This 1954 Dodge Royal 500 Indy Pace Car Edition Is Brilliant
Images: RM Auctions
In 1954 Dodge provided the pace car for the Indianapolis 500. And it was a lot like this brilliant 1954 Dodge Royal 500 Indy Pace Car Edition, which is heading to auction at RM Auctions’ Hershey Sale in October.
For the 1954 race, Chrysler’s Dodge division was given the honour of providing the pace car. It was the first time they’d ever paced the Indy 500 and they chose a Royal Convertible for the job.
The Dodge Royal already had a Hemi V8 under the hood providing plenty of pep, but the pace car received special tuning with a four-barrel carburettor and a custom Offenhauser intake manifold.
To articulate its arresting good looks and make certain it stood out in front of the Indy 500 field, the car was finished in a distinctive two-tone yellow and black colour scheme and equipped with a rear-mounted Continental kit spare and Kelsey-Haves chrome wire wheels.
Dodge then got a little excited, and supplied an additional 701 Royal Convertibles which were produced in identical trim, complete with the go-faster bits installed by the dealer. And that’s what we find here.
This car was found in California by its current owners and given a full restoration, which included rebuilding the engine, transmission, power steering and power brakes. The work was completed inside, out, top and bottom with all components returned to original condition, including that distinctive upholstery.
The restoration work is so good that the car was honoured with an AACA Grand National First Prize honours in 2014.
It may not be the cutting edge of racing royalty, but this machine embodies the spirit and fun of classic motorsport. It’s a little piece of history; utterly unique, affordable and a whole lot of fun. We dig it!
It’s heading to auction at RM Auctions’ Hershey sale on Friday, the 10th of October, 2014. RM Auctions expects it to go for somewhere between $50,000 and $70,000.
Images thanks to RM Auctions, by Blake Mistich
