1978 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong. 

The Generous Collection debuts with Part 1 offering over 200 cars in October, all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. Many additional lots will be offered in the coming months. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy. 

* * * 

The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette marked the 25th anniversary of America’s iconic sports car, introducing several key updates that distinguished it from previous models. Most notably, it featured a sleek new fastback rear window, enhancing aerodynamics, rear visibility, and cargo space. This design change gave the Corvette a more modern and aggressive profile, aligning with its performance image. 

Performance options included the standard L48 350 cu-in V8 producing 185 horsepower as seen here, and the optional L82 delivering 220 horsepower. Buyers could choose between a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. Interior updates included redesigned seats and improved trim, while suspension refinements enhanced ride quality and handling. 

Said Chevrolet: “The 25th Anniversary Corvette. It stands alone today as it has since the summer of 1953, a truly unique and finely machined two-seater, America’s only true production sports car.”

Highlights 

• Offered from The Generous Collection 

• Powered by a 350 cu-in L48 V8 engine with four-barrel carburetor rated at 185 hp 

• TH-350 three-speed automatic transmission 

• The body tag decodes as: 

  • Engine: L08 – Base 350 cu-in V8 

  • Trim: 192 – Black leather upholstery 

  • Paint: 19L – Black Lacquer 

• The chassis number (1Z87L8S438054) decodes as: 

  • 1 – Manufacturer: Chevrolet 

  • Z – Series: Corvette 

  • 87 – Body Style: 2-door sport coupe 

  • L – Engine: 350 cu-in V8, 180 hp (L48) 

  • 8 – Model Year: 1978 

  • S – Assembly Plant: St. Louis, Missouri 

  • 438054 – Production Sequence Number 

Features 

• Fastback rear window  

• 25th Anniversary badging 

• Improved suspension enhancing ride quality and handling  

• Power steering, brakes, windows, and door locks 

• Tilt-Telescopic steering column with leather-wrapped steering wheel 

• Redesigned seats  

• Air conditioning 

• Cruise control 

• 140-mph speedometer and 7,000-rpm tachometer (5,500 redline) 

• AM radio 

• Goodyear Eagle GTII P235/60R15 tires 

Known Imperfections 

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars. 

• Paint chips and swirls 

• Missing paint on wheels 

• Some of the white lettering is chipped 

Ownership History

This 1978 Chevrolet Corvette is offered from The Generous Collection of no reserve automobiles. 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Frank Malefors Phone: 602.488.7888 email: fmalefors@hagerty.com

Alabama Sales Tax Notice to Bidders: Because this car is located in Alabama, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama state sales taxes of up to 2% of the purchase amount, even if the buyer plans to register the car outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer is located in AZ, CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, or SC (capped at $500 in SC), and (b) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives the car or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer). Additionally, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama county or city taxes from buyers located outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer), and (b) the buyer fails to provide an executed Drive-Out Certificate for Nonresidents. For additional information, please consult this publication and your own tax advisor regarding sales taxes applicable to cars located in Alabama that are sold to residents of another state.  

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential, however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning to both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Monday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 19. No cars can be retrieved prior to November 3 and any lots remaining after November 19 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.