1978 Chevrolet Corvette

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

1Z8748S900542

Gasoline

1978 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car "42,626 Mi./Orig. L82" Same owner since 1987 "Gorgeous Original Car!" Exterior: Black with Silver Interior: Silver Leather Mileage: 42,626 Serial Number: 1Z8748S900542 The year 1978 was a special year for the Corvette: the marquee’s 25th year anniversary. No one knew what was in store for this special anniversary year, especially from a pricing perspective. As it turned out, prices would skyrocket beyond belief for the special Limited Edition Pace Car. However, let’s back track to 1977 for the complete details. During the late summer of 1977, the word “on the street” was that the Chevrolet Motor Division was given the honor of pacing the Indianapolis 500 race with a Corvette. A special model was to be manufactured, the Limited Edition Corvette Pace Car, in March of 1978 with each Chevrolet dealer being allocated only one Pace Car. The Pace Car was a limited edition Corvette that included a special serial number for model identification. It was a full option Corvette with black and silver paint, polished aluminum wheels with a red stripe, mirrored glass T-Tops, and a new seat treatment that would not become standard until the 1979 model. An Indianapolis 500 decal kit was included with each model, since this car was designated as the Official Pace Car of the race in 1978. Thgis car has it's ORIGINAL 1978 Indy 500 GM Factory decals in the 4 ORIGINAL GM boxes. Early buyers were at their Chevrolet dealers before many of the dealers even knew about the special Pace Car’s pricing or allocation. A few lucky buyers were able to buy below the base list price of $13,653 however, the majority of buyers paid list price or offered to pay a premium for the dealer to write an order for this special Corvette. The approximate delivery sticker price on the majority of the Pace Cars was $13,800 for the L-48 and $14,300 for the L-82. As the production date neared, word spread that this could become a very collectible Corvette given that each dealer would only be allocated one Pace Car. The final production number reached 6,502. The Wall Street Journal ran a front-page story on March 27, 1978, reporting the collectible stories of this special Limited Edition Pace Car. This very Original Indianapolis 500 Corvette Pace Car was built in March of 1978. At that time, prices went wild – with asking prices frequently in the $20-25,000 range for the L-48 and L-82 automatics, with the L-82 4-speed commanding up to $40,000. Stories and pictures began to appear everywhere; we even recall seeing a Pace Car in a dealer’s showroom with an armored guard watching over this Special Limited Edition! The market appeared to peak on Memorial Day, the day of the big race at Indy. At that time, the average asking price was well into the $20,000 range. We have noted modest depreciation from the inflated price points reached during the introduction period of the Pace Car. Today, the Pace Cars with limited mileage continue to bring top dollar. A L-82, 4-speed Pace Car with less than 100 miles was recently sold for $75,000. For those who didn’t partake in the Pace Car phenomenon, there was another opportunity to own a special Corvette in 1978. A special two-tone silver anniversary paint option was offered at $399. The last time a special paint had been offered was in 1963, and it too, was silver – Sebring Silver – for an option price of $80. The Silver Anniversary model did not carry any special serial number identification. The optional aluminum wheels and sport mirrors were not part of the Silver Anniversary package, but were mandatory when ordering the special Silver Anniversary paint scheme. And as one might expect, the “rare” 1978 model is the one with the optional L-82 motor coupled with the 4-speed manual transmission. Only 7% of the entire production run was equipped with the manual transmission and 27% were ordered with the L-82 motor. However, as time goes by it seems the Baby Boomers now in their 60's, prefer the Automatic Transmission with Factory Air-conditioning. This is one of the best investment Corvettes available today at a very reasonable price...the values can only go one way in the coming years...UP.....UP....UP! This gorgeous Corvette has it's original L82 350cid V-8 engine and three speed automatic transmission. It has it's factory original smog pump. It is equipped with the Delco AM/FM Stereo radio and 8 track tape player. Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Power Steering, Power Brakes ,Factory Air-conditioning and Tilt & Telescopic steering wheel make this a very well equipped "REAL" factory built Indy 500 Pace Car. Included are the Factory ORIGINAL Indy 500 Decals in their original GM boxes which have never been used. This car must be seen in person and driven to appreciate how nice it is...after 33 years! We have been selling the best of the best when it comes to vintage cars on Ebay Motors since 2000 and this low mileage Original 1978 Indy 500 Pace Car Corvette is no exception. If you want to know the lowest possible acceptable price, PLEASE DO NOT e-mail me and ask "What is your reserve?" or, "What is your best price?" Simply pick up the phone and call me at 954-873-6495 and I will be happy to share that information with you. This very, very special Corvette is owned by the owner of the fabulous "Cars Of Dreams" Museum in North Palm