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17 Historic Corvette and Camaro Pace Cars

by | May 22, 2025 | 0 comments

17 Historic Corvette and Camaro Pace Cars

The 2025 Indianapolis 500 marks the 36th time for Chevrolet to pace the Indy 500, dating back to 1948, and the 22nd since 1978.

The Chevrolet Brothers entered two cars in the 1915 Indy 500.

The Chevrolet Brothers entered two cars in the 1915 Indianapolis 500. (Chevrolet)

BY MARK MAYNARD

General Motors’ Chevrolet division has a storied history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500-mile race. Company co-founder and namesake Louis Chevrolet, along with brothers Arthur and Gaston, competed in early Indy 500s. Arthur competed in the 1911 race and Gaston won in 1920.

Since then, nine drivers with Chevrolet engines have combined to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” 11 times — Rick Mears, Emerson Fittipaldi, Arie Luyendyk, Al Unser Jr., Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Juan Pablo Montoya, Will Power and, most recently, Simon Pagenaud in 2019.

A Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any car. The 2023 race marks the 34th time for Chevrolet to pace, dating back to 1948.

Visit IMS.com for more information about this year’s schedule.

A Lineup of Historic Pace Cars

1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Convertible Indy 500 pace car.

1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Convertible Indy 500 pace car. (Chevrolet)

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. (Chevrolet)

The 2020 Corvette pace car for the Indy 500 race.

The 2020 Corvette pace car.

The 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car.

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 pace car.

The 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport pace car.

The 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport pace car. (Chris Owens/IMS for Chevy Racing)

The Corvette pace car for the 2016 Indy 500 race.

The Corvette pace car for 2016.

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 pace car was piloted by three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, the 98th running of the race. It was the eighth time a Camaro had paced the race.

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 pace car was piloted by three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti for the 98th running of the race.

Retired General Chuck Yeager with the 1986 C4 Corvette pace car he drove for the race.

Retired General Chuck Yeager with the 1986 C4 Corvette pace car he drove for the race.

The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car.

The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car.

The 1969 Camaro Z28.

The 1969 Camaro Z28.

The first-year 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS paced the 51st Indianapolis 500.

The first-year 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS paced the 51st Indianapolis 500.

The 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car.

1993 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car.

Nine generations of Camaro Indy 500 pace cars.

Nine generations of Camaro Indy 500 pace cars. (Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Chevy Racing)

A Torch Red metallic 2023 Corvette Z06 will pace the 107th Indianapolis 500 race on May 28

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 paces the 107th running of the Indy 500. (Photo by Chris Owens)

2024 Indy 500 Corvette E-Ray pace car

The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ coupe paced the 108th Indianapolis 500.

The Corvette E-Ray pairs two separate propulsion systems to provide naturally aspirated V-8 power with electrified responsiveness powered by eAWD.

A 6.2L V-8 is complemented by the electric motor that channels an additional 160 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque through the front wheels for 655 combined horsepower.

The addition of the electric drive unit helps the E-Ray accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds before breezing through the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds. Stealth Mode enables the Corvette E-Ray to drive on electric power for up to 4 miles at speeds up to 45 mph.

2025 Indy 500 Corvette ZR1 pace car

The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will pace the field to the green flag Sunday, May 25 with pro football legend Michael Strahan behind the wheel. Chevrolet says the 2025 Corvette ZR1 is capable of 233 mph, the highest top speed of any car ever made in America by an auto manufacturer. (IMS photo)

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Pace Car

by | May 22, 2025 | 0 comments

17 Historic Corvette and Camaro Pace Cars

Danica Patrick will pace the 33-car field in an Arctic White Corvette Stingray convertible

Leading the 33-car field to the green flag will be an Arctic White 2021 Corvette Stingray hardtop convertible.

The Arctic White pace car will be the first Corvette convertible since 2008 to pace the Indianapolis 500. (Photo by Joe Skibinski/IMS for Chevrolet)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Chevrolet is in its open-wheelhouse battlegrounds for the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500, presented by Gainbridge, on May 30, 2021.

Leading the 33-car field to the green flag will be an Arctic White 2021 Corvette Stingray hardtop convertible. It will be the first Corvette convertible since 2008 to pace “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

The Chevrolet Brothers entered two cars in the 1915 Indy 500.

The Chevrolet Brothers entered two cars in the 1915 Indy 500. (Chevrolet)

The race will be televised live on NBC and the pre-race show will start at 11 a.m. The INDYCAR Radio Network  will cover the race for affiliates and on Sirius 211, XM 205, Indycar.com  and the INDYCAR app.
Piloting the pace car will be racing icon Danica Patrick — a veteran to the Indy 500. Leading the pack to the green flag is even more special, she said in a release, “because of the past year we have all endured, and it will be so nice to see fans back in the stands.”

Racing icon Danica Patrick.

Danica Patrick. (Chevrolet)

Patrick, who grew up in Roscoe, Ill., achieved numerous milestones during her eight Indianapolis 500 starts, which took place from 2005-11 and in 2018. According to IMS statistics, she achieved the best starting spot for a female driver, fourth, as a rookie in 2005 and went on to be the first female driver to lead laps in the race. She finished third in 2009 — the best result ever for a woman in the “500” — and holds the race record for laps led by a female, 29.

When not performing pace car duties, Patrick will serve as a studio analyst for NBC’s live race broadcast with host Mike Tirico and fellow analyst Jimmie Johnson.

“We’re happy to welcome back Danica to the place where she made motorsports history as the first female driver to lead ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ ” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said.

1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Convertible Indy 500 pace car.

1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Convertible Indy 500 pace car. (Chevrolet)

Pace Car Design

The 2021 race marks the 32nd time Chevrolet has paced the race dating back to 1948, and the 18th time since 1978 for America’s favorite sports car. Chevrolet and Corvette have led the starting field more than any other manufacturer and nameplate, respectively.

Sky Cool Gray and Strike Yellow

The pace car’s Sky Cool Gray and Strike Yellow interior. (Chevrolet)

“From the color scheme to the special race weekend decals and how the safety lighting is skillfully integrated into the nacelles of the hard-top convertible Corvette’s revolutionary appearance, we’re putting Chevrolet’s best on display for the fans,” said Steve Majoros, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing.

The pace-car interior — Sky Cool Gray and Strike Yellow upholstery — influenced the exterior appearance of the pace car, Majoros said. The car is clad in Indianapolis 500 logos, a special stripe package and Stingray decals and the highly visible safety lighting.

The 2021 Indy 500 pace car has safety strobe lights in the rear taillights and headlights.

Strobe lights are positioned in the headlights, front louvers and taillights. (Chevrolet)

Corvette designers prioritized form and function of the safety lighting by incorporating four lights into each of the tonneau cover nacelles. There also are strobe lights in the headlights, front louvers and taillights. The lighting array eliminates need for a traditional lightbar.

Inspired By Fighter Jets

The mid-engine Stingray was engineered first as a convertible, Chevrolet says. Its architecture maintains the tunnel-dominant structure and high-integrity die-cast parts found in the Stingray coupe.

The Stingray design for both body styles was inspired by fighter jets. The tonneau cover features aerodynamically shaped nacelles influenced by the housing used for jet engines. The nacelles, which were also used as inspiration on the Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle (CERV) I and II, and the Corvette SS and SR2 concepts, help reduce air recirculation into the cabin and provide a remarkably exotic profile with the top up or down.

The tonneau integrates a power-adjustable rear window and a vent for engine cooling. The 2021 Stingray convertible is powered by the 6.2-liter small-block V-8 LT2 engine,  naturally aspirated. The engine is rated for 495 horsepower with a peak torque of 470 foot-pounds at 5,150 rpm, when equipped with performance exhaust. In stock form, the engine has 490 hp and 465 ft.-lb. torque, also at 5,150 rpm.

