I need some opinions.
What would a 78 Pace care that has been sitting out in a fenced parking lot for over ten years be worth?
It belongs to a Soldier that stored it there (on Fort Campbell) intending to return and was offered an great assignment he really wanted. basically he just never came back for it.

I dont know anything about it's condition except the paint is gone and it has 2 flat tires.

 

Lots of unanswered questions..... running driving condition? Any critters in the interior?

 

Probably pass if the paint's gone, as could really get pricey. Having the flex bumpers replaced properly, is probably $2K right there. Then there's the tri-color divider striping tape, if you can still get it. Actually have a 77' Olds pace car I had re-painted in modern materials years ago, and wasn't to bad as had a friend strip and paint it, but it's metal. Had a pin striper paint the divider tape back on, and wasn't cheap.

 

With no more info it probably isn't worth more than $1500-2000. You'll more than likely have to replace most everything that could rot away and probably have engine issues.

 

Parts!

Its probably worth more as a parts car given the mechanical equipment is original with correct date codes and part numbers.

 

Impossible to say. Locate the owner and see if he/she wants to sell.

 

without a complete look over and analysis of the frame and birdcage as far as rust. my guess............the car is worth more for parts than repair. if it happens to be an L82 with a factory 4 speed, it is a fairly rare pace car and may be worth being brought back to life, if the serial number ends 900010 or lower, it is one of the actual cars that toured the track in 1978 before the race began (at least that's what mclean's book indicated) and therefore worth more than the run of the mill production car. if it ends in 9006502 then it is the last one ever built and worth putting back together. otherwise, probably not worth the $2000 someone already indicated. it will take well over the current value of the car (under $20,000) in good condition with low mileage to put it back together.

as has been quoted here often....run forest run!

 

What? who's mclean? Only two production VINs rolled the Indy track May 28th, 1978. The other two that showed up were pilot production cars, one of which was a parade backup and also did a trip around the track. The first production units made available to dealers was 900003 and it never saw the track.

VIN 906502 is in the hands of a private Chevy dealer.

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback, it all gives me an idea of where I stand.
If I bought the car it was going to be a project care for me and my son to do a total restoration on--over time because who can afford that much cash upfront--besides it would be fun.
I will try and get some more info on it and let you know. I own a 94 C4 but have always had a love for the C3 most of all the 68, 69, and 70 models and the pace care of course.

 

[QUOTE=hunt4cleanair;1578357212]What? who's mclean? [quote]



sorry if i became a bit too dislexic for you. i was referring to former chief engineer dave mclellan (sp)?. according to his book i believe he stated that they sent 8 production line corvettes to indianapolis and other than the actual pace car that day it has never been able to be confirmed exactly which ones actually made the track for parade laps and which were parade cars for the street parade held before the raceday.. that's what i seem to remember from his book when i read it a long while ago.

 

Here's link to GM Chevrolet letter dated March 21, 1978 re the Indy Pace Car program:

GM Memo re Pace Car program

 

requires a username and a password when i tried the link

 

I think that link must be to this.................

Subject: Indianapolis Pace Car Date: March 21, 1978

The following is a report on the current status of four (4) 1978 Limited Edition Corvettes to be used in the Indy "500" Program.

1. Back-up Pace Car, Serial# 1Z8748S416658 (8Y047)

Specifications: Production pilot line, RPO Z-78 modified with high performance hydraulic cam L-82 engine, low restriction exhaust system, qualified driveline components for maximum street performance and handling.

Assignment: This vehicle will be used trackside by Chief Steward of the race for the entire month of May for practice and qualification runs.

On race day this car will be parked at the head of Pit Row as a back-up Pace Car in the event that the Official Pace Car experiences any problems.

This vehicle will be donated to the Indianapolis Speedway Museum for permanent exhibition in lieu of the Actual Pace Car.

2. Actual Pace Car, Serial# 1Z8748S900001 (8Y052)

Specifications: First production line build of RPO Z-78 Limited Edition Corvette. Vehicle will receive qualified production engine and driveline equipment and retain all certified emission equipment and original air conditioning system. CB radio being reworked to speedway frequency.

Assignment: This vehicle is the #1 production stock Limited Edition corvette that will be the Official Pace Car driven by Jim Rathmann in starting the 62nd Annual Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 28.

This vehicle is classified as a corporate historical vehicle and will be returned to Chevrolet for disposition following the race.

3. Parade Lap and Winner's Car, Serial# 1Z8748S900002

Specifications: This is the #2 production RPO Z-78 Limited Edition Corvette with all available options and automatic transmission equipped.

Assignment: This vehicle will be used as one of two V.I.P. Parade vehicles prior to the start of the race. Keys to the car will be presented to the Indianapolis 500 winning driver at the Victory dinner at the Indianapolis Convention Center on Monday evening, May 29, 1978.

4. Parade Lap Vehicle, Serial# 1Z87H8S400006 (8Y000)

Specifications: This is an engineering prototype vehicle used throughout the production for RPO Z-78 development and sales promotional purposes. Production engine (L-82) and driveline with no rework.

Assignment: This vehicle will be the second V.I.P. Parade Lap Corvette on the track prior to the start of the Race.

U.S.A.C. has requested the use of this vehicle as their Official Pace Car for the balance of their 1978 Championship car race series which will provide us continued press and TV exposure through November 1978.

The Sales Department has approved this consignment and the vehicle will be turned over to U.S.A.C. at the completion of the Indy 500.

This vehicle is currently Engineering property requiring transfer to the Sales Department inventory prior to consignment to U.S.A.C.

Summary: Three vehicles will be shipped to Indianapolis April 14, 1978.

Vehicles will be secured at the Indy Museum with the Winner's corvette being put on display in the museum.

The (back-up) Pace Car and the Official Pace Car will be transfered to a garage in Gasoline Alley on Friday, May 5, preparatory to the track opening on Saturday, May 6, 1978.

Mr. Don Bailey, traditionally has handled the supervision and maintenance of the Pace Cars and support vehicles for the Indy 500. We have again retained Mr. Bailey for this important assignment at Indianapolis.
________________________________________ _________________

 

Thanks K

 

I've got a 78 and I love it! But you know what? This year isn't all that expensive. If I were you I'd find one I can drive and enjoy...

 

and if for some reason you just happen to like the 78 model year and it doesn't have to be a pace car, there are plenty of very reasonable 78s out there ready to drive and enjoy upon purchase.

 

I dont really care much that it's a 78 but I have always loved the pace car since I first saw one. The C-3 I really like is the 68 through 71 models, thats what I originally set out to get but I when ran across the 94 I own now I had to have it. Love the looks and the classic white on red colors.

 

I think it has great potential for a "project car", as long as the birdcage in isn't infested with rust.

My initial thoughts, however, were why someone would simply walk away from a car, unless it had serious issues to begin with. Yes, a "great job" is cool, and sometimes a "once in a lifetime" proposition, but have the car shipped to where you are, once you get settled...unless the job is in Antarctica, of course!

 

I was going to say unless you just wanted a Pace Car I'd say go for a chrome bumper if you're going to have to do a full resto. More details are needed on the car, but as said for what it would cost to do a proper full resto you could surpass what you could find that's original or already redone.

 

Update on the owner, I just found out that he is in the area again but flatly refuses to sell the car. The people who run the storage area told me that there have been more people wanting to buy the car than they can count--but he wont budge. Why he is just letting it sit there and rot is beyond me, he doesnt deserve such a vehicle