What is a 1978 Corvette VIN Decoder?

A 1978 Corvette VIN Decoder helps you unlock key details about your Chevrolet Corvette C3, including the model year, engine specifications, body style, production plant, and original color options.

How do I decode a 1978 Corvette VIN?

You can decode your 1978 Corvette's VIN using our free VIN Decoder tool, which provides factory details, engine specs, and other key information about your Corvette.

Why is decoding a 1978 Corvette VIN important?

Decoding the VIN is essential for verifying your Corvette's authenticity, checking for matching numbers, and learning more about the vehicle's history, specifications, and original colors.

Where do 1978 Corvette specs come from?

The specifications and VIN decoding information are sourced from the official GM 1978 Corvette Vehicle Information Kit, ensuring accuracy and authenticity.

1978 Corvette VIN Decoder & Specs

Corvette C3 Year-by-Year Changes and Spotter's Guide: Corvette C3 Years

Corvette C3 Specs by year:

How to Decode Your 1978 Corvette VIN – Full Breakdown & Guide

Decode the history of your 1978 Corvette with our VIN and trim tag decoder. Input your VIN to identify engine, body, and transmission features. This decoder validates your car's production data. The trim tag information includes original interior and exterior color details and the exact build date, essential for accurate restoration.

VIN
Trim tag

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1978 VIN range (coupe)	1Z87L8S400001 – 1Z87L8S440274
1978 VIN range (pace car)	1Z87L8S900001 – 1Z87L8S906502

1978 Corvette GM advertisement showcasing the iconic design and features of the 1978 Corvette model — 1978 Corvette Advertisement – Showcasing the Classic Design

In 1978, a total of 49,213 Corvettes were manufactured.

You can use the Corvette C3 Decoder to decode other Corvette 1978 codes and view Corvette 1978 charts on the Corvette C3 chart article. All specifications and VIN decoding details are based on official Chevrolet data from GM’s 1978 Corvette Vehicle Information Kit .

1978 Corvette Specifications

Verify the authentic colors of your 1978 Corvette using this resource. You’ll find a comprehensive list of available exterior and interior colors, along with their color codes and visual representations. This guide is invaluable for confirming your 1978 Corvette’s original factory colors.

Exterior Colors

Code	Color	Color sample
10	Classic White
13	Silver
13U/07M	Silver/Dark Gray (Anniversary)
19	Black
26	Light Blue
52	Bright Yellow
59	Light Beige
72	Red
82	Mahogany
83	Dark Red
89	Dark Brown

Interior Colors

The 1978 Corvette offered buyers a choice of either leather or cloth interior upholstery. Color options varied slightly depending on the chosen material.

Code	Color	Color sample
15C	Silver Cloth
152	Silver Leather
19C	Black Cloth
192	Black Leather
72C	Medium Red Cloth
722	Medium Red Leather
76C	Saffron Cloth
762	Saffron Leather
59C	Light Doeskin Cloth
529	Light Doeskin Leather
12C	Oyster White Cloth
122	Oyster White Leather
29C	Dark Blue Cloth
292	Dark Blue Leather
69C	Dark Brown Cloth
692	Dark Brown Leather

Color combinations

The 1978 Corvette featured multiple interior color options, allowing customers to tailor their vehicle’s interior. Chevrolet provided leather and vinyl options, enabling buyers to coordinate their interior with their exterior color.

Exterior	Quantity	Interior
Classic White	4,150 (8.87%)	Black / Dark Blue / Dark Brown / Light Beige / Oyster / Mahogany / Red
Silver	3,232 (6.91%)	Black / Dark Blue / Mahogany / Red
Silver Anniversary	15,283 (32.67%)	Black / Oyster / Red
Black	4,573 (9.78%)	Black / Light Beige / Mahogany / Oyster / Red
Black / Silver	6,502 (13.90%)	Silver
Light Blue	1,960 (4.19%)	Dark Blue
Yellow	1,243 (2.66%)	Black / Dark Brown / Oyster
Light Beige	1,686 (3.60%)	Black / Dark Blue / Dark Brown / Light Beige / Mahogany
Red	2,074 (4.43%)	Black / Light Beige / Oyster / Red
Mahogany	2,121 (4.53%)	Black / Dark Brown / Light Beige / Mahogany / Oyster
Dark Blue	2,084 (4.46%)	Dark Blue / Light Beige / Oyster
Dark Brown	1,991 (4.26%)	Dark Brown / Light Beige / Oyster

Chassis

Wheelbase	Length	Width	Weight
98 in	185.2 in	69.0 in	Curb: 3,529 lb; Shipping: 3,401 lb

Curb weight: Weight of the empty vehicle ready to drive. Shipping weight plus the weight of gasoline and water.

Shipping weight: Weight of the basic vehicle with regular equipment, grease, and oil. Weight of gasoline and water not included.

1978 Corvettes were outfitted with P225/70R15 radial tires. Learn more about the tires used on Corvettes in the article Corvette C3 RPM Calculator.

Engines

Engine Code	Order Code	CI	HP	Equipment
CHW	L48(Federal)	350	185	4-Speed
CLM	L48(Federal)	350	185	TH350
CLR	L48(California)	350	185	TH350
CLS	L48(High Altitude)	350	185	TH350
CMR	L82(Federal)	350	220	4-Speed
CMS	L82(Federal)	350	220	TH350
CUT	L48(Federal)	350	185	TH350

You can read more from the Corvette C3 Engines article.

Transmissions

Code	Type	Transmission
S6	Manual	Warner 4-Speed, Wide-Ratio (2.85;1 1st gear)
ZU	Manual	Warner 4-Speed, Wide-Ratio (2.64;1 1st gear)
ZW	Manual	Warner 4-Speed, Close-Ratio (2.43;1 1st gear)
5WB	Automatic	Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
5TL	Automatic	Turbo Hydra-Matic 350

You can read more from the Corvette C3 Transmissions article.

1978 Corvette RPO

Chevrolet offered a number of options to allow buyers to customize their Corvette to their exact specifications.

Code	Option	Total
1YZ87	Corvette sport coupe	40,274
A31	Power windows	36,931
AU3	Power door locks	12,187
BZ2	25th-anniversary paint	15,283
CC1	Removable glass roof panels	972
C49	Electro-clear rear defroster	30,912
C60	Air conditioning	37,638
D35	Sport mirrors	38,405
FE7	Gymkhana suspension	12,590
G95	Rear axle ratio selection	382
K30	Cruise-master speed control	31,608
L48	350 185 hp engine	34,037
L82	350 220 hp engine	12,739
M20	4-speed standard manual transmission	4,777
M21	4-speed close-ratio manual transmission	3,885
M38	Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission	38,614
NA6	High altitude emissions	-
N37	Tilt-telescopic steering column	37,858
QBS	P255/60R15 white letter radial tires	18,296
QGQ	P225/70R15 blackwall radial tires	2,277
QGR	P255/70R15 white letter radial tires	26,203
U58	AM-FM stereo radio	10,189
U69	AM-FM radio	2,057
U75	Power antenna	23,069
U81	Dual rear speakers	12,340
UA1	Heavy-duty battery	28,243
UP6	AM-FM stereo radio with CB	7,138
UM2	AM-FM stereo radio with 8-track	20,899
YF5	California emissions	-
YJ8	Aluminum wheels	28,008
ZN1	Trailer package	972
ZX2	Convenience package	37,222
Z78	Limited edition pace car	6,502

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