SOLD: 1964 FORD MUSTANG INDY 500 PACE CAR. The story of the 1964 1/2 Mustang Indy 500 Pace Car; In April 1964 as part of the marketing strategy , Lee Iacocca secured the Mustang as the pace car for the Granddaddy of all races, the Indianapolis 500. Coming only 6 weeks after its introduction at the New York Worlds Fair, the timing could not have been better. When a car is selected to pace the Indianapolis 500 the automaker usually produces "replicas" numbering in the thousands. For example, the 2nd time the Mustang was chosen to pace the Indy 500, in 1979, Ford produced nearly 11,000 pace car replica's. Not so in 1964. Partially due to demand outpacing production Ford produced only 190 pace car coupes. Ford put on a competition between dealerships to distribute these 190 cars. Titled the Checkered Flag & Green Flag contests, they were based on sales performance prior to the April 17 introduction. The top 5 performers in each sales district would receive a pace car for free (Checkered Flag) or at a $500 discount (Green Flag). With 36 sales districts at the time this added up to 180 cars, however due to ties 10 extra cars were made bringing the total to 190. Each of the coupes was painted "Pace Car White" (paint code C on the door data plate) and had white interiors with blue appointments (code 42). They were equipped with 260 V8 engines, power steering, rear back up lights and automatic transmissions. Other identifying features include pace car blue racing stripes up the center of the car and "Official Pace Car" decals along the sides. The cars district sales office (DSO) on the data plate reflect the dealerships they were awarded to. The first 180 coupes were built in April (letter D on the data plate). The 10 additional cars were built on May 1 and given a DSO of 84 (home office designation). Another interesting note is that the 1st 180 did not have the windshield washer option, the last 10 did. Surprisingly many of the original owners of these pace cars were unaware of their cars history as they lost their identity when dealers removed the decals and sold them as regular coupes to meet the overwhelming demand for the newly released Mustang. This 1964 Indy Pace car was in California 1964-2004. It was disassembled, media blasted to bare metal and given show quality basecoat/clearcoat paint. This was a rust free car, no metal had to be replaced in its restoration- all original metal throughout. A photo album documenting the complete restoration comes with the car. Original 260 V8 engine & C4 automatic trans were both rebuilt. Interior was stripped & repainted. Interior is new from the carpet to the headliner. All exterior chrome is new, mint condition. All stainless has been professionally polished. The car runs, drives & looks beautiful. It was restored to "Concours Driven" specifications per the Mustang Club of America show car guidelines. It is 1 of three 1964 Indy Pace cars that have been restored to concours condition. 5 Rarest Production Mustangs 1964-73 1. 1964 ½ Indy Pace Car -190 built 2. 1968 Fastback w/bench seat -256 3. 1970 Boss 429 -499 4. 1968 GT coupe w/428 Cobra Jet �564 5. 1969 Boss 429 -857