The LT2 is paired with Chevrolet’s first eight-speed, dual-clutch automated-manual transmission. The double-paddle de-clutch feature allows the driver to disconnect the clutch by holding both paddles for more manual control.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. (Chevrolet)

Indianapolis 500 History

General Motors’ Chevrolet division has a storied history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500-mile race. Company co-founder and namesake Louis Chevrolet, along with brothers Arthur and Gaston, competed in early Indy 500s. Arthur competed in the 1911 race and Gaston won in 1920.
Since then, nine drivers with Chevrolet engines have combined to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” 11 times — Rick Mears, Emerson Fittipaldi, Arie Luyendyk, Al Unser Jr., Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Juan Pablo Montoya, Will Power and, most recently, Simon Pagenaud in 2019.

Visit IMS.com for more information about this year’s schedule.

And see more Indy pace cars here.

Archived Pace Car Images

Following are Chevrolet archive photos of significant pace cars. Photos courtesy of Chevrolet.

The 2020 Corvette pace car for the Indy 500 race.

The 2020 Corvette pace car.

The 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car.

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 pace car.

The 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport pace car.

The 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport pace car. (Chris Owens/IMS for Chevy Racing)

The Corvette pace car for the 2016 Indy 500 race.

The Corvette pace car for 2016.

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 pace car was piloted by three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, the 98th running of the race. It was the eighth time a Camaro had paced the race.

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 pace car was piloted by three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti for the 98th running of the race.

Retired General Chuck Yeager with the 1986 C4 Corvette pace car he drove for the race.

Retired General Chuck Yeager with the 1986 C4 Corvette pace car he drove for the race.

The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car.

The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car.

The 1969 Camaro Z28.

The 1969 Camaro Z28.

The first-year 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS paced the 51st Indianapolis 500.

The first-year 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS paced the 51st Indianapolis 500.

The 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car.

1993 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car.

Nine generations of Camaro Indy 500 pace cars.

Nine generations of Camaro Indy 500 pace cars. (Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Chevy Racing)

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 To Pace Indianapolis 500

by | Apr 20, 2025 | 0 comments

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 To Pace Indianapolis 500
A Torch Red metallic 2023 Corvette Z06 will pace the 107th Indianapolis 500 race on May 28

The Chevrolet Corvette has paced ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ more times than any car. The 2023 race marks the 34th time for Chevrolet to pace dating back to 1948 and the 20th time overall and since 1978. (Photo by Chris Owens)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 — “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” — is “Back Home Again” on Sunday, May 28.

Presented by Gainbridge, NBC Sports will provide live coverage of the Indianapolis 500 beginning at 9 a.m. ET (Noon Pacific) Sunday, May 28
. Coverage will include a bonus two hours of streaming before the race begins on the Peacock streaming platform.

There will be 33 cars on the field this year by Chevrolet and Honda.

Katherine Legge, 42, is the lone female in the pack. Driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the No. 44 Honda, the British-born Legge will start in row 10, the 30th position.

According to a report by Scott Horner of the Indianapolis Star, Legge crashed into Stefan Wilson Monday, May 22, during Indianapolis 500 practice.

Wilson suffered a fractured vertebra in Monday’s crash, which required surgery on Wednesday night, wrote Charles Bradley of Motorsport.com. Wilson is determined to make a full recovery and return to contest the race next year with his Cusick Motorsports/Dreyer and Reinbold team, he wrote in the online report.

Legge was cleared by medical personnel to compete on Sunday. She returned to the track in her repaired Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing car and was 29th fastest in Friday’s final practice on Carb Day, per Bradley Motorsport.com.

Wilson, a Chevrolet driver for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, was replaced by veteran driver Graham Rahal. 

Legge is just the ninth woman ever to compete in the Indianapolis 500.

Race Day Countdown

All times are Pacific Standard, or 3 hours ahead of Indianapolis:

11:45 a.m.: Borg Warner trophy march to the Bricks; departing from the IMS Museum;

Noon-12:30: Cars to Pit Lane;

1:30 p.m.: Cars to grid on front straight;

2:47 p.m.: Driver introductions; Trackside Yard of Bricks Stage

3:18 p.m.: Invocation; trackside Yard of Bricks Stage;

3:24 p.m.: Jewel sings the national anthem;

3:36 p.m.: Jim Cornelison singing the Hoosier state’s favorite anthem, “Back Home Again In Indiana”;

3:38 p.m.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske will command drivers to start engines.

3:45 p.m.: Green flag drops.

2023 Indy 500 Corvette Z06 Pace Car

For the first time in the storied history of “America’s sports car,” a hardtop convertible Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will lead the field to the green flag.

Corvette is the longest-running car nameplate in automotive industry history, and the Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any car. The 2023 race marks the 34th time for Chevrolet to pace, dating back to 1948.

This year’s Corvette Z06 Pace Car exterior is two-tone Red Mist Metallic and Jet Black. The interior in Sky Cool Gray has Torch Red accents. Spider-design forged aluminum wheels are finished in Tech Bronze.

The 2023 Corvette Z06 is set apart from the rest of the lineup by its 670 horsepower, 5.5-liter LT6 V-8, and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Chevrolet says the LT6 V-8 is the highest-horsepower, naturally aspirated V-8 in any production car.

Helping to keep the Z06 pace car flying low is the Carbon Aero package. It provides 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph, more than any other Corvette.

Expect to spend around $150,000 if you’d like to re-create a 2023 Corvette Z06 in the image of the pace car.

Get the Indy 500 schedule here.

 

National Corvette Museum debuts ‘Pop Culture and Corvette’

by | Nov 21, 2024 | 0 comments

National Corvette Museum debuts ‘Pop Culture and Corvette’

 Special exhibition charts 71 years of Corvettes with connections to film, TV, music, games, celebrities, and the American lifestyle

The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky., has broadened its “American Love Affair” exhibit with “Pop Culture and Corvette.” The elevated exhibit is a road trip through Corvette’s impact on entertainment and popular culture. More than a dozen Corvettes are on display with the pop culture stories that made them famous.

The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky., has broadened its “American Love Affair” exhibit with “Pop Culture and Corvette.” The exhibit elevated exhibit is a road trip through Corvette’s impact on entertainment and popular culture. It will be displayed through 2025. (Photos courtesy of the museum or as credited)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The National Corvette Museum has debuted a new exhibit around the Chevrolet Corvette and pop culture. Whether in film, music, TV, literature, sports, or video games, the Corvette is a powerhouse of pop culture relevance.

In tribute, the National Corvette Museum has broadened its “American Love Affair” exhibit with “Pop Culture and Corvette.” The elevated exhibit is a road trip through Corvette’s impact on entertainment and popular culture. More than a dozen Corvettes are on display with the pop culture stories that made them famous.

Opened in mid-October, the exhibit focuses on Corvettes with connections to media and the American lifestyle. Corvettes from every generation illustrate how America’s Sports Car has evolved over 71 years.

“Pop Culture and Corvette” explores how the Corvette has made its mark on everything from Hollywood blockbusters to music videos. Display elements span Elvis Presley’s 1959 Stingray Racer in “Clambake” to the Corvette-inspired characters in the “Transformers” franchise.

“Corvette has always been a pop culture icon,” Robert Maxhimer, director of curatorial affairs, said in a release. “Pop Culture and Corvette” shows how the sports car starred in moments that defined generations.

Gemini and Apollo mission astronaut Jim Lovell’s 1968 Silverstone Silver Corvette.

Gemini and Apollo mission astronaut Jim Lovell’s 1968 Silverstone Silver Corvette.

