1978 Chevrolet Corvette Silver Anniversary

In the world of survivor cars, "low mileage" is a relative term. But for this 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Silver Anniversary Edition, the odometer reading—just 987 original miles—is only the second most interesting thing about it. The most remarkable part of its story isn't where it went, but rather where it stayed.

For nearly three decades, while other C3 Corvettes were out carving backroads or slowly aging in suburban driveways, this L82-powered time capsule remained under the fluorescent lights of Hugh White Chevrolet in Columbus, Ohio. It wasn't a car for sale; it was a permanent resident on display for patrons to view. For 27 years, it served as a stationary sentinel of Corvette's 25th anniversary, its Charcoal and Silver Metallic paint remaining as sharp as the day it rolled off the St. Louis assembly line.

The car’s transition from dealership icon to private treasure began in 2005. When the dealership’s General Manager, John Curry, prepared for retirement, he didn't just take his memories with him—he purchased the still-untitled Corvette. The move caught the attention of General Motors itself; recognizing the car’s improbable state of preservation, GM requested it be moved to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

There, it stayed in "suspended animation" until 2013, effectively serving as the gold standard for what a factory-fresh 1978 Corvette should look like. After its museum tenure, it underwent a sympathetic cosmetic and mechanical reconditioning—not a restoration, but a revitalization to ensure its cosmetic appearance and performance retain factory standards after years of static display.

Today, held in the John Kufleitner Galleria collection, the car is accompanied by a mountain of paperwork that would make a Bloomington Gold judge weep: the original window sticker, build sheet, EPA fuel economy sheet, and even the original keys.

In an era where "original" is often a loosely used term, this Corvette stands as a definitive historical artifact. It is a car that skipped the 1980s and 90s entirely, preserved not by accident, but by a 27-year-long refusal to let it ever leave the showroom floor.

Included Documentation
This sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire what may be the most meticulously documented 1978 Corvette in existence. All original materials displayed during its tenure at the National Corvette Museum are included: