Topic: '78 Pace Car Help
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Lifetime MemberIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
Went to a car show today (Labor Day) and saw a pretty nice looking '78 Pace Car. I didn't check the vin # yet. I looked at the paint, engine, interior, etcl. It has the 350 in it, air and it's an automatic (yuck), but overall, it looked pretty good. Needs some work on the fiberglass where it joins over the front passenger tire. The guy said it runs pretty good and pointed out the repair area. There were not any letters on the doors, like I've seen on others. He said he wanted $15,000. for it. I think that's high.
What are these going for??? What all should I look for that I might overlook with these? Think it's worth the investment?
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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
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In my opinion the L-82, 4-speed pace cars are the only "investment quality" candidates. Only around 200 units produced out of a total population around 6500 78 pace cars produced. And there is no shortage of low mileage pace cars out there in the L-48, automatic tranny population, just watch Ebay. BTW, the lettering came with all the cars but was not always installed on the car. Some buyers elected to leave them off.
Scott
Mick, these cars pop up periodically on the Bay Area craigslist. Most have fairly low mileage and appear to have been well maintained. A few don't have the decals on the body at all, and I've seen a couple with only partial decals (as Scott explained, the decals were applied at the dealership, not the factory. FWIW, one seller had a set still in the GM box, for $300--they were on sale, separate from any car, for ages).
For price comparison, there are two Pace Cars currently listed: an L82, with 48,600 miles, asking price $15,400. And an L48, with 15,000 miles, listed for $19,500.
Happy shopping!
For price comparison, there are two Pace Cars currently listed: an L82, with 48,600 miles, asking price $15,400. And an L48, with 15,000 miles, listed for $19,500.
Happy shopping!
Hate to say it Mick but if that car needs body work it prolly needs alot more work, I'd worry about things you can't see like the transmission or other mechanical issues. SFVette is right, search for 1978 Pace Car on eBay, you can find a few in great shape on eBay for just a couple thousand more.
The decals came in the Pace Car in boxes, it was the purchasers choice to have them installed or not. OEM sets of these decals go for high $$$ on eBay but I'd be leary of decals that have been in the box for almost 30 yrs.
And yes, the L82 4-speed is the rare version of this car bringing a higher price tag.
MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117 
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"Keep up the Pace"
Oh ya my baby went over 100k miles this weekend 
But shes looking good, 6 shows so far this summer, 4-1st Place, 1-Favorite 70's Car, and 1-Peoples Choice 
But shes looking good, 6 shows so far this summer, 4-1st Place, 1-Favorite 70's Car, and 1-Peoples Choice
Theres only one Pace Car on eBay right now but you just missed out on the last Pace Car made Look at what the highest bid on that baby was, and it didn't reach reserve 
MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117
Click here to see my new friend P-Racer
"Keep up the Pace"
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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Lifetime MemberIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
All this info really HELPS. I would really love to have one. I've been keeping my eye out (it's been painfull...). I got all excited when I saw this one. It was outta Florida. With ya all's info, I'm NOT so excited about it now. I would say it was in "GOOD" shape from what I saw.
). I got all excited when I saw this one. It was outta Florida. With ya all's info, I'm NOT so excited about it now. I would say it was in "GOOD" shape from what I saw.
I wonder what the real price was on the LAST PACE CAR. Sounded like he wanted that $300,000.00 price like the Barret-Jackson Auction, Leapin' Lizards, Batman! 
I would have to sell my husband! 
Wait, that's not a bad idea........
I would have to sell my husband! Wait, that's not a bad idea........Pace Car Colors! 
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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
'78 Pace Car is probably my favorite 'Vette. One day I'll move into one...
Anyway, a lot of people bought these cars and put them away as "investments" back in the 'ol days 
I don't think they really ever reached the potential for profit people thought they had, so there are now quite a few low mile, original Pace Cars out there for sale. As was already stated, the decals could be left in the box. Reproduction decals are readily available.
I don't think they really ever reached the potential for profit people thought they had, so there are now quite a few low mile, original Pace Cars out there for sale. As was already stated, the decals could be left in the box. Reproduction decals are readily available.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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