Vehicle Description
Here in the Houston Showroom we have this top notch 1998 C5
Corvette Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car. In 1998, the newly
introduced convertible version of the C5 was chosen to pace the
Indianapolis 500 race, and a Pace Car Replica (RPO Z4Z) was offered
to the public. Aside from lacking the equipment necessary for
actual pace car duties (light bar, special racing harnesses, etc.),
there was little difference between the Pace Car Replica C5 and the
vehicle that actually saw duty during the race. The Pace Car
Replica package consisted of a special paint color ("Radar Blue"),
unique interior colors (black and yellow), painted yellow wheels,
and special pace car decals. The Pace Car Replica package also
included other optional equipment: the newly introduced Active
Handling System (RPO JL4); an electronically tuned AM/FM radio with
CD player and a Bose speaker system; an electronic dual-zone
heating & air conditioning system; and leather adjustable sport
bucket seats. While regarded by many as the most garish Corvette
appearance package offered to date, the 1998 Pace Car Replicas
nevertheless enjoy a strong and loyal following of owners and
collectors. The C5 featured a hydroformed box frame, a design that
offered an improved structural platform, especially for a
convertible body style. The transmission was relocated to the rear
of the car to form an integrated, rear-mounted transaxle assembly,
connected to the all-new LS1 engine via a torque tube � an
engine/transmission arrangement enabling a 50-50 (percentage,
front-rear) weight distribution for improved handling. The LS1
engine initially produced 345 hp. Aside from cosmetic differences
(new wheel styles, paint colors, pace car/commemorative editions in
1998, 2003, and 2004, etc.), horsepower boosts, and new offerings
for optional equipment, there were few fundamental changes from one
model year to the next within the production run of the C5. One of
the more popular "high-tech" options introduced to the Corvette
line was a head-up display or HUD, while another innovation was the
Active Handling System (first available as an option in 1998, then
standard on all models in 2001). The C5 was also the first Corvette
to incorporate a drive-by-wire throttle; and variable-effort
steering, whereby the assist level of the power steering is varied
according to vehicle speed (more at lower speeds, less at higher
speeds), and was the first model to adopt the parallel or 'tandem'
windshield wiper configuration, abandoning the opposed wiper
configuration that was traditional on all previous Corvette models.
In contrast to the reputation of high-performance vehicles for poor
fuel economy, the C5 achieves comparatively high EPA ratings of
18/25 mpg (city/highway) with the automatic transmission and 19/28
with the manual transmission, allowing it to avoid the gas guzzler
tax that is levied against most other vehicles in the Corvette's
class. A number of factors are responsible for this: the relatively
light weight of the C5 (a curb weight under 3,300 lb (1,500 kg). -
See more at:
http://gatewayclassiccars.com/houston/1998/chevrolet/corvette-S193.html#sthash.jWT2S8Rd.dpuf
