By Colin Wood
Feb 13, 2025
|
Ford Mustang,
Chevrolet Corvette,
chevrolet camaro,
Pontiac Firebird,
Indy Pace Car
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Buyer's Guides
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Photography courtesy Chevrolet
Most of us won’t get the chance to own the vehicle used as the pace car during the Indy 500, but that’s where an Indy 500 Pace Car Edition comes in, and that’s sort of like the same thing, right?
Okay, so most consist of just a cosmetic package–and often little more than a few stickers–but, surely, they’re still collectible?
Well, it depends on who you ask. Internet message boards often suggest that these cars have no real value and that your money would be better spent elsewhere. But is that true?
Hagerty’s valuation tools shed some insight:
1979 Ford Mustang
Hatchback Coupe: $5100-$27,700
Hatchback Coupe Indy Pace Car: $11,600-$63,400
Photograph Courtesy Ford
1989 Pontiac Firebird
Trans Am: $9000-$37,400
Trans Am GTA: $9100-$38,200
20th Anniversary Trans Am GTA Indy Pace Car: $21,700-$66,400
Photograph Courtesy Bring a Trailer
1998 Chevrolet Corvette
Base: $8100-$43,900
Indy Pace Car: $11,700-$45,200
Photograph Courtesy Mecum
2010 Chevrolet Camaro
SS: $13,000-$37,400
Indy Pace Car: $14,600-$40,600
Photograph Courtesy Bring a Trailer
These four examples show that Indy Pace Car editions hold more value over the more pedestrian models, which may come as surprise. Just look at the ’89 Firebird. A turbocharged V6 Firebird is considered more valuable than a V8-powered model when it wears Indy 500 pace car decals.
A limited run seems to have an extra layer of desirability, even if it is just a cosmetic package.
Years ago when I lived in Austin TX I had a neighbor who had 4-5? of those Corvette pace cars all keep in custom built garage. He was such a fan also had a swimming pool built in the shape of the side profile of convertible Vet, such that the wheel outlines were the little seating benches on the edge of pool. Now that's a serious fan.
Back around 1972 or 1973, my sister had a '65 Plymouth Sport Fury convertible, which was the pace car that year. It was before people really put any value in pace car replicas so it was just an old used car, but it was still pretty cool and with a 383 engine it would move right along.
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