1998 Chevrolet Corvette
1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
1998 marked the re-introduction of a convertible to the lineup, the first time in the 5th-generation, and it helped to give the Corvette it’s highest sales in 12 years. That wasn’t the only accolade the ’98 Corvette received. It was named Motor Trend Magazines’ Car of the Year.
1998 Chevrolet Corvette INDY PACE CAR
1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE INDY PACE CAR
The ’98 Corvette convertible was selected as the official pace car for the 1998 Indianapolis 500. This was the fourth time that a Corvette received this honor. Chevolets had paced the Indy 11 times by 1998, the most of any manufacturer, and the 7th time Chevy offered a limited-edition Pace Car replica to the public.
1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE INDY PACE CAR REPLICA
Pro golfer Greg Norman was supposed to drive the pace car, but fell through at the last minute, so Parnelli Jones did it. The 1998 Corvette Indy Pace Car Replica was virtually identical to the actual pace cars with the exception of the strobe lights and other track-specific safety equipment. Otherwise, it was a very well-optioned Corvette convertible, however it was the first application of Chevy’s new Active Handling system. From here it would spread to normal Corvettes by 1999
THOSE CRAZY COLORS
No one can mistake a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car for anything else. The love-it-or-hate-it paint scheme is wild, outrageous, even gaudy. Purple metallic accented in bright yellow, with a wild checkered-flag graphic draped over the rear quarters is hard to miss. Add to that bright yellow seats, and and yellow wheels.
1998 Chevrolet Corvette SPECIFICATIONS
Production
Price when new Wheelbase Length Width Height Track, front Track, rear Weight ENGINES Engine type Block material Head material Displacement Bore & Stroke Compression Fuel system Horsepower @ RPM Torque @ RPM Redline |
COUPE
17,167 $37,225 104.5 in 179.7 in 73.6 in 47.7 in 62.0 in 62.1 in 3,245 lbs water-cooled OHV 90-degree V8 aluminum aluminum 346 ci / 5665cc (5.7L) 3.90″ X 3.62″ 10.1:1 Sequential-port fuel injection 345 hp @ 5600 rpm 350 lb/ft @ 4400 rpm 6000 rpm |
CONVERTIBLE
4,369 $45,060 104.5 in 179.7 in 73.6 in 47.7 in 62.0 in 62.1 in 3,246 lbs |