Topic: Actual 1978 Pace Car
in Forum: C3 Special Edition Vettes
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Found this on Kicksonroute66
[quote]A bit of racing trivia: When you win the Indianapolis 500 you also win a pace car (whatever pace car had been chosen for that year). In 1978 when Al Unser won the Indy 500, the pace car happened to be Corvette. There in the garage was his 1978 Corvette Pace Car (now with less than 300 miles on it). I've seen many of these over the years, but never one owned by the winner of the Indy 500[/quote]
MARK
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I also spoke to a guy that day who (take it with a grain of salt, but he seemed very knowledgeble, and I saw him the next day in the pits) says he owns one of the four Pace Cars that were used at the course. He tells me he has spoken with Al Unser and Al's VIN ends in 32. This guys ends in 34. No, I feel dumb about it now, but I did not look at or snap a picture of the VIN of this car. I'll see if I can find it around next time I go to the museum.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
2014216132127r.jpg)
Don't worry bout it Marshall, there a million things that I could have asked you about that car that you probably didn't look at 
Thanks for sharing the info and pictures.
Thanks for sharing the info and pictures.MARK
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One really silly kwestion at this point...IF Al got to keep the REAL Pacer...what the heck is that on display at the Speedway?
I did notice a couple of differences in the car Marshall took pics of, and the Unser car in Al's garage...granted, there have been a few years pass, but...I think these are two different cars...
I did notice a couple of differences in the car Marshall took pics of, and the Unser car in Al's garage...granted, there have been a few years pass, but...I think these are two different cars...
Joel Adams
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From what I understand, there are always at least two (if not more) actual cars set up to run pace laps. I guess one year, the pace car crashed and they had to put in a back up pace car. So, as I understand it, in 78, there were four actual track cars. One is held by the museum, one went to Big Al, one is owned by the gentleman I met and who knows what happened to the other one.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
I heard the same thing Marshall, there were susposed to be 4 at the track that day.
cilrah 2007-06-01 06:23:08
If I'm not mistaken, it was the 1971 Challenger Pace Car that crashed. The driver used cones during practice to tell him where to start breaking when enerting the pit. Well the day of the race they removed the cones and he did not break in time, he hit a grandstand full of reporters and 20 were injured. This is the only incident/accident involving a Pace Car.
MARK
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"Keep up the Pace"
MARK
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"Keep up the Pace"
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Bit of 78 PC trivia:
May 28
- In Indianapolis, Indiana, the 62nd Indianapolis 500 race is held. A 1978 Corvette is the official pace car, driven by Jim Rathmann. This is the first Indianapolis 500 pace car with a stock drivetrain. Pace Car with VIN 1 is sent to the Detroit Museum. Pace Cars with VIN 2 and 3 are used at the Indy 500 race. The Pace Car that is driven is given to race winner Al Unser. [26] [61.22] [140.81] [197.65] [224.15] [453.105] [565.16,26] [774.112]
This site on chronology of Vettes is pretty interesting.
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2431
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
If you're asking about the one I saw, it was an auto.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
in Forum: C3 Special Edition Vettes
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