Chronology of Chevrolet Corvettes

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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.


1978

February 4
  • At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida, the Daytona 24 Hours race is held.
    • Finishing 11th in GTO class and 44th overall is the Al Levenson #02 Corvette driven by Dick Neland, Al Levenson, and Tom Brown.
    • Placing 21st in GTX class and 49th overall is the Bill Arnold Racing #72 Corvette driven by Carl Thompson, Billy Hagan, and Rusty Schmidt.
    • Placing 12th in GTO class and 50th overall is the Richard L. Bostyan #20 Corvette driven by Richard Bostyan, Jerry Thompson, and Don Yenko.
    • Placing 15th in GTO class and 54th overall is the Autodyne Inc. #48 Corvette driven by John Carusso, Emory Donaldson, and Luis Sereix.
    [263] [423]
February 10
  • A two-hour film airs on television about the life story of pop rockers Jan & Dean. Corvette scenes include a 1958 Corvette racing through a corn field, and a mid-60s Corvette crashing into the back of a truck. [331.12]
February
  • At the New York Auto Show, Chevrolet displays the 1978 Pace Car Corvette. [453.105]
March
  • Production begins on the 1978 Limited Edition Corvette pace cars. [26] [233.91]
March 18
  • In Sebring, Florida, the 12 Hours of Sebring Camel GT Challenge race is held. Nine Corvettes are entered in the race.
    • Finishing 3rd in GTO class and 11th overall is the Cliff Gottlob #03 Corvette driven by Cliff Gottlob and Danny Terrill.
    • Finishing 5th in GTO class and 14th overall is the Sebring Racing #57 Corvette driven by Terry Keller, Bob Gray, and Nort Northam.
    • Finishing 6th in GTO class and 17th overall is the Autodyne #48 Corvette driven by Luis Sereix, Lyn St. James, and Phil Currin.
    • Finishing 11th in GTO class and 37th overall is the George Garcia #12 Corvette driven by George Garcia and Daniel Vilarchao.
    • Placing 11th in GTX class and 48th overall is the R. V. Shulnburg Scrap Metal #06 Corvette driven by R. V. Shulnberg, Dave Heinz, and Michael Keyser. The car is not running at the finsh, due to clutch failure.
    • Finishing 17th in GTX class and 58th overall is the Javier Garcia #11 Corvette driven by Javier Garcia. The car is not running at the finsh, due to mechanical problems.
    • Placing 15th in GTO class and 64th overall is the Bostyan Racing #20 Corvette driven by Richard Bostyan, Jerry Thompson, and Don Yenko. The car is not running at the finsh, due to mechanical problems.
    • Placing 17th in GTO class and 68th overall is the Rick Thompkins #04 Corvette driven by Rick Thompkins and Randy Blessing. The car is not running at the finsh, due to mechanical problems.
    • Placing 24th in GTX class and 75th overall is the Dale Kreider Racing #1 Corvette driven by Dale Kreider. The car is not running at the finsh, due to engine failure.
    [377.5] [423]
March 27
  • The Wall Street Journal newspaper runs a front-page article about the 1978 Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replicas, indicating they would be excellent investments. [9] [565.24] [773.62]
April 2
  • In Talladega, Alabama, an IMSA six-hour race is held.
    • Finishing 5th in GTX class and 6th overall is the Dale Kreider #1 Corvette driven by Dale Kreider and Bruce Davidson.
    • Finishing 6th in GTX class and 8th overall is the Rick Hay #68 Corvette driven by Rick Hay and Phil Currin.
    • Finishing 2nd in GTO class and 20th overall is the RJV Enterprises #65 Corvette driven by Richard Valentine and Roger Pierce.
    • Placing 14th in GTX class and 35th overall is the Shulnburg Scrap Metal #06 Corvette driven by Michael Keyser and R. V. Shulnberg.
    [329.66] [423]
April
  • General Motors begins using an in-mold coating process to improve the exterior finish of the Corvette. [224.12]
  • In Titusville, Florida, Eckler's Corvette Parts holds its first Corvette show. [358.62]
  • At Sebring, Florida, John Robarge hosts a reunion for the 1962 Grand Sports, inviting 48 VIPs involved in their construction and ownership. Bill Tower tried to arrange for all five cars to attend, but only three Grand Sports and 13 VIPs attend. [310.11] [488.25]
May
  • Production of 1978 Limited Edition Pace Cars ends. [233.91]
May 20
