The Chevrolet Corvette became the iconic Chevrolet of the seventies and one of the most instantly recognized cars around the world both then and now. The third generation Corvette was a re-design of the second whose style had been tested with the show car, the Mako Shark II of 1965 (which was later morphed into the Manta Ray of 1969). The first of the new third generation Corvette Stingrays with their Mako Shark II inspired styling first appeared in 1968 and were the first Corvettes to feature the T-top roof which had a central support from the top center of the windscreen to the top center of the rear roof pillar. It was something like a Targa roof except using two removable roof sections supported by the central support beam.
The penultimate versions of the third generation Chevrolet Corvette were the 1978 Indy 500 Pace Car limited edition which was the first Chevrolet Corvette to be used as a pace car for the Indianapolis 500, and the 25th Anniversary “Silver Anniversary” model of that same year. The Indy 500 Pace Car limited edition featured a dark gray over silver gray paint scheme whist the 25th Anniversary Edition was the opposite.
The 25th Anniversary model introduced the fastback rear window whilst the interior was completely re-styled becoming quite luxurious in the European style.
Under the hood the 25th Anniversary Edition was fitted with the 350ci (5.7-litre) L48 V8 engine and three-speed automatic transmission. Power steering, power brakes, Positraction rear axle, bucket seats, 4-wheel independent suspension, tinted glass and removable roof panels were all standard features.
Not content with the standard features the 25th Anniversary Edition could be ordered with a range of optional extras and the feature car in our photographs has power windows, rear-window defog, air conditioning, cruise control, adjustable steering wheel, stereo radio/cassette, alarm system and red leather seats.
The 25th Anniversary Corvette was a car that some people recognized would become a future collector’s prize and so they purchased one as an investment and kept it in a safe environment to sell sometime in the future. The car in our photographs is one of these with a genuine 56 miles on the odometer. So despite its having been in storage for thirty nine years this is in effect a new Chevrolet Corvette 25th Anniversary Edition.
This car is coming up for sale by Bonhams at their Spa Auction to be held on 21st May 2017 at Francorchamps, Le circuit de Spa Francorchamps.
You will find the sale page for this car if you click here.
If you are looking for a “new” 25th Anniversary Corvette then this is your opportunity to acquire one.
(All pictures courtesy Bonhams).
Jon Branch is the founder and senior editor of Revivaler and has written a significant number of articles for various publications including official Buying Guides for eBay, classic car articles for Hagerty, magazine articles for both the Australian Shooters Journal and the Australian Shooter, and he’s a long time contributor to Silodrome.
Jon has done radio, television, magazine and newspaper interviews on various issues, and has traveled extensively, having lived in Britain, Australia, China and Hong Kong. His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number of other countries. He has studied the Japanese sword arts and has a long history of involvement in the shooting sports, which has included authoring submissions to government on various firearms related issues and assisting in the design and establishment of shooting ranges.
