TFM continues to do these C5 and C6 Corvettes up right. With the help of the Indy 500 Pace Car selection committee, FM had yet another wonderful opportunity to fashion-out their C6 Corvette tooling when, once again, the choice of Pace Car went to the Corvette. For the 2008 running at the Brick Yard, very special history was made. It marked the tenth time that Corvette led the field as the official Pace Car. In fact, it was an unprecedented fifth time in a row for the marque to pace the race.
As Chevy’s flagship took this incredible honor it also made a bit of history for the event to officially press three Pace Cars into service at the same time. Both were Corvettes. One was a modified Z06 model enabled to run on E85 ethanol fuel. The other two, as we chronicle here, were 30th anniversary commemoratives of the 1978 Corvette that paced the Indy 500 that year. Dressed in black, as the ’78 model was, they took on gorgeous graphics and Franklin Mint did a magnificent job in their recreation.
True to the actual models they represent, they are opted out with the LS3 engine, 6-speed, clutchless paddle-shift transmission with automatic mode. The driver chosen for the pacing duty was legendary Emerson Fittipaldi and you’ll see his simulated signature gracing the rear flanks of each Pace Car. The coupe comes with a rooftop light bar on the removable roof panel and the convertible comes with a removable ‘up top’.
The engine, as always on TFM’s C6, is true to life and makes great use of multiple fabrication materials. The interiors feature excellent attention to detail with logo-embroidered seats and phenomenal seat belts and buckles. The suspension ‘gives’ perfectly without sacrifice to ride height. Those big five-spoke wheels lend terrific opportunity to show off the great FM-built metallic rotors that turn within the brake calibers.
The coupe features opening hatch and the convertible allows the trunk lid to operate and also the hard boot to open revealing a simulated ‘down top’ in the storage well.
Franklin did a great job of this pair and displaying them together is a sure-fire conversation starter in most any collection.
-Tony F Perrone