1953 Ford V-8 Pace Car, Used at Indianapolis 500 Race

Summary

The Indianapolis 500 features a "rolling start" in which entrants follow a pace car into the green flag. Various automobile manufacturers provide pace cars on an irregular rotating basis. For its 50th anniversary in 1953, Ford Motor Company supplied a Sunliner convertible to pace that year's race. Ford built 2,000 replicas for public sale, but this is the actual race-used car.

The Indianapolis 500 features a "rolling start" in which entrants follow a pace car into the green flag. Various automobile manufacturers provide pace cars on an irregular rotating basis. For its 50th anniversary in 1953, Ford Motor Company supplied a Sunliner convertible to pace that year's race. Ford built 2,000 replicas for public sale, but this is the actual race-used car.

Artifact

Automobile

Date Made

1953

Subject Date

30 May 1953

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

54.8.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Steel (Alloy)
Metal
Glass (Material)
Canvas
Leather
Fiberglass
Rubber (Material)
Chromium

Color

Cream (Color)
White (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 81 in

Width: 67 in

Length: 190 in

Wheelbase: 115 in

Diameter: 17 in

Inscriptions

Doors: SUNLINER In gold and black, on sides: FORD / OFFICIAL / PACE CAR In gold towards side rear: 500 MILE RACE MAY 30, 1953 Front fenders: CRESTLINE

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