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From the Corvette Art Collection of Automotive Artist K. Scott Teeters
1978 Indy 500 Pace Car Special Corvette The First Corvette to Pace the Indy 500
About the Print
This parchment paper art print measures 11" x 17".
Signed & numbered by the artist in a series of 500.
Every print is shrink wrapped on corrugated cardboard so that it stays flat and clean.
A delightful gift for the home or office of that special, hard to buy for Corvette person in your life!
Here's what one of our other prints looks like shrink wrapped.
About the Packing & Shipping We pack all of our prints in a flat cardboard box.
Packages are sent via USPS Priority Mail for speedy delivery.
All print orders are processed in 1 to 2 business days.
We will ship world-wide, but rates are based on your location.
For outside the U.S. shipping, e-mail lightoak@comcast.net for a shipping quote and include your name and FULL mailing address.
About the Car On This Print
Here's the story about this car from Scott's monthly column in VETTE Magazine, The Illustrated Corvette Series.
The Corvette legend is founded on racing and performance, and the mid-to-late '70s was the pits. Power was down, weight was up, and Porsches were eating the Corvette's lunch at the race track. The announcement that the 25th anniversary Corvette would also be the pace car at the '78 Indy 500, looked like the highlight of the decade for Corvette fans. But controversy was in the mix right from the beginning.
Initially, it looked like a triple-play for Chevrolet. First, the '78 Corvette received a sleek new fastback roof that completed the overall redesign started in '73 with the soft bumper covers. Second, all Corvettes wore the 25th Anniversary badges. And third, a special edition Corvette would serve as the pace car at the '78 Indy 500. Then the details set in.
The initial idea was that there would be 300 pace car replicas the same number as the '53 production run. The car would have a two-tone silver paint (for the silver anniversary), red pin striping, and special Goodyear tires with "CORVETTE" sidewall lettering. Then the plan was to make 2,500 replicas, 100 for each year of production. But there were 6,200 dealers that all wanted at least one replica, so production went up to 6,502 units.
Then there was the price issue. The RPO Z78 package cost $4,302! Here's what came with the option. The exterior had special two-tone paint and pin striping, front and rear spoilers, glass roof panels, sport mirrors, and red pin stripped aluminum wheels on P225/60R15 tires. The interior came with power windows and door locks, tilt-telescopic steering column, convenience group, silver thin-shell seats, AM/FM with a CB radio or an 8-track tape player, dual rear speakers, and a power antenna. The $525 L82 engine rated at 220 hp was not part of the package.
The controversy started right on the showroom floor. For a "premium collectible," quality was not good fender seams were clearly visible on many cars. Then there were the opportunistic dealers who tacked on surcharges that bumped the price up to between $15,000 to $22,000. One dealer was asking $75,000 for his replica. Then, there were individuals making replicas of the pace car replica, asking full price for their creations! All that, for a car with no more "grunt" than a regular Corvette.
In today's market, '78 Pace Car Corvettes can be purchased for between $6,500 to $37,500. Between the high volumn and low performance, the car's value never really took off. But imagine a '69 427/435 Pace Car Corvette, instead of the '69 Pace Car Camaro. Now you're talking!
A Personal Note From the Artist...
I am often asked, how I got into drawing cars. Well, I was one of those guys in school that was always drawing cars on my book covers and along the margins of my notes. When I graduated from Collingswood High School (in Collingswood, NJ), I thought I wanted to be a draftsman. It didn't take long for me to realize that my heart belonged to illustration.
I kept drawing drag racing and muscle cars and in 1975 had my first illustration published in "Drag Racing USA" magazine, and have never stopped.
Eventually, in the early '80s, I went to Philadelphia College of Art and studied illustration. After I put together a portfolio, I began my freelance career. In the early '90s I had the unique opportunity to work in the "Boys Toys" R&D Department at Tyco Toys where I worked on Tyco RC, Tyco HO, Matchbox, and Matchbox Collectibles product lines. Not only did I have receive a first-rate education in product design and development, I worked with some of the most talented and creative people I have ever known.
No, it wasn't like the Tom Hanks movie, "BIG," but I did share many wacky times there.
All along though, I kept my hand in the magazine biz and am currently a contributing artist and writer for "VETTE Magazine". And I now produce a monthly online newsletter called "The Corvette Report" with all kinds of juicy tidbits for the Corvette enthusiast.
I also enjoy researching the best mix of cool gear and art for motorhead enthusiasts of all ages and maintaining and updating the the Corvette Gear eBay store, as well as our other websites that are listed below
Thanks for stopping by and please bookmarks us!
Scott
Got a question?
Send an e-mail to the busy guy below.
Thanks for considering buying from us.
You can learn more about us by clicking the "Meet the Seller" link towards the top of this listing.
This eBay store was created in October 2007. We have another eBay store, "Dude's Motorhead Shop" that has been open for business since April 9, 2000, has over 1,776 feedbacks, and a 100% positive feedback.
Also, you can visit our IllustratedCorvetteSeries.com website where we have hundreds of Corvette art prints from the first Vette in 1953 to today's Corvette. All illustrated by automotive artist, K. Scott Teeters.
*The estimated delivery time is based on the seller's handling time, the shipping service selected, and when the seller receives cleared payment. Sellers are not responsible for shipping service transit times. Transit times may vary, particularly during peak periods.
Return Policy and Handling Time-Please review the listing for specific return policy and handling times (sent within a day or 2 of receiving order in most instances). Be assured that Return Policies and Handling Times are customer friendly to insure repeat and referral business.
The buyer is responsible for return shipping costs.
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