1998 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car Convertible
"The Chevrolet Corvette 1998 Indy 500 Pace Car was a limited edition variant of the C5 Corvette that was offered for the 1998 model year. Created to celebrate the use of the C5 Corvette as the pace car for the 1998 Indianapolis 500, the 1998 Pace Car Edition was only offered in a convertible body style. Only 1,163 examples of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car were built, with 547 featuring the manual transmission, and 616 featuring the automatic." Classic.com
For consignment, a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car convertible with a title verified 18,018 actual miles. This is a one owner car that was picked up at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It comes to you with the window sticker.
Exterior
Bold and beautiful, and we're not talking about the soap opera, this car is a vibrant advertisement for America's premiere race and for the Corvette brand itself. It's the 17 and 18-inch wheels that get your attention first, a bright yellow that is picked up by the energetic graphics that include a double stripe on the hood and a side stripe that transforms into a waving checkered flag. Behind it all is Pace Car Purple Metallic and from the back, that's all you're going to see on the iconic quad lighted rear panel. The fairing-like tonneau behind the seats hides a black canvas top with a glass window while a few multi-colored decals further designate this car as something special. And friends, there's something else uncommon about this car; we find a nearly flawless exterior, a rare commodity indeed!
Interior
A good bit of the spotless interior is standard C5 with a monochromatic black coverage that begins on the door panels and continues to the steering wheel, instrument cluster and center stack that holds the A/C panel and AM/FM/CD radio, both with GM's signature teal digital readouts. Special features begin with the shifter that is leather clad and stitched with yellow thread. Then there's the leather seats where black bolsters bookend yellow inserts and both are in minty condition. In the trunk, you'll find a colorful Indy 500 rug that contours to the inner walls of the flat space while in front, protective weather mats keep the low pile black carpet clean.
Drivetrain
You might expect yellow lettering in the engine bay, but GM stuck with the standard red on the clean 5.7 liter LS1 V8, cranking out 345 horsepower and mated to a Borg Warner T56 6-speed manual transaxle put the power to the rear axle with 3.42 gears and limited slip.
Undercarriage
Age colors some of the metal rather than use on the clean underside. Dual exhaust runs through a twisty chambered section before exiting through dual pipes and a special expeller and power disc brakes are on all four wheels, naturally. The race inspired, complex independent suspension features aluminum controls arms with transverse monoleaf springs.
Drive-Ability
As expected with a clean, low mileage C5, this Corvette does everything well on the test loop with obvious power on hand, straight tracking, and great handling which would like to improve even more with some newer rubber; they are from 2008 and 1998 currently. All functions on this pampered pacer work as they should and we're putting it under the lights where it will likely reside for a short period of time before finding a new home. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
There have been many Corvette pace cars over the years, and some could argue that this one has the boldest design. There's simply no mistaking this car for anything else and with less than 1,200 in existence, you would be joining an elite group with a low mileage, one owner example.
1G1YY32G4W5119603
1-USA
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
YY-Corvette
3-2 Door Convertible
2-Manual Belts, Front Air Bags
G-346ci V8 345hp
4-Check Digit
W-1998
5-Bowling Green, KY Assy Plant
119603-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your states titling and registration process.
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