YouTube channel Vice Grip Garage has found a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Anniversary Edition abandoned for around 20 years. It is worse for wear, but the YouTuber tries his best to get the Chevrolet up and running again after all this time.

The video stretches to over two hours long and goes into minute detail about the process. However, the YouTuber has also set himself a challenge. He is going to get the sports car back onto the road and drive it 750 miles back home. But will it make it though?

The 1978 Anniversary Corvette Is A Rare Example

L82 Engine Specs

The 1978 Anniversary model is quite valueable, as it is also quite a rare Corvette with less than 50,000 examples made. The model helped to commemorate the 25th anniversary of what had been America’s only true series production sports car when it debuted in 1953. Chevrolet made sure that the 1978 Corvette was very special, and the 25th-anniversary model would sit at the top of the tree that year.

Most notable were the various commemorative dual-color schemes that would adorn the various Corvettes. There was also the optional four-speed manual, optional leather interior, and various other options. These included the T-roof, power locks, power windows, and the AM/FM stereo with cassette. A 25th-anniversary paint scheme and aluminum wheels were also options. Under the hood of the 1978 Corvette is a 350 ci 5.7-liter L82 V8 engine, good enough for 220 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. For its time, the speed figures were impressive. The sports car could achieve top speed of 123 mph and swallow the quarter mile in 15.5 seconds at 90 mph.

One of the coolest editions of the 1978 Corvette was the Pace Car model. The Corvette was the pace car of choice for the Indianapolis 500, and Chevrolet decided to release a road-going version of the car, and it was an option package on the 1978 model. A pace car replica paint scheme was one of the key features, as were the new glass T-tops, alloy wheels, and the power windows. It even featured a decal set that offered the “winged wheel” logos of the speedway, and door emblems that read “Official Pace Car, 62nd Annual Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, May 28, 1978.”

The example in the Vice Grip Garage video of the 25th Anniversary Corvette appears in various shades of bright green, but as Hagerty confirm, this was never offered as a color for the sports car. Meaning the example was repainted at somepoint in its life. The host back this up as he was expecting it to be silver. The Silver Anniversary Model was the most popular for the 1978 model year, with 15,283 examples ever built. But there were also a whole host of other color combinations.

1978 Corvette Silver Anniversary Color Combinations And Production Numbers

Source: Hagerty

The YouTuber’s 1978 Corvette Has Seen Better Days

It is clear from the video that this particular example of the 1978 Corvette is slightly worse for wear. The owner describes it as something like a drunk purchase, and there is duct tape holding parts of the window to the door. However, the special 25th-anniversary badge is still on the gas cap, and the “Vette” lettering is still on the seats. Luckily, the body has held up very well.

The engine bay looks all complete, but it clearly needs a lot of work. The host explains the interior is going to be incredibly fun to sit in for a 750 mile drive, given its overall condition and the fact the windows on the doors are very loose within the doors themselves. A quick electrical test reveals there is life in the systems, so that provides some hope for the Corvette straight away. The engine cranks well, and the starter sounds good, so initial signs are very promising.

Remarkably, with some fresh fuel in the gas tank, the Corvette fires up for the first time in over two decades. There is a lot of smoke, but the idle circuit is working well, and the engine starts to tick over. The YouTuber leaves it to figure things out after not running for over 20 years. The car is charging, there is oil pressure and the horn makes a terrible sound, but these are great early signs. The more the engine runs the better it sounds, but the test will be getting the car on the move.

It Takes A Lot Of Work To Get The 1978 Corvette Moving Again

After a lot of work under the hood, the YouTuber feels comfortable moving the car for the first time. The transmission works, as he engages a gear and prepares to move the Corvette. It initially doesn’t budge, but after gentle persuasion, it does move out of its spot for 20 years and away from the undergrowth. Changing the oil in the engine is another task that needs to be completed before the Corvette moves further.

After pumping up the tires, the Corvette sets off for the first time since it was parked 20 years ago. On the way, the brakes caught fire, and the YouTuber made multiple stops on his 750 mile journey. Amazingly, the rare, unloved Corvette did in fact complete it and reached its destination. It wasn’t smooth sailing, but it is remarkable how well the car has performed.

A 1978 Corvette Costs $24,873 On Average Today

Classic.com says that the average value of the 78 Corvette sports car is around $24,873 while the lowest one has ever sold for is $6,600. The most recent sale of a 1978 Corvette was at $26,000. The most expensive sale currently stands at $110,000 for the very special low-mileage Pace Car edition. As it was listed online as original and highly original, that drove the value of it up even further. The example of the Corvette Silver Anniversary model isn’t in great shape. The un-original green paint would be its biggest hindrance to its value. Should Vice Grip Garage restore this ’78 Corvette to its former glory and back to its original Silver paint, then perhaps it may regain its value.

Sources: Vice Grip Garage YouTube Channel, Corvsport.com, Classic.com