This is not a tribute or cosmetic replica. This 2004 Chevrolet Impala SS is one of only two official pace cars built by General Motors for use in the Indy Racing League (IRL) Series, making it one of the rarest and most thoroughly documented Impalas in existence.
While Chevrolet produced thousands of special-edition "pace car" or "parade car" Impala SS models for public sale in 2004, this example is entirely different. It is not a cosmetic tribute built for showroom floor appeal. It is a purpose-driven, track-prepared vehicle, created specifically by GM to serve as a real, functioning pace car for professional racing events. That fact alone makes it exceptionally rare and highly significant among GM's modern motorsport output.
Unlike the mass-market commemorative versions, this car is titled for street use and is the only one of the two known to remain in its original "as-delivered" factory race specification. It is a true piece of GM motorsport history, built to perform and preserved exactly as it left GM's hands.
Commissioned by GM and prepared by Wheel to Wheel Inc., a motorsports fabrication firm with deep ties to General Motors, this car was hand-built specifically for use on track. It served in multiple roles including official IRL Series pace duties, Brickyard Hot Laps, and other on-track events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Its authenticity and factory provenance are unquestionable. It spent its early life in the GM Heritage Collection and was sold by General Motors in 2006.
Inside, the car features several Indy-specific details that reinforce its official pace car identity. The Medium Gray leather seats and matching floor mats both feature Indianapolis Motor Speedway embroidery, consistent with the styling found on Chevrolet's official pace cars. These factory-installed touches complement the car's authentic race-day heritage and complete its official pace car presentation.
At the heart of the car is a hand-assembled, supercharged 3.8-liter Series II L67 V6, paired with a heavy-duty 4T65-E HD automatic transmission designed to handle the power and sustained high-speed operation required of a real pace car. Supporting systems include dedicated transmission and power steering coolers, a custom stainless steel Corsa exhaust, and a specially engineered Delphi R&D oversized braking system developed to meet the rigors of track use.
The suspension was professionally modified and lowered by three inches, featuring high-performance springs and struts that give the car precise control and a proper stance. In addition, integrated strobe lights were built into the factory lighting system, further separating this pace car from any standard production Impala SS.
It wears a factory-correct finish in Smokin Asphalt, complemented by its Indy-specific livery and badging. Indy Racing League and winged-wheel emblems appear on the exterior, and the car retains its original grille, rear spoiler, and all IRL-issue markings. This is not merely a "special edition" appearance package. It is a factory-backed, track-used, fully prepared performance machine.
The odometer currently reads just 16,699 miles, showing remarkably limited use since its original service with General Motors. Its event history is well-documented, including a confirmed appearance at the March 11, 2004 IRL Series race, along with promotional and hot lap duty at Indianapolis events through 2005. The car was later shown in 2006 during preparation for a Barrett-Jackson sale, still wearing its official credentials and appearing exactly as it did under GM stewardship.
Few vehicles leave the GM Heritage Collection, and even fewer can match this level of authenticity, performance pedigree, and IndyCar history. This 2004 Impala SS is a rare artifact of Chevrolet's motorsport involvement. It is a legitimate pace car built not just to look the part, but to play it.
Whether you're a collector of pace cars, GM motorsports hardware, or significant modern-era performance vehicles, this is a museum-worthy piece with deep factory roots and a compelling story.
