1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible Pace Car

The 1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible was chosen to pace the 55th Indianapolis 500 Race held on Saturday, May 29, 1971. Fifty Convertible Challengers were built using either 318, 340, or 383 cubic inch V8 engines. At the start of the race, Eldon Palmer, a local Indianapolis-area Dodge dealer, lost control of the Dodge Challenger pace car at the south end of the pit area and became the only pace car to crash at the race. Look for more on our car and the history of the Challenger Pace Cars.