jeffp1167

Can anyone tell me if this is a pace car from the beginning of the vin number? I found this project vette a ways from me but if it is a real pace car might try and get it.

1Z87L8S

Mike Ward

What's the next number after the S?

jeffp1167

PM'ed you, let me know if it is a real one, has the black/silver scheme but can't see rear spoiler holes. Looks like it has red stripe around rims though.

Mike Ward

All I needed was the number right after the S. It ain't a 9 so it ain't a sPace Car.

jeffp1167

well that sucks. oh well, gotta keep looking then .... Thanks anyways!

ftrusty

Hey Mike, where do I get more info on pace car VIN's? I am looking on a corvette history site http://100megsfree4.com/corvette/1970/vet78.htm and the VIN decoder does not mention any 9's in '78 VIN's. The reason I am asking is that I am thinking of buying a '78 pace car soon. Thanks.

Mike Ward

Well, there's lots more 'bad' info on the weeb than 'good' info and no site is perfect.

Here's a good one:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...1978/78id.html

hunt4cleanair

Yeah, and the vehicles featured tho 78's, show tires that are less than authentic_undermines credibility of its published information. Do a search on the forum here and you'll come across several threads were we talked about the 78 model year.

Here's link to an article published in Corvette Enthusiast from 2008 (30th Anniversary) that describes the VIN assignment for Pace Cars. It also describes how common it was in the years after production, for copy cats. I collect Pace Car build sheets so have spent some time studying their codes but with the exception of the VIN plate, trim tag, and vehicle certification label (driver's side door), code tags and stamps are typical production codes.

Having said that, there is a production period between late March through April/May in which no regular production Corvettes were produced. So, if the vehicle has a build date outside of that build sequence, its a copy.

Pace Car Frenzy

Clams Canino

Whatsa matter? Afraid KAOS will abscond with your VIN ?

I'll tell the Chief!!

-W

srs244

that's 100% correct. all 78 pace cars started with a 9 series sequence number

Easy Mike

Almost everywhere. All had a 9 for the car line series code and the consecutive unit number cannot exceed 6502.

Corvette Black Book
NCRS 1968-82 Corvette Specifications Guide
NCRS 1978 Technical Information Manual
Birthplace of Legends by Peter Licastro.

LT4 F45

All had a 9 for the car line series code and the consecutive unit number cannot exceed 6502.

Fifth digit varies as follows for engine options: L= L48, 4= L82

not a guru

With pace cars selling at record setting low prices there has never been a better time to buy!!!! A few months ago I got a 30k mile car off eBay for $9000! Then last weekend bought a L82 4 speed car for $12500!!! I've never seen a better time to buy a pace car and have and will buy a few while they are cheap.

Slingray

Hi guys,

I'm trying to determine the authenticity of a 1978 Pace Car I'm about to purchase.

It has the correct Z87 and the 9 is in the right place, however the VIN is extremely hard to read and I'm not sure about the unit number as it appears to be "8CC117"

The whole VIN appears to read as:
1Z874S98CC117


http://scottking.com.au/Untitled-2.jpg

LT4 F45

Ibtl should be 900117 did you look on the driver side windshield pillar vin tag?

hunt4cleanair

I agree and the trim tag date code is probably G18 or G20