For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

[Tom H.]

Hey all !! Here are some interesting photos I have of the last 78 pace car as it was being built. The VIN was 6502. Shows some assembly line shots of the car during assembly. Thought you might all enjoy them. Since the pictures are old, my quality isn't the best, but you get the idea !!

[Tom H.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

Here are a couple of others.

[William L.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

GREAT pictures Tom. Thanks for posting them. Do you know who owns it??
Bill

[Tom H.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

Here are some shots of the same car as it was delivered to Medlin Chevrolet in Riley, Kansas. Car was out of gas and had to be pushed off the carrier !!!

[Terry M.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

Here are a couple of others.

I am just a little bit curious -- if that is the last PC, what is the car behind it in the last photo of this post?

[Richard L.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

Very cool pix Tom. When is this car available at Buds?

[Tom H.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

I am just a little bit curious -- if that is the last PC, what is the car behind it in the last photo of this post?

I wondered the same. Hard to tell if the masking and painting was done in order of VINs or not. John Z might be able to comment on this a little further.

[Tom H.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

Very cool pix Tom. When is this car available at Buds?

It's not. It's part of a personal collection. Just sharing the photos. As you well know, I love the old dealer and factory stuff. My favorite part of the hobby !

[Patrick H.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

Interesting how they painted the silver "out in the open" after the car had apparently been completed. Now let's look for silver overspray all over those low mile cars....

Patrick

[Brian G.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

I always like seeing these factory pictures too.

Thanks for posting them.

Now let's look for silver overspray all over those low mile cars

There should be a ton of it!

[John D.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

I am just a little bit curious -- if that is the last PC, what is the car behind it in the last photo of this post?

I would guess that the pace cars might not have gone thorough the secondary paint process in order because cars off the end of the line might have had to go for rework/repair first.

You should also look for scratches on the RH side of the fender on original cars. When I worked in the plants you would be killed if you were anywhere near the line with a belt buckle that big....

[Tom R.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

I wondered the same. Hard to tell if the masking and painting was done in order of VINs or not. John Z might be able to comment on this a little further.

Could be an anniversary car with the silver and charcoal.

[Tom R.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

Interesting how they painted the silver "out in the open" after the car had apparently been completed. Now let's look for silver overspray all over those low mile cars....

Patrick

That is a great picture that illustrates the application of the lower paint coat and the masking that took place. Amatuer restorers are not aware of this and paint silver wrapped around the doors.

Years ago I interviewed a plant engineer who was a supervisor in the 70's and recalls much of the process regarding the Pace Cars and Anniversary cars. There was not enough room, as he recalls for the finishing that included the lower paint application and decals. So, they went to another building, I think it was called "final process." In the one photo, you can see other models in the background. Now how many times have you seen other models in the St Louis plant, or even for that matter Bowling Green. Well I suppose until the Evoc or whatever it is came along.

[Tom R.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

I am just a little bit curious -- if that is the last PC, what is the car behind it in the last photo of this post?

After seeing the decal photo, I take that back about it being an SA. You can see the silver steering wheel and the paint does look black. Maybe its 6503!

[John H.]

Re: For the 1978 Pace Car fans.

I would guess that the pace cars might not have gone thorough the secondary paint process in order because cars off the end of the line might have had to go for rework/repair first.

That's correct - also applied to regular production non-pace cars. They came off the end of the Final Line in VIN sequence (driveable, but no interior in them yet), but went through roll-test, toe-in, water test, and any mechanical repair needed with a temporary seat installed before they went back on-line through Final Paint Repair, then to the Final Trim Line where the entire interior was installed, Final Inspection, then to the shipping gate.

Any water-test repair or mechanical repair would take a unit out of VIN sequence before it went back on-line to Final Paint Repair.