Does anyone speak 78 Pace Car?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Dothan AL
Does anyone speak 78 Pace Car?
Recently purchased 78 Pace Car L-82, 4 sp. Retrieved build sheet from fuel tank. Build sheet verifies all options on car. Dealer appears to be Chipman-Brown Chevrolet/Oldsmobile, Pullman, WA 99163. Zone 42, dealer 094.
Production date on driver's door is 05/78. Engine pad date is V0423CMR. Trim tag is 152 19U 47M. Upper right trim date is H28 (is this March 28 or is there a date code specific to Pace Cars since this is prior to May '78)? Everything checks out correct. I am confused about trim tag date. Can anyone help?
Production date on driver's door is 05/78. Engine pad date is V0423CMR. Trim tag is 152 19U 47M. Upper right trim date is H28 (is this March 28 or is there a date code specific to Pace Cars since this is prior to May '78)? Everything checks out correct. I am confused about trim tag date. Can anyone help?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Kalway
You talking about the metal tag in the door jamb or the sticker on the edge of the door, batman? I'm talking about the sticker on the edge of the door. Mine says December of 1980.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by buzntod
Recently purchased 78 Pace Car L-82, 4 sp. Retrieved build sheet from fuel tank. Build sheet verifies all options on car. Dealer appears to be Chipman-Brown Chevrolet/Oldsmobile, Pullman, WA 99163. Zone 42, dealer 094.
Production date on driver's door is 05/78. Engine pad date is V0423CMR. Trim tag is 152 19U 47M. Upper right trim date is H28 (is this March 28 or is there a date code specific to Pace Cars since this is prior to May '78)? Everything checks out correct. I am confused about trim tag date. Can anyone help?
Production date on driver's door is 05/78. Engine pad date is V0423CMR. Trim tag is 152 19U 47M. Upper right trim date is H28 (is this March 28 or is there a date code specific to Pace Cars since this is prior to May '78)? Everything checks out correct. I am confused about trim tag date. Can anyone help?
Trim tags were installed between the first and second coats of body color at the conclusion of body panel assembly. No trim (interior) was installed and the body had yet to be married to the chassis. So it still had 2-3 days left of assembly before rolling out the factory. Therefore the H28 (April 28th-as Kaps indicates) tag is correct along with the Vehicle Certification Label date of 5/78. By the time assembly was completed, it was May 78.
The engine pad date 0423 indicates engine assembly at Flint MI is April 23rd so within a couple of weeks of engine assembly it was shipped to the assembly plant in St Louis and installed in a vehicle. Again, consistent with what we typically expect to see for 78 St Louis Corvettes.
Trim tag interior codes are consistent with those used for Pace Car assembly as you've seen on your build sheet. Hope this helps.
Corvette Action Center
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
All '78 Pace Cars were assembled from about mid-March 1978 through about mid-May. All 6502 were completed in time for the race that year and shipped to get them into the dealer show rooms. During this period (about two months, give or take) nothing other than Pace Cars were produced.
Other responses are correct. Your car was in the paint shop at the end of April (Friday, April 28th was the last working day of the month) and left the line at the beginning of May. Post your VIN. It will show late prodcution for Pace Cars.
Other responses are correct. Your car was in the paint shop at the end of April (Friday, April 28th was the last working day of the month) and left the line at the beginning of May. Post your VIN. It will show late prodcution for Pace Cars.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Dothan AL
Thanks for all the information, especially the reference to your article on build sheets. Your response was exactly what I wanted to know. My reference book lists Aug. as first month of production being an "A" with March being an "H" and April an "I". Can you refer me to the reference book you use to determine your information?
All my other codes match with build sheet. This is the only one that has confused me because of the reference book I'm using to determine these dates (Catalog of Corvette ID Numbers 1953 - 1993).
Does anyone know if Chipman-Taylor Chevrolet/Olds in Pullman, WA was previously Chipman-Brown Chevrolet/Olds?
Ours is # 5752.
All my other codes match with build sheet. This is the only one that has confused me because of the reference book I'm using to determine these dates (Catalog of Corvette ID Numbers 1953 - 1993).
Does anyone know if Chipman-Taylor Chevrolet/Olds in Pullman, WA was previously Chipman-Brown Chevrolet/Olds?
Ours is # 5752.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Mine was built first day of production. G18. March 18. Your reference of August being the first month of 78 production is just, well. wrong. First I ever heard of that. My 78SA is K24, July 24.
Pace Car #0009
edit: is the date legible on your build sheet? Upper left corner.
Pace Car #0009
edit: is the date legible on your build sheet? Upper left corner.
Last edited by KapsSA; Oct 24, 2006 at 09:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Dothan AL
Just checked upper left hand corner and it revealed 04-28. It was covered by a dozen corners of torn build sheets stapled on top. When uncovered the numbers are clear. Information has been very helpful. Any info on Pace Cars is appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by KapsSA
Mine was built first day of production. G18. March 18...
Pace Car #0009...
Pace Car #0009...
