Vehicle Description
This is not a tribute or cosmetic replica. This 2004 Chevrolet
Impala SS is one of only two official pace cars built by General
Motors for use in the Indy Racing League (IRL) Series, making it
one of the rarest and most thoroughly documented Impalas in
existence.
While Chevrolet produced thousands of special-edition "pace car" or
"parade car" Impala SS models for public sale in 2004, this example
is entirely different. It is not a cosmetic tribute built for
showroom floor appeal. It is a purpose-driven, track-prepared
vehicle, created specifically by GM to serve as a real, functioning
pace car for professional racing events. That fact alone makes it
exceptionally rare and highly significant among GM's modern
motorsport output.
Unlike the mass-market commemorative versions, this car is titled
for street use and is the only one of the two known to remain in
its original "as-delivered" factory race specification. It is a
true piece of GM motorsport history, built to perform and preserved
exactly as it left GM's hands.
Commissioned by GM and prepared by Wheel to Wheel Inc., a
motorsports fabrication firm with deep ties to General Motors, this
car was hand-built specifically for use on track. It served in
multiple roles including official IRL Series pace duties, Brickyard
Hot Laps, and other on-track events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Its authenticity and factory provenance are unquestionable. It
spent its early life in the GM Heritage Collection and was sold by
General Motors in 2006.
Inside, the car features several Indy-specific details that
reinforce its official pace car identity. The Medium Gray leather
seats and matching floor mats both feature Indianapolis Motor
Speedway embroidery, consistent with the styling found on
Chevrolet's official pace cars. These factory-installed touches
complement the car's authentic race-day heritage and complete its
official pace car presentation.
At the heart of the car is a hand-assembled, supercharged 3.8-liter
Series II L67 V6, paired with a heavy-duty 4T65-E HD automatic
transmission designed to handle the power and sustained high-speed
operation required of a real pace car. Supporting systems include
dedicated transmission and power steering coolers, a custom
stainless steel Corsa exhaust, and a specially engineered Delphi
R&D oversized braking system developed to meet the rigors of
track use.
The suspension was professionally modified and lowered by three
inches, featuring high-performance springs and struts that give the
car precise control and a proper stance. In addition, integrated
strobe lights were built into the factory lighting system, further
separating this pace car from any standard production Impala
SS.
It wears a factory-correct finish in Smokin Asphalt, complemented
by its Indy-specific livery and badging. Indy Racing League and
winged-wheel emblems appear on the exterior, and the car retains
its original grille, rear spoiler, and all IRL-issue markings. This
is not merely a "special edition" appearance package. It is a
factory-backed, track-used, fully prepared performance machine.
The odometer currently reads just 16,699 miles, showing remarkably
limited use since its original service with General Motors. Its
event history is well-documented, including a confirmed appearance
at the March 11, 2004 IRL Series race, along with promotional and
hot lap duty at Indianapolis events through 2005. The car was later
shown in 2006 during preparation for a Barrett-Jackson sale, still
wearing its official credentials and appearing exactly as it did
under GM stewardship.
Few vehicles leave the GM Heritage Collection, and even fewer can
match this level of authenticity, performance pedigree, and IndyCar
history. This 2004 Impala SS is a rare artifact of Chevrolet's
motorsport involvement. It is a legitimate pace car built not just
to look the part, but to play it.
Whether you're a collector of pace cars, GM motorsports hardware,
or significant modern-era performance vehicles, this is a
museum-worthy piece with deep factory roots and a compelling
story.
