Just picked up a 78 Pace Car
08-17-2016, 12:22 PM
#1
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Just picked up a 78 Pace Car
New member here! This looks like a very cool forum, so I figured I'd join you guys!
I went up to Laconia NH Saturday to pick up a 78 Pace Car. It was an interesting story...
It was found on Ebay Friday night at about 9:30PM. The add was setup like a classified, where you couldn't bid on it, and there was no buy it now. Just an asking price, and a phone number. It was at a dealer, but they closed at 8:00PM, so I ended up calling Saturday morning right at 8:30AM sharp (When they open). Turns out it was at this HUGE dealership in Laconia that sold Toyota, Scion, Ford, and Lincoln.
The story goes like this: An older guy owned the car for 28 years, and kept it in really nice shape. It has 65k miles on it, but he had the engine and trans rebuilt. He lived in MA, but kept the car in NH at his summer home. Its in amazing shape, and it looks like he was planning to get it back on the road because there is all new brakes, lines, u-joints, among other things. The car still wears its original paint, and its tired, but looks great for 38 years old. Its an L82 car, with a factory CB radio that still works. In fact everything works on the car, and I mean everything! No rust on the frame anywhere, and in fact the car still has its original chalk marks on the floor pans and firewall.
It was an amazing deal. The dealership didn't know what they had I guess?
The first pic is it sitting on the dealer lot, the 2nd is at some random gas station in NH, and the rest are after its all cleaned up.
I went up to Laconia NH Saturday to pick up a 78 Pace Car. It was an interesting story...
It was found on Ebay Friday night at about 9:30PM. The add was setup like a classified, where you couldn't bid on it, and there was no buy it now. Just an asking price, and a phone number. It was at a dealer, but they closed at 8:00PM, so I ended up calling Saturday morning right at 8:30AM sharp (When they open). Turns out it was at this HUGE dealership in Laconia that sold Toyota, Scion, Ford, and Lincoln.
The story goes like this: An older guy owned the car for 28 years, and kept it in really nice shape. It has 65k miles on it, but he had the engine and trans rebuilt. He lived in MA, but kept the car in NH at his summer home. Its in amazing shape, and it looks like he was planning to get it back on the road because there is all new brakes, lines, u-joints, among other things. The car still wears its original paint, and its tired, but looks great for 38 years old. Its an L82 car, with a factory CB radio that still works. In fact everything works on the car, and I mean everything! No rust on the frame anywhere, and in fact the car still has its original chalk marks on the floor pans and firewall.
It was an amazing deal. The dealership didn't know what they had I guess?
The first pic is it sitting on the dealer lot, the 2nd is at some random gas station in NH, and the rest are after its all cleaned up.
The following users liked this post:
CFLVette (08-18-2016)
08-18-2016, 02:49 AM
#3
Racer
Congratulations! Looks nice and clean, and a lot better w/o the door lettering, IMO.
How is the interior? Post more pics when you have a chance.
How is the interior? Post more pics when you have a chance.
08-18-2016, 04:29 AM
#4
Safety Car
Very cool! 
What's the last four digits of the VIN?
Interesting there is not a single decal on it. Usually they will at least have the winged Indy logo and the Limited Edition over the cross flags on the front fender.
Did you get any documentation with it?
What's the last four digits of the VIN?
Interesting there is not a single decal on it. Usually they will at least have the winged Indy logo and the Limited Edition over the cross flags on the front fender.
Did you get any documentation with it?
08-18-2016, 12:03 PM
#5
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Thanks guys!
The last four #'s are 0302. I thought it was weird without any decals on it, all the ones I've seen have the LE lettering on the fenders.
The interior is in great shape for its age, but the driver seat has come apart at a few of the seams. The rest of the interior is good.
I just started diagnosing the blower motor. I know I said everything works, and for the most part it does. But the blower motor doesn't shut off even when the lever is in the off position. So I pulled the control assembly apart last night, but I haven't gotten any further.
The last four #'s are 0302. I thought it was weird without any decals on it, all the ones I've seen have the LE lettering on the fenders.
The interior is in great shape for its age, but the driver seat has come apart at a few of the seams. The rest of the interior is good.
I just started diagnosing the blower motor. I know I said everything works, and for the most part it does. But the blower motor doesn't shut off even when the lever is in the off position. So I pulled the control assembly apart last night, but I haven't gotten any further.
08-18-2016, 02:01 PM
#8
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Hmmm, that's interesting. Non of my other old GM cars do this, but I wouldn't put it past GM to do something like this. Its a moot point, as I cracked the vacuum part on the switch, so I need to replace it anyways.
I don't really know why it was rebuilt. The previous owner was meticulous when it came to the mechanical aspect of the car. Its the original engine, so if he blew it up he didn't hurt it too bad.
The car was $4600 out the door. Not to shabby for a Pace Car around these parts!
08-18-2016, 02:14 PM
#9
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: Westminster Maryland
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Hi C3 78,
Welcome!
That certainly looks like a very nice car, especially for that money!
I hope you have good luck with it.
Regards,
Alan
A couple pictures of the engine compartment and chassis of quite original cars are always interesting to see!
Welcome!
That certainly looks like a very nice car, especially for that money!
I hope you have good luck with it.
Regards,
Alan
A couple pictures of the engine compartment and chassis of quite original cars are always interesting to see!
08-18-2016, 02:48 PM
#11
Racer
Well done!
08-18-2016, 02:54 PM
#12
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
I'll be taking a lot of pics along the way while working on the car. I was underneath it the other day just looking at stuff, and noticed it still has a few of its original markings on the floorboards and firewall.
We usually don't see that in the north east!
We usually don't see that in the north east!
08-18-2016, 03:24 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: hebron IL
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C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Hmmm, that's interesting. Non of my other old GM cars do this, but I wouldn't put it past GM to do something like this. Its a moot point, as I cracked the vacuum part on the switch, so I need to replace it anyways.
I don't really know why it was rebuilt. The previous owner was meticulous when it came to the mechanical aspect of the car. Its the original engine, so if he blew it up he didn't hurt it too bad.
The car was $4600 out the door. Not to shabby for a Pace Car around these parts!
I don't really know why it was rebuilt. The previous owner was meticulous when it came to the mechanical aspect of the car. Its the original engine, so if he blew it up he didn't hurt it too bad.
The car was $4600 out the door. Not to shabby for a Pace Car around these parts!
Thats a great deal
08-18-2016, 03:27 PM
#14
Zen Vet Master Level VII
08-18-2016, 03:35 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
Great find!! Moot point now but its true Chevys blower motor will run on low even when off.
BTW change those tires. Pretty sure those Eagles are over 10 years old
BTW change those tires. Pretty sure those Eagles are over 10 years old
08-18-2016, 03:44 PM
#16
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Yeah, I think they're from 2002
The blower motor was noisy when its on the low setting. It sounds very clunky, so I guess since its going to be on all the time I better fix that.
08-18-2016, 05:06 PM
#18
Safety Car
That's an early build...drop the spare tire tub...should have a yellow rim!
Does it have a frame stencil, part number and date, on the frame behind the passenger side front wheel on the frame?
My guess...here is a reason the Limited Edition decals are not on the front fender...they were applied at the factory. Probably at some point in its life...it was painted.
Does it have a frame stencil, part number and date, on the frame behind the passenger side front wheel on the frame?
I thought it was weird without any decals on it, all the ones I've seen have the LE lettering on the fenders.
Last edited by hunt4cleanair; 08-18-2016 at 05:09 PM.
