Pace Car Barn Find

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Sep 15, 2011 | 01:29 PM

#21

hunt4cleanair

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 5,235

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From: Myrtle Beach SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Mike

Amazing.

Were you in on this one?

No...wish I was. Would have gotten a copy of the build sheet among other tidbits of knowledge.

I'll post more photos tonight.

Sep 15, 2011 | 04:48 PM

#22

KapsSA

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 4,360

Likes: 221

From: Beecher Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunt4cleanair

The owner said that he had not looked at the Pace Car for sixteen years. It had the dealer receipt for the 5 gallons gas, the purchase receipt from the dealer and on top of the jack was a build sheet. Its got a $40k price tag on it.

$40K!?
I'm gonna have to start letting the dust accumulate on mine! Someday when it's "discovered" in my barn that will make for a better story.
At least better than having been meticulously maintained for 32 years!
I know the never titled aspect helps with value, just don't know why.

An acquaintence just purchased a 5 mile L82 Pace Car, similar story, for mid $30s. Pulled the heads before he found a pushrod or valve was bent or something. I it needed a bit of detailing, too.

I recently went over the motor in my 25 mile one. New gaskets and paint. HAD to be done, couldn't stand looking at the leaks and surface rust.

Can't wait to see more pics. Can't seem to get that 'oil filter' pic to load up.

Sep 15, 2011 | 05:51 PM

#23

hunt4cleanair

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 5,235

Likes: 898

From: Myrtle Beach SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by KapsSA

An acquaintence just purchased a 5 mile L82 Pace Car, similar story, for mid $30s. Pulled the heads before he found a pushrod or valve was bent or something. I it needed a bit of detailing, too.

What's VIN and build date?

Quote:

Can't wait to see more pics. Can't seem to get that 'oil filter' pic to load up.

I've pulled it up successfully on two different computers...I probably have your email and will send.

Sep 15, 2011 | 07:38 PM

#24

hunt4cleanair

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 5,235

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From: Myrtle Beach SC

Sep 15, 2011 | 08:25 PM

#25

L82shark

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,458

Likes: 1

From: Collinsville MS

St. Jude Donor '08

Mine has been in the barn for the last two years and has way more dust... Ask if he needs another one? Complete with the mice!

Cool to know there are still some out there unmolested and waiting for someone to come get them.

Sep 16, 2011 | 12:02 AM

#26

chstitans42

TheCorvetteBen

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 4,987

Likes: 144

From: Van Alstyne, TX

I wonder how what still works on that car? I hope they put it in a museum and never drive it again. Doing anything other than washing that car will lower the "value".

Kinda seems sad though that the vette never got driven.

Sep 16, 2011 | 02:09 AM

#27

cv67

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 81,241

Likes: 3,062

From: altered state

St. Jude Donor '05

Kinda creepy like a neglected soul

Sep 16, 2011 | 08:38 AM

#28

qtlow

Pro

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 556

Likes: 13

From: C3 Forum, Colorado

Photos

Here's your photos. Thought it might be easier than clicking on all the links.
Very cool car. Thanks for posting the story.

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Sep 16, 2011 | 09:15 AM

#29

jkjazzsax

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 106

Likes: 0

God, I just want to drive that thing.

Sep 16, 2011 | 10:15 AM

#30

Peeps9823

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 244

Likes: 1

From: Brighton Michigan

I agree, that is very cool.

Sep 17, 2011 | 12:44 AM

#31

Zilmo

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 33

Likes: 0

Shame it's collecting dust.

Sep 17, 2011 | 12:35 PM

#32

Easy Mike

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 38,923

Likes: 1,481

From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunt4cleanair

Ok...here ya go and I don't do this just for anybody.
http://www.hunt4cleanair.net/Images/eDSCN4316.JPG

Aw jeez. Window sticker and all.

Thanks for the pics, Tom.

Sep 17, 2011 | 01:07 PM

#33

birdsmith

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 3,428

Likes: 5

From: Japan

Attached are a couple fotos from a recent (unexpected) visit to The Unser Museum in Albuquerque, NM last month while returning from dropping my son off at college in TX. This is THE '78 Pace Car that Al Unser hisself won for winning the 1978 Indy 500. To any of you out there that are even remotely as interested in American racing history as I am I have to say that a visit to this place is REQUIRED. If you happen to be in Albuquerque for ANY reason you have NO EXCUSE for not paying them a visit. I have been to a LOT of car museums over the years and with the exception of the Speedway Museum in Indianapolis this one is the best I've been to. The '68,'71,'78,'87,'91, and '94 winning cars are all on display there and are all presented in absolutely immaculate, moment-they-rolled-onto-the-grid condition, and there are a few dozen other cars there as well. That Saturday morning Al Unser himself stopped by and I had the pleasure of talking with him for about a half hour also. Very nice guy, self-effacing and unassuming. The best $10 you'll ever spend.