Beach,FL. Recently the Cars Of Dreams Museum was featured on International TV...Here is a link to the Special on the Museum: We constantly are changing the inventory from the museum and always have anywhere from 15-30 cars for sale at any one time. PLEASE write to me at luvdg@aol.com and we will send you the link to the Cars Of Dreams Museum in N. Palm Beach,FL. The owner keeps his cars anywhere from a few weeks, to a few months, to several years...then sells them (often at a very substantial loss) and replaces them with other spectacular cars or takes on several more projects. All of the Cars Of Dreams cars are started once a month and driven a couple of miles. Checked for any problems, even minor leaks, fixed if necessary and then put back in the Museum with a trickle charger kept on every single car. Back to this Magnificent Chevrolet Corvette~ I suggest you call me ASAP if interested in this fabulous car...954-873-6495 ...you will be surprised at how reasonably priced this incredible car is! You could not even begin to restore this Corvette for the price you can own it!!!! PLEASE DO NOT e-mail me and ask for the reserve as you will NOT get a response. Just call me and I will be happy to discuss the reserve with you. E-mail me at luvdg@aol.com with any questions. Call me at 954-873-6495 and I will give instantly the lowest possible price!!! I am easy to reach....9:00am until 8:00pm...7 days a week. Eastern Standard time. Please Ask for Marv! John has decided to sell this car and several others that he has had in the museum. Some vehicles he has owned for the past few years...and others for a few weeks or months. The Museum is under constant change and is now being expanded to make room for all of the new (vintage) cars he has purchased in the past few weeks. If you go to the Carsofdreams web site you can see this and many, many other incredible cars on display in the museum. The museum is unique in all the world...it is a recreation of a typical small town in America back in the late fabulous 1950's. It is complete with a working drive-in movie screen & cars, a functioning drive-in "Bob's Big Boy" restaurant, the 1915 children's carousel from Coney Island, A Fire station with Fire Truck & Fire Chief's car, an actual working Good Humor truck, Nathan's hotdog & popcorn stand, Bank, Post Office, Rexall Drug Store, Butcher shop, Dress store, Barber Shop, NYC Central train station, Cadillac/Oldsmobile dealership, Mobil gas station, Sidewalks & Curbs, parking meters & street lights and much, much more. The Cars Of Dreams Museum has been featured several times on International television and is open just a few times a year to raise money for some of the owners favorite charities. Some of these are Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Club, Hospice of Palm Beach County, Darrell Gwinn Foundation to raise money for wheelchairs for handicapped kids, and "Shop with a Cop" held in conjunction with the Palm Beach Sheriffs Association for underprivileged kids. Benefits have also been hosted to help the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory College fund and the Palm Beach Sherrifs Society to raise money for underprivileged kids. 100% out of every dollar goes to the charity! This rare Corvette is a magnificent mostly original example and we welcome and urge your personal inspection. We have on premises a 10,000 sq. foot air-conditioned shop with two lifts. If you can not come in person to the Cars Of Dreams Museum and inspect the car yourself, than hire anyone you wish to come on your behalf...all we request is a 1-2 day notice...so please call Marv at 954-873-6495 to set an appointment. Hours by appointment only are Monday thru Friday from 10:00am until 5:00pm. The Museum is normally NOT open on the weekend or Holidays for any inspections. The Museum is a 15 minute drive from the Palm Beach International Airport. We are urging you to PLEASE come and inspect the car in person, drive it or to hire an expert inspector to do this for you. Please do not ask us to recommend anyone....we want you to select & hire your own inspector. There is no such thing as a PERFECT 33 year old car and we are NOT making that claim. However,in my opinion this 1978 Indy 500 Pace Car Corvette with is as nice as an example as you will find...and at a reasonable price! If you wish to schedule an appointment to see this car, please call me at 954-873-6495. I need at least a one day notice. This Corvette is stored at the fantastic Cars Of Dreams Museum in North Palm Beach, Florida. The Museum is private, and is not open to the public and is only open to a few special charity events throughout the year. All cars are owned free and clear and we have the title on hand. After you speak with us on the phone, it is possible to have a scanned or faxed copy sent directly to you. This Corvette is owned free & clear and a copy of the title can be e-mailed or faxed to you upon a telephone request....call 954-873-6495 to attain a copy. We know this is a Platinum investment collectable car....it is foolish to invest your hard earned dollars in clones and fakes....this is a truck that you can still drive & enjoy and will increase in value...not decrease in value.....and if you so chose to...you could drive it every day. Please don't buy a car like this Corvette unless you have a garage to store it inside. We do not think this car has ever been left outside a single night. We don't "play games" We love when a vehicle is inspected