Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car 1979

[Cowboy]

The Mustang hadn’t been selected to pace Indy since 1964. Three official pace cars were created for track duty. These cars looked identical to the replicas available for sale in every way except for a T-Top, (fitted by Cars and Concepts) an option that wouldn’t be available from the factory until the 1981 Mustang. They used specially prepared 5.0L V8 engines modified by Roush Industries using a Holley carb, aluminum high-rise intake, and 351 Windsor heads. The engine breathed through 1.84 intake / 1.54 exhaust valves with 289 HiPo springs and the 1970 Boss 302 solid lift cam. Internals included 1969 Boss 302 connecting rods, forged-steel crankshaft, and forged aluminum TRW pistons with Speed Pro rings. All pace-duty cars used modified C-4 automatic transmissions.

Jackie Stewart piloted the actual Mustang pace car for the start of the 1979 Indy 500, while Jim Rathmann took over pacing duties during caution periods throughout the race. Later the same year two of the three pace vehicles were re-styled for use in the Detroit Gran Prix. White paint was shot over the factory Pewter Polly and a new graphics package was applied. These original pace cars still wear the colors from the Detroit race, and are housed in a warehouse at Roush awaiting restoration.

The 1979 Mustang Pace Car replica was available to the public at a base price of $9,012 and $9,953 fully optioned. The car was only available as a hatchback (standard trim – non Ghia) and offered a choice of two engines and transmission options. The 302ci 5.0L was carried over from the Mustang II and available with a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission. The 5.0L V8 produced 140 hp and 250 ft-lbs of torque. New for 1979 – the Mustang Pace Car was also available with the 2.3L Turbo four-cylinder using the 4-speed manual transmission. This combination provided 131 hp and 142 ft-lbs of torque. All Pace Cars used a 3.45:1 rear ratio 7.5” differential without trac-loc.

Source: http://www.mustanglab.com/1979-mustang-pace-car-specifications/

 

[JKgo]

...Ugh, it's a Fox but...it's a rare Pacecar version, so begrudginly I leave my "like" behind.

 

[TheMuscleman]

Never liked the Fox body, to me they're the black sheep of the Mustang family.

 

[Aero2000]

I love this mustang, but I don't want it as a pace car