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Technical Specifications:

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Details:

  • 1 of 159 1968 Torino Indy Pace Cars built
  • 1 of 1 with factory tachometer
  • 1 of 5 with a Blue interior
  • 1 of 12 with a 390 ci engine
  • Marti Auto Works documented
  • NOS headrests specific to the Torino Indy Pace Car
  • Added Tri-Power intake manifold
  • Converted to 4-speed with NOS parts
  • Painless Wiring harness
  • Front coilover struts with 2-piston front disc calipers
  • Letter from Kevin Marti stating the car was built for the 500
  • Rotisserie restored and repainted in Wimbledon White
  • Numbers matching car

Text courtesy of Mecum Auctions

Built at the Lorraine, Ohio, assembly plant and shipped directly to Indianapolis, this 1968 Ford Torino was one of 159 purpose-built for Pace Car duties at the 1968 Indianapolis 500. It is one of 12 equipped with the 390 CI V8 engine, one of only five with a Blue interior and the only one of the group equipped with a factory-installed 6,000 RPM tachometer.

Subjected to a rotisserie restoration without regard for expense, the car was refinished in the original Wimbledon White, and then meticulously reassembled using as many NOS parts as possible, including a rare set of Pace Car-specific headrests. Carefully chosen modifications were part of the car’s restoration. The 390 CI engine was rebuilt using a period-correct Tri-Power carburetion setup, and its original automatic transmission was replaced with a four-speed manual transmission using NOS parts. At the same time it also received a gear reduction starter, a new Painless Wiring electrical harness, dual-piston front brake calipers and a coilover front suspension, the latter two for improved driveability. A genuine head-turner, this unusually rare Torino Pace Car is documented with a Marti Report and a follow-up letter from Kevin Marti stating the car was purpose-built for the 500 and not one of the Replica cars built by dealers after the race. The original intake system and other parts replaced during the restoration are included.

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