1978 Corvette Pace Car to Cross Auction Block
A rare Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car replica with just 57 miles on its odometer will be auctioned in early November 2026.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Car Culture
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GAA Classic Cars is preparing to auction a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette L48 Pace Car replica that remained in a dealership showroom until 2025. This vehicle, which features the official Indianapolis 500 livery, will go to auction in early November 2026.
Why it matters
The vehicle represents a highly preserved example of late-1970s American automotive history that effectively bypassed standard road use. By spending its life on a showroom floor, it offers collectors a rare time-capsule opportunity.
The Corvette features a 350-cubic-inch V8 engine producing 185 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The factory identifies this specific Pace Car replica by the number 9 as the eighth digit of its vehicle identification number.
The players
GAA Classic Cars
This organization is an auction house that specializes in the sale and management of collectible vehicles.
Chevrolet
This entity is a major American automotive division of General Motors that has manufactured vehicles since 1911.
The details
Finished in black, silver, and red livery, the car displays the official script for the 62nd Annual Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. It utilizes a Rochester four-barrel carburetor and has averaged approximately 1.2 miles driven per year since its production.
Timeline
Chevrolet produced the Corvette Pace Car replica in 1978.
The vehicle left the Chevrolet dealer showroom in 2025.
The vehicle goes to auction in early November 2026.
Roadmap
This auction underscores the enduring market demand for low-mileage examples of iconic American performance cars. It tracks the broader trajectory of the classic car market, where rarity and historical preservation outweigh the high-performance metrics of modern vehicles.
Prospective bidders in the Greensboro area should prepare for the auction by reviewing the documentation provided by the sale organizers. Those interested in classic car ownership should account for the maintenance needs of a vehicle that has remained stationary for several decades.
The takeaway
Collectors viewing this auction should consider the mechanical implications of a vehicle that has seen virtually no use since 1978. Preserving such low-mileage cars requires specialized climate control and regular professional inspections to prevent degradation of internal components.
What happens next
The vehicle is scheduled for auction in early November 2026.
Further reading
Explore more classic vehicle market news in our Car Culture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jalopnik.
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