2007 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car review

Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car review:

In 2007 the new Atomic Orange from Chevrolet will take the start in the 91 edition of the Indianapolis 500. The new model has distinctive gold ribbon graphics and the distinguishing features of the car include:

Atomic Orange exterior color, including door handles

Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics – including gold ribbon graphics that flow outward from the front fender vents and “ Indianapolis 500” door logos

Special Indianapolis 500 fender badges

Z06 rear spoiler

New aluminum “split-spoke” wheels in Sterling Silver

Ebony seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos

Interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange

Atomic Orange engine covers

All of the pace car replicas are equipped with the Corvette’s standard LS2 small-block V-8 and Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. The 2007 Corvette’s powertrain and suspension, including the 400-horsepower (298 kW) LS2 small-block V-8 engine, are more than adequate to maintain the speed, acceleration and handling required to lead the pack around the famed “Brickyard” race track.

The navigation system with Bose audio, as well as OnStar, is standard.

Pricing for the pace car replica convertible is $66,995 MSRP, including destination. The paddle-shift six-speed automatic is the only option, which brings the price to $68,245.

The performance-bred Corvette handles its official pace duties in nearly factory-stock trim, with little more than race track-required safety equipment and strobe lights added – as well as, of course, the eye-catching graphics. In years past, many Indy pace cars required extensive modification to perform their on-track tasks

This year marks the ninth time Corvette has served as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. The previous years were 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. It also is a record fourth consecutive turn for the Corvette, as well as a record 18 th time for a Chevrolet, to be selected as the pace car.

Production replicas were not offered every time the Corvette was selected as the pace car. In fact, 2007 marks the first time Chevrolet has offered a regular-production replica since 1998. But along with the regular-production models, several dozen copies of all the pace cars have been used for official activities in support of their respective Indianapolis 500 races and these cars – known as “festival” cars – have become prized collectibles, along with the limited-edition regular-production replicas.