Exhibition Highlights

  • Screen Legends: A Medium Blue Metallic 1973 Corvette is featured in the reboot of “Hawaii Five-0” (2010-2020). And the “Transformers” film series introduced the Corvette-based concepts of “Crosshairs” and “Sideswipe.”
  • Gaming Great: A concept version of the C7 Corvette was brought to life in the virtual racing world of “Gran Turismo 6.” The gaming influence highlights how Corvette has reached new audiences.
  • Famous Owners: Aficionados of the nameplate might be surprised and pleased by some of the celeb’s Corvettes on view and their stories. Among them are country music icon Brad Paisley, Major League Baseball star Reggie Jackson, and rockabilly pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis.
  • Six Strings for the Z06 and 1960: A Z06-themed Paul Reed Smith guitar is signed by Corvette Hall of Famer Ron Fellows (2011). The six-string features the Corvette emblem and other flourishes. Also on display is a Les Paul guitar with styling cues from the 1960 Corvette signed by Zora Arkus-Duntov.
  • To the Moon: Astronaut Jim Lovell has shared his 1968 Silverstone Silver Corvette and artifacts from flight. Included are Lovell’s astronaut gloves and an autographed lunar navigational chart; it is on loan from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.
Roy Orbison’s Rally Red 1967 Sting Ray L68, with a 427cubic inch, 400-horsepower V-8.

Roy Orbison’s Rally Red 1967 Sting Ray L68, with a 427 cubic inch, 400-horsepower V-8.

Immersive Display

More than a display of cars, the exhibition is an immersion into Corvette’s cultural legacy. The exhibit includes a multimedia presentation of iconic Corvette moments in film, television, and music. The presentation shows how this automotive icon has shaped — and been influenced by — American pop culture.

The museum’s exhibits are regularly updated, deepening the storytelling that connects Corvette to American history. Exploring the intersection of Corvette and pop culture was a natural progression,” said Kaye Wagner, Chair of the National Corvette Museum Board. “With ‘Pop Culture and Corvette,’ we celebrate how Corvette has transcended the road to become a true cultural icon.”

Reggie Jackson’s 1978 Corvette Pace Car replica (center).

Reggie Jackson’s 1978 Corvette Pace Car replica (center).

 Take a Pop Quiz

This quiz might win you a couple of bar bets from those less informed.

  • In the 1967 American beach party musical “Clambake,” this actor-singer starred as Scott Hayward. An heir to an oil fortune, Hayward trades places with a water ski instructor at a Florida hotel. In the movie, Hayward drove a 1959 Stingray Racer.
  • This film franchise features two Corvette-inspired Autobot characters,  Sideswipe and Crosshairs. Sideswipe’s design is based on the 2009 Corvette Stingray concept. Crosshairs started as a deep green and black 2014 Corvette with a distinctive rear spoiler. It was updated to a 2016 Corvette with a slightly different livery.
  • This video game helped introduce the Corvette to a new generation. Released in 2013, this driving simulator featured a concept version of the C7. The game provided auto racing fans a digital “drive” of the then-brand-new Corvette.
  • Who was the Major League Baseball Hall of Famer nicknamed “Mr. October”? This slugger is known for his postseason clutch hitting with the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees. He was one of the lucky few to own a 1978 “Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500” Corvette.
  • Who was the pioneer of rockabilly music nicknamed “The Killer.” His 1954 Corvette roadster was repossessed by the IRS in 1980 to cover his back taxes.
  • Based in Nashville, rock stars such as Jimmy Page and Slash highly regard this renowned guitar maker. This custom guitar features styling details borrowed from the 1960 Corvette and signed by Zora Arkus-Duntov. The body is Tuxedo Black with an ivory scoop similar to the car’s side “scoop” design.
The 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Racer in concept form.

The 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Racer in concept form. (Photo courtesy of Chevrolet)

IF YOU GO

“Pop Culture and Corvette: An American Love Affair”  will be displayed through 2025. For more information or to plan your visit, go to corvettemuseum.org. And follow the museum on Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and X.

