Description
Given the honour of acting as Pace Car to the Indianapolis 500 race in 1986 & 1995, Chevrolet marked the latter occasion by producing a limited edition run of 527 Indy Pace Corvette Convertibles, with just 59 cars assigned to the Race Track Parade.
This particular example was one of the cars actually driven in the parade prior to the 79th Indianapolis 500 held on May 28th 1995 and The Pace Car Registry have kindly confirmed that this car was assigned to Jeff Belskus, President & CEO of IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), for the parade and unusually retains the ‘50’ window sticker, so often removed.
The car was imported to the Netherlands in 1996, with import and tax/ duty documents present and then imported to the UK in 2005, again with all correct import and tax/ duty documents present.
To add to its rarity it has covered JUST 4, 530 miles.
Arguably the most radical ‘Vette’ in 2 decades, the striking fourth generation or C4 model was introduced in March 1983.
Some 24% more aerodynamically efficient than its predecessors, it boasted a drag coefficient of 0. 34.
Built around a C-section beam re-inforced monocoque equipped with composite transverse leaf independent suspension and rack and pinion steering, its handling was benchmarked against the likes of the Porsche 928.
Subject to a programme of continual revision, it gained a convertible version in 1986 (the first open Corvette for 11 years), a new 300bhp/ 330lbft LT1 350ci (5. 7 litre) V8 engine in 1992 and a revised dashboard in 1994 together with a host of incremental styling changes.
Its impressive specification includes; ABS brakes, 4 speed automatic transmission, traction control, 17” alloy wheels, electric windows and driver/ passenger airbags. It should be noted that traction control was not fitted on production cars, we believe, until 2002.
Reputedly capable of 0 – 60 mph in sub 6 seconds and over 160 mph, these mechanically standard but highly coloured special cars were finished in purple over white with a red noseband and featured specially embroidered leather seats.
These genuine parade cars are incredibly hard to find, add to that the incredibly low mileage, documentation & provenance and this a very rare car indeed!
