Does anyone have any background on the '79 Indy Pace trucks? I've seen the actual ad Ford ran in '79 promoting them, but can't seem to find much else. Any idea on how many were produced? Can they be verified and documented via VIN number? Is there a registry? I love the '79 Mustang Pace Car and find the truck interesting, yet it's not well known.

 

These questions come up on the 73-79 forum every so often. You may want to search as there is at least a little bit of info there.

So far I have seen no data as to how many were produced. I have meant to write Ford but have never done so. Every Indy Truck I have seen has a color code of 0 and a body code of PA4. If it doesn't have a roll bar, it should at least have the holes in the bed where one used to be.

There are some pictures of mine in my Gallery.

 

Thanks 79INDY - that's the best Indy Pace Truck info I've seen yet - much appreciated.

 

Here's some more info on the Indy Pace trucks. I've heard that there was a total of 500 of them made. I don't know if that is true or not, as that number seems a little low to me. They were available in F100, F150, or F250 models; with the F150s and F250s available in 2wd or 4wd. The F100 models were available as short or long beds. I've found the F100 short bed Indy Pace truck to be the rarest of all( I've only ever seen 2 of them). Engine availability was 302, 351M/400, and 460; I've never seen a Pace truck with a 300-6.


1979 F150 Indy Pace truck


1979 F350 Official Indy wrecker replica(somebody made this, as it was not originally available from Ford)

 

The only thing I know for sure (or can remember) we had at least (2) in 1979 both were F-250's with the 460 engines, I sold Fords back then. Another strange note: I can also remember in 1979 we had (2) Fairmont 4cyl TURBO 2 door sport coupes. Never seen any since.

 

Saw a turbo Fairmont on ebay about six months ago. Beautiful original low milage car, can't remember what it sold for.

 

1979 ford indy 500 460ci/c6/2 wheel drive was the true truck that ran the opening lap of the indy 500.there were 13 different decals that came on the trucks including the 500 logo.i have one they electrocromatic design (it glows in the dark) way ahead of the times.i am a ford parts man and have done my research in the parts department.i wish i knew how many were made.
I do know that mine was special ordered from ford,because i know the orginal owner. I am the second owner i have had my truck since 1985.i have always thought that it may be a collectors because ford has never used
an automatic transmission behind a 460.ci. In a 1/2 ton or f150...1 year production only ever! The true ground pounder..(big block}eat my shorts chevy boys!!












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Well you go ME on that one, thats one that I did'nt know.

The Dealership I worked at had 3 at the same time all three were Marone with Gold Stripes 1979 Ranchero's with 460's in them they were automatics. We liked to have never sold those bad boys.

I also had a Grand Torino Country Squire 1975 station wagon with every option including the "Lock" package and a 460. The only one I ever seen. Talk about a gas hog.

Hey those were the good ole days.

 

I have a 79 Indy Track Truck also. I'm learning about it little by little. It has a 460 engine with the C-6 transmission. I've owned it about a year. Info on these trucks is difficult to come by. I'll probably be posting questions on the site from time to time.

 

Here is the Indy Pace Truck Brochure...

 

ford only used an automatic transmission behind a 460 until the 80s. i kno 460s were available in f350s in 73. i saw a camper special 140" wheelbase truck with one that was supposed to be all original. 79 was not the only year for a 460 in a f150. theres a 78 lariat f150 sitting in my back yard with a 460. and im 100% sure thats original

 

That's really cool. I've sold a ton of parts to guys restoring the 79 Pace cars,but I never knew there was a truck too. How cool would it be to have the truck with a 79 Pace car Mustang on the trailer?

 

What variety of options were available on the 1979 Indy Track Trucks? Did they come with "tilt steering wheels", "tape players", "cruise control", etc... ? Just how loaded up with options could a guy order one of these trucks? The Track Truck I have is a pretty bare bones version. I'm curious as to what was actually available when ordering a new one. Thanks in advance, indymechanic.

 

I've heard of them coming with 302s to 460s, and that some were optioned heavily and some not, I've even seen a F350 wrecker many years ago-around 1980.....

 

If you go on you tube some kids had posted a video about a 79 pace truck. Might be all original the body does and it has a 460. You can check it out. Its call the story of the 79 pace truck. It may give you an idea what the truck is capable of doing. The 62 nova in the clip is not that fast in case somone checks it out and wonders.