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A 2004 Chevrolet Corvette convertible will pace this month’s 88th running of the Indianapolis 500 race. This will mark the sixth time that Corvette has been awarded that honor. The other pace cars are as follows: 1978 Corvette, 1986 Corvette, 1995 Corvette, 1998 Corvette and for the 2002 race, this 50th anniversary 2003 Corvette paced the big event. Franklin has previously offered us collectors the 1986 and 1998 pace car replicas. Based on their 2003 50th anniversary coupe model, this pace car is identical in every way except for the addition of the pace car graphics and limited edition plate affixed to the chassis beneath the driver’s seat.
As with the 1998 pace car, the graphics are tampo painted on the model beautifully. The same features apply here as they did to the 50th anniversary coupe model. The hood opens to reveal good engine detail. The doors are precisely fit and offer no undue gapping. The hidden headlight pod revolves upward and the hatch opens to a fully carpeted trunk. The interior carries all of the standard amenities and looks grand in the shale color. The wheels, in champagne, are a good match and are accurate to the 1:1 pace car. The replica also comes with the body-colored roof panel, first debuted on the 50th anniversary coupe model. Other previous iterations sported the smoky tinted panel. Either way, the roof panel fits nicely into the trunk space. A funny difference between this 50th Anniversary Red Pace Car and the 50th Anniversary Red Coupe and Convertible models is that the brass limited edition plate is mounted underneath. It was mounted in the trunk on all previous C5 LE models. It also is mounted underneath on the 2004 Z06 Commemorative model. Perhaps FM has made a change there.
FM has had a good run with the various C5 models and to be able to use the coupe model as a base for this pace car was a bonus. The 2004 pace car is equally gorgeous and may find its way to production based on the 2003 50th anniversary convertible that sold out so quickly. Overall I would rate this piece a high 4 on the drool index meter. Another ‘must have’ for the Corvette collector.
The issue price is $105.
(05/03/2004)
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