Corvette Model Gallery
Pace Cars
The Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars
Carl Fisher, a founder of the Indianapolis Speedway introduced the rolling start in 1911. To make this system work it required a car that the racers could form up behind and with this, the Pace Car was created. In the beginning Fisher used cars from his own auto dealership but it wasn’t long before manufacturers began to vie for the honor. Until 1957 the role of the pace car during the actual race was very limited consisting of only the opening pace lap. Starting in 1957 the pace car was given greater exposure by being allowed to make two laps, a parade and the pace lap but the true value for each manufacturer was the publicity that was generated by being selected as the pace car.
Starting in 1979, the pace car took on a new role. As well as starting the race the car would quickly come out during caution periods to lead the racers safely around the track. Pace Cars now had to be capable of sustained 100 mph speeds, be able to achieve these speeds quickly and shed the speed just as quickly. While manufacturers continued to vie for the privilege, most would now have to modify their cars to meet the required performance needs.
The first Corvette to pace the Indy 500 was the 1978 model. It was the first time that the pace car needed no performance modification to do the job. Only safety gear and lights, as well as an unmistakable paint job. The Corvette was again selected to pace the field in the "Brickyard" in 1986, with Gen. Yeager in the driver's seat. The third time was in 1995 with a striking paint job, usually called Baskin-Robbins special, and the fourth time was in 1998 with an even bolder paint scheme.
1978 The first Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, Monogram kit# 85-2444 - Built by Al Rosiere
1978 The first Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, Monogram kit# 85-2444 - Built by Jeff Johnston (posted:9/7/07)
1978 The first Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, Monogram 1/8 scale - Built by Mike Perhach
1978 The first Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, MPC - Built by Felice Ferriello (10/18/01)
1986 The second Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, Based on Monogram 1/8 scale - Built by Mike Perhach
1995 The third Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, Monogram kit# 2467 - Built by John K. Dezan (12/02/2002)
1998 The fourth Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, AMT Snapfast kit# 30021- Built by Al Rosiere
1998 The fourth Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, Revell-Monogram kit# 85-2558- Built by Felice Ferriello (10/17/01)
1998 The fourth Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, Revell-Monogram kit# 85-2558- Built by Ismael Gonzalez (11/27/03)
1998 The fourth Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, Revell-Monogram kit# 85-2558- Built by Hessel Van Der Zee (4/20/08)
2007 The ninth Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car, Based on Revell's promo- Built by Jay L. Kovar (12/18/07)
Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona Pace Cars
1999 Daytona Pace Car Revell kit #85-1344 - Built by Robert Wheeler
Le Mans Pace Cars
1999 Le Mans Pace Car Revell kit #85-1344 - Built by Ismael Gonzalez
1956 Daytona Speed Week
1956 Daytona Pace car Revell-Monogram - Built by Jay Lance Kovar (posted:10/29/04)
Page updated 04/18/08