1978 CORVETTE

• To mark Corvette's 25th anniversary, the 1978 model received a major aerodynamic restyling with large wraparound back window and a fastback roofline.
• This was the Corvette's first restyling since 1968. Two special editions were produced, one well known and the other little more than an optional paint job.
• New tinted glass lift-out roof panels were wired into the standard anti-theft system.
• A 24-gallon (US) fuel tank replaced the former 17-gallon (US) tank, filling space made available by a new temporary spare tire.
• Inside was a restyled, padded instrument panel with face-mounted round instruments and a new locking glove box that replaced the former map pocket.
• The restyled interior had more accessible rear storage area with a roll shade to hide luggage.
• The wiper-washer control was moved from the steering column back to the instrument panel, but turn signal and headlight-dimmer controls remained on the steering column.
• Door trim was now of a cut-and-sew design with soft expanded vinyl or cloth.
• As in 1977, the seats had leather side bolsters, with either leather or cloth seating areas in a fine rib pattern.
• Corvette's optional L82 high-performance 350-cid V-8 reached 220 hp as a result of a new dual-snorkel cold-air intake system, larger-diameter exhaust and tailpipes and lower-restriction mufflers.
• The automatic transmission used with the optional V-8 lost weight and had a low-inertia, high-stall torque converter.
• Base engines used a Muncie four-speed manual gear box with higher first-second gear ratios than before; the performance V-8 used a close-ratio Borg-Warner.
• Glass roof panels, which had been promised earlier, actually became available this year.
• What Chevrolet described as "aggressive" 60-series white-letter tires also joined the option list for the first time.
• An optional AM/FM-CB stereo radio used a tri-band power antenna on the rear deck.
• Silver Anniversary
  • Each of this year's Corvettes could have Silver Anniversary emblems on the nose and rear deck.
  • Pinstripes accentuated the fender's upper profiles, wheel openings, front fender vents, hood, and rear license cavity.
  • Interiors were also silver.
  • Various other options were required, including aluminum wheels.
• Indy Package
  • For a considerably higher price, buyers could have the Limited Edition replica of the Indy Pace Car with distinctive black-over-silver paint and red accent striping.
  • Equipment in this "Indy Package" (RPO code Z78) included a special silver interior with new lightweight high-back seats, special front and rear spoilers, P255/60R1 5 white-letter tires on alloy wheels and lift-off glass canopy roof panels.
  • The Indy Pace Car package's content included nearly all Corvette options, plus special decals (unless the customer specified that they be omitted).
  • Upholstery was silver leather or leather with smoke gray cloth inserts.
• The year's 11 Corvette colors were
  • Classic White
  • Silver
  • Silver Anniversary
  • Black
  • Corvette Light Blue
  • Corvette Yellow
  • Corvette Light Beige
  • Corvette Red
  • Corvette Mahogany
  • Corvette Dark Blue
  • Corvette Dark Brown
• Interior colors were Black; Dark Blue; Light Beige; Red; Mahogany; and Oyster.

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
• Serial numbers ranged from 1Z87*8S400001 to 1Z87*8S440274

• Engine serial number began 0001001
• Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
• Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
  • The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
  • The one or two numbers shows the month
  • The last digit shows the year
• Engine suffixes:

• The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
• The Fisher Body Style Number 78-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette Stingray coupe
• The body number is the production serial number of the body.
• The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
• The eleven 1978 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 10 = Classic White
  • 13 = Silver;
  • 13/07 = Silver Anniversary
  • 19 = Black
  • 26 = Corvette Light Blue
  • 52 = Corvette Yellow
  • 59 = Corvette Light Beige
  • 72 = Corvette Red
  • 82 = Corvette Mahogany
  • 83 = Corvette Dark Blue
  • 89 = Corvette Dark Brown.
• Upholstery Codes

IDENTIFICATION

Model	Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
1978 Corvette	1Y	Z87	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$9446	3401	40,274
1978 Limited Edition	1Y	Z87/Z78	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger Pace Car	$13,653	3401	6,502

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

• Standard Manual Transmission
  • four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.85:1
    • 2nd = 2.02:1
    • 3rd = 1.35:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.85:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.36:1 or 3.70:1
• Optional Manual Transmission
  • close ratio four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.43:1
    • 2nd = 1.61:1
    • 3rd = 1.23:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.35:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.36:1 or 3.70:1
• Automatic Transmission
  • Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.52:1
    • 2nd = 1.52:1
    • 3rd = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 1.94:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.08:1 or 3.55:1

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES