The Mustang, introduced in 1964, quickly became a cultural icon. Its sporty design and affordable price made it a popular choice among young Americans. To further boost its popularity, Ford decided to make the Mustang the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 that year.
On a new episode of Jay Leno’s Garage on YouTube, the stand-up comedian and automotive enthusiast welcomes a special a 1964.5 Ford Mustang Indy Pace Car. Now, this isn’t a Ford Mustang Indy Pace Car replica, it was the official pace car for the race.
This particular Mustang, designated as car number 241, was one of the first Mustangs ever produced. It was sent to Holman Moody, a legendary racing team, for modifications. These upgrades included fitting a GT40 engine, reinforcing the chassis, and adding other race-oriented components.
Given the importance of this special Mustang, Jay Leno invited Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, to share stories and discuss the significance of this special Mustang.
