Help! '78 Pace Car- what to look for?

[richross]

Howdy all- I'm away from home and have therefore left all my vette guides/gear at home. Anyone know what to look for or avoid in a '78 Pace Car? Been wanting a C3 for a while, and I think I've found a fairly clean one that is going for a good price. L82, 55k mi., no apparent wreckage, owner's manual, auto, motivated seller for around 9k. Any ideas?

 

[Paul T]

Just make sure it isn't a fake. There are a few of them around. Documentation, documentation, documentation. Still sounds like a good price. Makes me wonder.

 

[XLR8]

Howdy all- I'm away from home and have therefore left all my vette guides/gear at home. Anyone know what to look for or avoid in a '78 Pace Car? Been wanting a C3 for a while, and I think I've found a fairly clean one that is going for a good price. L82, 55k mi., no apparent wreckage, owner's manual, auto, motivated seller for around 9k. Any ideas?

Richross, welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

Here's a link to the 1978 Model Center Identification Page - Click

The '78 Pace Cars VINs ran 1Z87L8S900001 - 1Z87L8S906502.

The Black Book also lists the following options for the Pace Cars:
A31 - Power windows
AU3 - Power door locks
CC1 - Removable glass roof panels
C49 - Rear window defogger
C60 - Air conditioning
D35 - Sport mirrors
N37 - Tilt-telescopic steering column
QBS - White letter tires, P255 / 60R15
UA1 - Heavy duty battery
UM2 - AM-FM radio, stereo with 8-track tape
U75 - Power antenna
U81 - Dual rear speakers
YJ8 (Red Accent)
ZX2 - Convenience group
and special seats.

Hope this helps. Stop by the New member forum and say hello when you have time: Click

Jane Ann

 

[6880 Mike]

...L82, 55k mi., no apparent wreckage, owner's manual, auto, motivated seller for around 9k. Any ideas?

Go slow here. $9K sounds low for a an L-82 Pace Car. Do your homework. Have you seen the car?

 

[GS Diva]

I agree with the others...be very careful! They only made about 200 L82, 4-speed Indy Pace Cars in 1978!!! If its claim is L82 4-speed, its value is much higher than $9k!

Elaine

P.S. I just re-read the description, and it's an automatic. However, the price still sounds too low.

 

[Evolution1980]

Anyone know what to look for or avoid in a '78 Pace Car?...for around 9k.

Yeah, sellers passing off the car as an original!
Or, you've just stumbled on to a steal!

Really though, if the car is in good shape and the frame is solid, $9000 is a good price regardless if it's a pace car or even an L82. Sounds like either way you might win on this one (as long as the car is mechanically sound.)

P.S. I just re-read the description, and it's an automatic. However, the price still sounds too low.

Did they make the pace cars and/or the L82 with an auto??? Thought the L82 always got a manual. Hmm, now I'm doubting myself. Ah well...either way...

 

[6880 Mike]

...Did they make the pace cars and/or the L82 with an auto??? Thought the L82 always got a manual....

Yes. You could get a Pace Car with L-82 and automatic. You could also get a Pace Car with the L-48 with AT. To further muddle the picture, you could get either engine in the PC with the 4-speed. Beware of any figures attempting to to designate a number for the L-82 4-speed PCs. There is no documetation from GM as to how many were assembled and no one knows for sure.

What you could not get was an L-82 4-speed PC in California. Those were limited to AT and the L-48.

 

[richross]

Thanks all- I ended up doing some research as suggested and found the car to be everything it was supposed to be- a fully loaded L-82 '78 Pace Car. Numbers match (except tranny), no accidents, and really clean! Ended up picking up the car for a little over ten (had to re-negotiate with 15 1/2 year old daughter who was supposed to get the car!). I guess there are still good deals out there. Never thought it'd be me though. Thanks for all the help, and I'm glad to be a part of the club!
Rich

 

[Evolution1980]

Thanks all- I ended up doing some research as suggested and found the car to be everything it was supposed to be- a fully loaded L-82 '78 Pace Car. Numbers match (except tranny), no accidents, and really clean! Ended up picking up the car for a little over ten (had to re-negotiate with 15 1/2 year old daughter who was supposed to get the car!). I guess there are still good deals out there. Never thought it'd be me though. Thanks for all the help, and I'm glad to be a part of the club!
Rich

Congrats and welcome to the club!!!

 

[Paul T]

Congratulations. You now have one of the truly classic Corvettes. Welcome to the CAC and the Corvette Nation.