Help, is this truck legit?

[355bullet]

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/3972100733.html




1985 Chevy Custom pace truck in great condition - $12500 (Tucson )
1985 Chevy Silverado Custom official pace truck
This truck is in original condition never redone nothing replaced all original parts and paint.
This was my grandfather's truck he was the original owner Only 43K Original miles
Always garage kept Never driven in the rain. I also have all of the original documentation from when he bought it from the dealer Sales contract window sticker Etc. The Truck runs great call for more info (520) 561-2279
Asking $12,500 thanks

Location: Tucson
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

[Jonboy]

I don't think so.

[Keith Seymore]

Something's not right.

I can't read the date on the door but it says "January 27"

We all know the annual Indy 500 race is in May.

I do not recall doing a package like that back then.

K

[KMK454]

The mileage may be legit, seems to be in good condition.

As for the Indy theme, it looks like somebody really liked 1969 Camaro Pace Cars and gave his truck a custom look mirroring the 69 Camaro Pace Car. I doubt the truck has any relation or involvement with Indy. At best, it may have been a service truck for the track or for parade laps, but it wouldn't be painted like that with "Pace Car" on the side. The Pace Car theme is most likely fake.

Indy Pace Cars:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_500_pace_cars

[tony58]

the only year a truck was a pace car was the 2003 Chevy SSR. There were Official Race trucks each year, for advertisement purposes, kind of like the official beer, official phone etc, not a pace truck.

[bigblock73]

The trucks never "paced" the field, they were support trucks. GM did make indy haulers/pace trucks, but '85 wasn't one of the years. None to my knowledge ever had SS hood stripes...among many other things this truck has. Truck is not legit IMO.

[ElGracho]

Pretty much any year the Indy Pace car was a GM car, GM was also providing support trucks. Just because they had a support truck, they didn't always make replicas available to the public. I have not heard of Chevy truck Indy replicas being produced as a special edition like the GMC Indy Haulers were.

The ads scanned and currently stored on Jeff's site are pretty comprehensive for what is out there:

http://73-87.com/Special_Editions/Indy_Hauler.htm

The truck at the top of the page is a really nice truck, but I don't think its a special edition directly from GM.

Any shots of the SPID (options) sticker from the glove box?

[355bullet]

thanks for the info!

[kjc292]

heres a link to the pace cars in the 80's. the date is a 1989 im assuming. the second blur and last blur look the same.... maybe a 1987. just saying because the last blur is filled in on top but more empty on the bottom.

http://www.indypacecars.com/the80s.html

Jesus what happen to the car designs of the 80's?!?!? except the later year camaros

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by kjc292

heres a link to the pace cars in the 80's. the date is a 1989 im assuming. the second blur and last blur look the same.... maybe a 1987. just saying because the last blur is filled in on top but more empty on the bottom.

http://www.indypacecars.com/the80s.html

Jesus what happen to the car designs of the 80's?!?!? except the later year camaros

If the model year of the truck is an '85 then the race it would supported would have been 1985 (I couldn't read the date on the door, either).

We do not build up previous model year trucks to support the Indy race; always current model year, since it is a promotional/marketing effort.

Also - since the pace car in '85 was an Oldsmobile - I suspect we would have used GMC trucks that year. That's speculation on my part.

K

[meatwagon83]

Originally Posted by tony58

the only year a truck was a pace car was the 2003 Chevy SSR. There were Official Race trucks each year, for advertisement purposes, kind of like the official beer, official phone etc, not a pace truck.

nope. looks like you are correct according to wikipedia

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by tony58

the only year a truck was a pace car was the 2003 Chevy SSR. There were Official Race trucks each year, for advertisement purposes, kind of like the official beer, official phone etc, not a pace truck.

Incorrect

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...80&postcount=5
Posted via Mobile Device

[tony58]

[quote=insidious '86;6211285]incorrect

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...80&postcount=5
posted via mobile device[/q



Completely correct, those are official trucks not Pace cars/trucks. That was the marketing allowed each year.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

It's the only pace truck I know off. Wether it was a pace truck or not then in 77 I don't know. Wasn't born yet haha
Posted via Mobile Device

[meatwagon83]

there was one in 93 as well, but the pace car was a camaro

[bdiamond]

I think the door says 24th annual Indianapolis 500 mile race. Nice looking truck but not too good with history...

[80SPORT]

It is a base model truck with 2 headlites...special editions were usually higher line models

Likely a dealer promo package

A look at the SPID would tell you

Still a nice unit if paint is original

And if it was done at a dealer when it was new....that is what Yenko did

12500.00 is top of the market now...but nice original paint trucks are hard to find

And this one has an interesting story if it is verified

And a NOS pair of box rails cost 2500.00 today

[dpruim]

January 20th 1985 was a record setting low temp of -11 degrees in Indianapolis, do ya think they were racing the next weekend?

[bdiamond]

The pedals they used on it are pretty cool... I might try do that to mine

[66/87chevy]

NO freaking way this is legit !!!!!! Whats up with the AC vents in the dash ? But NO AC controller? I didn't think GM did NONE AC Silverado's ??? Also I didn't think GM put in 350's in c10's in 85 ???? I always thought they all had 305's unless it was a c20. And that grille is NOT a Silverado grille, WTF ????

[meatwagon83]

you are correct, wouldnt a silverado have four headlights?

[66/87chevy]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

you are correct, wouldnt a silverado have four headlights?

Every Silverado I've ever seen has four.....

[esbstuff]

Originally Posted by 66/87chevy

NO freaking way this is legit !!!!!! Whats up with the AC vents in the dash ? But NO AC controller? I didn't think GM did NONE AC Silverado's ??? Also I didn't think GM put in 350's in c10's in 85 ???? I always thought they all had 305's unless it was a c20. And that grille is NOT a Silverado grille, WTF ????

Could be aftermarket A/C. They always used the heater only control with decal over the orginal. The upper slider on the left side will just say A/C. I have one somewhere, I will find it and snap a pic.

Yes GM did build 81-87 Silverado w/o A/C. We had one here for awhile... 85-86? 3/4t 4x4. 350, 400 trans, Tach, tilt, slider, carpet, insulation package (gas truck w/diesel insulation) power windows, locks, block heater, cab lights etc etc. Loaded with everthing except A/C. Come to find out the truck was sold new in Alaska. 1 owner truck w/paperowrk. Also had 3.23 gears, go figure...

You are correct on 350's... no 350's till 87.

Never seen an 81-7 Silverado w/o 4 headlights (deluxe appearance package), but I did see (and own) an early 80 Silverado w/o the deluxe appearance package, the sqaure headlights. The paper work on the truck included a picture at the dealer when bought new. The core/radiator support was for an 80, but the everything else was round lights... I have a vin number on file. Maybe when I get a chance, i will run it for build sheet and see whats up.

[78 Bonanza]

So I've been collecting and restoring odd ball vehicles for over 20 years now and can tell you that there are some strange ones out there. I just sold an 88 Ford full size Bronco with the 302 HO mustang motor in it. Factory speed package in a full size Bronco. But the body and interior were just a plain old XLT. Not supposed to have been made but it was. I was the second owner and the guy who had it before kept every single piece of paper work for it. That was the only way to prove that it was factory. It took alot of digging around on my part to find the story on it and when I did it was worth the trouble. Very rare vehicle. But I hate fords so it went. My daughter owns an 82 Limited Edition Z-28 with every single option and a 350 in it. Wait GM didn't drop 350's in the 82's only 305's. Right??????????. The car is basically a Corvette in a Camaro's skin. I'm currently restoring a 78 GMC HD with a factory LS6 in it. But like the Camaro it doesn't exist. I've also been trying to pickup a 72 Charger with a 426 in it. But Dodge didn't offer a 426 that year. Then I am the proud owner of a 78 Bonanza Blazer fully loaded with a 400 and it is all original minus one repaint. When I tell people about it most tell me that there was no such thing and I show them the badges and the glove box options sheet. Then there is the oh I guess they did make those.

Point is that with thousands of each vehicle coming off the line there were a few that were odd balls. So unless someone worked for Chevy and watched every single build and sell then who's to say that the truck isn't legit. With the craze over high end rare cars there are alot of fakes out there so be very weary and check everything. Just do your homework and ask the guy for documentation. Tell him to send you the work up on it with the VIN marked out if that would make him feel more comfortable. If he is the second owner proof should be simple to obtain. It is when you find one that 6 or more people have owned that it gets tricky. And don't bother calling GM because they will have no idea and most don't even want to bother with helping you out. And yes I have seen 305 only trucks come from the factory with a 350 and every imaginable option that shouldn't be there. Remember that even in the 80's money could still buy a 350 when a 305 was supposed to go in. Officially it didn't happen but it did.

I have a fellow builder and close friend that worked for chevy from the early 70's until the 90's and he could tell you guys some stories of what they did for people to make a few extra bucks or to help a guy out who wanted something special. GM is so micro managed now that I doubt they would get away with it but it used to happen. At that time alot of gear heads still worked for the big three and still loved hot rodding and would pull some crazy stuff. If you get anymore info post it and I'll try to help you out. I love doing this stuff and would be interested to verify this one and add this truck to my list of rare finds. I plan on publishing a book in a few more years with pics and stats to help disspell the "those never existed" vehicles that are really out there. Good luck and thanks for posting!

[solidaxel]

If you are interested I will go and take a look at it for you, I am not far from him.
I have had my 78 for 34 years, I should be able to see some differences!