I am researching the various Pace Cars, primarily Indy 500 and the Brickyard but looking into others as well. The amount of misinformation is unreal, and my hope is to clarify what is out there. To clarify the names: The actual Pace Car is the car that paced the race. Up until the mid 50s there was only one-and no back-up. There are some exceptions, for instance there were two 47 Nashes-and they were different colors as well. These cars were often modified with suspension and brake mods, engine changes, and safety equipment. After the 1957 race a number of local Indianapolis businessmen organized the "500 Festival ***ociates" to further promote not only the race, but Indianapolis. The organization consisted of 33 directors-equal to the number of cars that would be accepted to run the race. This group received a car that was also used to promote the race, and these are called "Festival Cars". By 1960 each of the thirty three Directors received a car, and had special Indianapolis license plates as well. (There were also cars for 58 and 59 but not one for each Director). These cars were often the same as the actual Pace Car, and had lettering on the side designating it as a Festival Car. There are many exceptions to this. In 1960 there were also some Olds 88 converts, and many of the Festival Cars had a variety of interior colors. In 1961 all the cars were gold Thunderbirds. In 1962 all the cars were white Larks with different color interiors. For 1963 regular Chrysler 300s were used, with a variety of colors. There were also some blue Pacesetters. And sometimes the Festival Cars were not even the same as the actual Pace Car. In 1978 the Corvette was the actual Pace Car and Monte Carlos were the Festival Cars. Because these cars were used in parades they are also called "Parade Cars". The 500 Festival also selects a Queen for the event. Each of the thirty three Directors nominates a Princess for the pageant. There is a parade for all contestants using the Festival Cars, so sometimes these cars are also called "Princess Cars". The Queen also gets a car to use with the "Festival Queen" name on the sides. Local dignitaries and track officials also received a car, to include the Mayor of Indianapolis, the Police Chief, and for awhile even the Governor. Often it is stated they "only made 33" because of newspaper accounts at the time covering the cars being presented to the 500 Festival ***ociate Directors. At least 33, another for the Queen, mayor, Governor, TracK Officials, so usually 45 -50. Currently well over 100 are ***igned to the event! There are also "Track Vehicles" and many are also lettered on the sides. These could be coupes, four-doors, and even some wagons. Plus some of these Track Vehicles are trucks, vans, etc. In 1953 Ford was the first to make a Replica Pace Car available through the dealer network. They all resembled the actual Pace Car. Some years this was done and Replicas were available such as 54, 56, and 57 and then not again until 1963. There was no set amount of cars made each year. (And it wasn't until 1978 when we had the "one for each dealer" policy, so if it is referenced before that it is not fact). Sometimes all the cars of that model can be called Replica Pace Cars, such as all the 86 'Vette converts and 93 Allantes (used for the 92 race). The factory-made Replicas always have a code or reference to determine the authenticity of the car. When the race is over the Festival Cars and Track Vehicles go back to either the individual dealers that provided the cars, or auctioned off to the dealer network. Many times the decals, etc are removed and one may not even know it was a Festival Car. The winner of the race is traditionally awarded the actual Pace Car but often not. In 1946 George Robson was given another Ford product as Lincoln needed the car back as it was an experimental car and not ready for release. In 1962 the winner received an Avanti (which despite rumors was never scheduled to be the Pace Car. And Roger Ward was given Avanti #1, but wanted one with AC so got another instead). In 1971 the Challenger was wrecked and a Charger was given instead. Since the 70s or so the winner received a Festival Car instead of the actual Pace Car, with a few exceptions. (Emerson Fittipaldi did receive the Turbo Trans Am Pace Car in 1989 for instance). Many of these cars were sold off shortly after the race, but there are still a lot of drivers who have the cars awarded to them. (The 63 Chrysler Pacesetter awarded to Parnelli Jones was stolen, stripped, then s****ped). A Back-Up actual Pace Car came about in the mid 50s (for 55 the two cars were red/white and blue/white). Once the winners did not get the actual cars, one car went to the Speedway Museum and the other went to the company museum, such as the GM Heritage Center. They track soon had three cars, and for awhile PPG sponsored the race and they got the third actual Pace Car where they painted it and put it on the show circuit. Some of these cars still exist, some are unknown where they are, and the 93 Allante was s****ped. GM sold many of these cars during their collection liquidation so are in private hands. When these cars were delivered to Indy a spreadsheet was developed to track the cars. It had the VIN, the person the car would be ***igned, the make/model/color of the car and even the key numbers. I have the complete lists for 2002-date, plus 70, 71, 73, 84, 93-95, 97-98. I know of a few out there but the owners of the lists do not want to share them. Does anyone have any copies of the lists? I'd also love to have people post pictures of these cars. The standard promotion piece at the track is common, but pictures around town, in dealerships, at the race, in parades, etc. is what I am looking to collect. And the Speedway Museum and company museums do not have this info. One of the purposes of this research is so the museum will get a copy of all the data as they have numerous requests for information and don't have it. Here are some of the older years I have finished: 1965 Plymouth Fury https://www.facebook.com/groups/984443498553870/ 1963 Chrysler 300 Pacesetter https://www.facebook.com/groups/2908524952544715/ 1962 Studebaker Lark (Almost Done) https://www.facebook.com/groups/2694602280631553/ 1961 Ford Thunderbird https://www.facebook.com/groups/418711765418459/ 1960 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight https://www.facebook.com/groups/2514427642167199/ 1946 Lincoln Cabriolet (Just starting) A couple of newer ones that are older than what HAMB wants: 1993 and 1992 Cadillac Allantes (for the 92 race): https://www.facebook.com/groups/2694602280631553/ 1994 Ford Cobra and Mustang GT: https://www.facebook.com/groups/200776700706982/ Thanks or any help.
This is another of the many myths on the cars. The Chrysler Norseman went down with the Andrea Doria, and it was not a Pace Car. The 1941 Pace Car was the Chrysler Newport, ch***is number C7807503. Twelve of these cars were originally proposed, but only six were actually ordered. Of this, only five were actually made and still in collectors hands today. The Pace Car was the only one of the five to have fixed headlights, the other four had retractable lights. Chrysler also built 5 Thunderbolts in 1941, with a similar design but was a two door with a folding hardtop.
Resurrecting an old thread, I have a 65 Sport Fury Pace Car Survivor, I bought it from the original owner. The original owner bought it new and never allowed the dealer to install the decals, it was a showroom floor car and he had to wait to pick it up so they could keep it on display, has the original dash plaque for the Pace Car. Factory 383 Automatic car.
My 63 pace setter. Was restored by the previus owner in the late 80:s when it come to Sweden. It have the optional 360 hp singlebarrel 413 under the hood. I dont have any history from the states other then it come from a car collector in Colorado.
The Jalopy Journal
