Chevrolet has made almost a sport of creating new special edition Corvettes over the years, but the 1978 Silver Anniversary edition was one of the first and most notable. There was also a pace car that year, making 1978 a good year for special ‘Vettes, and they’ve suddenly become very collectable. Now we all know that 1978 wasn’t a great year for horsepower, but as many enthusiasts have discovered, the ‘Vette isn’t exclusively about horsepower, and if you want a comfortable, reliable, stylish, high-speed cruiser that’s welcome at any show in the country, well, you can scarcely do better than a C3 Corvette. Values are on the way up, enthusiast support is massive, and in terms of the price vs. performance ratio, they’re hard to beat.

This 1978 Corvette Silver Anniversary Edition is the right car to own. It’s not a super-low-mile car that has been laid up its entire life and it’s not a high-mileage beater that’s been used up and thrown away. Instead, it’s got just 39,465 original miles, meaning it’s been a toy car its entire life, but not so much so that it never gets exercised. As with many Corvettes of this vintage, the original paint was only adequate, so after 35 years or so, it was time for a freshening. Two years ago, it was treated to a full respray in the original colors (code 13/07) of Silver over dark gray. The combination is quite appealing and highlights the C3’s beautifully sculpted shape, which, in 1978, had finally evolved to what Larry Shinoda later claimed was the design team’s original vision. The fastback roofline, integrated nose and tail pieces, and flared fenders all give this Corvette a distinctive and timeless shape. The finish work is quite well done and if it’s possible to make a Corvette too nice, well, this car might be it. Original “flaws” like mis-matched colors on the urethane nose and tail sections are gone, sloppy fit has been erased, and the orange peel in the paint has been wiped away. Instead, this ‘Vette is shiny, clean, and well-assembled, far better than new and looking great in every way. It’s also got nice, shiny Anniversary emblems on the nose and fuel filler door, crossed-flag emblems on the fenders, and ‘corvette’ block letters on its tail. There’s no denying what this car is, but it’s nicer than most.

You could get a number of different interior choices in your Anniversary Corvette, but the most tasteful and dramatic is the Oyster leather found in this car. It’s not quite gray, not quite white, not quite beige, but a wonderful combination that looks very upscale and elegant. Fresh reproduction seat covers were installed last year and look like new, while the rest of the interior components are original and in excellent condition. The deep, plush carpets help control noise and heat and the door panels show few signs of age aside from some light discoloration around the handles and switches. Heck, there’s not even an indentation on the arm rest where your elbow would rest! The leather-wrapped wheel is bright and clean, a rarity for a light-colored interior, and it sits atop a tilt steering column. Other options include power windows and locks, a fully rebuilt A/C system that blows ice cold, and the original AM/FM stereo radio in the dash. The main gauges are bright and clear, with the tach parking itself at the usual 1300 RPM, which is typical of GM tachs of the period. The secondary gauges are all functional save for the clock and fuel gauge, and look great in the center stack. New floor mats protect the original carpets and there are fresh weather seals to help it close up tight. In back, the trunk is protected by a sliding cargo cover and still includes the original T-top bags, because you’re going to want to enjoy this ‘Vette alfresco.

Power comes from the original 350 cubic inch L48 engine, which runs superbly. Upgraded with an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and long-tube headers, it’s a bit more robust than the original specs, and it starts easily with just a turn of the key. You can see a lot of new components under the hood, including the open-element air cleaner, chrome valve covers, and all the A/C components, including the compressor and lines. The ignition has been upgraded as well but still uses an HEI system and the brake master cylinder is recent. There’s a great V8 burble from the true dual exhaust system, which uses OEM-style mufflers for just the right sound. The TH350 3-speed automatic transmission shifts crisply and with 3.08 gears in back, this is a superlative high-speed cruiser that will go cross-country without a second thought. You’ll note that the chassis is original and in good condition with no signs of rot and just the usual surface scale, and the suspension has been treated to fresh shocks all around, so it rides and handles properly. Bright, shiny factory alloy wheels show zero curb rash or corrosion and they’re wrapped in fat 255/60/15 Hoosier radials, which are “Built for Champions.”

Don’t look now, but the special C3 Corvettes are on the move. Like many other cars that were cheap for decades, these are suddenly very popular with collectors and good ones that you can drive and enjoy without worries aren’t so easy to find. This one is fully sorted and ready to enjoy with a great look that will get admiring glances everywhere you go. Call today!