Topic: MORE 78 Pace Car 0001 pics
in Forum: C3 Special Edition Vettes
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Thanks to the heads up by Marshall that PC 0001 was at the Indy Auto Show I decided to drive down and have a look. Figured I'd also stop at the Indy Speedway Museum and check out what I think is PC 0002. Well, no luck at the speedway. They don't display the Pace Cars. I was told by a employee that she didn't even know where they're stored! Personally, I would rather see their Pace Car collection than all the antique race cars.
mkapp7879 2008-01-01 12:48:22
On to the auto show. There it was!! Looked at it with a very critical eye, just how I am! I wish GM took better care of such a special Vette!
Paint on the hood and surround badly cracked and scratched from dusting.
Incorrect black tinted tops instead of the mirrored tops. They actually had an 81 VIN engraved on the pass side. Was dated Aug80. Someone must have misplaced the correct ones!
Undercarriage was sloppily painted with spray cans; exhaust, dirt and grease included.
Power antenna replaced with a stationary mast.
Had an 8track/CB radio which wasn't offered in 78 on Corvettes(??)
Drivers seat showed a little more wear than a 716 mile car should show. Probably careless guys moving the car around.
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Great pictures Mike, thanks 
cilrah 2008-01-01 00:08:11
Heres the 0001 picture for the article I'm writing for the 30th anniversary of the 78 pace Car.
MARK
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Nice pics Mike.
Did anyone step on you when you were getting the undercarriage shots?
It is a shame that it is not as pristine as it should be.
You would think that GM would have more pride.
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Great shots, Mike! Thanx for sharing those.
Yeah, it sux GM don't take care of stuff like this...dam shame. Mitchell would've never allowed it to get in that condition while he was around, I bet.
Looks like they got that thing tied to the floor, so someone don't get in it, and drive off...in front of thousands of people!
Yeah, it sux GM don't take care of stuff like this...dam shame. Mitchell would've never allowed it to get in that condition while he was around, I bet.
Looks like they got that thing tied to the floor, so someone don't get in it, and drive off...in front of thousands of people!
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[QUOTE=LukesVette]Was this car ever owned privately or was it always in GM hands?[/QUOTE]
From what I read this Pace Car went straight to GM's "museum". I'm not sure but I don't think it was even at Indy for the race.
Don't get me wrong on the condition, It's still a beautiful Vette, especially considering it's origin. Other than the sloppy undercarriage, it has "character"!(but I wonder how it was stored to let the paint crack up?)
No one tripped over me taking the undercarriage shots, but I attracted the attention of one of the reps there. He's the one that took the VIN and speedo pics for me!
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Thanks for getting those closer shots Mike.
The car I saw last year at the track (I assume it was the #2 that the 500 Museum claims to have - I forgot to check the VIN at the time) had the same holes on the top of the rear end. Those are for the flags for the race. The one that was at the track had stickers on the console indicating the radio frequency the driver should ahve been on. Surprising this one doesn't have one. That could either mean someone "cleaned" them off, not understanding their significance, or that it never had them , possibly supporting the idea that it was never at the track. Interesting...
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Marshall, thanks for that additional pic. Close inspection seems to shows it as the same radio as in 0001. Apparently they used the AM/FM/8track/CB combo that was available in higher end GM cars in 78. That is not the regular production UP6 AM/FM/CB radio offered in the Corvettes that year.
mkapp7879 2008-01-01 13:46:16
Also notice it's another automatic. So much for the speculation that all the track cars were 4speeds.
One more pic. Notice the radio had 2 sliders under the display and no CB readout showing like the normal 78 Corvette CB. This was a new radio available in 78, probably for Cadillacs, Buicks, etc.
Also, is that the clip for the mic under the glovebox?
[QUOTE=mkapp7879][QUOTE=LukesVette]Was this car ever owned privately or was it always in GM hands?[/QUOTE]
From what I read this Pace Car went straight to GM's "museum". I'm not sure but I don't think it was even at Indy for the race.
[/QUOTE]
I could be wrong but doesn't this look like the same car you two just saw at the show.
The below picture is Al Unser's Pace Car, I'm not even going to guess what the VIN is until I hear back from Al.
MARK
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in Forum: C3 Special Edition Vettes
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