The Indianapolis 500, also known as the Indy 500, is regarded as one of the greatest spectacles in racing and is considered part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, along with the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix. The Indy 500 is held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the open-wheel INDYCAR racing series. The track itself is nicknamed the Brickyard as the surface was first paved in brick. Today only one yard of brick remains exposed, and it serves as the start/finish line.
Since the inaugural race was held in 1911, the Chevrolet Corvette has led the field to green over 20 times and likewise leads this list of 11 authentic pace cars offered from the GM Heritage Collection, set to cross the 2025 Scottsdale Auction block with No Reserve, Jan. 18-26 at WestWorld.
Leading the lineup is a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (Lot #727), crafted by Chevrolet as the official pace car for the 2019 Indy 500, with NASCAR legend and broadcaster Dale Earnhardt Jr. serving as the honorary pace car driver that year. This striking Grand Sport combines aggressive styling with track-ready performance. It features Indy 500-specific badging and is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine delivering 460 horsepower and 465 ft/lbs of torque.
Guy Fieri, Emmy Award-winning TV personality and restaurateur, was the honorary pace car driver at the 2012 race, driving a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Beneath the hood of the collection’s ZR1 (Lot #727.1) lies a supercharged 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine generating a remarkable 638 horsepower and 604 ft/lbs of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. This ZR1 was built as a 60th Anniversary Edition, which was not available until the 2013 model year – thus all the 60th Anniversary equipment was added, including the Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior, special badging and full-length Pearl Silver Blue racing stripes.
Another standout is the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette convertible (Lot #409.1) built to pace the 1998 Indianapolis 500. This car is equipped with a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 engine and Chevrolet’s first application of their Active Handling chassis control system. The innovative JL4 package utilizes advanced sensors to monitor steering input, vehicle yaw rate and lateral g-force, selectively applying braking to stabilize the car during emergency maneuvers.
Rounding out the Corvette lineup are two 1995 convertible pace cars (Lot #409 and Lot #150.1), built to lead the field at the ’95 Indy 500. These models feature commemorative Indy 500 badging, eye-catching paint schemes, pace car strobe lights, custom roll bar and powerful V8 engines with 4-speed automatic transmissions.
The Chevrolet Camaro also has cemented its place as a celebrated pace car at the Indianapolis 500, showcasing its blend of performance and style over the years. Among the Camaros offered in this collection is a 2011 SS convertible (Lot #410.1) that was prominently featured in the 100th running of the Indy 500. The color scheme pays tribute to the iconic 1969 Indy 500 pace car, featuring white exterior with orange stripes and an orange interior. It is powered by an LS3 6.2liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Joining it at the auction is a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS (Lot #410), equipped with a powerful LS3 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower. This car was specially built for the 2010 Indy 500, blending modern performance with the Camaro’s unmistakable heritage. Also included is a 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (Lot #150) that served as the official pace car for that year’s race. A standout feature of this pace car is its specially prepared 5.7-liter V8 engine. This high-compression, fuel-injected aluminum block engine delivers 250 horsepower, showcasing Chevrolet’s forward-thinking engineering during the era.
The final three pace cars in this remarkable collection highlight the engineering excellence of Chevrolet’s legendary sub-brands: Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick. Representing Oldsmobile is a 1997 Aurora (Lot #26), specially built for its role in pacing the Indy 500. Powered by a smooth and capable 4.0-liter DOHC V8 engine, this car was modified with custom paint featuring special graphics and a custom roll cage. The vehicle retains its original strobe lighting system, emphasizing its unique status as a purpose-built pace car.
From Pontiac comes the iconic 1989 Turbo Trans Am (Lot #27), one of two cars built by Pontiac to pace the 1989 race. This 20th Anniversary model required no mechanical modifications for its pace car duties, underscoring the exceptional engineering that made it track-ready straight from the factory. It’s powered by the legendary 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 creating 250 horsepower and 340 ft/lbs of torque, delivering a test track 0-60 performance of 4.6 seconds and a 153-mph top speed. Rounding out the trio is a 1983 Buick Riviera convertible (Lot #26.1) specifically designed for its role as a pace car. This Riviera features a heavily modified twin-turbo 4.1-liter V6 engine paired with a specially prepared 325 4-speed automatic transmission.
The collection of pace cars offered at the 2025 Scottsdale Auction embodies the enduring legacy of Chevrolet at the Indianapolis 500. Each car tells a unique story, from the Corvette’s decades-long dominance as the official pace car to the Camaro’s blend of modern performance and heritage, along with the innovative contributions of Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick. Together, these vehicles celebrate the engineering excellence, motorsport heritage and iconic status of the Indy 500. As they cross the auction block with No Reserve, they offer collectors an opportunity to own a piece of racing history that continues to inspire fans and drivers alike.
LOT #727 – 2019 CHEVROLET CORVETTE GRAND SPORT INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Pictured above is an official pace car for 2019 Indianapolis 500. Powered by 6.2-liter V8 engine with 460hp and 465 ft/lbs of torque with 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. Has Magnetic Ride Control suspension and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes.
LOT #727.1 – 2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Official pace car for the 2013 Indianapolis 500. Powered by 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Modified to include all the 2013 60th Anniversary Package equipment.
LOT #409.1 – 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Official pace car for the 1998 Indianapolis 500. Powered by a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Features the first application of Active Handling chassis control system.
LOT #409 – 1995 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Official pace car for the 1995 Indianapolis 500. Powered by a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Modifications include paint, light bar and required pace car strobe lights.
LOT #150.1 – 1995 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Official pace car built by Chevrolet for the 1995 Indianapolis 500. Powered by a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
LOT #410.1 – 2011 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS CONVERTIBLE 100TH INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Official pace car for the 2011 Indianapolis 500. Powered by an LS3 6.2-liter V8 engine pushing 400hp and 6-speed automatic transmission. Modified with race-style lap belts and required safety strobe lighting system still intact.
LOT #410 – 2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Official pace car for the 2010 Indianapolis 500. Powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 engine pushing 400hp and 6-speed automatic transmission. Modified with safety strobe lighting with custom interior light bar, eliminates roof-mounted lights.
LOT #150 – 1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Built for the 1982 Indianapolis 500. Powered by a fuel-injected 250hp high-compression aluminum block version of the 5.7-liter V8 engine backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission.
LOT #26 – 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA V8 INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Official pace car built by GM for 1997 Indianapolis 500. Powered a 4.0-liter DOHC V8 engine pushing 250hp and 4-speed automatic transmission. Modified for pace car duties with custom roll cage, safety belts, strobe lighting system.
LOT #27 – 1989 PONTIAC TRANS AM TURBO INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Official pace car for the 1989 Indianapolis 500. Powered by a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine creating 250hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque under 16.5 pounds of boost. Delivers 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and 153-mph top speed.
LOT #26.1 – 1982 BUICK RIVIERA CONVERTIBLE INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Powertrain includes a highly modified twin-turbo 4.1-liter V6 engine mated to the Special 325 4-speed automatic transmission. Special edition designed to commemorate its role as the official pace car for the 1983 Indianapolis 500.
Written by Nicole Ellan James
Since the inaugural race was held in 1911, the Chevrolet Corvette has led the field to green over 20 times and likewise leads this list of 11 authentic pace cars offered from the GM Heritage Collection, set to cross the 2025 Scottsdale Auction block with No Reserve, Jan. 18-26 at WestWorld.