Pace Car is an irreplaceable find.
With a rotating inventory of 70 to 80 high-quality classic cars, we're committed to offering the best selection at unbeatable prices. Whether you're looking for a fully restored muscle car, a survivor classic, or a weekend cruiser, Smoky Mountain Traders delivers quality, value, and unmatched customer service.
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