  • The MGM feature film Corvette Summer premieres at the Showcase Cinema Theatre in Maumee, a suburb of Toledo, Ohio. The film is about a 1973 Corvette that is customized at a high school, then stolen. The Corvette cost US$38,000. Pre-release working title was Stingray. Terry Michaelis, of T. Michaelis Corvette Supplies, Inc. arranged to have the world premiere there, and raffles off a 1978 Corvette Indy pace car replica. Plus, every Corvette in the country was invited to the party. The Corvette parade set a new mark in the Guiness Book of Records, at somewhere between 5000 and 7000 Corvettes. [9] [63.53] [130.95] [135.9] [331.50] [377.22] [827.46] (May 28 [490.10]) (1973 [177.41])
May 21
  • At the Sears Point International Raceway in Sonoma, California, the SCCA NaturSlim Trans-Am Challenge - Round 1 race is held.
    • Finishing 1st in category II and 1st overall is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette 427, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • Finishing 1st in category I and 5th overall is the #91 Corvette 427, driven by Gene Bothello.
    • Finishing 2nd in category I and 6th overall is the Carlen #11 Corvette 350, driven by Gary Carlen.
    • Finishing 3rd in category I and 7th overall is the Babe's Garage #28 Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley.
    • Finishing 5th in category I and 10th overall is the Mocko #3 Corvette 427, driven by David Mock.
    • Finishing 6th in category I and 12th overall is the Round Table Racing #4 Corvette 427, driven by Peter Brallier.
    • Finishing 7th in category II and 13th overall is the Wink-DeLorenzo Racing #40 Corvette driven by Tony DeLorenzo.
    • Finishing 7th in category I and 14th overall is the Pullyblank Enterprises #06 Corvette 427, driven by Gary Pullyblank.
    • In 9th place in category II and 16th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Automotive Enterprises #27 Corvette 427, driven by Rich Sloma.
    • In 8th place in category I and 17th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Neilson Racing #8 Corvette 427, driven by Nic Neilsen.
    • In 10th place in category I and 20th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the El Camino Auto Parts #22 Corvette, driven by Bob Matkovich.
    • In 11th place in category I and 21st place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Phantom Racing #43 Corvette 454, driven by Frank Joyce.
    [248]
May 28
  • In Indianapolis, Indiana, the 62nd Indianapolis 500 race is held. A 1978 Corvette is the official pace car, driven by Jim Rathmann. This is the first Indianapolis 500 pace car with a stock drivetrain. Pace Car with VIN 1 is sent to the Detroit Museum. Pace Cars with VIN 2 and 3 are used at the Indy 500 race. The Pace Car that is driven is given to race winner Al Unser. [26] [61.22] [140.81] [197.65] [224.15] [453.105] [565.16,26] [774.112]
June 2
  • United Artists releases the MGM film Corvette Summer in the USA and Canada. Cinema International releases the film in the rest of the world. [377.23] [584]
June 4
  • At the Westwood Motorsport Park raceway in British Columbia, Canada, the CKLG Trans-Am Championship - Round 2 race is held.
    • Finishing 1st in category I and 3rd overall is the Metamorphic #80 Corvette, driven by Nick Engels.
    • Finishing 3rd in category II and 5th overall is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • Finishing 3rd in category I and 6th overall is the Babe's Garage #78 Corvette, driven by Babe Headley.
    • Finishing 4th in category I and 8th overall is the Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette, driven by Rick Stark.
    • Finishing 5th in category I and 9th overall is the Ryan Racing #89 Corvette, driven by Bob Ryan.
    • Finishing 6th in category I and 10th overall is the Corvette Shop #71 Corvette, driven by Jeff Weymouth.
    • Finishing 7th in category I and 11th overall is the Pullyblank Enterprises #06 Corvette, driven by Gary Pullyblank.
    • Finishing 8th in category I and 12th overall is the Round Table Racing #4 Corvette, driven by Peter Brallier.
    • In 11th place in category I and 17th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Hixon #56 Corvette, driven by Owen Hixon.
    • In 12th place in category I and 18th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the F.E.N.S.A. / Kennedy #91 Corvette, driven by Gene Bothello.
    • In 13th place in category I and 19th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Phantom Racing #43 Corvette, driven by Frank Joyce.
    • In 15th place in category I and 23rd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Golden Bay #11 Corvette, driven by Gary Carlen.
    [248] [423]

