There are an endless number of special edition cars in the world. Even more so today with supercar makers who seem to have endless variants of a model before retiring it. However back in the day, there were fewer special variants, and the most special of those were ones that were sold in super limited numbers and also built by the factory. And that’s what we have today, a 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Brickyard 400 Pace Car available in Houston, Texas for $13,500. The car is available here on Craigslist and thanks to Rocco B for this wonderful find.
The Brickyard 400 was one of 400 specially built to celebrate the opening of the Brickyard 400 on the Indianapolis Speedway in 1994. Most spent their time on promotional tours or covered up in showrooms – few made it out on the road, and the ones that did had very few miles on the clock. This car has just 16,000 miles on it in the last 27 years. They were customized by the factory with plenty of additional parts, not limited to the embroidered leather seating, exterior graphics, and spoiler. No change was made to the engine by the factory, but our car didn’t need that, as it has been fitted with a turbo.
So although this was mostly a cosmetic option package, our seller did upgrade the engine to make the car more powerful to match its looks. The car looks to have been well looked after, and never driven on wet days, and oozes originality. This would be the ideal car to take to Radwood or one of the car shows focused on the 1980s and 1990s young classics. The V6 engine would originally pump out just over 200hp, but with a turbo, it would be worth sticking on the dyno to see how much the custom turbo adds power. However, these were always mated to an automatic transmission so the driving may not be the best part of this experience.
Although this is an unusual and relatively rare car, does it deserve its sticker price of $13,500? With relatively few miles on the car, less than 500 miles per year, the next owner will have to decide what to do with the Monte Carlo – keep it garaged and driven only for a couple of shows per year, or forget about the milage and get it out and about as much as possible?
Turbo or not, some of the most boring styling ever.
Based on miles alone, I think this Monte Carlo is probably a pretty good buy.
With relentlessly bland styling and an interior that would be an embarrassment to Fisher-Price, the turbo does little to move the excitement meter off “meh” for this one.
Anyone interested in this one would be wise to ask questions about the turbo installation. What brand/model? How much boost? What other modifications were made to accommodate the turbo? How about a photo of it?
The seller says that this shop installed the turbocharger. So not a backyard installation.
https://www.powerfabauto.com/
So? Would you not still want to know the details of the installation? Professional installation does not guarantee correct installation.
As one who thinks pace cars are cool, and loved my 2001 Monte Carlo, I must say, bo-ring!
So because it has leather seats and fugly stickers its somehow worth more than the top of the line Monte Carlo?
I have a GM Factory 1/24th diecast of this in plastic.
According to the comments so far, it might be more valuable.
Fine example of a rare and desirable special edition offering from the General. Be a nice comfortable hwy cruiser, and surprise a few cars when the turbo spools up, and the V6 starts to howl.
A crappy 3.4 DOHC with a speedshop turbo grafted in? As King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table would exclaim in Monty Pythons ” the Holy Grail”…” Run away! Run away!”
I can almost smell the meth and unwashed mullet from here.