1986 Chevrolet Corvette C4
Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica

Registration No: D348 UBH
Chassis No: 1G1YY6787G5905383
MOT: June 2025

• Number 5,383 of 7,315 C4's built to Indy 500 pace car specification
• Supplied with the original owners handbook displaying 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal's autograph
• Imported to the UK in 1992
• Described as an extraordinarily original car with only 49,989 miles displayed on the odometer

Arguably the most radical 'Vette in two decades, the fourth generation or C4 model was introduced in March 1983. Built around a C-section beam-reinforced monocoque, it was equipped with composite transverse-leaf independent suspension and rack and pinion steering. Fitted with 16 x 8.5 alloy wheels shod with P255/50VR-16 tyres as standard, the C4's handling drew considerable praise from the contemporary press. Powered by a 350ci/5.7-litre V8 engine mated to either four-speed automatic or manual gearboxes, it was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in under six seconds and over 140mph. Boasting new aluminium callipers, its four-wheel disc braking system proved more efficient than ever. Noticeably lower-slung than its predecessor, the new car actually possessed greater ground clearance (thanks to a cleverly routed exhaust) and a more spacious interior.

In 1986, to celebrate the launch of the new C4 Convertible, Chevrolet supplied 56 Corvettes as pace cars and official vehicles for the Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet saw a great marketing opportunity in making replicas available to the general public. The cars actually used at the track sported Yellow paint, but all 1986 Convertibles were considered Pace Car Replicas. The open-top option added $5,000 to the price of the car, and 7,315 were produced out of the 35,109 total Corvettes sold that year. Supplied in Red, Silver, Black, Gold and Yellow, the C4 Pace Cars were fitted with a commemorative dashboard plaque and were all identical in specification, with brushed alloy wheels and tan leather interior.

Our Corvette was delivered in September 1986 to Palm Harbor, Florida, and is said to have been supplied to none other than Bobby Rahal, who won the 1986 Indianapolis 500 Miles race and was the first driver to complete it in under three hours, driving a March 86C. The Corvette was later sold through Florida’s Toy Store dealership, with Mr. Rahal’s signature in the owners handbook, and was imported into Britain in 1988.

Besides its provenance, this Corvette represents one of the best-preserved C4s in existence. We understand the paintwork is all factory-applied, and the interior is evidently original and complete with its Indianapolis commemorative plaque. The car has been cherished as a collector’s item from early in its life, having enjoyed single ownership from November 1992 to March 2024, while the MoT record beginning at just over 28,000 miles in 1990 suggests the present mileage of just under 50,000 is genuine. The paint and exterior exhibit only a light patina, concomitant with a well-cared for but unrestored car.

The Corvette starts well and runs sweetly, and all of the gauges and switches are to said to function as they should. It is offered with the current V5, a large collection of MoT certificates and the original signed handbook.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430