Welcome to the Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Registry ! |
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November 6, 1997 Chevrolet cars have been selected a total of eleven times for Indy 500 Pace Car duties -- more than any other manufacturer -- and 1998 will mark the seventh time that the company has offered replica cars for sale. From its Radar Blue exterior color to its in-your-face bright yellow wheels and equally attention-getting yellow & black leather interior, the '98 Corvette Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car turns heads wherever it goes. In addition to the vivid color combination mentioned above, a stunning yellow graphics package, with a checkered flag motif towards the rear, stretches from the Corvette's functional front gill panel all along the sides of the car and up over its tail. The replica Corvette convertible pace cars were exactly the same as the real thing -- with the exception of the specially-fitted strobe lights on the actual pace car which were mandated by the Speedway for safety reasons. And since the 345-hp Corvette needs no powertrain modifications to handle the pacing chores, the replicas were mechanically identical to the original. In addition to the special paint and graphics described above, the Indy Pace Car Option Package (Z4Z) on the '98 Corvette convertible contains other highly-desirable options. Heading the list is a Delco electronically-tuned AM/FM radio with seek & scan, automatic tone control, CD player, digital clock, Theft Lock, speed-compensated volume control and a Bose speaker system. Also included is an electronic dual-zone heating & air conditioning system, dual-power leather adjustable sport bucket seats, memory package and floor mats. Transmission choices were a 4-speed automatic transmission with a performance axle ratio at no extra charge, or the optional 6-speed manual transmission at additional cost. And that's not all. Beginning with the 1998 pace car production, Chevy introduced an impressive new Active Handling chassis control system (JL4) for the Corvette. The Active Handling system utilizes a yaw sensor, steering angle sensor, lateral accelerometer and other space-age technologies to enhance Corvette's already nimble handling with added accident avoidance capabilities. A "competitive driving" mode, something no other chassis control system has, is available for gymkhana or autocross events. The Z4Z Pace Car Package (with the automatic) added $5,039 to the Corvette convertible's very competitive base MSRP of $44,990 (which included destination charges). Chevrolet built only 1,163 of the '98 Corvette Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car replicas, including 5 Pilot C5's for factory use only. The bulk of these were sold by selected Chevy dealers in the United States, and a limited number were exported to Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Caribbean. The winner of this year's race was Eddie Cheever Jr., driving the #51, Rachel's Potato Chips, Dallara, Oldsmobile Aurora. Photos below courtesy of the Speedway and Chevrolet.
Total Production for the 1998 Indy Pace Car replica is confirmed at 1,163 including 5 Pilot C5's for factory use only. There are 616 MX0 Automatics and 547 MN6 Six Speeds. The breakdown is 1,111 domestics, 37 Exports, and 15 to Canada. In addition to the "real" Pace Cars, there were 105 Corvette Pace Car Replicas used at the race this year. There were a mix of Automatics and Six-Speeds. These cars were assigned to IMS (30), the Festival Parade Committee (49), and some members of the Press (25). And there was (1) Corvette to be awarded to the race winner, Eddie Cheever Jr. RPO Z4Z-Indy Pace Car Replica Features Included RPO's :
The car was also available with MN6 Six Speed Transmission as an Option. Unique Features: Black Leather Steering Wheel and Shift Knob with Neon Yellow Stitching.
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