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.
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| 1978 VIN range (coupe) | 1Z87L8S400001 – 1Z87L8S440274 |
| 1978 VIN range (pace car) | 1Z87L8S900001 – 1Z87L8S906502 |
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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Other articles
General information:
- Corvette C3 years
- Corvette Specs, Colors, etc. by year:
1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 - Is the Corvette C3 always a Stingray?
- Corvette C3 charts
- Corvette C3 books
- Mako Shark II
- Corvette L88
- Greenwood Corvettes
- Reader's Wheels: Corvette 1968
- Restomod Corvette C3s
- Corvette C3 Buyer's Checklist
Technical:
- Corvette C3 & Rochester Quadrajet
- Corvette C3 engines
- Corvette C3 transmissions
- Corvette C3 RPM calculator
- Corvette C3 emission systems
- Corvette C3 birdcage and rust
- Number matching and RPO
- Corvette C3 oils
Interior and Exterior Features:
- Corvette C3 Special Editions
- Corvette C3 cockpit / gauges
- Corvette C3 seats / seatbelts
- Corvette C3 door panels
- Corvette C3 emblems
- Corvette C3 side pipes (1969)
- Corvette C3 wheels
- Corvette C3 luggage racks
- Roof Options of the Corvette C3