Sep 17, 2011 | 03:13 PM

#34

hunt4cleanair

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 5,235

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From: Myrtle Beach SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdsmith

You check out the VIN #?

Quote:

That Saturday morning Al Unser himself stopped by and I had the pleasure of talking with him for about a half hour also. Very nice guy, self-effacing and unassuming. The best $10 you'll ever spend.]

How cool is that!

If I attend the NCRS annual next year in San Diego...plan to rip the museum and do exactly what you unexpectly accomplished.

Sep 17, 2011 | 03:23 PM

#35

RedZR

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 952

Likes: 0

From: Morgantown,WV USA

Pace Car Barn Find Reply to Thread

In honor of this low mile 78 I took my Pace Car out for a long drive today. I took my daughter to her gym and met a beautiful black 82 vette and later that day I met a fellow with a beautifully restored 69 Charger R/T- complete with a 440 and 4 speed.

Its was a good Saturday for car guys!

Dan

Last edited by RedZR; Sep 18, 2011 at 07:48 AM.

Sep 17, 2011 | 03:32 PM

#36

birdsmith

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 3,428

Likes: 5

From: Japan

First, let me apologize...didn't mean to stomp your thread; but I thought would be a good place to show these pics. Second, I didn't verify the VIN so it's possible I could be wrong on that particular car's authenticity, but judging by the authenticity of the Indy winners there (all 6 of them) I didn't think it was too much of a leap. Needless to say I only visited the museum because we just happened to stop in Albuquerque on our way to and from DFW, had never in my life been there before, had never even met anybody who had even qualified for the Indy 500 before and got to spend a good part of that morning talking to one of only 3 people who have won the race four times!
BTW, those pictures are unreal...that thing is a real time capsule. It's kind of a shame that it's so crusty though...

Sep 17, 2011 | 05:14 PM

#37

RedZR

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 952

Likes: 0

From: Morgantown,WV USA

Pace Car Barn Find Reply to Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdsmith

I personally enjoyed your pictures. Did you notice how many miles were on it? I wonder if Al ever took it for a spin in the old days!

Sep 17, 2011 | 06:18 PM

#38

KapsSA

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 4,360

Likes: 221

From: Beecher Illinois

Unser's Vette should be 0002.
I would love to get out there to see it someday as I've seen the actual Pace Car 0001 and the Indy museum's backup/mule car(that doesn't have a VIN tag on the window pillar)

0001 is kinda beat up with just about 700 miles on it. The GM museum doesn't seem to take the best care of it

The Indy museum's version doesn't carry an actual Pace Car VIN. It has a normal production VIN in the 18000s, just not on the window piller.

Sep 18, 2011 | 04:32 AM

#39

hunt4cleanair

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 5,235

Likes: 898

From: Myrtle Beach SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by KapsSA

The Indy museum's version doesn't carry an actual Pace Car VIN. It has a normal production VIN in the 18000s, just not on the window piller.

Kaps

I take it you are referring to the same vehicle in your first and third sentence above but according to an interorganizational memo, it was VIN 1Z8748S416658 and assigned the Pace Car mule duties.

It also means if the tag is not on the windshield pillar, number would have to be confirmed from VIN derivative on the motor or tranny.

PS...sent the PF 25 photo

Last edited by hunt4cleanair; Sep 18, 2011 at 04:37 AM.

Sep 18, 2011 | 11:10 AM

#40

birdsmith

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 3,428

Likes: 5

From: Japan

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedZR

I personally enjoyed your pictures. Did you notice how many miles were on it? I wonder if Al ever took it for a spin in the old days!

I didn't check the mileage. Actually there are two separate buildings there, the first has all the race cars and some other exhibits that I won't give away; the second building is on the back of the property, about as large as the first and has a few less-significant race cars, a variety of other cars, trophy case (seen behind the pace car) and the pace car itself. When I visited we really only had about an hour to spend there so I was snapping pictures like mad and it really takes more than that to take it all in, but just getting to talk to Al waas really the icing on the cake. Hot Rod did an article about a year ago about "100 things to have on your automotive bucket list" and I must say that the Unser Museum wasn't on there but it should be!

Last edited by birdsmith; Sep 18, 2011 at 11:21 AM.

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