Indy 500 Pace Cars 1960-1969
1960 Pace Car - Oldsmobile 98
This year's pace car featured white exterior and white leather upholstery. Power came from a dual-quad 394ci V-8 that produced 315 horsepower. 9.00 x 14 tires were wide for the day. The 1960 Oldsmobile 98 convertible pace car was given to race winner Jim Rathman.
1961 Pace Car - Ford Thunderbird
1961 was the 50th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Race, and the redesigned Thunderbird was chosen to be the pace car. A white convertible top set off a unique shade of gold metallic paint. As Firestone was sponsoring the race this year, Thunderbird pace cars were fitted with that brand of tire. Ford provided a total of 34 Thunderbird Convertibles, including one official Pace Car, one alternate Pace Car, and thirty-two Indy 500 festival Cars.300hp 390c.i. V-8 The Official Pace Car was given to Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt as part of his winnings.
1962 Pace Car - Studebaker Lark Daytona Convertible
This year's Pace Car was to the Studebaker Avanti , but production problems of that car prompted Studebaker to switch to the Lark. Engine was a 210-hp 289ci V-8.
1963 Pace Car - Chrysler 300
The 1963 pace car was powered by a 413ci V-8 producing 360 horsepower. Just 1861 replicas were made.
1964 Pace Car - Ford Mustang
Ford's full-size Galaxie was originally chosen for the honor, but due to it's unprecedented popularity, the Mustang became the pace car for the 1964 Indy 500. Convertible pace car replicas were equipped with the 271-hp 289-cid V-8, with the coupe version getting the 260-cid engine. Transmission choices were the Cruise-O-Matic automatic or four-speed manual. All Indy 500 Mustangs were painted white and came with special striping. Interior choices were either red, white, or blue vinyl. The Indy 500 door graphics were installed at Ford dealers.
1965 Pace Car - Plymouth Sport Fury
With blue convertible top, the Sport Fury featured a 270-horsepower 383ci V-8.
1966 Pace Car - Mercury Comet
The Mercury Comet pace car was powered by a 335-horsepower 390-cid V-8. Only 2,158 were produced.
1967 Pace Car - Chevrolet Camaro SS
The new Chevy Camaro was chosen to pace the Indianapolis 500, only the third time for a Chevrolet to receive the honor. Driven by three-time Indy 500 winner Mauri Rose, the RS/SS Camaro was painted white with contrasting blue interior. Four cars were built for the race, and approximately 100 replicas offered to the public. Most replica pace cars were equipped with the 375-horsepower 396 big-block, others had the 295-horsepower 350 small-block motor.
1968 Pace Car - Ford Torino GT
The Torino GT convertible was chosen to pace the 57th running of the Indianapolis 500. Power came from a 390ci or 427ci big-block V-8 with 4 speed transmission. Pace cars were painted white with red and blue striping, and fitted with Firestone redline F-70x14 tires on Kelsey Hayes Magstar wheels. The official pace car was driven by William Clay Ford Senior, grandson of Henry Ford.
1969 Pace Car - Chevrolet Camaro SS
For the second time in three years, the Chevrolet Camaro was chosen to pace the Indy 500. RS/SS convertibles were given white tops and painted Dover White, with Hugger Orange Z-28 stripes applied on the hood and deck lid. The aluminum-head L-89 Big-block powered the actual pace cars, but the base drivetrain on the replica models was the standard SS350 motor with a 3-speed manual transmission. Any engine option could be ordered, including either 396 motor. Chevrolet sold 3,675 documented pace car replicas.