Jornal dos Classicos – This Chevrolet Corvette Indianapolis Pace Car Edition has covered just over a hundred kilometers to date

In October 1996, Chevrolet began production of the fifth generation of the Corvette, known as the C5, marking the model’s history as it was the last with retractable headlights. The design was in charge of John Cafaro and production ended in July 2004. It was available in three bodies: Coupé, Convertible and Hardtop.

The structure of the Corvette was reinforced compared to the previous generation and was equipped with the 5.7L V8 LS1 engine, which produces 345hp, rising to 350hp in 2001. Coupled to the engine was the new Borg-Six-speed manual gearbox. Warner T-56, while the four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission was carried over from the previous generation. The engine is mounted at the front, but as far back as possible, while the gearbox is mounted at the rear, for a 50-50 weight distribution.

In 1998, the convertible bodywork, known as the Corvette Convertible, was introduced onto the market, being chosen as a PaceCar of the Indianapolis 500, which took place on May 24, 1998, with Parnelli Jones at the helm.

As is the prerogative of most American manufacturers who launch a special version when their model is chosen as a Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500, Chevrolet was no different and launched a commemorative edition known as the Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica, with the code order BY Z4Z.

This special version came with a unique color, Radar Blue, and unique interior colors as well, contrasting black and yellow, painted wheels in the latter and specific exterior decoration, identical to the original car.

In this article we find one of the 1163 examples of the Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica produced, which is even more special, as to date it has traveled only 70 miles, around 112km, and has never been prepared for delivery, still having all the protective plastics in place. place. This example also has the distinction of being equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, making it one of only 547 examples in this specification.

On January 22, 2024, it was put up for auction, through Hagerty’s Marketplace platform, being sold for 43,335 dollars (the equivalent of around 40.6 thousand euros).