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1973 Pace Car

Started by Brad Hemingson, October 14, 2005, 12:20:04 PM

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Brad Hemingson

Were all 1973 Eldorados pace cars? How do you tell if its correct and what is the value of these cars approximately. there is one in our local Buy and Sell for $5800.00 cdn. Getting the itch again I dont have enough problem cars right now!!

Tim Pawl CLC#4383

There were 53 cars used at the track and 513 replicas for a total of 566 cars.  The CLC has an Authenticity Manual available that lists all the details of these cars plus every VIN number of the various cars. However, if you email me the VIN number of the car in question I will tell you if it is one of the 566.
pawl@earthlink.net  Please send the VIN so we can log it as a survivor. Only 14 of the 53 track cars have been located since 1988!  

Bruce Reynolds # 18992

Gday Tim,

If there were 53 cars used at the track, what would they have all been used for?

Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV

Rikard Stenberg

They were used for all sorts of tasks during the whole week of qualifying: parades, hauling around celebrities, etc. I have a great photo that shows a hole bunch of them preparing for a parade of some sort:

http://www.marratech.com/staff/rikard/blog_images/1973_pace_cars.jpg TARGET=_blank>http://www.marratech.com/staff/rikard/blog_images/1973_pace_cars.jpg

/Rikard (ownes one of the 513 replicas and has owned one more also :-)

Bruce Reynolds # 18992

Thanks for that Rikard.

I am trying to figure out how they would park all these cars these days as it would stop getting a lot of parking charges that they could charge the public for the equivalent area that they took up.

And, I suppose General Motors gave them the cars to use at no cost.

Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV

Rikard Stenberg

Yes, they signed for the car and then later on returned it after the race week. They were then sold off to interested parties besides one of em that were given to the winner of the race (Gordon Johncock).

That particular car was not the actual pace car as that as not street legal, tuned engine, polished aluminium bumpers to save weight, etc. The car given to Mr Jochcock was sold at an auction last winter.

The 513 replicas was distributed along the Cadillac resellers in the U.S. - one for each dealership and put on display and then later on sold to the public.

/Rikard

Mike #19861


 So what did happen to the tuned car that actually paced the race?

 I remember in those days, the pruduction cars had to be modified so that they would meet the minimum performamce requirements of the duty. Evensofar as to have the roof chopped off on cars chosen that were not open cars.

 Today, the production cars can for the most part, easily fulfill the performance enveleope required for pace duty.

  Mike

Tim Pawl CLC#4383

There were two high speed pace cars. Their modifications were such that they were not legal for sale to the public. The first car was last used for tire testing for the 1984 Corvette and is reportedly buried at the GM desert proving grounds. The second car was returned to Cadillac in Detroit, its motor was replaced and it was returned to stock and sold. It was last known to be in California, and had none of the pace car specific hardware.
The motor ended up in a 1977 Coupe Deville power development car that actually out performed the 1977 Olds Delta 88 Pace Car in a head to head match race.

Tim Pawl CLC#4383

Bruce, If you obtain the Authenticity Manual for the 1973 Pace Car it lists all the VIN numbers, who the cars were assigned to, and the survivors.   Of the 53 cars , 12 were Celebrity escort cars, 33 were used in the Festival Parade and the rest were VIP and press cars.  Did you know that there were also six Eldorado Coupes, Two coupe devilles ,Two sedan devilles and One Fleetwood that were Officials Cars. None of these have ever been found. Any information regarding location of these cars would be appreciated. Tim Pawl

Tim Pawl CLC#4383

Rikard, Were you the person who outbid me for the Festival Parade Certificate of Appreciation that was on ebay?  If so could you provide a zerox copy for the club archives?
Thanks,Tim Pawl

Bruce Reynolds # 18992

Gday Tim,

Thanks for the further information.

Did they provide the Coupes in case it rained?

Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV

Rikard Stenberg

Ahhh, yes that was me - sorry ;-)

I could make a color copy and send to you but you need to supply me with the address. But I havent received the package yet as it takes a while to get things sent to Sweden.

I liked hearing what happened to the two high speed cars - I thought they were stashed in a ware house somewhere at the track ;-)

/Rikard

PS If there is to be a new event at the track where old pace cars/replicas show up for a meet I will def. come from Sweden with my car :-)

Brad Hemingson

This is the ad in the local paper Im going to check it out next week.

1973 CADILLAC ELDORADO conv, all orig (incl paint) & compl, Indy 500 pace car, 1 owner, bought at Dueck in Van, burg met clr, has factory new boxed GM wht top incl, loaded, nvr smashed, hwy mi, nds TLC & detailing, estate sale $5800 obo (New West)..

Bruce Reynolds # 18992

Gday Brad,

But, werent all the Pace Cars White?

Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV

Barry Wheeler #2189

And they had holes in the rear bumper for flags. Red interior.

Mike #19861

 Thanks for the info. I wonder what was done with that modified engine. It must have been making some serious poiwer to propel that huge Eldorado to the speeds required for pace duty, and as quickly as it hadf to.

 Mike

Michael Stamps 19507

I hate myself for it but I remember seeing a list of the changes.  I have no idea where that list is now.  From what I remember it is mild compared to what we can do with these engines today.

Stampie

Rikard Stenberg

They were all white with red interior, but the holes in the rear bumper were only made on a small number of these replicas...

The two 1973 replicas I have owned did not have that feature - but besides that they were indentical besides the fact that the first car even had a heated rear window which the one I have now does not have. Some also lacks the outside thermometer, have separate/not beanch seats, etc...

Most original owners did not have the pace car decals mounted, nor the special stripes that also was delivered with the car. Mine had the stripes put on when delivered and it is amazing that they have survived through the years and the 65000 miles the car has covered. But I have added newly made pace car decals also now:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/212141879/212141879tCNnoz TARGET=_blank>http://community.webshots.com/photo/212141879/212141879tCNnoz


But they all where white with red interior :-)
/Rikard

Rikard stenberg

I have a movie at home showing the start of the Indy500 that year and the Eldorado seems to have been struggling to keep up. It seems to let out a huge white cloud when pulling into the pit lane - maybe it blew a head gasket(?).

/Rikard

Bruce Reynolds # 18992

Rickard,

I may have something wrong in my interpretation, but arent the Pace Cars, supposed to be leading the pack, and not following?

And, isnt the pace car supposed to be setting the pace?, and not trying to keep up?

Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV