rws.1

I own a C4 and a C5. But have no knowledge on C3's.
My brother has a line on what is claimed to be a 60,000 mile '78 Pace Car ( L82, Auto)
I believe that these Pace cars had a special identification number.
How can he determine if it is an original or a clone?
What should he look for.
He is a mechanic so can assess general mechanical reliability . I have advised him to check for rust on the frame and B pillar.
What else should he look for?
How can he be sure it is the real thing?
Is there a '78 Pace car registry?
Apparently, the body and paint ar ein very good shape but it needs new carpeting, set skins and a steering wheel.
Any opinion on value?
thanks
rich

fl_rider

1978 VIN Tag Information
Base: 1Z87L8S400001 - 1Z87L8S440274
Pace Car: 1Z87L8S900001 - 1Z87L8S906502

Digit Definition
1st 1 = GM Division = Chevrolet
2nd Z = Series = Corvette
3rd/4th Body Style: 87 = 2-dr. Sport Coupe
5th Engine Type: L = L48, 4 = L82
6th 8 = Model Year = 1978
7th Assembly Plant: S = St. Louis, MO.
Last 6 digits Production Number started with 400001 and up for the base model and 900001 and up for the Pace Car.

Engine Suffix ID Numbers
CHW: 350ci, 185hp, (manual transmission)
CLM: 350ci, 185hp, (automatic transmission)
CLR: 350ci, 175hp (automatic transmission, California emissions)
CLS: 350ci, 175hp (automatic transmission, high altitude use)
CMR: 350ci, 220hp (manual transmission)
CMS: 350ci, 220hp (automatic transmission)
CUT: 350ci, 185hp (automatic transmission)

rws.1

thanks fl_rider

gr8whte

Exactly what I was gonna say

Easy Mike

Besides checking the usual numbers for Pace Car authenticity, you can also check the Time/Build date on the trim tag. All the Pace Cars were built in a continuous run beginning about mid-March 1978 and ending about mid-May. There was no regular '78 production during this period -- all of it was devoted to Pace Cars. You should find a late March, April, or early May build date.

rws.1

Any other tips... suspension or steering differences?
oil coolers? different interior or exterior trim? etc

kdf1986

I think that the 78 Pace Car have different seats than the regular 78 Corvettes.

The Pace Car should have seats that fold down from the middle of the back. These would be the same seats as the 79 and up Corvettes have. The regular 78 Corvette seats should have the same seats as the 77 and lower years. They hinge at the bottom where it meets the bottom seat area.

kdf

C3 RV

Remember that there were 6,502 pace car replicas (black over silver) and 15,283 silver anniversary models (light silver over darker silver). Some sellers may try to claim that a silver anniversary model is a pace car.

I also understand that the pace car decals were installed by the dealer at the request of the buyer, so there will be some pace cars with unmounted decals.

PureSilver

All Pace Car information mentioned in this thread is dead-on. Technically, all '78s are Silver Anniversary, but not all were painted with the SA paint scheme.

Easy Mike

C3 RV makes a very good point regarding the Pace Car decal package. They were not installed at St. Louis and were shipped in the car with installation left to the discretion of the owner. A Pace Car without the decal package installed should have the package with the car. Reproduction kits are available, but they're pricey.

BKarol

Few more:

Pace Car wheels had a red stripe and no black paint on their center cap.

Had silver leather interior and 1979 seats

A deeper front spoiler

Glass roof panels were standard

doug.storch

One more:

Special "25th Anniversary" Emblem on console shifter plate of pace cars

comp

hunt4cleanair

And if you really want to dial in on authenticity...VINs up through about 2000 or March 31st most likely will have a yellow spare tire rim! All others black.