prior to meeting the reserve. We have no secrets and are proud of our 100% feedback. Please...do not e-mail us and ask "What is your reserve" just call us and we can discuss money...the car...a trade...or whatever is on your mind. Instead call me direct at 954-873-6495 or even if your calling from Australia,Europe or Japan. We will not e-mail you the reserve but will discuss it with you on the phone! We are all car guys that are very easy to speak with...no Prima Donnas at this end...just car lovers that do this for the fun and passion of loving our hobby...for the past 50 years! We really do love the cars...a lot more than the $. Once you speak with us...you'll agree...we are sincere and dedicated to this eternal love affair with the automobile The reserve is set at a fair number...if you wish to discuss the amount...please don't write and ask "What is the reserve price" Instead...please call us at 954-873-6495 Anytime between 9:00 am EST and 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Monday thru Sunday As with all of our fine cars...we invite your and urge your personal inspection. If you see it....and drive it...you will buy it! You will be amazed at how incredible this car drives.www.woodsidecredit.com and www.JJBest.com has financed many of the cars previously owned by Cars From Dreams, LLC. If you have a trade...please e-mail us a complete photos....details and a phone number. E-mail photos & details to luvdg@aol.com We accept most anything in trade but please, NO Motorcycles or Kit Cars. Very Special Street Rods and Rest-o-rods will be considered. No Hot Rods or drag-race cars, No Boats,Airplanes, Jewelry, Motor homes, Real Estate,ect. We will consider any nice vintage or antique car or late model Luxury car or sports car with a clean carfax report. Please call us first and discuss this with us..and if we have an interest, we would then have you e-mail a complete set of photos and details. Thanks and best of luck! Please write or call for more details.... If you are interested in this vehicle, please call us at (954) 873-6495 and we will stand next to the car and go over everything with you in great detail...there will be NO surprises...or better yet...come and inspect it yourself. (appointment a day or two in advance is required) eBay recommended services · History Report - get a vehicle history report and protect yourself from hidden problems · Shipping - get free shipping quotes and information on options to pick up this vehicle · Financing - learn about lending choices · Buyer Checklist - review steps to take to make a safe, successful purchase AS IS - NO WARRANTY This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle. There is no such thing as a "PERFECT" car or truck...especially when dealing with vintage cars & trucks that are 25,35 and even 50 years old. Arranging for an independent third-party inspection is a great way to validate a seller's claims about a vehicle's condition. There are many companies and individuals who offer such a service. Of course your personal inspection and scrutiny are suggested and most welcomed. The seller has made a diligent effort to accurately describe this vehicle but does not expressly or implicitly guarantee the accuracy of the above description. Bidders and prospective purchasers are urged and cautioned to conduct their own due diligence, including a physical inspection in person or through a qualified third party inspector or appraiser, before contemplating a purchase or making a bid on this vehicle.In fact, we would welcome and encourage such an inspection, and will make every effort to make the above described vehicle available at a time convenient to the perspective purchaser or their agents We charge NO fees of any type. NONE! We will help arrange to have your vehicle picked up on a bonded, licensed and insured carrier. There are no dealer fees or other charges and you are responsible to pay all sales taxes in your home state . Required payment is 20% within 72 hours and the balance in full within 7 days thereafter.If you buy a car from us and are not happy with something, please call us and let us know. If we feel it's our fault, we are only too happy to discuss making a possible adjustment on the price...even though the vehicle has already been paid for. This is just for your enjoyment.... Welcome to "Cars from Dreams"..... You've found the place for car buffs, car lovers, car aficionados, for guys and girls.... from 8 to 88 and even beyond. If your among the nearly 200 million Americans who still have an ongoing love affair with the automobile... WELCOME... and should you happen to be from a country other than the U.S........ your equally welcome! Little did Daimler realize just how much his tiny one cylinder motorized bike was going to change the world when invented in the mid 1890's. This motorized bicycle was refined and eventually became the 1st automobile. (one cylinder) and his company became known as Daimler/Benz. (Mercedes Benz) (DaimlerChrysler today) James Dean Step back with us for a return to the middle of the twentieth century... The late, great fabulous 1950's...It was a wonderful time, offering so many new beginnings, as the terrible memories of World War II began to gradually fade and the dreams of our returning heroes and soldiers, as well as their families, could now be fully realized. With the promise of a lasting world peace, came the hope of prosperity and tranquility...all of which was soon to become a