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
| Position | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Chevrolet Division |
| 2 | Z | Corvette |
| 3&4 | 87 | coupe |
| 5 | * | Engine type where * is replaced by the following
|
| 6 | 8 | 1978 |
| 7 | S | Assembled in St. Louis, MO |
| 8 to 13 | 400001 to 446558 | production sequence |
- 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:
| Code | Engine | Horsepower | Compression | Transmission | Fuel Supply | Emission Control System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHW | L48 350-cid | 185-hp V-8 | 8.2:1 | manual | four-barrel carburetor | |
| CLM | L48 350-cid | 185-hp V-8 | 8.2:1 | automatic | four-barrel carburetor | |
| CLR | L48 350-cid | 175-hp V-8 | 8.2:1 | automatic | four-barrel carburetor | California |
| CLS | L48 350-cid | 175-hp V-8 | 8.2:1 | automatic | four-barrel carburetor | high-altitude |
| CMR | L82 350-cid | 220-hp V-8 | 8.9:1 | manual | four-barrel carburetor | |
| CMS | L82 350-cid | 220-hp V-8 | 8.9:1 | automatic | four-barrel carburetor | |
| CUT | L48 350-cid | 185-hp V-8 | 8.2:1 | automatic | four-barrel carburetor |
- 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
| Color | Cloth & Leather Upholstery | Leather Upholstery |
|---|---|---|
| Oyster | 12C | 122 |
| Silver | 15C | 152 |
| Black | 19C | 192 |
| Dark Blue | 29C | 292 |
| Light Beige | 59C | 592 |
| Dark Brown | 69C | 692 |
| Red | 72C | 722 |
| Mahogany | 76C | 762 |
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
| Feature | Standard Engine (RPO L48) | Standard Engine (RPO L48) | Optional Engine (RPO L82) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve | ||
| Block | Cast iron block | ||
| Displacement | 350 cid (5.7 liters) | 350 cid (5.7 liters) | 350 cid (5.7 liters) |
| Bore & Stroke | 4.00 x 3.48" | 4.00 x 3.48" | 4.00 x 3.48" |
| Compression ratio | 8.2:1 | 8.2:1 | 8.9:1 |
| Brake horsepower | 185 @ 4000 | 175 @ 4000 | 220 @ 5200 |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 2400 | 270 lb-ft @ 2400 | 260 lb-ft @ 3600 |
| Main bearing | five | ||
| Valve lifters | hydraulic | ||
| Fuel supply | Rochester M4MC | Rochester M4MC California emissions and high-altitude emissions | Rochester M4MC |
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
| Feature | Coupe |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 98 inches (2.489 m) |
| Overall length | 185.2 inches (4.704 m) |
| Overall width | 69.0 inches (1.753 m) |
| Overall height | 48 inches (1.219 m) |
| Ground Clearance | 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) |
| Front tread | 58.7 inches (1.491 m) |
| Rear tread | 59.5 inches (1.511 m) |
| Tires | P277/70R-15 steel-belted radial |
| Positraction | standard |
| Steering | recirculating ball |
| Front suspension | Independent, unequal-length control arms with ball joints, coil springs, and stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension | Independent, trailing link, transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs |
| Brakes | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers |
| Ignition | HEI electronic |
| Body construction | Separate fiberglass body and box-type ladder frame with cross-members |
| Fuel tank | 24 US Gal (20 Imp Gal) (91 liters) |
OPTIONS
| RPO A31 | Electric power windows | $130 |
|---|---|---|
| RPO AU3 | Power door locks | $120 |
| RPO B2Z | Silver Anniversary Paint | $399 |
| RPO CC1 | Removable glass roof panels | $349 |
| RPO C60 | Air conditioning | $605 |
| RPO D35 | Sport mirrors | $40 |
| RPO FE7 | Gymkhana suspension | $41 |
| RPO G95 | Positraction axle, optional highway ratio | $15 |
| RPO K30 | Cruise Control | $99 |
| RPO L82 | 350-cid 210-hp V-8 | $525 |
| RPO M21 | Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission | no cost option |
| RPO MX1 | Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission | no cost option |
| RPO N37 | Tilt-telescopic steering column | $175 |
| RPO QBS | P255/60R-15 White-letter steel-belted radial tires | $216.32 |
| RPO QGR | P255/70R-15 White-letter steel-belted radial tires | $51 |
| RPO UA1 | Heavy-duty battery | $18 |
| RPO UM2 | AM-FM stereo radio with tape system | $419 |
| RPO UP6 | AM-FM stereo radio with CB system | $638 |
| RPO U58 | AM-FM stereo radio | $286 |
| RPO U69 | AM-FM radio | $199 |
| RPO U75 | Power antenna | $49 |
| RPO U81 | Dual rear speakers | $49 |
| RPO YJ8 | Aluminum wheels | $340 |
| RPO ZN1 | Trailering package | $89 |
| RPO ZX2 | Convenience group | $84 |
