---
title: "Entire Collection of Indy 500 Corvette Pace Cars Headed to Auction"
description: "Sixteen coveted Corvettes will be auctioned as a single lot when Mecum rolls into Indianapolis in May."
date: "2018-04-25"
modified: "2018-04-25"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/20354/entire-collection-of-indy-500-corvette-pace-cars-headed-to-auction"
categories:
  - "Chevrolet News"
  - "Culture"
  - "For Sale"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "Car Collection"
  - "Chevrolet"
  - "Corvette"
  - "Coupe"
  - "General Motors"
  - "Indianapolis Motor Speedway"
  - "Indy 500"
  - "Mecum"
  - "Mecum Auction"
  - "sports car"
---

# Entire Collection of Indy 500 Corvette Pace Cars Headed to Auction

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/04/corvetteindy500pacecar08.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

If you're a fan of the [Chevrolet Corvette](<https://thestore.thedrive.com/>) and of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indy 500, you will soon have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire the only complete collection of Corvette Indy 500 pace cars known to man.

Painstakingly assembled and maintained by one of the world's most renowned Corvette collectors, Keith Busse, the adrenaline-inducing collection is headed to Mecum Auctions' May sale, which will take place in, you guessed it, [Indianapolis, Indiana](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/20278/the-2019-chevrolet-corvette-zr1-will-pace-this-years-indy-500>). The collection features samples ranging from the first time a 'Vette lead the field at Indy in 1978, all the way to 2017, when the [hot and sexy Grand Sport](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/13537/2018-chevrolet-corvette-grand-sport-convertible-review-even-a-compromised-version-will-blow-you-away>) did the lap of honor around the two-mile oval.

![message-editor%2F1524660618475-screenshot2018-04-25at8.24.15am.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1524660618475-screenshot2018-04-25at8.24.15am.png>)
*MECUM*

![message-editor%2F1524660633399-screenshot2018-04-25at8.24.43am.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1524660633399-screenshot2018-04-25at8.24.43am.png>)
*MECUM*

The Chevrolet Corvette has made a total of 14 appearances over the years, but if you read [the online listing](<https://www.mecum.com/auctions/indianapolis-2018/collections/keith-busse-corvette-pace-car-collection/>) closely, you'll notice that Busse's collection, which will be offered as a single lot, mysteriously includes a total of sixteen cars. The two extra cars are two 2004 Corvettes, a white one that was gifted to race winner Buddy Rice, and a blue one that led the Indy 500 parade festivities that same year.

Other noteworthy members of this exclusive family include the first-ever 'Vette pace car, a gorgeous black-over-silver 1978 C3, as well as a 1998 C5 with a purple and yellow livery that was immortalized by many Hot Wheels models of that era. However, if the lots were to be sold separately, and according to Mecum there's a chance they will if the entire lot doesn't bring a worthy bid, my money would be on the 2013 pace car, a [lovely Corvette ZR1](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/20382/watch-the-2019-chevrolet-corvette-zr1-hit-almost-215-mph-in-top-speed-testing>) finished in white with silver stripes.

![message-editor%2F1524660662877-screenshot2018-04-25at8.23.52am.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1524660662877-screenshot2018-04-25at8.23.52am.png>)
*MECUM*

![message-editor%2F1524660669353-screenshot2018-04-25at8.25.30am.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1524660669353-screenshot2018-04-25at8.25.30am.png>)
*MECUM*

The all-new 2019 Corvette ZR1 will be the official pace car of the 102 running of the [2018 Indy 500](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19660/the-casual-fans-2018-indycar-spotters-guide>), which will take place on May 27. Fortunately (or unfortunately for some), modern pace cars will be headed to General Motors' Heritage Collection or the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum following their official duties, which means they'll no longer be able to be collected by individuals.

Happy bidding.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)