Aug 11

Interesting Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars

In the process of moving I stumbled on some memorabilia and photos and saw the 1940 Chrysler Newport. A car designed by Ralph Roberts and Lebaron. The last Indianapolis 500 before WW2 in 1941 featured the Chrysler Newport as the Pace Car. It is my understanding that only 5 were made and the Pace car returned to be Walter P’s personal car after its stint in Indianapolis. I was not familiar with this car.

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Aug 11, 2026

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Replies (12)

· Aug 11

I can’t say that particular shade of green was the best option for it. Looks an awful lot like a giant pickle. I like the Cord-style headlight doors.

· Aug 11

There is a little bit of a “Cord, Delahaye, and Packard Clipper crashed into a Land Yacht”… going on here. One of the more interesting Indy 500 Pace Cars.

· Aug 11

This is the Newport in the Atwell collection in central Texas. Many decades ago it received a transplant of a Packard straight 8.

· Aug 11

I wonder if all five made are accounted for?

· Aug 12

RM says all 5 survive.

https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/dd13/lots/r117-1941-chrysler-newport-indianapolis-500-pacemaker-by-lebaron/

· Aug 11

I had a Fiero Indy Pace car at one time. The real thing had a Pontiac SD4 ringer engine installed but it was still the first 4-cylinder pace car since 1912
I also had a 1980 Turbo Trans Am Indy Pace Car. All they did was change the axle gearing and delete the air conditioning.

· Aug 12

Never new there was such a thing until I saw this one on BAT.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1984-pontiac-fiero-se-3/

· Aug 12

Yup, prototype for the Fiero GT body kit. Had the most comfortable Lear Seigler seats. Even better than my Volvo 850 and it's hard to beat Volvo seats.

· Aug 11

Some interesting and diverse cars have lead the field around the Indy track over the years. One of my favorites that I’ve seen in person is this 1915 Packard. Owned by Carl Fisher the track originator. Now owned by Allan and Nancy Strong. Just a fabulous car.

· Aug 12

Allan as the coolest stuff.

· Aug 12

Look at the wheels on that thing!

· Aug 12

I'm the guy that always has to make every topic about himself. Or my dad. There was one of the 5 chrysler newports hidden in a garage in Westborough Massachusetts, the next town over from where i grew up. This was maybe 40 years ago. Tony Pascucci from Connecticut snuck up and stole it out from under my dad's nose. Not sure which one it was.