History The 57th Indianapolis 500 Race was held on May 28, 1973. A Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Convertible was chosen as the Official Pace Car that year. Veteran Indy driver Jim Rathmann drove the actual pace car, and led the pack to start the race. This event marked the fifth time the Indy 500 race had been paced by a Cadillac, with 1927, 1934, and 1937 LaSalles serving duty in previous races, and a V-12 1931 Cadillac also having been chosen. 1973 was only the second time a front wheel drive vehicle had paced the 500, with the first front wheel drive pace car being a 1930 Cord, which also held the honor of E. L. Cord himself as driver! A total of 566 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Convertible Pace Cars were built, all identified by option number SR-X20.

The 564 cars that were not modified for high speed use as the Official Pace Car or its back up, are considered "replica" cars, and had a special plaque that was mounted on the instrument panel to the left of the clock identifying the cars as replicas. The plaques featured a back and white checkered crossed flag insignia at the top, and stated in red script below, "This Eldorado Convertible is a limited edition replica of the 1973 Indianapolis 500 Official Pace Car".

Availability How many remaining Eldorado Convertibles Pace Cars are there? We do not know, but you can own one of them as we have one here at Skyway Classics. Ours in finished in Cotillion White, with White convertible top and Medium Red (Scarlet) Sierra Grain Leather interior.

Features & Options 1973 was first year for the Cadillac Eldorado to have an Electric grid-type Rear Window Defogger on Eldorado Coupe, Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror option, Standard Litter Container, Automatic Power Antenna option, Grille attached to front bumper, Theft-Deterrent System option, "Soft Pillow" door panel design, Roman numerals on clock face, Rosewood vinyl trim panels, Standard Houndstooth Pattern Fabric on Eldorado Coupe seats, Full-length mid-body belt molding, Circular wreath-and-crest rear side marker light (first year since 1970), and an Illuminated windshield wiper.

It of course has all the power options you would expect on a Caddy, window, door locks, seats, air, brakes steering , radio, antenna, and on and on. It also has the convertible top boot, floor mats, and rides on wide whitewall tires.

Conclusion Do not miss a chance to pace the field in your own 1973 Indy 500 Eldorado Pace Car Convertible. Come see it at Skyway Classics.

So give us a call at 941-254-6608.

We also finance! Check out our Skyway Classics blog here at https://www.skywayclassics.com/blog