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1978 Corvette Silver Ann. question

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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 03:53 PM
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Default 1978 Corvette Silver Ann. question

I went to dealer to discuss trading in my 78 on a 06/07 knowing I wouldn't get a good offer out of them. However, when there I was told my "Silver" anniversary may not be as there was evidence it was repainted. Being fairly young, I rushed into the purchase a couple of years ago without any due dilligence to my purchase. The car did have matching numbers on the engine, was a 4 speed with 55K so it was enough for me to jump in and pay $12K in 4/04.

Fast forward to now and I am trying to find out if I even have a true "silver anniversary" car. Since the door sticker is gone (again concerns me this isn't what I thought it was) is there any other way to determine by vin or other area on the car. I called a local dealership and was told their systems only go back to 1990.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 04:02 PM
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All 78's where silver anniversary cars, there was a limited number of "silver anniversary" paint schemes, which was a two tone silver and the vin tag on the drivers door will show the exterior paint as 2 numbers (13/07) if it is a true 'silver anniversary" paint car.

Nick
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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 04:03 PM
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Paint code should be 13/07 if it is a silver anniversary car.
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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 04:11 PM
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Ok, so I have the paint code. My car is the 2-tone silver. The door tag is missing, now where do I go? thanks for the input.
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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 04:27 PM
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Does any one know what type of seats came with the Silver Anniversary corvette? With the 78 Pace Car, they had the same seats that were installed in the 79 Vette. Is this the same case with the 78 Silver Anniversay car? That would be one way to tell. The seats in the 78 pivot at the bottom. The seats in the Pace Car, and 79 Vette pivot about 1/3 up from the bottom.

Does anyone have that information? It might be an easier check to see if this is a true Silver Anniversary car.

kdf
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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 04:32 PM
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Seats were the same as a '78, not the P/C style. The only other thing I can come up with is that it can ONLY come with Black, Red, & Oyster seats... if I'm wrong, this is where I got the info...
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...78/78prod.html
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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by brett79
Ok, so I have the paint code. My car is the 2-tone silver. The door tag is missing, now where do I go? thanks for the input.
Well if the trim tag is missing, then a repaint would be a good reason for it to be removed.
You can look for a repaint or change in color is to take the door panels off, check th inside of the doors , take off the sill plates and lift the edge of the carpet..see what color you find.

Nick
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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 05:34 PM
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What did they offer you on a trade? If the tag is missing, who knows what color or combo you have. What is the interior color?
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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by mvftw
The only other thing I can come up with is that it can ONLY come with Black, Red, & Oyster seats...
My original 78SA came with blue interior. Pretty much ANY color was available if you asked for it, just not recommended.
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Old Sep 12, 2006 | 05:52 PM
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You twice mention "door sticker". Sure you're looking in the correct spot? In the drivers door opening near the dash.
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Old Sep 13, 2006 | 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by mvftw
Seats were the same as a '78, not the P/C style. The only other thing I can come up with is that it can ONLY come with Black, Red, & Oyster seats... if I'm wrong, this is where I got the info...
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...78/78prod.html
That's not accurate and so it goes with web sites and the information exhibited. The interior colors are "recommended" and that's it! Chevrolet has a policy to build what the customer wants and many were built with all kinds of interior colors. I've got a dozen build sheets with interiors that vary from the colors referenced at the action center.
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Old Sep 13, 2006 | 07:19 AM
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My 78 SA with the "Anniversary" paint had a Mahogany interior.....strange combo.
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Old Sep 13, 2006 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by lvrpool32
All 78's where silver anniversary cars...
Almost. All '78s were 25th Anniversary cars. That sounds picky, but it helps clear up the confusion between Silver Anniversary and 25th Anniversary.

The two tone silver anniversary paint was an option which a buyer could order (B2Z). B2Z did not require a specific interior color, so you could have silver anniversary paint cars with about any color interior you wanted.

Only the Pace Cars had the split back bucket seats which became standard on the '79 models. All other '78s, including the silver anniversary paint cars got the standard buckets. It's easy to chcuk out the standard buckets and install a pair of split backs in a '78. I've seen several with the later seats. Most folks take a look at the interiors of these car and don't realize the split backs were not standard for '78.

