1978 Chevrolet Corvette 25th Anniversary

Description

As far as I'm concerned, the 25th Anniversary Corvettes were the best-looking 'Vettes built in '78. Who cares how many they built, the point is that you can get a great-looking and distinctive classic Corvette for the price of a used Malibu sedan. The two-tone color scheme has aged well and this one sports a sparkling interior that's pure 1978 cool.

A big part of the Corvette experience is hanging out with other Corvette guys, and you'll find that this Anniversary car will be welcomed with open arms wherever you go. The distinctive silver over dark gray paint scheme has aged well and a lot of non-Corvette folks will assume it's a custom job. The truth is, this is how the factory did it, and the recently freshened paint looks fantastic. There's a great gloss to the surface with only minor signs of use, and the crisp bodywork, even gaps, and overall look suggest a car that has been a cherished toy all its life and never a daily driver. All the special markings are still there, from the insignias on the front fenders to the L82 badges on the hood, it's definitely got a performance look thanks to the flared fenders and sleek fastback roofline. For a car made in 1978, this one skips the disco era goofiness and delivers a clean, chiseled performance vibe that works rather well today.

The sparkling interior was called Parchment by some and Oyster by the guys at Chevrolet when this car came out, but either way it's a perfect match for 1978. The beautiful seats are obviously wearing replacement covers, because upholstery that's 36 years old never looks that good and the grippy cloth inserts aren't OEM. However, the carpets may very well be nice originals and the door panels are excellent. You'll note that this car is loaded with options, including A/C, power windows and locks, and a tilt/telescope steering column, all befitting Chevy's flagship. The gauges are original and show quite well, along with a full set of auxiliary gauges in the center stack. Color-matched floor mats help keep those light-colored carpets looking their best, and with the T-tops off on a sunny day, you'll appreciate this interior a lot more than something darker.

The engine is a well-maintained and mildly modified crate 350 V8, replacing the somewhat sluggish original piece. With an open-element air cleaner, upgraded ignition system, long-tube headers, and an aluminum intake manifold with a 4-barrel carburetor on top, it's got more than a few more horsepower today. Finned valve covers add a retro-looking bit of performance hardware, and a few new pieces like the alternator and master cylinder brighten up the formerly all-black engine bay. A TH350 3-speed automatic was by far the most popular transmission choice in 1978 and it's flanked by a brand new dual exhaust system that fits well and sounds right. The chassis is impressively clean overall, perfect for a car that's going to get driven, and the factory slotted aluminum wheels have the right look inside fat 225/70/15 performance radials.

The other Corvette guys are going to be mighty surprised when they see how well this Anniversary 'Vette moves, and the slick bodywork and gorgeous interior are merely camouflage for a very fun car. Call today!