Chevrolet produced 6,502 1978 Corvette Pace Car replicas.
The replicas commemorated the Corvette’s role as the official pace car for the 1978 Indianapolis 500. That race was especially significant because 1978 marked the Corvette’s 25th anniversary. Chevrolet offered production replicas so ordinary buyers could own a road-going version of the distinctive Indianapolis-inspired car.
The replica used a black-and-silver two-tone paint scheme and included visual and equipment changes such as front and rear spoilers, mirror-tint roof panels, and contoured sport seats. These cars were based on the regular 1978 C3 Corvette rather than being separate racing machines, so the production figure represents specially equipped street cars.
The number is sometimes confused with the total production of 1978 Corvettes or with later Indianapolis pace-car editions. The 1978 cars were particularly memorable because several of their features influenced the broader Corvette lineup: bucket seats, spoiler equipment, and glass roof panels became available beyond the special edition. The C3’s fastback rear window was also new for 1978, improving cargo space and rearward visibility.