reality. Elvis "An Age of Innocence" The Fabulous Fifties was an "age of innocence" and as a young man growing up during this period, a guy would consider himself to be "lucky" if he was able to hold a girl's hand on their first date. If he got a peck on the cheek by their third date, well.... he knew they were made for each other! It was an age of integrity and trust. One could actually leave your front and rear door unlocked and your car keys in your ignition... and when you returned, nothing would be missing. "The Rock n' Roll Era and the The Drive-In Craze" Book by Michael Karl Witzel Book by Don and Susan Sanders In the 1950's life was less complex and perhaps a little slower. People actually took time to wave from their convertibles to friends and to even smile to a stranger and even give a friendly "Hello" to a passerby. Remember those great nights at the local drive-in restaurant or those "make-out" sessions at the local drive-in movie theater. And the term "Parking" took on a whole new meaning. By the mid 1950's Rock n' Roll had burst onto the scene. Both new cars and souped-up hot rods had become part of the youth culture. The entertainment industry, not to be left out, brought out countless low-budget movies that brought teens to the drive-in movies by the thousands. By the early 1960's songs such as the Beach Boy's "409" and "Little Duece Coupe", The Ripchords "Hey Little Cobra" Jan & Dean's "Drag City" and Ronny and the Daytona's " GTO" were riding high on the charts. Our love affair with the Automobile was in "full bloom." A few days prior to the new model cars being shown to the public, most new car dealerships would cover their showroom windows with brown paper. Many times I recall try to catch a peek or a glimpse of the new models.... The American Public could hardly wait to see what new and exciting creations were about to be offered by Detroit. It is these very cars... the Cars from Dreams, that we will feature and reminisce about... and every month we will offer stories and memories of these great "Cars from Dreams."... as well as offering the very best examples for sale. The cars of the 50's and 60's for the most part had "personality!" The great Chevys, Pontiacs, Cadillacs, Buicks and Oldsmobiles helped make GM a world leader and giant of the auto world. Ford produced fabulous cars including Ford Thunderbirds, Lincolns and Mercurys. Chrysler offered all those incredible Mopars... Plymouths, Desoto, Dodges, and Chrysler. 1959 Cadillac Brochure Cover Competition was fierce, but other marquees like Studebaker, AMC, Nash, Kaiser, Hudson, Muntz, Tucker, Avanti, etc. tried to capture a piece of this huge exploding marketplace. Unfortunately, they didn't have the dollar and staying power to compete with the "Big Three." As the 1960's drew to a close, cars began to change. New EPA requirements and increasing prices for gasoline hasten the demise of the "Muscle" car. The horsepower race came to an end by the early 1970's.... at least for a while. In 1976 Cadillac crushed the molds to build their last Convertible... the Cadillac Eldorado. They theorized that the American buying public didn't really want convertibles anymore and that production numbers were too small to bother with manufacturing "open air" cars. Boy were they wrong! Heinz Prechter seized the opportunity to custom make convertibles for most manufacturers and ASC (American Sunroof Corporation) exploded with orders and sales. So what exactly is it that makes us lust after those "Cars From Dreams?" Simple.... it's the memories, the happy times..... those great times from our youth and the freedom to go where we wanted...when we wanted... with whom we wanted...and in a car that was a ball to drive. It's where Johnny took Mary on their 1st date! It's so easy to spot a "Car From Dreams" on our highways today... just look for someone motoring down the street with a huge grin on their face. Today our hobby is pursued by guys and girls alike...it's just not a "guy" thing anymore and I think that's great. There are enough great memories to go around for everyone. How big is the car-collecting hobby? No one really knows for sure. However, there are several million cars that have been preserved or restored and our hobby is expanding... not shrinking.... and with sixty million "Baby Boomers" with disposal income and spendable dollars out there... the prices will continue to escalate. The nice thing about our hobby today, as opposed to the wild speculation on vintage cars that occurred throughout the 1980's is that these cars are being driven and enjoyed... not just been stored away in warehouses and garages. So celebrate with us as we embark on the next fifty years and if you feel compelled to exclaim "Hubba Hubba" or a loud "Hooray" as we reminisce with these "Cars From Dreams"... it's perfectly acceptable! Welcome to "Cars from Dreams"..... You've found the place for car buffs, car lovers, car aficionados, for guys and girls.... from 8 to 88 and even beyond. If your among the nearly 200 million Americans who still have an ongoing love affair with the automobile... WELCOME... and should you happen to be from a country other than the U.S........ your equally welcome! Little did Daimler realize just how much his tiny one cylinder motorized bike was going to change the world when invented in the mid 1890's. This motorized bicycle was refined and eventually became the 1st automobile. (one cylinder) and his company became known as