1998 C5 Indy 500 Pace Car is Still Brilliant

Neighbors' Gettin' Crazy

Corvette was first utilized as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 in 1978. That year, the sponsorship brought much-needed revitalization to the brand, which had been hampered by poor reviews of new models and a nationwide gas shortage. Fast forward to 1998 and one will find this Corvette C5 Convertible premiered in much more halcyon days for both Chevrolet and the Corvette brand itself. Just 1,163 ’98 Indy Pace car models were built and even fewer remain in such pristine condition as this vehicle. 

Photos Courtesy of Motorious

It's a Major Violation

It's obvious what sets this car apart —its unique "color-shifting Radar Blue" paint scheme and multiple, brightly colored graphics —both of which play off its bright yellow five-point wheels. The sides and hood of the car are adorned with a thick racing stripe that fans out to a checkered flag themed graphic towards the rear wheels. A rather timeless logo to the right of each door handled demarcates the name and date of the race: May 24, 1998. The "Corvette" wordmark on the top of the windshield is a throwback to one commonly utilized throughout the 1980s and '90s. 

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It's Winner Take All

Inside, bright yellow leather seats pop against the jet-black interior. Embroidered Corvette logos adorn the steering wheel and center console, while stainless steel race car-inspired pedals to amplify the car's racing heritage. The car still maintains its custom embroidered "Indianapolis 500" floor mats as well.

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A Run for the Money

The 1998 Chevy Corvette Z4Z came with a 345-horsepower, 5.7 liter LS1 V8 engine and four-speed automatic transmission. Both stock and special Indy Pace Car edition Corvettes from 1998 features Chevy's new "Active Handling" chassis control system as yet another improvement on the car's already excellent handling. The care also featured accident avoidance technology that was state-of-the-art at the time of its debut. 

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Better Take My Chances

Five of the 1,163 '98 Corvette Convertible pace cars appeared on the track at the Brickyard the day of the, which was won by Eddie Cheever Jr. in an Oldsmobile Aurora, a car that, somewhat ironically, would be mass-produced as a flagship sedan before that brand's extinction in 2004. One has to chuckle that the pace car that day would ultimately outlast the race winner.

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Dreaming About Tomorrow

The '98 Corvette Pace car remains sought after primarily for its unique look, as the car was essentially factory-stock. The addition of a steel roll bar and strobe lights behind each seat were the only things that differentiated it from standard factory models. The car remains an impressive throwback to 90s automotive style as well as a cool forbearer for the performance technology breakthroughs that Corvette would bring throughout the 2000s. 

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