1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

I recently learned that the 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan was the pace car for the 1935 Indy 500. Harry Mack was the driver of the pace car and Amelia Earhart was the Grand Marshall.

I have found several pictures on the web but so far they are all black and white except for a model of the car which shows the Ford was red.

Is there anyone out there that knows about this pace car? Was it really red? Is the car in a museum?

If anyone has knowledge of the car's history I would be interested in learning more about it. I would like to paint my '35 to look like the Pace car and would like to get the colors correct.

Thanks....
https://rtbassemir.com/wp-content/up...a-Airheart.jpg

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

I can tell you a fellow down here in Florida - "Birth Place of Speed" regional group had one that he restored after this car and was In fact "Red" and IF I remember correctly, wheels too, RED!!! I saw it once, several years ago!!!!

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

Aviator Amelia Earhart was a passenger in it? Or maybe that was just for photos.

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

I don't know if Amelia was a passenger for the pace lap. All I read was that she was the race grand marshall. These were probably just photo opportunities.

https://rtbassemir.com/wp-content/up...eCarAmelia.jpg

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

Thanks rocfla, I'm going to try and find this guy

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

He passed away a few years ago, not sure IF there were any kids to carry on. I know he had restoration shop in Daytona Beach and had done the car for himself (I believe & thus researched it pretty well I would think). I am a member of the group but I'm 80 miles north of the monthly meetings so I don't (unfortunately) attend much so I'm not as connected as some her on the barn are that will know more than me. Hopefully they will chime in???

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

I looked your group in the Early Ford V8 directory and reached out to the contact listed in the directory.

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

Check with Glenn McLone from Daytona Beach, he may know this car.

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

The pace car would have been given to the winner Kelly Petillo. A Google search of him may provide additional photos.


Ford entered 10 cars in the '35 race. Only 4 qualified and none finished. This was a
collaberation between Preston Tucker and Edsel Ford

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

Tony....Glenn passed away over a year ago. He was a great guy and friend!!!!

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

rbassemir, I'm betting that the color was either Lt. Gunmetal Gray or Vineyard Green (Std Factory colors) Here's my Vineyard Green Convertible Sedan at Indy some years ago.

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

Three Fedora's and a Straw hat.
Think with all this weight we should change the gear ratio?
I'll give Fordbarn a jingle to find out:):D






https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=42340

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

51 MERC-CT - Good job photo shopping that B&W picture...:)

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

Oh dear that’s so sad. I had not talked to Glenn in a couple of years but met him many times also been to his home in Daytona. Along with Mike Burch. Both such a loss.

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1579848919
Regarding colour, just saw this 1/43rd Scale Model of the 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Indy Pace Car, and it is dark red?

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

Tony
I did not know Mike at all BUT had known Glenn as long as I can remember. We used to take our 37 Woodie down to Ormond Beach every Thanksgiving for the "Big" car show every year starting at least in 1967. We met Glenn then. he used to have (and may still) a 1934 4 Door sedan and the highlight for me was watching him race it on the beach for the annual beach races. He was into flathead speed equipment even way back then and his 34 Sedan was rarely beat!!!! Even way back then 33-34 was my most "Fav" style and I think his 4 door was the first of those year V8's I saw in person and loved it from first sight. I have a big sentimental attachment to that car as you can read and THUS why our 33 4 Door is one of my sentimental Fav's of our V8 stable. AND for the record it was McGlone, Tony...you forgot the "G"

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

I’ve managed to source 3 different 1935 convertible sedan models in 1/43. Nearly as rare as the real ones!!

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...mp;d=158001130
Dan, They are really neat models. Thanks for sharing. Mercman <><

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

Trevor what’s the secret to attaching the pictures bigger like this?

Re: 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan Pace Car
 

Posting bigger pics..

I can help with that..

https://youtu.be/dv-CO6QWCFg

Mart.