Daimler/Benz. (Mercedes Benz) (DaimlerChrysler today) James Dean Step back with us for a return to the middle of the twentieth century... The late, great fabulous 1950's...It was a wonderful time, offering so many new beginnings, as the terrible memories of World War II began to gradually fade and the dreams of our returning heroes and soldiers, as well as their families, could now be fully realized. With the promise of a lasting world peace, came the hope of prosperity and tranquility...all of which was soon to become a reality. Elvis "An Age of Innocence" The Fabulous Fifties was an "age of innocence" and as a young man growing up during this period, a guy would consider himself to be "lucky" if he was able to hold a girl's hand on their first date. If he got a peck on the cheek by their third date, well.... he knew they were made for each other! It was an age of integrity and trust. One could actually leave your front and rear door unlocked and your car keys in your ignition... and when you returned, nothing would be missing. "The Rock n' Roll Era and the The Drive-In Craze" Book by Michael Karl Witzel Book by Don and Susan Sanders In the 1950's life was less complex and perhaps a little slower. People actually took time to wave from their convertibles to friends and to even smile to a stranger and even give a friendly "Hello" to a passerby. Remember those great nights at the local drive-in restaurant or those "make-out" sessions at the local drive-in movie theater. And the term "Parking" took on a whole new meaning. By the mid 1950's Rock n' Roll had burst onto the scene. Both new cars and souped-up hot rods had become part of the youth culture. The entertainment industry, not to be left out, brought out countless low-budget movies that brought teens to the drive-in movies by the thousands. By the early 1960's songs such as the Beach Boy's "409" and "Little Duece Coupe", The Ripchords "Hey Little Cobra" Jan & Dean's "Drag City" and Ronny and the Daytona's " GTO" were riding high on the charts. Our love affair with the Automobile was in "full bloom." A few days prior to the new model cars being shown to the public, most new car dealerships would cover their showroom windows with brown paper. Many times I recall try to catch a peek or a glimpse of the new models.... The American Public could hardly wait to see what new and exciting creations were about to be offered by Detroit. It is these very cars... the Cars from Dreams, that we will feature and reminisce about... and every month we will offer stories and memories of these great "Cars from Dreams."... as well as offering the very best examples for sale. The cars of the 50's and 60's for the most part had "personality!" The great Chevys, Pontiacs, Cadillacs, Buicks and Oldsmobiles helped make GM a world leader and giant of the auto world. Ford produced fabulous cars including Ford Thunderbirds, Lincolns and Mercurys. Chrysler offered all those incredible Mopars... Plymouths, Desoto, Dodges, and Chrysler. 1959 Cadillac Brochure Cover Competition was fierce, but other marquees like Studebaker, AMC, Nash, Kaiser, Hudson, Muntz, Tucker, Avanti, etc. tried to capture a piece of this huge exploding marketplace. Unfortunately, they didn't have the dollar and staying power to compete with the "Big Three." As the 1960's drew to a close, cars began to change. New EPA requirements and increasing prices for gasoline hasten the demise of the "Muscle" car. The horsepower race came to an end by the early 1970's.... at least for a while. In 1976 Cadillac crushed the molds to build their last Convertible... the Cadillac Eldorado. They theorized that the American buying public didn't really want convertibles anymore and that production numbers were too small to bother with manufacturing "open air" cars. Boy were they wrong! Heinz Prechter seized the opportunity to custom make convertibles for most manufacturers and ASC (American Sunroof Corporation) exploded with orders and sales. So what exactly is it that makes us lust after those "Cars From Dreams?" Simple.... it's the memories, the happy times..... those great times from our youth and the freedom to go where we wanted...when we wanted... with whom we wanted...and in a car that was a ball to drive. It's where Johnny took Mary on their 1st date! It's so easy to spot a "Car From Dreams" on our highways today... just look for someone motoring down the street with a huge grin on their face. Today our hobby is pursued by guys and girls alike...it's just not a "guy" thing anymore and I think that's great. There are enough great memories to go around for everyone. How big is the car-collecting hobby? No one really knows for sure. However, there are several million cars that have been preserved or restored and our hobby is expanding... not shrinking.... and with sixty million "Baby Boomers" with disposal income and spendable dollars out there... the prices will continue to escalate. The nice thing about our hobby today, as opposed to the wild speculation on vintage cars that occurred throughout the 1980's is that these cars are being driven and enjoyed... not just been stored away in warehouses and garages. So celebrate with us as we embark on the next fifty years and if you feel compelled to exclaim "Hubba Hubba" or a loud "Hooray" as we reminisce with these "Cars From Dreams"... it's perfectly acceptable! On Jul-05-11 at 05:51:38 PDT, seller added the following information: Sellers: Get your own map of past buyers. Fast. Simple.