Vehicle Description
After the dominating C5-R won the GTS Class at the 24 hours of Le
Mans for the second consecutive year, the Corvette was again
selected by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the race's sanctioning
body, as the official pace car for 2003. Fortunately for Chevrolet,
this invitation coincided nicely with the 50th anniversary of
"America's Sports Car." Thus, it presented General Motors with a
fantastic opportunity to showcase the highly capable production
Corvette to the world. Records indicate that Chevrolet seized this
important opportunity by sending a total of six new 2003 Corvette
coupes to France; two to function as Pace Cars while the others
were used as Safety Cars. All were similar in appearance, painted
the distinctive "Anniversary Red" (color code 94) and equipped with
Champagne-colored aluminum wheels as well as all of the special
50th anniversary badging. Each had the 1SB Preferred Equipment
Group of options as well as the new F55 Magnetic Selective Ride
Control system. All of the cars were powered by the aluminum
5.7-liter Chevrolet LS1 V-8, rated at 350 horsepower, making them
more than capable of swiftly performing their important track
duties. The vehicle presented here is the actual pace car used in
the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003. This particular car stands out
from the other known vehicles sent to France, as it is the only one
equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Along with its
special LeMans graphics scheme and roof-mounted blue marker lights,
it is also equipped with Simpson three-inch wide five-point safety
harnesses for both the driver and a passenger. Additionally, there
is a Pe Mall hand-held fire extinguisher mounted on the harness bar
in the rear compartment. Interestingly, this car is configured as
an export model with amber rear side marker lamps, a slightly
different style tail and reverse lights, as well as an elegant
provision for the longer European style number plates. Strobe
lights are installed in the front, rear, and side lamps. Also
included with the car are operator's manual in French as well as
English, roof top light covers, spare grille & side badging, 1:32
scale Slot Car model of the exact car, factory build sheet and
window sticker (both laminated for preservation) and a 50th
anniversary Corvette VHS tape (still sealed). The car was retained
by General Motors after the race as part of their Heritage
Collection. It was subsequently sold when the company was going
through bankruptcy proceedings. When the car was sold to the
public, General Motors issued a branded title from new. GM wanted
to avoid potential warranty claims for a car that has seen track
time and has modifications from the original, which included a
special low restriction Borla exhaust (that gives the car a
remarkable tone at idle or on the throttle!). Since then, it has
been maintained in its original condition with the odometer showing
less than 2,300 miles. According to its VIN, it is a very early
example, making it a "Pilot Car" which was used to refine the
production process for all 2003 Corvettes. Most cars with LeMans
history are exotic machines, often complicated and expensive to
acquire and maintain. This Corvette offers a unique opportunity to
own a piece of international motorsports history that can grace a
show field, be the star of Cars & Coffee, accompany you to dinner,
or even drive across the country. Best of all, it can be serviced
in Any Town, USA. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7738-2003-chevrolet-corvette-lemans-pace-car/
