1953 Ford V-8 Pace Car, Used at Indianapolis 500 Race

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Artifact Overview

The Indianapolis 500 features a "rolling start" with entrants following a pace car into the green flag. Various manufacturers provided pace cars over the years. Ford was chosen to supply the vehicle for 1953, the automaker's 50th anniversary. The company built 2,000 replicas of the special Sunliner convertible for sale to the public, but this is the actual race-used car.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Automobile

Date Made

1953

Subject Date

30 May 1953

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