78 Pace Car

[Chris L.]

I know the records are non existent, but is there any source that would show want serial number pace cars were actually used in the parade at the race ? I have heard it was out of thefirst 160 cars made and there were supposedly 23 cars that made the parade, but I can't find any info other than hearsay ! Thanks

[Tom D.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2017/06/01/first-last-1978-corvette-indy-500-pace-cars-bring-big-cash-mecums-indy-auction/

Not really the answer you are looking for, but interesting.

Here is the one you want, on the track...

http://www.pacecarregistry.com/1978indy.htm

[Tom R.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

I know the records are non-existent, but is there any source that would show want serial number pace cars were actually used in the parade at the race? I have heard it was out of the first 160 cars made and there were supposedly 23 cars that made the parade, but I can't find any info other than hearsay! Thanks

More fake news from the internet. LOL

So VIN 001 and 002 were the first production Pace Cars built for the Speedway with special, cams, radio gear to pickup the speedway radio. There were also two prototypes or production pilots that were built from regular production coups but configured with the Z78 Pace Car package and served as backup lap cars. The pictures of Rathman were in the 001 car. The winner got 002 while 001 was considered of historical significance for GM and is stored at the Heritage Center.

The Speedway Museum got one of the production pilot units (VIN 1Z8748S-416658) and they have a penchant for denying access to the vehicle for further study. The 4th car built for the race was VIN 1Z87HS-4000006, a most unusual VIN configuration and one that is inconsistent with the Pace Car serial number configuration. When I research it, I drew the conclusion that the motor was the 305, used in other Chevrolet vehicles in 1978. I suspect GM may have been testing the motor for some reason but this vehicle served as a backup lap car as well. Its last known location was in Kansas.

[Tom R.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2017/...-indy-auction/
Not really the answer you are looking for, but interesting.

Yes, so this pair is the first and last production Pace Cars available to dealers for retail sale.

Here is the one you want, on the track...
http://www.pacecarregistry.com/1978indy.htm

I doubt you'll find anything useful here.

[Michael J.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

Al Unser has the one he was awarded for winning the race, he says it was used in the parade that day. I don't remember seeing the number, I will check next time I am in his car museum.

[Tom R.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

Al Unser has the one he was awarded for winning the race, he says it was used in the parade that day. I don't remember seeing the number, I will check next time I am in his car museum.

According to the GM Inter-organizational Memo, the winner would be awarded VIN 002. I would be surprised if your visit revealed a VIN that differed from the GM memo.

[Michael J.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

I'm sure you are correct. BTW, it has the most God-awful paint job I have ever seen, cracking, peeling, etc. I asked Al if it had been sitting out in the New Mexico sun since he got it, he laughed and said, "no, it has been in this museum or my garage ever since it came home with me". "It's just a lousy paint job".

[Tom R.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

I'm sure you are correct. BTW, it has the most God-awful paint job I have ever seen, cracking, peeling, etc. I asked Al if it had been sitting out in the New Mexico sun since he got it, he laughed and said, "no, it has been in this museum or my garage ever since it came home with me". "It's just a lousy paint job".

Yeah...museum and New Mexico is on my bucket list. I would be curious what the trim tag date code reads. Check it out on your visit...photo?

[Michael J.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

I will, I think our NM chapter will get there soon, we go frequently.

[Richard S.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

May be an old wives tale however, I recall one dealer not ordering a Pace Car. So then the question becomes, who got the unclaimed Pace Car?

[Tom D.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

Many were sold dealer to dealer. Van Bortel Chev., in one of the Rochester, NY suburbs (Palmyra), had a row of at least ten new ones. At one time, I had a photo of that...

I watched the unloading of the one that Hartway Motors got. That dealership is still in Medina, NY.

[Chris S.]

Re: 78 Pace Car

http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2017/...-indy-auction/
Not really the answer you are looking for, but interesting.

Here is the one you want, on the track...
http://www.pacecarregistry.com/1978indy.htm

The last pace car does reside in Kansas. It has 53 miles. The Last 78 produced also resides in Kansas and has 547 miles. It is a Silver Anniversary car and will be at Bloomington in June