This 1979 Ford Mustang Indy 500 Pace Car could be the lowest mile Pace Car Edition in existence. According to the seller, it has only traveled 75 miles since it left the assembly line. The Mustang is located in Meridian, Idaho. It is listed here on eBay for a Buy It Now Price of $60,000! That is not a typo. The seller is asking 60Gs for this car and it looks to be factory fresh. The eBay ad also has a Best Offer option for the museum or Mustang collector that wants to make an offer on this special car.
The seller is the second owner and has over 50 pages of documentation including all the dealer documents, warranty paperwork, build sheet, order form and MSO. Most Pace Cars were ordered with the 2.3-liter turbo 4 cylinder engine out of a total production of 10,478 cars, but some came with the a 5.0 liter V8. All 302 cubic inch (5.0 liter) cars have an “F” in the 5th spot in the VIN whereas 2.3-liter turbo cars featured a “W”. The V8 was fed by a 2 barrel carburetor and generated 140 horsepower and 250 lb ft of torque.
The Indy 500 Pace Cars for 1979 were typically loaded with options including the TRX suspension. The interior of the Pace Car came with Recaro seats and a black and white hounds tooth interior. The car has been judged a 100 point car at MCA events. The seller states that the car even has the paper floor mats from the dealer. The V8 engine is backed by a 4 speed manual transmission. Options include air conditioning, cruise control and a sunroof.
The graphics may look wild but they were stunning when introduced in 1979. This was the first year of the Fox Body Mustang. I love the Mustang” graphics that run down both sides of the hood bulge. This may be the finest Indy 500 Mustang Pace Car out there and it is now available for purchase.
The current owner and the previous owner are both friends of mine. The car is completely legitimate. It has had excellent storage conditions since new. There is some surface corrosion on things like the rear axle, but the conditions underhood and underneath the car are so good that I have used it as a restoration reference. It’s a great example, and as Bruce notes, it could very well be the best 1979 Pace Car in existence. And probably one of the best Four Eyes in existence. Good luck to the seller.
Waste of a car…75miles you cant drive it, cant modify it, cant nothing it…only appeal of these early foxes is to pull the smog motor and put a real 5.0 in, then build the suspension, tie the frame, lose the hateful trx wheels, and build a real car….this one is worthless, owner is an idiot
Not sure I’d even want to be seen in it for 75 miles.
If you buy it you can do anything you want with it.
Wow-Raymond maybe your right….All the museum quality cars held in collections and museums should be pulled out and ripped apart to be used by idiots like yourself….Great idea
Beauty
Probably 3.08 gear and with the 4sp. This should be a nice driver. Curb weight around 2500-2700lbs ?
Pricey however and probably wont drive much either lol. 🤷♂️
Neat car and a piece of automotive history, but for the average Joe that 60 grand would buy a new, loaded F-150.
Not to sound like Indiana Jones but since its been preserved this well it belongs in a museum
Agreed, it’s not like a collector would ever drive it (or even let it leave the garage). With so few miles on it, even letting it touch proper asphalt would be too great a financial risk, and a few drives to and from a cars and coffee meet might be enough to devalue it. Hope it finds a home where other enthusiasts can properly appreciate it!
The 302 in 79 had the “variable venturi carburettor”. Trust me, if you want to actually drive this thing, the first thing to replace is that mistake of a carburettor.
There also was a “hump” in the oil pan to fit it over the front axle. Consequently there are 2 oil drain plugs – one in front of and one behind the axle. Drain both or you still have some existing oil in the engine.
I assume it would fit, when I say to put a Coyote engine (with a 6 speed manual transmission) in to replace this 140 HP dog. Also I would add a limited slip rear differential. The 3.08 gears were great for the time, but oh so boring today.
@Mikefromthehammer “The 302 in 79 had the “variable venturi carburettor”.” Only partially true, California cars got the VV. 49 state cars got a Motorcraft 2150 2V carb. And you are correct the VV was trash, very few technicians could make them work properly.
Actually my Canadian 79 Mustang Cobra had the “variable venturi carburettor”. You could tell it was crap by how the engine refused to start when cold. I was not aware that 49 states were luckier than us in Canada (and also California).
Wow! Sort of makes me think about spending 20K duplicating one of these, with upgraded stuff that I could actually drive and enjoy.
Finally something in my hometown I wouldn’t have to go far to look at but it’s the farthest thing from any interest in buying just to keep a cover on it in a warm garage.
$60,000.00? ahahahahaha!
I can’t have cars like this because I don’t believe in owning garage queens I would be driving this thing and enjoying it. If that lowers the value than so be it at least I get to drive it instead of just look at it
I know the original owner and he is a dear friend of mine and the preservation of this car was done out of pure love for Fords, love of the Indianapolis 500 and more specifically love of the Ford Mustang. He grew up in Indianapolis so the pace car is near and dear to him as he grew up watching the Indianapolis 500 and all the events surrounding the Indianapolis 500. If you’re not from Indianapolis, IN or one of the surrounding states you probably don’t understand the passion someone can have for the Indianapolis 500. It’s no different then getting an autographed jersey from your all time sports hero. Most people wouldn’t wear it, they would preserve it. It’s the same thing.
Most don’t even realize the significance of the 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis Pace Car. 1979 was the first year that Pace Cars were used during cautions. Previously the track used a lighting system for cautions.
Sorry some of you find it necessary to make negative comments about folks you don’t even know. Just because it’s not something you wouldn’t do doesn’t make it wrong.
I didn’t say the owner was wrong I said I couldn’t do it.to me cars like this were meant to be enjoyed and if that detracts from its value than so be it but during the time I am the care taker of a car I’m going to enjoy it.
Amazing time capsule car. It would make an amazing addition to anyone’s collection.
Just the TRX wheels make this car a non driver. Yes they still make replacement TRX tires, but the availability and price blow the annual maintenance budget. I used to work with a gal that had the twin to this car. She loved it! But the graphics “weathered” quite poorly in the Nevada sun.
$60k can get you so much more, like a high HP Mustang or Shelby.
World record money for a car nobody cared about then and even less care about today. Line it up next to the Dale Earnhardt Lumina’s and Anniversary Corvettes for investments cars that flopped hard.
No kidding. No matter how nice, it doesn’t stand on its merits, even adding the decals, special paint and other trim does nothing to make it a better car. Smart money would be to buy the best 86 or newer 5.0 LX with a manual transmission they could find or a low mileage 93 Cobra. Those were infinitely better cars and well as appreciate in value over time.
Steve R
Any car guy who considers the investment aspect of the hobby is keeping an eye on fox bodies.
Well I for one am glad someone kept one this nice for posterity. Its plenty of.money but where else would you find one nicer. I hope the new caretaker continues the preservation of thos very cool Mustang.
Od course it isnt very powerful compared to both older and newer cars but that’s not the point. It is what it is and should be valued and appreciated as such.
These cars become the benchmark for proper restoration of the mark in the future…..Unrestored examples are jumping in value because they are few and far between….and the low-mileage examples are the examples that will guide correct future restoration…..If you are not into restoration that’s fine, but don’t criticize those that are…..