This 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition is the proud recipient of numerous concours-level awards and is the lowest miles example that we've ever seen. In the early 1950s, Chevrolet debuted a brand new concept car at the New York City Motorama that would shortly thereafter enter production and become an iconic staple in Chevy's lineup for the next 70+ years; that car, of course, would be the Corvette. Unlike, virtually every Corvette ever produced, the first couple Corvettes were not the performance machines that they've become today. In fact, the 1953 and 1954 editions came with 6 cylinder engines and automatic transmissions. Sure, they were sportier than anything in Chevys lineup at that time but the bar was pretty low for Chevys; and, compared to the European sports cars the Corvette was seeking to emulate, the Corvette had a long way to go. A few years later, when Chevrolet added a V8 engine along with a manual transmission option, the Corvette would start building its performance-oriented legacy and give the European sports cars a run for their money for many years to come. Corvette sales rose at an amazing rate from the end of the 50s and into the 60s and 70s, as well as its popularity and notoriety as a performance-oriented American muscle car, for whatever reason, it had never served as the Pace Car at the Indianapolis 500. That all changed in 1978 when the '78 Corvette was chosen as the Official Indy 500 Pace Car that would pace the racecars around the 2.5 mile track at the Brickyard on Memorial Day. Additionally, to commemorate the 1978 Corvette Pace Car, Chevy sold a limited edition Pace Car Replica edition Corvette that sported the iconic black and silver Indy 500 livery that mirrored the Parade car. Eight years later, the 1986 Corvette was once again selected as the Official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. Interestingly, the actual '86 Corvette Pace Car was the first street legal Indy 500 Pace Car since the '78 Corvette paced the 62nd 500 Mile International Sweepstakes. After another 9 years, a 1995 Corvette was driven by famed Indy 500 racer Parnelli Jones as the Pace Car in the 1995 Indy 500. The fourth Corvette model to serve as the Indianapolis 500 was the 1998 model, clad in Pace Car Purple with special Indy 500 decals. In 1998, Chevrolet again commemorated the Corvette's selection as the Indy 500 Pace Car by offering a limited edition Pace Car Edition of which 1,163 were built. A mere 547 were shipped with the 6 speed manual transmission which makes this particular Corvette quite rare. This particular '98 Corvette Pace Car Edition comes to us after traveling very few miles and winning multiple prominent concours and preservation awards including a Bloomington Gold certification, an NCRS Top Flight award, and an MCACN Concours Gold Certificate of Excellence. Under the hood on this award-winning 1998 Corvette is an electronically fuel injected 5.7 Liter LS1 V8 that was said to have produced 345 horsepower when new. The 5.7L LS1 is backed by a 6 speed manual transmission that makes for an extremely enjoyable driving late model collectible. Being that this C5 Corvette is a later model example, it of course comes with a multitude of desirable creature comforts. With power steering, taking a tight curve or squeezing into a tight parking space is easy and feels almost effortless. Steering is further assisted with the "Magnasteer" speed sensitive rack and pinion steering rack that makes it easier to take a tight curve at higher speeds. 4-Wheel power anti-lock disc brakes make bringing this '98 Corvette to a complete stop a total breeze. Power is sent from the 345 HP LS1 to the rear wheels through a limited-slip rear differential that helps ensure that you'll keep the rubber to the pavement. Riding on a set of yellow painted cast aluminum wheels with 245/45ZR17 radial tires up front and 275/40ZR18 radials in the rear, this C5 Pace Car Edition Corvette bears an eye-popping look and fantastic ride cruising down the road. The black cloth convertible top is in fantastic condition and it is manually operated with ease by a single person. The body on this Corvette is finished in Pace Car Purple basecoat/clearcoat paint with Indianapolis 500 Livery decals throughout, completing the outstanding exterior look. The interior of this 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition is absolutely stunning! The bucket seats are both 6-way power adjustable seats and are correctly upholstered in eye-catching two-tone Black and Yellow leather. The powered bucket seats and black leather wrapped steering wheel appear to retain their respective protective coverings from the car's initial delivery back in 1998. The black upholstered door panels, center console, carpeting, and leather wrapped dash are all in delivery-like condition as well and appear to remain in the stock configuration. You'll be able to stay cool on the hottest summer days and warm on cool fall or spring nights since this '98 Corvette is equipped with dual zone air conditioning and heat. The interior is loaded with numerous additional creature comforts far beyond what was available on the very first Corvettes back in 1953, such as power windows, memory power seats, adjustable mirrors, and power door locks. This '98 Corvette comes equipped with impressive instrumentation including a 200 MPH Speedometer, 7,000 RPM tachometer, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge, volt gauge, and fuel gauge, along with a display for the Driver Information Center (D.I.C.). With an AM/FM/CD entertainment system, you'll be able to listen to all of your tunes while cruising down the road. Whether you're buying your very first collector car or you're looking to add an investment grade 'Vette to your existing collection of classics, this 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!
*EFI 5.7 Liter LS1 V8
*345 Horsepower
*6 Speed Manual Transmission
*Power Steering
*4 Wheel Anti-Lock Power Disc Brakes
*1 of 547 w/ 6 Speed Manual
*Extensive Award History
*Indianapolis 500 Livery
*Dual Zone Air Conditioning
*AM/FM/CD Entertainment System
*Stock Instrumentation
*Odometer Reads: 63 Miles
