1998 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Vehicle Description

There are low-mileage collector cars, and then there are automobiles that essentially never entered service. This is one of those cars. Showing an astonishing 71 original miles, this one-owner 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Convertible has spent nearly its entire life preserved rather than driven. Nearly three decades later, it remains an extraordinary example of one of the most recognizable and unapologetically bold Pace Car Corvettes Chevrolet ever produced.For the 82nd running of the Indianapolis 500, Chevrolet selected the then-new C5 Corvette Convertible as the Official Pace Car. To commemorate the occasion, Chevrolet offered the special Z4Z Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica, finished in exclusive Pace Car Purple Metallic with vivid yellow Indianapolis 500 graphics, matching yellow wheels, a black convertible top and its unmistakable yellow-and-black leather interior. Final production totaled just 1,163 examples, including five pilot cars, making the 1998 Pace Car a special chapter in Corvette history. This particular example was purchased new by its one and only owner and today shows just 71 original miles. And it looks like it. The Pace Car Purple Metallic finish remains spectacular, with tremendous depth and shine, while the elaborate factory Indianapolis 500 graphics remain beautifully preserved. The distinctive yellow wheels are equally impressive and, combined with the purple finish and dramatic graphics, create one of the most unforgettable factory appearances ever offered on a Corvette. Subtle it wasn't in 1998, and nearly three decades later it certainly hasn't become any less memorable. The interior may be even more remarkable. The yellow-and-black leather sport seats, carpeting, dashboard, console, steering wheel, controls and switchgear show virtually none of the wear normally associated with a 28-year-old automobile. The contrasting yellow stitching on the steering wheel and shifter is another wonderful Pace Car detail. Simply put, the photographs show an interior that has essentially never experienced normal automobile use. Under the hood is Chevrolet's all-aluminum 5.7-liter LS1 V8 producing 345 horsepower, backed in this example by the electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The engine compartment retains an exceptionally clean, original appearance and has not been cosmetically restored or dressed in an attempt to make an old Corvette look like a low-mile automobile. Because this Corvette spent so much of its life in long-term storage, we did not simply install a battery and offer it for sale. It was carefully recommissioned and serviced, including a new battery, replacement fuel pump and fuel injectors, fresh fuel and fluid service. The goal was to properly address the mechanical needs created by decades of extremely limited use while preserving the originality that makes this Corvette so special. It now starts, runs and operates beautifully. The underside tells the same story. The chassis, floors, aluminum suspension components, hardware and factory finishes retain an exceptionally clean and untouched appearance. Nothing has been freshly painted or cosmetically refinished underneath to create the illusion of preservation. At only 71 miles, it simply hasn't experienced the road use normally found underneath even the nicest surviving C5 Corvettes. Perhaps the ultimate evidence of that preservation remains at each corner. This Corvette is still riding on its original Goodyear Eagle F1 tires—the same tires it left Chevrolet with in 1998. We intentionally chose not to replace them because, on a Corvette with only 71 miles, they have become an important part of the automobile's history. After nearly three decades of storage, the tires have developed significant flat spotting and are considered preservation/display items rather than tires intended for regular road use. A future owner wishing to drive the car should replace them, but we felt the originals belonged on the automobile when it was offered for sale. Documentation is equally impressive. The original window sticker, showing a delivered price of $50,029, remains with the Corvette along with its original owner's materials and portfolio, Indianapolis 500 Pace Car literature, both sets of original keys and remotes, and additional original documentation accumulated by its one owner. On a collector automobile with mileage this extraordinary, those materials are an important part of its provenance. That's ultimately what separates this Corvette from simply being another beautiful 1998 Pace Car. There is no shortage of restored, detailed and low-mile collector Corvettes. What cannot be recreated is one-owner history, 71 original miles, original factory-installed tires, original documentation and nearly three decades of genuine preservation. It would be very easy to install new tires, begin driving it and turn this into another exceptionally nice 1998 Corvette Pace Car. There is no way to turn one back into a 71-mile example. For the Corvette collector searching for an extraordinary preservation automobile rather than simply another Pace Car replica, opportunities at this mileage level are exceedingly difficult to duplicate. One owner. 71 original miles. Original tires. Original documentation. Properly recommissioned after long-term preservation. It hasn't been restored to look like a 71-mile Corvette. It is a 71-mile Corvette. For more info contact Kevin at Mashburn Motors.