I will have to rely upon the expertise of you pace car owners. Does anyone know who determined how the PCs would be equipped? John Q. Public couldn't order these cars -- they went to Chevrolet dealers, so I've always been curious to know who determined whether a particular PC got the L-82 and four speed, the L-48, CB or no CB, etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by buzntod
Our Pace Car #5752 does have the CB option. There are no signs of flag holder on rear. Thanks for your help
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Easy Mike, no CB in #0009. 8track
. I've often wondered which cars did in fact go to Indy. All of them were built before the race so why couldn't even 6502 have gone?
Mine was delivered new in southern Illinois so it WAS close to Indy but I know it wasn't there. I know its history and it is a very low mile Vette.
If you look at the build sheet example in Hunt4cleanair's post you will see "XXX Customer Order". Someone ordered that car the way it's equipted, either the dealer or his customer. Mine doesn't have that, so apparently the dealer took what was available from the factory. Would be interesting to see if all 4speeds have the XXX.
Mine came with L82 and cruise as the only options. Other than gymkhana and CB radio that's about it for the options.
Mike
. I've often wondered which cars did in fact go to Indy. All of them were built before the race so why couldn't even 6502 have gone?Mine was delivered new in southern Illinois so it WAS close to Indy but I know it wasn't there. I know its history and it is a very low mile Vette.
If you look at the build sheet example in Hunt4cleanair's post you will see "XXX Customer Order". Someone ordered that car the way it's equipted, either the dealer or his customer. Mine doesn't have that, so apparently the dealer took what was available from the factory. Would be interesting to see if all 4speeds have the XXX.
Mine came with L82 and cruise as the only options. Other than gymkhana and CB radio that's about it for the options.
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by KapsSA
... I've often wondered which cars did in fact go to Indy. All of them were built before the race so why couldn't even 6502 have gone?...
...If you look at the build sheet example in Hunt4cleanair's post you will see "XXX Customer Order". Someone ordered that car the way it's equipted, either the dealer or his customer. Mine doesn't have that, so apparently the dealer took what was available from the factory...
I would like to see a book or magazine article on the cars answering the questions we've been asking.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Dothan AL
Our build sheet does show XXX Customer Ordered. My wife has stored all of my old Vette Vues, Corvette Fevers, etc. I'll see if she'll pull them out and find the one showing the Pace Cars that went to Indy and articles introducing the car. I know I have magazines from that time period.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by buzntod
Just checked upper left hand corner and it revealed 04-28. It was covered by a dozen corners of torn build sheets stapled on top. When uncovered the numbers are clear. Information has been very helpful. Any info on Pace Cars is appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by KapsSA
Easy Mike, no CB in #0009. 8track . I've often wondered which cars did in fact go to Indy. All of them were built before the race so why couldn't even 6502 have gone?
Mine was delivered new in southern Illinois so it WAS close to Indy but I know it wasn't there. I know its history and it is a very low mile Vette.
If you look at the build sheet example in Hunt4cleanair's post you will see "XXX Customer Order". Someone ordered that car the way it's equipted, either the dealer or his customer. Mine doesn't have that, so apparently the dealer took what was available from the factory. Would be interesting to see if all 4speeds have the XXX.
Mine came with L82 and cruise as the only options. Other than gymkhana and CB radio that's about it for the options.
Mike
. I've often wondered which cars did in fact go to Indy. All of them were built before the race so why couldn't even 6502 have gone?Mine was delivered new in southern Illinois so it WAS close to Indy but I know it wasn't there. I know its history and it is a very low mile Vette.
If you look at the build sheet example in Hunt4cleanair's post you will see "XXX Customer Order". Someone ordered that car the way it's equipted, either the dealer or his customer. Mine doesn't have that, so apparently the dealer took what was available from the factory. Would be interesting to see if all 4speeds have the XXX.
Mine came with L82 and cruise as the only options. Other than gymkhana and CB radio that's about it for the options.
Mike
I agree with Kaps in regards to CB option on first few Pace Cars built. I have a few build sheets from early Pace Car production and there is no consistency in regards to CB installation...some did and some did not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
I will have to rely upon the expertise of you pace car owners. Does anyone know who determined how the PCs would be equipped? John Q. Public couldn't order these cars -- they went to Chevrolet dealers, so I've always been curious to know who determined whether a particular PC got the L-82 and four speed, the L-48, CB or no CB, etc.
So, the myth "All Early Pace Cars equipped with CBs" could be dispelled by noting those build sheets with the XXXCUSTOMER ORDERXXX notation. The problem with the myth is twofold...what's early? How many VINs were produced (if so) with the CB option. And of course Kaps documented 0009 without the CB option.
Now having said all that consider this. The assembly plant during that period (70's) would build several "PILOT" cars. I have documentation from 1982 (Collector's Edition) in which the build sheet has PILOT printed on the build sheet. These were built and driven by engineers to debug as the factory geared up for production. I show about the first six were PILOT models.
All of which makes for interesting speculation into early Corvette production and assembly.
Last edited by hunt4cleanair; Oct 26, 2006 at 05:41 AM.