1978 Pace Car

[James C.]

I have recently purchased 1978 L82 Pace Car with 10K actual miles. The aluminum wheels do not have the red stripe around the rim. Were any built without it? If not, where can I buy the stripe kit. Also the Radio/CB will not go up. Can this be repaired or do I need to replace. Thanks Jim Carmain #37003

[Joe L.]

Re: 1978 Pace Car

Jim------

Two different wheels were likely used on 1978 pace cars and a third may have been used. The first wheel which MAY have been used was GM #363768. Next, wheel GM #465252 was likely used up until some point in production (I don't know when). Neither of these wheels have the red stripe. But, as I say, I am not certain if either of these wheels were actually used or, if used, for how long. The thing that makes me suspicious that non red-striped wheels were actually used in 1978 pace car PRODUCTION was the fact that the red striped wheels were part of the ADVERTISED Pace Car package. In any event, the red-striped wheels were GM #14002370. They were available in SERVICE until July, 1989.

As far as your antenna goes, there were 2 different design antennas used for 1979 production. Plus, different antennas were used for CB and non-CB applications, so a total of four different antennas were used. For a CB application, the "first design" unit was GM #22010415. This part number was superceded several times and the last iteration, GM #12355706, remains available to this day for a GM list price of $198.92. It's configuration differs from the original, though, but it is a functional replacement. The "second design" 1979 with CB antenna was GM #22038605. The last iteration of this part, GM #12350652, was discontinued early this year.

It may be possible to repair your existing antenna depending upon what's wrong with it. Repair kits which include the mast and drive cable are available through Corvette vendors.

[Gary Bishop]

Re: 1978 Pace Car

I had a late `78 Pace Car with 2000 miles on it when I picked it up. I was the second owner after a fellow NCRS member, #1, who kept it wrapped. My wheels had the "Red Stripe" with the original tires on them. I sold it 4 years ago.

[John Wissocki]

Re: 1978 Pace Car

I don't know much about your rims. As far as for the antenna, if the motor runs but the mast doesn't come up, you can repair that yourself if you're pretty handy, I rebuilt a handful in the past. If the motor doesn't turn on at all, you might want to check the power antenna relay. Hope this helps.