1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car

rbassemir

rbassemir

Member
I recently learned that the 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan was the pace car for the 1935 Indy 500. Harry Mack was the driver of the pace car and Amelia Earhart was the Grand Marshall.

I have found several pictures on the web but so far they are all black and white except for a model of the car which shows the Ford was red.

Is there anyone out there that knows about this pace car? Was it really red? Is the car in a museum?

If anyone has knowledge of the car's history I would be interested in learning more about it. I would like to paint my '35 to look like the Pace car and would like to get the colors correct.

Thanks....
1935-Indianapolis-500-pace-car-Ford-Phaeton-with-Amelia-Airheart.jpg
 
I can tell you a fellow down here in Florida - "Birth Place of Speed" regional group had one that he restored after this car and was In fact "Red" and IF I remember correctly, wheels too, RED!!! I saw it once, several years ago!!!!
 
I don't know if Amelia was a passenger for the pace lap. All I read was that she was the race grand marshall. These were probably just photo opportunities.

1935-Indy500PaceCarAmelia.jpg
 
rbassemir said:
Thanks rocfla, I'm going to try and find this guy
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He passed away a few years ago, not sure IF there were any kids to carry on. I know he had restoration shop in Daytona Beach and had done the car for himself (I believe & thus researched it pretty well I would think). I am a member of the group but I'm 80 miles north of the monthly meetings so I don't (unfortunately) attend much so I'm not as connected as some her on the barn are that will know more than me. Hopefully they will chime in???
 
The pace car would have been given to the winner Kelly Petillo. A Google search of him may provide additional photos.


Ford entered 10 cars in the '35 race. Only 4 qualified and none finished. This was a
collaberation between Preston Tucker and Edsel Ford
 
rbassemir, I'm betting that the color was either Lt. Gunmetal Gray or Vineyard Green (Std Factory colors) Here's my Vineyard Green Convertible Sedan at Indy some years ago.
 

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Three Fedora's and a Straw hat.
Think with all this weight we should change the gear ratio?
I'll give Fordbarn a jingle to find out:):D






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rockfla said:
Tony....Glenn passed away over a year ago. He was a great guy and friend!!!!
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Oh dear that’s so sad. I had not talked to Glenn in a couple of years but met him many times also been to his home in Daytona. Along with Mike Burch. Both such a loss.
 
KiWinUS said:
Oh dear that’s so sad. I had not talked to Glenn in a couple of years but met him many times also been to his home in Daytona. Along with Mike Burch. Both such a loss.
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Tony
I did not know Mike at all BUT had known Glenn as long as I can remember. We used to take our 37 Woodie down to Ormond Beach every Thanksgiving for the "Big" car show every year starting at least in 1967. We met Glenn then. he used to have (and may still) a 1934 4 Door sedan and the highlight for me was watching him race it on the beach for the annual beach races. He was into flathead speed equipment even way back then and his 34 Sedan was rarely beat!!!! Even way back then 33-34 was my most "Fav" style and I think his 4 door was the first of those year V8's I saw in person and loved it from first sight. I have a big sentimental attachment to that car as you can read and THUS why our 33 4 Door is one of my sentimental Fav's of our V8 stable. AND for the record it was McGlone, Tony...you forgot the "G"
 
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I’ve managed to source 3 different 1935 convertible sedan models in 1/43. Nearly as rare as the real ones!!
 

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