2,785 Genuine Miles: 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car
It doesn’t seem that long ago that here at Barn Finds, we were seeing a number of Corvette Pace Cars coming across our desks in rapid succession. This flow dried up, but this one has just appeared. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Warwick, New York, it is offered with a clear title. The seller has set a BIN price of $28,500 for this Pace Car, but the option is available to make an offer.
I have previously written a few articles on Pace Cars, including an example which was also claimed to have traveled very limited miles. This particular Pace Car takes these claims a step further. The seller is claiming that it has traveled a genuine 2,785 miles. The previous example can be found here. With this one, I have downloaded every photo from the ad and examined them minutely looking for faults or flaws in the exterior panel and paint fit and finish. I honestly don’t think that I can fault it. I usually am cautious about low mileage claims and am more so with claims such as those made about this car. However, the owner has full documentation for the car that verifies all mileages and a full service history. That should hopefully put the matter beyond question for any potential buyer.
The silver leather interior presents as close to perfect. It remains totally original, with no obvious modifications such as aftermarket stereos or speakers. All of the upholstery appears to be close to flawless, and there is no tell-tale wear on the wheel rim that can indicate high mileage.
Maybe I am getting a bit fussy in my old age, but the engine bay just doesn’t quite live up to the rest of the car. I will say that I’m thankful that the owner hasn’t had the engine detailed, so any potential buyer can see what they’re getting. The car is said to run and drive well, and it has apparently been meticulously serviced and cared for. It has spent its life in a climate-controlled garage, so hopefully all of the perishable components have withstood the last 40 years and a general lack of use. The seller is very positive about the fact that the car doesn’t demonstrate any signs of leaks that may indicate issues in this area.
The last ultra-low mileage Pace Car that I wrote about had traveled 4,879 miles and was priced at $51,500. This car has traveled less than half that distance, and is $23,000 cheaper! Looking at what is currently on the market, I have found several Pace Cars with less than 15,000 miles on the clock, and all are priced at more than $30,000. If the mileage is able to be verified, then that probably makes this Corvette competitively priced. I guess the big decision would be whether you would then drive it and compromise its “low mileage” status.
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Comments
Our first family ‘Vette was a ’78 Silver Anniversary with this same powertrain.
It was a dog. Dad was pretty frustrated at it’s lack of oomph.
L82 4-speed was a BIG step up in fun & performance.
I’d pass on this one, sweet as it is, & pay more for the right motor/trans combo.
Gorgeous car though. I really like them with the stickers installed.
I know of a guy back it the early 2000s that had one of these. Said he had his parents start the car up once a month and move it a few feet back n forth. Area sounds about right, considering he lived in WNY and he said the car was somewhere else. Story does add up. Could this be the same guy??
‘Ultra low mileage corvette pace car, I’ve never seen one of those before!’
Said nobody….ever
I can’t think of a worse year. To me it has low power, gaudy paint and interior and the least desirable body style.
Not one person on here cares what you think. You most likely drove a Yugo anyway.
There have been two sub-1000 and one 1300 mile pace cars Corvette’s that have sold recently one eBay for around $32,000. Two were L48 automatics like this one, the other was an L82 automatic. The direction of that market looks to be heading down and probably will for some time. As the original owners age out of the market and these cars hit the market in great numbers I’d wait or find something else altogether.
Steve R
I love reading comments by those that come on here and complain about a vehicle. I’d almost bet they drove 4 banger Pinto’s. poseur I’m sorry your father wasn’t bright enough to buy the L 82 version. I bet he was told about the L 48, and yet didn’t listen. I know a few bone heads that bought the L 48 versions.
Arguing about 1978 Corvette performance perhaps might perhaps reveal the true bonehead….
So if this is a sub 3k mile car I’m Michael Jackson back from the dead!
L48 auto and how much?? This guy’s a dreamer, regardless of mileage.
How many of these were bought and stored in hopes of financing somebody’s retirement? I know my brother in law thought so. ALL the negative comments should lead to one conclusion…
Hi All
First this always a fun site to look and enjoy.
This is a nice looking car, but, I do not think it will bring the price. The Pace Cars that bring top dollar are L-82 4 Speed cars that are in as new as delivered condition. I know of several 78 Pace Cars that had less then 100 miles on the clock. Some were absolutely new others were in pretty rough shape. It all depends how and were they were stored. The bad ones were stored in a garage with a cover and no more. The nice one were stored in a climate controlled garage with covers that keep light and dust off. They also need to be exercised, Not just run. Every knob and switch, if it was designed to move it needs to exercised. I have a friend that has a 1991 ZR1 with a little over 19000 miles on it. He Drives this car often, but if he has not had it out for one reason or another he has a check list like a plane that he goes through before taking it out just to be sure he does not miss anything. This car has been judged through the whole NCRS Program.
” Top Flight, Performance Verification, McLELLAN Mark of Excellence award, and the NCRS Crossed Flags Award
Always scored in the very high nineties percentile. If You would like check out what it takes to go through these. All are very tough.
NCRS Site https://www.ncrs.org/services/judging-awards.php
It has been through the whole Bloomington Gold Program as well.
Gold certified, Benchmark, and Survivor. All the above is just to show how nice this car is.
The truth most super low millage cars fall apart from non use.
They were not meant to sit. Elfi Duntov Zora’s Wife once told me Zora always said.
“Trailers are for Horses Cars were meant to be driven hard and enjoyed ”
Good Luck And get them out and Enjoy them
Michael
To the right person, it’s gold. I’m not into it though, and I am a Vette owner. Personally I’d prefer the previous 63 Ford. More unique and likely a little more fun to drive.
If I was buying a Vette to hammer on, this clearly wouldn’t be it…that it’s not the most powerful power train combination offered in ’78 doesn’t offend me. This is a cruiser, to be polished and shown for what it is… anyone over 50 knows them and gets that they aren’t road rockets. As a kid, seeing a new one roll by was very exciting… that’s why I’d buy one – but not at this price.
Yoo-Hoo!!! “Genuine” miles!! An upgrade from “Original” miles. A “Genuine” mile equals 5,398 feet and adds 35% to the standard Crazy Eddie Price Guide figures for 1978 Pace Cars. The latest Pace Car census shows that of the 6500 Pace Cars built, at least 9,000 are for sale at any given time.
A “genuine mile” might be 5,398 feet, but an actual mile 5,280 feet.😉