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June 11
  • At the Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon, the G.I. Joe's Rose Cup SCCA Trans-Am Challenge - Round 3 race is held.
    • Finishing 1st in category I and 5th overall is the El Camino Auto Parts #22 Corvette, driven by Bob Matkovich.
    • Finishing 2nd in category I and 6th overall is the A&D Terminals #17 Corvette, driven by Rick Stark.
    • Finishing 4th in category I and 8th overall is the Mocko Racing #3 Corvette, driven by David Mock.
    • Finishing 5th in category I and 10th overall is the Babe's Garage #78 Corvette, driven by Babe Headley.
    • Finishing 6th in category I and 11th overall is the Phantom Racing #43 Corvette, driven by Frank Joyce.
    • Finishing 7th in category I and 12th overall is the Corvette Shop #71 Corvette, driven by Jeff Weymouth.
    • Finishing 8th in category I and 13th overall is the Pullyblank Enterprises #06 Corvette, driven by Gary Pullyblank.
    • Finishing 9th in category I and 15th overall is the DePirro Racing #73 Corvette, driven by Paul DePirro.
    • Finishing 10th in category I and 16th overall is the Mr. Plywood #04 Corvette, driven by Bob Henkel.
    • In 14th place in category I and 21st place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Metamorphic #80 Corvette, driven by Nick Engels.
    • In 15th place in category I and 22nd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Anne Hixon Corvette, driven by Owen Hixon.
    • In 16th place in category I and 23rd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Brandt Moving & Storage #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt, Jr.
    • In 8th place in category II and 24th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Automotive Enterprises #27 Corvette, driven by Rich Sloma.
    • In 9th place in category II and 25th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • In 17th place in category I and 26th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Vera Carlen #11 Corvette, driven by Gary Carlen.
    • In 10th place in category II and 28th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Arrow Heating - Carrier #76 Corvette, driven by Joe Chamberlain.
    • In 20th place in category I and 31st place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Andy's Rental Inc. #32 Corvette, driven by Steve Anderson.
    • In 23rd place in category I and 34th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Ryan Racing #89 Corvette, driven by Bob Ryan.
    • In 24th place in category I and 35th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Schwafel Racing #41 Corvette, driven by Dave Schwafel.
    [248] [423]
June
  • John A. Cafaro Jr. joins General Motors Design Staff. [152.28]
  • Jon Blanchette completes restoration of Jack Ingle's EX-122 ex-Motorama 1953 Corvette. [359.22]
June 24
  • At the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, Illinois, the Bloomington Corvette Corral is held, over two days. New to this year's show is Gold Certification judging. [27.B63] [212.B7] [331.20] [377.23] [524.18]
June 25
  • At Le Circuit Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada, the Molson Trans-Am Championship - Round 4 race is held.
    • Finishing 2nd in category I and 6th overall is the Dead Bear Racing #5 Corvette, driven by Bill Adam.
    • Finishing 3rd in category I and 8th overall is the Phantom Racing #43 Corvette, driven by Frank Joyce.
    • Finishing 4th in category I and 10th overall is the Apple Valley Racing #9 Corvette, driven by John Huber.
    • Finishing 5th in category I and 11th overall is the Pro-Motor Engineering #73 Corvette, driven by Paul DePirro.
    • Finishing 7th in category II and 12th overall is the Troy Promotions #40 Corvette, driven by Tony DeLorenzo.
    • Finishing 6th in category I and 13th overall is the Metamorphic #80 Corvette, driven by Nick Engels.
    • Finishing 9th in category II and 16th overall is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • In 12th place in category I and 23rd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Edwards Racing #72 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
    • In 14th place in category I and 26th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Babe's Garage #78 Corvette, driven by Babe Headley.
    [248] [423]
(month unknown)
  • Chevrolet management decides to abandon work on mid-engined Corvette prototypes, and return to the traditional front engine configuration. [90]
  • Alex Davidson sells his 1969 L88 Corvette convertible, which was originally Or Costanzo's Sebring racer. [147.19]
  • Tom McIntyre buys the Mickey Thompson #3 1963 Corvette, minus the original Mark II 427 engine. [131.85]
  • In Flint, Michigan, the NCRS holds its National Convention. Jack Ingle displays 1953 Corvette EX-122, the second production car built. [697.48]
  • Bob Patterson buys an original 377-ci Grand Sport motor from Smokey Yunick. [322.40]
  • The first edition of the Genuine Corvette Black Book is published, written by Michael Antonick. [228.26]
  • MPC releases model kit #1-3708 1978 25th anniversary Corvette, in white or silver plastic. [336.22]
  • MPC releases model kit #1-3710 1978 Official Pace Car Corvette. [336.22]
  • MPC releases the 1/20-scale model kit #1-7830 1978 Corvette T-Top, in white plastic. [335.40]
  • Work on a new redesigned front-engined Corvette begins at General Motors' Tech Center in Warren, Michigan. [57.43] [79.27]
  • Goodyear becomes the exclusive supplier of tires for new model Corvettes. [891.74]

End of 1978 January-June. Next: 1978 July.

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A list of references to all source material is available.


Last updated: 2023 December 20.
Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/vettehis/
Link to Ken P's home page.

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