Topic: All Pace Cars found?
in Forum: Special Edition Vettes
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Well this is suchs big news to me that I wanted to start a new thread on the subject. Yesterday I recieved a copy of a Cheverolet Motor Division Inter-Organizational Letter dated March 21, 1978.
cilrah 2008-01-24 22:23:57
This letter describes each Pace Car in detail, identifies the VIN's, explains how each Pace Car will be used, and the disposition of each one after the race. Wow this is incredible information. Apparently there are two 78 Pace Cars out there with a VIN unlike all other 78 Pace Cars.
Trying to keep this begining post under one page, I've included the important info on each Pace car below.
Subject: Indianapolis Pace Car Date: March 21, 1978
The following is a report on the current status of four (4) 1978 Limited Edition Corvettes to be used in the Indy "500" Program.
1. Back-up Pace Car, Serial# 1Z8748S416658 (8Y047)
Specifications: Production pilot line, RPO Z-78 modified with high performance hydraulic cam L-82 engine, low restriction exhaust system, qualified driveline components for maximum street performance and handling.
Assignment: This vehicle will be used trackside by Chief Steward of the race for the entire month of May for practice and qualification runs.
On race day this car will be parked at the head of Pit Row as a back-up Pace Car in the event that the Official Pace Car experiences any problems.
This vehicle will be donated to the Indianapolis Speedway Museum for permanent exhibition in lieu of the Actual Pace Car.
2. Actual Pace Car, Serial# 1Z8748S900001 (8Y052)
Specifications: First production line build of RPO Z-78 Limited Edition Corvette. Vehicle will receive qualified production engine and driveline equipment and retain all certified emission equipment and original air conditioning system. CB radio being reworked to speedway frequency.
Assignment: This vehicle is the #1 production stock Limited Edition corvette that will be the Official Pace Car driven by Jim Rathmann in starting the 62nd Annual Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 28.
This vehicle is classified as a corporate historical vehicle and will be returned to Chevrolet for disposition following the race.
3. Parade Lap and Winner's Car, Serial# 1Z8748S900002
Specifications: This is the #2 production RPO Z-78 Limited Edition Corvette with all available options and automatic transmission equipped.
Assignment: This vehicle will be used as one of two V.I.P. Parade vehicles prior to the start of the race. Keys to the car will be presented to the Indianapolis 500 winning driver at the Victory dinner at the Indianapolis Convention Center on Monday evening, May 29, 1978.
4. Parade Lap Vehicle, Serial# 1Z87H8S400006 (8Y000)
Specifications: This is an engineering prototype vehicle used throughout the production for RPO Z-78 development and sales promotional purposes. Production engine (L-82) and driveline with no rework.
Assignment: This vehicle will be the second V.I.P. Parade Lap Corvette on the track prior to the start of the Race.
U.S.A.C. has requested the use of this vehicle as their Official Pace Car for the balance of their 1978 Championship car race series which will provide us continued press and TV exposure through November 1978.
The Sales Department has approved this consignment and the vehicle will be turned over to U.S.A.C. at the completion of the Indy 500.
This vehicle is currently Engineering property requiring transfer to the Sales Department inventory prior to consignment to U.S.A.C.
Summary: Three vehicles will be shipped to Indianapolis April 14, 1978.
Vehicles will be secured at the Indy Museum with the Winner's corvette being put on display in the museum.
The (back-up) Pace Car and the Official Pace Car will be transfered to a garage in Gasoline Alley on Friday, May 5, preparatory to the track opening on Saturday, May 6, 1978.
Mr. Don Bailey, traditionally has handled the supervision and maintenance of the Pace Cars and support vehicles for the Indy 500. We have again retained Mr. Bailey for this important assignment at Indianapolis.
_________________________________________________________
I actually saw the Parade Lap Pace Car #00006 for sale on eBay. darn it, I didn't even know what it was at the time and I don't think the guy selling it did either. All he said was it was the first Pace Car in sequence that was released to the public. Wow what a buy that would have been.
So basically, #1 should be in the Indy Museum, #2 is the one from the GM Heritage Collection, #3 is al Unser's car, and I don't really know where #4 is YET 
MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117 
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"Keep up the Pace"
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Vette(s): 1977 L-82 originally white/buckskin interior.
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That's just too cool.
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Way tuh go, Mark!!!! 
Your never-ending dedication to this cause is unbelievable!
Looks like you've gotten credible info that no-one else has ever had, or published, anyway. You da MAN!!!
Your never-ending dedication to this cause is unbelievable!
Looks like you've gotten credible info that no-one else has ever had, or published, anyway. You da MAN!!!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]Way tuh go, Mark!!!!
Your never-ending dedication to this cause is unbelievable!
Looks like you've gotten credible info that no-one else has ever had, or published, anyway. You da MAN!!! [/QUOTE]
cilrah 2008-01-24 22:37:24
Your never-ending dedication to this cause is unbelievable!
Looks like you've gotten credible info that no-one else has ever had, or published, anyway. You da MAN!!!
[/QUOTE]
Thanks Joel, my next impossible task is to find that last Pace Car 
MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117
Click here to see my new friend P-Racer
"Keep up the Pace"
Mark, great info! Who'd of thought the Museum car would have a regular production VIN? And 4 of them!
mkapp7879 2008-01-25 00:42:10
I also saw that 0006 on ebay with no mention of it being a track car. But was that a different Pace Car? Did that one have a Pace Car VIN unlike the VIN on the track car which also appears as a regular production VIN with an H for the motor.
Now I really want to see the Speedway Museum car to see the numbers and exhaust.
Congratulations Mark and thanks for sharing with us.
That letter must have been like opening King Tut's tomb and finding a big piece of the puzzle.
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[QUOTE=cilrah]...1. Back-up Pace Car, Serial# 1Z8748S416658 (8Y047)...Production pilot line, RPO Z-78...[/QUOTE]
6880Mike 2008-01-25 06:26:17
This one is interesting because it has a regular production serial number. It appears they pulled a regular 78 and put the Pace Car package on it. I would not be surprised to learn RPO Z-78 was the designation for the Pace Car package before the decision was made to use a special VIN.
[QUOTE]...4. Parade Lap Vehicle, Serial# 1Z87H8S400006 (8Y000)
...This is an engineering prototype vehicle used throughout the production for RPO Z-78 development and sales promotional purposes. Production engine (L-82) and driveline with no rework....[/QUOTE]
Hmmm. "Engineering prototype." An H in the VIN and a 4 for the car line series code. #006. "No rework." I'm wondering whether this one may have been used for the early photo sessions when they needed to show what the Pace Car was going to look like.
Nice work turning up the information. I love Corvette stuff like this.
[QUOTE=mkapp7879]I also saw that 0006 on ebay with no mention of it being a track car. But was that a different Pace Car? Did that one have a Pace Car VIN unlike the VIN on the track car which also appears as a regular production VIN with an H for the motor. [/QUOTE]
Great question Mike, I don't know, is there a 1Z8748S900006 Pace Car out there ???
Now I also want to know, if #1 is with GM, and #2 is Al's car, where are the regular 00003 and 00004 cars, were they sold to the public ??? The search continues.
MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117
Click here to see my new friend P-Racer
"Keep up the Pace"
Thanks for that very interesting information. Without your curiosity and diligence we would have never known that piece of Corvette history. Please keep us informed of your search.
Scott
ranger3 2008-01-25 21:21:01
Scott
Wow, that's really interesting stuff! You really should be called the Pace Car Prince, you know your stuff, walk the walk, and talk the talk!
Aaron 
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in Forum: Special Edition Vettes
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