1953 Ford V-8 Pace Car, Used at Indianapolis 500 Race
Add to SetSummary
The Indianapolis 500 features a "rolling start" in which entrants follow a pace car into the green flag. Various automobile manufactures provide pace cars on an irregular rotating basis. For its 50th anniversary in 1953, Ford Motor Company supplied a Sunliner convertible to pace that year's race. Ford built 2,000 replicas for public sale, but this is the actual race-used car.
The Indianapolis 500 features a "rolling start" in which entrants follow a pace car into the green flag. Various automobile manufactures provide pace cars on an irregular rotating basis. For its 50th anniversary in 1953, Ford Motor Company supplied a Sunliner convertible to pace that year's race. Ford built 2,000 replicas for public sale, but this is the actual race-used car.
Artifact
Automobile
Date Made
1953
Subject Date
30 May 1953
Keywords
United States, Indiana, Indianapolis
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Ind.)
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
54.8.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Steel (Alloy)
Metal
Glass (Material)
Canvas
Leather
Fiberglass
Rubber (Material)
Chromium
Color
Cream (Color)
White (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 81 in
Width: 67 in
Length: 190 in
Wheelbase: 115 in
Diameter: 17 in
Inscriptions
Doors: SUNLINER In gold and black, on sides: FORD / OFFICIAL / PACE CAR In gold towards side rear: 500 MILE RACE MAY 30, 1953 Front fenders: CRESTLINE
Share Anywhere
Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. From historic images to vivid descriptions, a record of rich detail is bundled inside a single card.
