Today on Vette Vues blog we are looking back at the 2007 Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Edition. We have the original Pace Car press release as well as some photos. Our featured Corvette is owned by Gary Chan and it is on display at the Corvette Chevy Expo in Texas in 2012. Gary Chan’s 2007 Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Edition Replica is 1 of 500 Z4Z Pace Car Editions produced in 2007.
Andretti Green Racing’s Dario Franchitti took the checkered flag at the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2007. Part of his prize for winning was a 2007 Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Edition.
The 2007 was the fourth year in a row that a ‘Vette paced the event and the ninth time a Corvette served as the official pace car at the famed “Brickyard.”
The 2007 Indianapolis 500 Corvette Pace Car Edition is powered by a 6.0L Chevrolet LS2 small-block engine power rated at 400 HP with a Borg-Warner T56 Super Magnum 6-speed transmission. The 2007 was capable of 0-60 MPH in 4.1-seconds with a top speed of 186 MPH.
True to form, the 2007 Corvette was also a handler with its Magnetic Ride Control suspension, cross-drilled vented rotor 4-wheel disc brakes—13.4-inch diameter front and 13-inch diameter rear—and Z-rated Goodyear tires. The 2007 Pace Car is capable of producing 0.286 g on a skidpad.
These special edition cars were visually decked out with a Z06 spoiler and Atomic Orange paint adorned with Indy 500 gold-ribbon graphics.
On the inside, the 2007 Corvette Indy Pace Car’s dual-cockpit interior was trimmed in Ebony leather with Indy 500 embroidered headrests and Atomic Orange-painted accents.
Also on board is a 180 MPH speedometer, BOSE AM/FM 6-CD changer audio system, and On Star navigational system.
The Indy 500 Edition Corvette convertible cost was $66,995, or $68,245 with an automatic transmission.
The Following is the 2007 Corvette Pace Car Press Release from February 1, 2007
A 2007 Chevrolet Corvette convertible will pace the 91 st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2007. As it was selected as the Official Pace Car, Chevrolet will supply several identically prepared and uniquely trimmed Corvette convertibles – in new Atomic Orange paint with distinctive gold ribbon graphics – that will serve in the official pace duties of the race, as well as supporting activities.
Five hundred production replicas of those official cars will be offered to the public – all of them convertibles. They’ll be available beginning this spring.
The distinguishing features of the pace car replica convertibles include:
- Atomic Orange exterior color, including door handles
- Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics – including gold ribbon graphics that flow outward from the front fender vents and “ Indianapolis 500” door logos
- Special Indianapolis 500 fender badges
- Z06 rear spoiler
- New aluminum “split-spoke” wheels in Sterling Silver
- Ebony seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos
- Interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange
- Atomic Orange engine covers
All of the pace car replicas are equipped with the Corvette’s standard LS2 small-block V-8 and Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. The navigation system with Bose audio, as well as OnStar, is standard.
Pricing for the pace car replica convertible is $66,995 MSRP, including destination. The paddle-shift six-speed automatic is the only option, which brings the price to $68,245.
The performance-bred Corvette handles its official pace duties in nearly factory-stock trim, with little more than race track-required safety equipment and strobe lights added – as well as, of course, the eye-catching graphics. In years past, many Indy pace cars required extensive modification to perform their on-track tasks. The 2007 Corvette’s powertrain and suspension, including the 400-horsepower (298 kW) LS2 small-block V-8 engine, are more than adequate to maintain the speed, acceleration and handling required to lead the pack around the famed “Brickyard” race track.
This year marks the ninth time Corvette has served as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. The previous years were 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. It also is a record fourth consecutive turn for the Corvette, as well as a record 18 th time for a Chevrolet, to be selected as the pace car.
Production replicas were not offered every time the Corvette was selected as the pace car. In fact, 2007 marks the first time Chevrolet has offered a regular-production replica since 1998. But along with the regular-production models, several dozen copies of all the pace cars have been used for official activities in support of their respective Indianapolis 500 races, such as parades. These cars – known as “festival” cars – have become prized collectibles, along with the limited-edition regular-production replicas.”
In 2020 at the Dallas Mecum Auction they offered a Low Mile Corvette Pace Car Collection. There was a 2007 Corvette Pace Car with only 7 miles on it that sold for $60,500.
You might also be interested in the total production numbers for the 2007 Corvette:
Here are some other articles on Corvette Pace Cars you might enjoy:
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