1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Indy 500 Official Pace Car

More Pace Car Pics

This convertible was driven by Chuck Yeager at the 72nd Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 1988. The car was not a true convertible, as it didn't actually have a top, nor did it have any side windows at all. It was modified by a now defunct company called Cars and Concepts in order to comply with Indy rules requiring that the Pace Car have no top. The doors were opened using push-down door handles located on the top of the door sill, similar to the 1970's 3rd generation Corvette. There likely was a hard top that could be used in case of foul weather. Goodyear ZR225/50ZR16 rubber adorned special 16"x6.5" aluminum wheels which were not available on any 1988 production Cutlass Supreme. These wheels later became factory equipment on the 1989-1991 International Series, however, they were painted either in light or dark silver rather than black. The Pace Car also had the same lower bodyside cladding as the 1988-1991 International, with the exception of the front air dam, which was unique to the Pace Car and had integrated fog lamps. The engine was a 250HP turbocharged and intercooled 2.3L Quad4 which literally produced twice the horsepower of the 2.8L V6 used in production Cutlass Supremes. The engine was built using mostly off-the-shelf parts, and was specially modified by the General Motors' B-0-C Lansing Powertrain Division. Modifications consisted of a custom stainless steel exhaust manifold, intake plumbing, and special tuning. This engine was unique to the Pace Car, and the turbocharged version of this engine was never used in any other production W-body car. The transmission was a beefed up TH440T4 and power was transmitted to the front wheels via strengthened drive axles. The Pace Car suspension was standard production FE3 and used stock struts. Stopping power was provided by the Delco/Moraine ABS (PowerMaster III?). The Pace Car was also the first W-body car to get a HUD (Heads Up Display) with the Hughes Electronics logo on it. The Delco/Hughes HUD unit was developed using heads-up display technology borrowed from Hughes fighter jets. It projects the digital speedometer and various indicators onto the windshield in the driver's line of sight. The interior was basically the same as a production International Series, with the exception of special black leather upholstery with red accents. The seatbacks also had a unique Pace Car embroidery. Other features included three-point competition seat belts for the driver and passenger, a Halon gas fire extinguisher system, a fuel cell, and a removable roll-over bar. A total of 5 Pace Cars were built, some with minor differences such as amber fog, reverse, and front cornering lamp lenses.

There were also 250 street-legal replicas built by GM. 50 of which were converted to fully functional convertibles by Cars and Concepts (the same company that built the actual Pace Cars). The convertible replicas had fully functional vinyl tops, vinyl rear windows, and fully functional side windows. These 200 coupes and 50 convertibles had the "OFFICIAL PACE CAR" decals on the doors, the unique front air dam, and convertibles were also equipped with the HUD, however, there were several differences. The drivetrain consisted of the standard production 125HP 2.8L V6 (VIN W) and TH440T4 transaxle combo instead of the turbo 2.3L. The replicas received the standard International Series slate gray cloth interior. They were equipped with the standard production 15"x6" cast aluminum cross-lace wheels. The replicas also did not have the removable roll bar or fire extinguisher found in the real Pace Cars. I don't believe the replicas were equipped with ABS brakes either.

What ever became of the Pace Car replicas?
I heard that they were recalled. For what reason, I don't know. I don't know if all 250 were recalled, or just the 50 convertibles. It's believed that it was some kind of safety recall. I do know that many, if not all of the convertibles were recalled by GM shortly after they were built. The cars were stripped of their VIN tags and donated to automotive tech schools where they were often used by students to practice body work. A few of these cars have probably found their way to salvage yards by now, and were either destroyed (crushed) or picked clean of their parts. I have heard of one Pace Car convertible in a salvage yard that only had about 500 miles on the odometer. Any of these replicas still on the road would be a very rare car. Possibly the most rare W-body car ever.

Why the Pace Car replicas were recalled.
I don't know why the pace car replicas were recalled, but I can only make a guess. I think only the convertibles were recalled by GM. I'm guessing it was due to the cars not passing federal crash test guidelines. Every new car is required by law to meet specific crash safety guidelines. On a car with a unibody frame, the car's top plays a vital role in the integrity of the passenger safety cage. Remove the top without reinforcing the rest of the body, and the safety cage is much weaker. I suppose the convertibles may have been seen as a possible liability from a safety standpoint. Other supporting evidence is the fact that a production convertible version of the Cutlass Supreme did not appear until the 1991 model year.

Drop me a line if you've seen or own a Pace Car replica!