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Topic: MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics

in Forum: Special Edition Vettes


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MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (18/28)
 1/2/08 10:48pm
mkapp7879
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[QUOTE=dwright][QUOTE=steves74]I also enjoyed the pictures.  Thanks Mike.
 Dumb question...can you get a 78 pace car with manual trans???
 If so, how rare are they?   Thanks [/QUOTE]
 
There is nothing in the Black Book that says you couldn't order the 4-speed for your PC. In fact it says all options were available.
 
No cost addition for the manual or auto.
 
Out of 46,776 built that year, only 3,385 ordered the 4-speed.
38,614 got the automatic.
That only totals 41,999, so not sure of these numbers.
and of course, there is no way to tell how many PC got 4-speeds, but i am sure there were a few.
 
We actually have 4 members listed with a PC VIN and manual tranny. One is listed as a 3-speed manual. (Former member Timmer)
 
Is it possible that the 3-speed manual was standard?
 
The plot thickens.Shocked
[/QUOTE]
 
 
The discrepency in transmission numbers is because the wide ratio 4speed was standard and not listed in the options charts.  The 3385 4speeds listed were for the close ratio units that were only available with the L82. If ya didn't check the option box or ya got an L48 then you got the wide ratio.
No 3 speeds offered, that must be a typo.
Speculation says about 250 4speed Pace Cars produced. But mostly a guess.
mkapp78792008-01-02 21:21:27
MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (19/28)
 1/3/08 12:09am
cilrahLifetime Member
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Port Orchard, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Indy Pace Car 4851 of 6502, Auto, L-48


Joined: 6/20/2005
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There were no 3-speed tranny's, no special exhaust, and certainly no tires with Corvette on them.
 
The Pace Car with Jim Rathman on it was the actual Pace Car, the honorary Pace Car driver actually drives the Pace lap.  The 71 Pace Car driver was a Dodge Dealer from the Indy area, and apparently not very experienced in driving at high speeds, he wrecked the car during the actual race.  I believe the Rathman car was the only car that actually Paced the race the others were spares inwhich Indy kept one and Al got the other, was there a fourth? Hell I don't know.
 
And yes Mike, there were Monte Carlos there in 78, I've got pictures of the Hurst (shifter) Girls riding round the track in a Monte Carlo.
 
I just purchased a huge package of pictures from the 78 Indy 500 from a guy whos Pacer used to be on display at the NCM.  All pictures of the Pace Car and one of the Monte Carlo.


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MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117

Click here to see my new friend P-Racer
"Keep up the Pace"

MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (20/28)
 1/3/08 1:08am
cilrahLifetime Member
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Port Orchard, WA - USA

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1978 Indy Pace Car 4851 of 6502, Auto, L-48


Joined: 6/20/2005
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Heres one of the two pics I have of the Monte Carlo that was at Indy in 78. cilrah2008-01-02 22:09:22

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MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117

Click here to see my new friend P-Racer
"Keep up the Pace"

MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (21/28)
 1/3/08 1:26am
cilrahLifetime Member
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Port Orchard, WA - USA

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1978 Indy Pace Car 4851 of 6502, Auto, L-48


Joined: 6/20/2005
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[QUOTE=LukesVette]Was this car ever owned privately or was it always in GM hands?[/QUOTE] As far as I can tell, this car has always been owned by GM.

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MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117

Click here to see my new friend P-Racer
"Keep up the Pace"

MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (22/28)
 1/3/08 9:32am
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

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[QUOTE=mkapp7879]One more observation I made at the Indy Auto Show. They had an information placard in front of the 0001(should hve taken a pic!!). One of the statements was about the first 300 units having special Goodyear tires with "Corvette" on them. We know this didn't happen. So how much other info was wrong? Anyway, it also stated a different cam was installed(L82 cam or something bigger?) and special dual exhaust. What did they mean by "special"? 0001 had factory Y into a cat and to the Y again.
It would be interesting to get a look underneath the speedway's and Unsers' Pace Cars to see if there's true duals.
[/QUOTE]
 
I did get a pic of that sign.  I should be able to post it Saturday (out of town until then).  I was surprised to see what it said about the special tires as well.  Now that I know that's wrong, it makes me wonder where they got their info...


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MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (23/28)
 1/3/08 10:23am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
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The tire story was partially true...Goodyear WAS going to make them, but decided against it, for marketing/licensing reasons. There were some photos of one of the design cars with Corvette lettering on the tires. I'd have to look thru my library to find them.
I have always heard the actual Pacer DID have some exhaust mods, and a stouter cam than stock. Perhaps the "special" exhaust is nothing more than a gutted cat, and free-flow mufflers.
The Legend continues...

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MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (24/28)
 1/3/08 3:28pm
71Shark
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Edmond, OK - USA

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There is a set of Corvette tires at the NCM
MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (25/28)
 1/4/08 1:08pm
dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

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2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe


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I think I remember seeing those during one of my visits.



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MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (26/28)
 1/30/08 7:31pm
mkapp7879
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MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (27/28)
 1/30/08 10:33pm
cilrahLifetime Member
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Port Orchard, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Indy Pace Car 4851 of 6502, Auto, L-48


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Posts: 4066

There ya go Mike Thumbs%20Up  "You Da Man" Finally answered, when I googled the name I only came up with some Rocket Scientist.

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MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117

Click here to see my new friend P-Racer
"Keep up the Pace"

MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics (28/28)
 1/30/08 10:46pm
mkapp7879
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Can't take credit for it. Got a lead elsewhere. Searched the full name and found the obit. Seems like something we should have known, at least the Indy area guys!

Part of the Hulman family. They own or owned the track.
mkapp78792008-01-30 20:14:57
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