1978 Corvette 25th Anniversary Coupe VIN: 1Z8748S432198 Total Production: 46,776 Coupes (15,283 with Silver Anniversary Paint) Manufactured at St. Louis: June 1978 Exterior Color: Codes 13U/07L Two-Tone B2Z (15,283 produced - $399) Interior Trim: Code 12C Oyster White Cloth/Leather Seats Engine: RPO L82 350/220 Horsepower V8 (12,739 produced - $525) Engine Code: CMR Carburetion: Rochester Model M4MC Four-Barrel Transmission: M21 4-Speed Close-Ratio (3,385 produced - no charge) Differential: Positraction 3.70:1 Axle Ratio Additional Regular Production Options (RPO): AU3 Power Door Locks (12,187 produced - $124) A31 Power Windows (36,931 produced - $135) C49 Electro-Clear Rear Defogger (30,912 produced - $98) C60 Four-Season Air Conditioning (37,638 produced - $615) D35 Power Sport Mirrors (38,405 produced - $42) FE7 Gymkhana Suspension (12,590 produced - $46) N37 Tilt-Telescopic Steering Wheel (37,858 produced - $178) QGR P225/70R15 White Letter Tires (26,203 produced - $51) UA1 Heavy Duty Battery (28,243 produced - $18) UM2 AM-FM Stereo Radio w/Tape Deck (20,899 produced - $419) U75 Power Antenna (23,069 produced - $49) U81 Dual Rear Speakers (12,340 produced - $49) YJ8 Aluminum Wheels (28,008 produced - $345) ZX2 Convenience Group (37,222 produced - $90) MSRP: $9,445.89 Base, plus $3,183 in options - $12,977.89 Delivered Mileage: 1,536 Purchased From: Fichtner Chevrolet; Laurel, Montana

1978 25th ANNIVERSARY COUPE

Sport’s headlines for 1978 proclaimed touted jockey Steve Cauthen riding Affirmed winning horse racing’s prestigious Triple Crown, driver Tom Sneva repeating as Indy Car National Champion, and Cale Yarborough receiving NASCAR’s Winston Cup Champion for the third straight year.

Over at Chevrolet St. Louis, the new 1978 Corvette was making headlines of its own… America’s only sports car was celebrating 25 years of production in a big way. Introducing the first major body restyle in a decade, there was no mistaking the ’78 Corvette with its new aerodynamic “fastback” rear end treatment featuring a larger rear window which increased luggage capacity and access. Special front a rear Corvette 25th Anniversary celebratory emblem badging was also featured on each 1978 built. This model year would also hold the distinction of being the last base Corvette model available for under $10-grand.

On the inside, the center console restyle from 1977 was further complimented with a redesigned instrument panel, which included a new driver-side speedometer & tachometer gauge cluster and passenger-side glove box. Interior door panels were new, containing separate armrests and forward map pockets. Power Door Locks (RPO AU3) were a new option costing $124, as well as U75 Power Antenna for $49, and you could even add Citizen’s Band (CB) to the Delco AM-FM Stereo Radio for a big $638 (and 7,138 buyers did). With the increased and more convenient rear storage space, a retractable sun and security shade was provided, and U81 Dual Rear Delco Speakers could be added ($49) providing an early version of today’s surround sound.

On the performance front, an additional five horsepower increased the base L48 350 cubic-inch V-8 motor to 185 HP, while the optional L82 increased by 10 to 220 HP. Industry tire designations changed to the new “P-metric” system, with wider “60” series radials becoming available optionally for the first time, requiring slight front fender trimming at the factory for clearance.

To further celebrate Corvette’s 25th Anniversary theme, RPO B2Z costing $399 extra provided distinctive Two-Tone Silver paint, featuring Silver as the upper body color with a coordinating Dark Gray lower, separated along the beltline. Selection of this special paint scheme option triggered the mandatory addition of YJ8 Aluminum Wheels and D35 Sport Mirrors. Interior trim choices with the two-tone Silver Anniversary Corvette were limited to Red, Oyster or Black, and total production of 15,283 units in this combination made it the most popular in 1978.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, Corvette was selected as the official Pace Car for the 1978 Indianapolis 500 Motor Race. Chevrolet Engineering and the General Motors Design Staff created a special limited edition Corvette Pace Car commemorating that event as well. Initially envisioned as a small run of just 300 replicas, the firestorm generated by this Corvette created such a market frenzy Chevrolet built one for every dealer in their network. Details on the 1978 Corvette Pace Car can be found elsewhere on this website.

“My collection wouldn’t be complete without a 25th Anniversary ‘B2Z’ two-tone Silver Corvette to go with the Pace Car. Mine has the Oyster White interior, and while Chevy recommended Red trim, Oyster turned out to be the most sought after choice. The window sticker overflows with options, plus this ’78 has the rare high-performance 220 horsepower L82 engine and close-ratio 4-speed manual gearbox. Not only does this Corvette ‘haul the freight’, it looks great!”

...Dave Ressler

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