Try Allied-Vaughn. http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...x.php?cmd=area
These folks were contracted by GM to microfiche dealer invoices, including Corvettes. They have records for most 77-81 cars. They will want your VIN and $50. Contact them and see if you can obtain a copy of the dealer invoice for your '78. If they do not have your VIN in their records, they won't charge you.
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Old Sep 13, 2006 | 09:27 AM
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It's a shame they didn't have a separate VIN entry digit like the '82 Collectors Edition did. That would have made it so much easier ...
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Old Sep 13, 2006 | 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by kdf1986
Does any one know what type of seats came with the Silver Anniversary corvette? With the 78 Pace Car, they had the same seats that were installed in the 79 Vette. Is this the same case with the 78 Silver Anniversay car? That would be one way to tell. The seats in the 78 pivot at the bottom. The seats in the Pace Car, and 79 Vette pivot about 1/3 up from the bottom.

Does anyone have that information? It might be an easier check to see if this is a true Silver Anniversary car.

kdf
No all other Vettes had '77 style seats. All leather or leather with cloth inserts was available. The interior could be ordered in a number of colors with that edition. Contrary to an above statement, the silver anniversary paint scheme was not limited, but could be ordered by anyone on as many as possible. The Pace Car was only built at a rate of one per dealer or 6502.
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Old Sep 14, 2006 | 10:03 AM
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It's funny that my Dark Blue Met car is rare compared to the Pace and Two tone cars. I think less than 2000 made and the only one with the rare LS6 option.

I know my vette is white now, but it will be back to blue in a few months.
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Old Sep 14, 2006 | 12:06 PM
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The picture from KapsSA is very helpful, I did not know what to look for and now I do, Thanks Very Much!

In regard to the offer from the dealership, I was getting a GM friends and Family discount that took the 47K sticker on an 06 to 43K, so I knew they weren't going to deal on the trade. They originally told me $4,500, but called me back the next day and offered $6K. I have listed this car on Ebay 2 times with NO reserve, first time at $8K and 2nd time at $6995, but I did not get one bid. I have listed it in the local paper any where from $12,250 to $11,000 with only limited activity and a couple of drives, probably ran the ad for 4 weeks total off and on. I got compliments on the car, but no offers.

Should I take the offer on the trade??? Seemed like a good deal on the '06. It is a Lemans Blue base with the exception of chome wheel option. I kinda want to hold out for a Z51 optioned 07.

I will find out if it is a true Silver Anniversary car. If it is I hope to get $9K, if its not then who knows. If anyone is looking let me know. Brett located in Indpls. 317-418-7376
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To 1978 Corvette Silver Ann. question

Old Sep 14, 2006 | 12:48 PM
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Glad the pic helped. No way would I take $6K from the dealer for a 55K mile(still?) 4speed. L82? Sounds like a nice Vette. When you list it on ebay is your opening bid low enough to get bidding started? I've noticed how no one bids on some cars because the starting bid is too high, they want to start out getting a bargain. Then they get caught up in the bidding. Any pics? Old Ebay listing number so we can see?
Can you swing the new one without selling the 78? Then you're not under pressure to sell it so quick. Now, winter coming, isn't the best time to sell. Bring it up to Chicago and list it in the Chicago Tribune antique vehicles section. I've always had good luck there. I'd even help you with it .
Mike
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Old Sep 14, 2006 | 05:40 PM
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Thanks Mike. Huge relief, it is paint code 13/07!!!! I was concerned for awhile but your pic really helped me, got home opened the door and pow, same as your photo 13U 07.

Now the question is if it was repainted. If it could use a good repainting, is it worth the investment? I've got $5K to play with. Can you get an A+ paint job done for this and if so is it worth it if you do intend to sell?

I am going to hold off now knowing this until next spring due to winter coming around. Unfortunately I cannot do both as I already have two cars so 3 at this time would be pushing it. I always have dreamed about driving a new one off the lot and I am in a position now to do it.
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Old Sep 14, 2006 | 05:45 PM
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Mike, it is an L-48 with 58,900 miles. I bought it with 55K over 2 years ago.

The car is nice (at least I think so), but it does show its age. Should I hold out for the $12K I paid "as-is" or is that a little much? I'll now be selling in the spring, unless something changes.

You never know maybe I could swing it then. You know anybody looking to by commercial real estate in Indianapolis??? ha ha

Thanks again for all your help. It's nice to have a place to go to when you don't have a clue
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