About the National Corvette Museum

The National Corvette Museum is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation. The museum is an educational and research institution. It is located a mile from General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where the Corvette has been built since 1981. The Museum Campus has 115,000 square feet of exhibition and event space. The exhibits showcase more than 100 historically significant Corvettes, 50,000 Corvette artifacts, and the NCM Motorsports Park.

Weathering the Road: New Hankook Tire Survey

by | May 2, 2024 | 0 comments

Weathering the Road: New Hankook Tire Survey

New data from Hankook Tire highlights consumer stresses on the road, from inclement weather to teen driving

A passenger car on a dry road that is promoting winter-safe tires.

The latest Gauge Index survey by Hankook Tire reveals insights into the challenges faced by drivers today. (Hankook Tire)

REWRITE BY MARK MAYNARD

If it seems as if driving post-pandemic is scarier than before, you are not alone. In its latest Gauge Index survey, Hankook Tire reveals today’s biggest challenges for drivers.

Drivers face countless challenges as they take to the road each day. They must navigate unpredictable weather, deal with maintenance issues, and deal with the persistent worry parents have about teen driving.

Braving the Elements: A Driver’s Dilemma

According to the Gauge, driving in inclement weather is the top challenge for drivers (25 percent), followed by driving in unfamiliar places (17 percent) and changing a flat tire (15 percent). In addition, 51 percent of drivers indicate that bad weather would prompt them to stop driving or turn around and delay reaching their destination.Hankook Tire Gauge Index logo

When examining generational demographics, it is noteworthy that 62 percent of baby boomers, compared to 37 percent of Gen Z, identified bad weather as a reason to halt or delay their journey. Moreover, among respondents who identified changing a flat tire as the most challenging situation, 17 percent were Boomers compared to 10 percent of Gen Z.

Overall, when harsh weather is forecast, vehicle preparation becomes a ritual for many motorists:

  • 59 percent check tire pressure and tread depth;
  • 53 percent refill fluids; and
  • 50 percent replace windshield wipers.

Teen Driving a Parental Test

The Gauge survey also highlights parental concerns regarding teen driving, offering insights into the complexities of their apprehensions. While striving to maintain a sense of optimism, parents of teen drivers express varying degrees of concern depending on the distance of their teen’s journey.

When teens venture out locally, 39 percent of parents admit feeling “a bit anxious but hopeful.” However, this sentiment diminishes to 28 percent when contemplating their teen driving long distances.

Regional disparities further shape parental perceptions. Northeastern parents are in the most apprehensive group. In the Northeast, 23 percent of parents admit feeling “extremely concerned and fearful” about their teen driving locally. That percentage shows a notable difference compared to the parental concerns in the South (12 percent) and West (7 percent).

Conversely, drivers in the South exhibit a notable sense of trust in their teens’ ability to navigate long distances. A considerable 32 percent of Southern parents feel “confident and relaxed” when their teen embarks on long-distance drives. That confidence surpasses the sentiments of parents in the Northeast (14 percent) and the West (11 percent).

Choose the Correct Winter Tire

Hankook Tire's Kinergy 4S2 features excellent dry, wet and snow performance, complete with a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating.

Hankook Tire’s Kinergy 4S2 is rated a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake.

Traditional all-season tires offer versatility in various weather conditions, but all-weather tires can provide peace of mind. Hankook’s Kinergy 4S2, for example, has a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. The snowflake rating indicates a tire has met certain requirements for severe snow conditions. Dedicated winter tires, however, are the best option for deep snow and ice.

Three-peak snowflake tires have scored at least 110 on the traction index. That means the tires can accelerate at least 10 percent faster than an all-season tire that is not 3PMS-rated.

About the Survey

“The insights provided by the Hankook Gauge Index are invaluable in understanding drivers’ evolving needs and concerns,” said Rob Williams, President of Hankook Tire America Corp.

The Hankook Gauge Index surveys Americans’ attitudes and opinions about driving. The latest survey, conducted March 13-14, polled 1,012 randomly selected Americans age 18 and older.

