1964½ Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

Posted by admin | Limited Edition Mustangs | Tuesday 6:27 pm

1964 1/2 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

Quite clearly that the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang was one of the most successfully advertised and promoted introductions in automotive history. Much of this was due to the car itself of course, but Ford's marketing team didn't just let those popular pony cars sell themselves. They worked hard to keep the public interested in the hot new sports car that we now know as the Classic Mustang.

And so, only weeks after it's debut on April 17, 1964 the marketing team already had it's first special edition Mustang promotion. The Mustang was selected to be the pace car at the 1964 Indianapolis 500. Ford took full advantage of this prestigious honor to not only publicize the new Mustang, but also to create a special edition Pace Car replica.

The official Pace Cars were all covertibles and Ford provided 3 for actual race duty. Another 35 convertibles were used for parade vehicles. Although the 35 were all painted Wimbledon White and came with V8's, they weren't otherwise specially prepared cars like the 3 actual pace cars. They also created another 200 replica Pace Cars. These replicas were coupes rather than convertibles and were given away to top selling Ford dealers in a special sales competition. Lee Iacooca handed over the keys himself.

Special Features:

The 1964½ Indianapolis 500 Pace cars were all identically equipped with a 260-2bbl V8 engine, C4 automatic transmission and 3.00:1 ratio differential gears. They were all painted the same; Pace Car White with a triple blue stripe centered and running from front of the hood all the way back to the trunk lid. The sides were festooned with decals reading, "Official INDIANAPOLIS "500" PACE CAR" with a large gold "MUSTANG" on the door below a smaller "FORD" script in blue.

All had the following identical options: Power Steering, Rear Backup Lights, Spinnerless Wheel Covers, Side View Mirrors deleted, AM Radio and white interior with blue trim.

Identification:

Look for the letter C on the door data tag indicating the special Pace Car White paint. Some restorations have revealed the words "PACE CAR" written in grease pencil under the paint of the radiator support.