Corvette Model Gallery
The 1998 Indy Pace Car
GM had wanted the opportunity to showcase the new C5 as the Pace Car and the introduction of the convertible in 1998 provided the ideal opportunity.
The color scheme chosen for the car involved practicality as well as a degree of boldness. The overall Radar Blue which looks Dark Blue or Purple depending on the light is a discontinued S-10 truck color but the yellow wheels and yellow leather seats is clearly designed to grab your attention. To finish off the bold design a ribbon of yellow, red, white and gold poured out of the fender gill rippled above the rear fender only to join in a narrow stripe across the trunk. A similar ribbon motif also appeared on the hood. When the pace car was first revealed at the ‘98 SEMA show in Las Vegas some reviewers appreciated the bold contrasting colors while many compared it to a full sized Hot Wheel toy. When the design team of John Cafaro and Randy Wittine were asked why they had created such as bold almost garish scheme, they responded with a number of reasons. "We wanted to pull out all the stops we could", we wanted a car that would stand out among the bright advertising of the Indy festival", "we wanted something really bold and brash and very festive." Inspired by the color schemes of snowmobiles and jet skis they certainly succeeded.
As would be expected few modifications were needed to prepare the Corvette for its track duties, a new exhaust system, harness and fire system. The modifications to install individual roll bars and enlarged humps to hold the required strobe lights was particularly well done.
While John Cafaro commented that "as a street car it’s a lot to digest", GM obviously felt the Corvette public had a healthy appetite because it produced 1158 pace car replicas. Besides the special paint and decal package the $5000 Z4Z option provided Corvettes new Active Handling system plus a full load of interior convenience features.
Whether you like or hate the ‘98 Pace Car scheme it clearly makes a statement and after all, isn’t that what driving a Corvette is all about?
The model:
Hessel built this pace car from the Revell kit:
If you would like to contact Hessel on this model his e-mail address hessel79@hotmail.com
Page updated 04/18/08