Marvelous Motorama Exhibit of GM Dream Cars

by | Mar 1, 2024 | 0 comments

Marvelous Motorama Exhibit of GM Dream Cars

A special display of six GM Motorama concept cars will be on view through March 2026 in the Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles

A black and white image of a crowd to see the 1953 GM Motorama dream cars

The 1953 GM Motorama display in the Waldorf Astoria New York. (Petersen Museum/GM)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles will celebrate “Dream Cars” from the 1950s with its newest exhibit, “GM’s Marvelous Motorama: Dream Cars From the Joe Bortz Collection.” The unique display will open on March 16 and run through March 2026. The exhibit will feature six concept cars, displayed initially at GM Motorama shows in 1953, 1954, and 1955.

Staged in the Audrey and Martin Gruss Foundation Gallery, the exhibit will explore the history of General Motors’ traveling Motorama shows. Legendary GM stylist Harley Earl used the shows to present experimental non-production cars that featured design and technological concepts. Some of his creations were put into production, including the 1953 Corvette.

A mid 1980s photo of Joe Bortz in the Warhoops scrap yard leaning on a GM Motorama dream car in complete disrepair.

In the mid-1980s, collector Joe Bortz purchased the four cars from the Warhoops scrapyard in Sterling Heights, Mich. Here, he rescues the 1955 Chevy Biscayne. (Photo courtesy of Joe Bortz)

“These cars are the Picassos and Rembrandts of this automotive generation. To see six of them together, all from the ’50s, and all the real deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” — Joe Bortz, collection owner

The Marvelous Motorama exhibit will feature six cars, including three rescued from near destruction at Warhoops Auto and Truck Parts in Sterling Heights, Mich. After their time in the spotlight, most “Dream Cars” were sent to scrap yards to be cut apart and crushed. Four cars were saved by Warhoops employees and squirreled away among junked car bodies. After hearing rumors about the saved “Dream Cars” in the mid-1980s, collector Joe Bortz purchased the four cars from the scrapyard.

The two tone blue and white 1955 LaSalle II Roadster concept.

The 1955 LaSalle II Roadster concept. (Petersen Automotive Museum/GM)

6 Motorama Cars On View

Museum visitors to the Marvelous Motorama display will see the 1955 LaSalle II Roadster and 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne, which Bortz painstakingly restored after both were cut in half in preparation for the crusher, as well as a 1955 LaSalle Sedan in its “junkyard fresh” condition. Additional cars featured in the exhibit are the 1953 Pontiac Parisienne, 1953 Buick Wildcat, and a wholly original and unrestored 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special.

“These cars are the Picassos and Rembrandts of this automotive generation,” said Bortz. “To see six of them together, all from the ’50s, and all the real deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

An artist’s rendering of the 1954 Bonneville Special bubble top.

An artist’s rendering of the 1954 Bonneville Special bubble top. (Petersen Automotive Museum/GM)

“Joe Bortz has an incredibly unique collection of historic cars, the likes of which have never been displayed at the museum,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “The Motoramas were an important part of automotive history, and we are excited to share these ‘Dream Cars’ with enthusiasts from around the world.”

“GM’s Marvelous Motorama: Dream Cars From the Joe Bortz Collection” will run through March 2026. To purchase tickets or for more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit Petersen.org/exhibits.

A 1955 color image shows two La Salle concepts cars and a Cadillac, all on turntables for the GM Motorama

The 1955 GM Motorama display in the Waldorf Astoria shows La Salle II concept cars. (Petersen Museum/GM)

About the Petersen

The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. The museum is at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, 90036.

Admission prices: $21 for general admission adults, $19 for 62+, $13 for youth (12-17), and $13 for children ages 4 to 11. Active military with ID, personal care attendants, and children under age 4 are admitted free.

Museum hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

For general information: (323) 930-CARS or visit Petersen.org.