Five hundred production replicas of those official cars will be offered to the public – all of them convertibles. They’ll be available beginning this northern spring.

The distinguishing features of the pace car replica convertibles include:

• Atomic Orange exterior colour, including door handles
• Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics – including gold ribbon graphics that flow outward from the front uvents and “Indianapolis 500” door logos
• Special Indianapolis 500 badges
• Z06 rear spoiler
• New aluminium “split-spoke” wheels in Sterling Silver
• Ebony seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos
• Interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange
• Atomic Orange engine covers

All of the pace car replicas are equipped with the Corvette’s standard LS2 small-block V-8 and Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. The navigation system with Bose audio, as well as OnStar, is standard.

The performance-bred Corvette handles its official pace duties in nearly factory-stock trim, with little more than race track-required safety equipment and strobe lights added – as well as, of course, the eye-catching graphics. In years past, many Indy pace cars required extensive modification to perform their on-track tasks. The 2007 Corvette’s powertrain and suspension, including the 298 kW LS2 small-block V-8 engine, are more than adequate to maintain the speed, acceleration and handling required to lead the pack around the famed “Brickyard” race track.

This year marks the ninth time Corvette has served as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. The previous years were 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. It also is a record fourth consecutive turn for the Corvette, as well as a record 18th time for a Chevrolet, to be selected as the pace car.