Bobby Unser’s 1989 Pontiac Trans-Am Festival pace car. 1381 total miles, just the way Bobby left it- with loads of memorabilia and documentation. Of the 1500+ pace cars, 100 were Indy 500 Festival cars, hand massaged by Prototype Automotive Services in the City of Industry, CA, and delivered to Indianapolis for dignitaries and race officials to drive during the month of May. In 1989, three-time Indy 500 champion Bobby Unser was chosen to drive the Pace Car and at the same time combined his driving talents to serve as expert commentator for ABC television. This car served as Bobby’s personal Indy Festival car, he logged 1132 miles on the car personally (all documented in a letter), mostly while lapping the famed 2 ½ mile oval with dignitaries and special guests. Bobby made special arrangements for the purchase of this car the Tuesday following the 1989 Indy 500. Because of the manner in which Bobby arranged the sale and purchase, this Festival car is equipped with the coveted Indy Festival No. 98 license plate (a special number for Bobby that denoted the number of the Agajanian cars he drove years ago) and the special key fobs. Other memorabilia includes 2 autographed photos, ABC decal, 1989 Indy 500 program, special parking and traffic access windshield decals, the coveted silver garage and pit access badge, Muscle Car Review and Car and Driver magazines with articles, baseball caps, white poplin jacket with Indy and pace car logos.
Dale Armstrong was the lucky fellow who purchased this car. Dale was Kenny Bernstein’s crew chief for many years. His wife was a press secretary for the Unser family and Kenny Bernstein. Dale wanted a TTA and the red carpet was rolled out on this transaction.
Stored in climate controlled garage since 1989 and periodically exercised since Bobby relinquished the car to Don Sisk Pontiac.
I have not decided on a price, it will be in the GNX range. I'd like to sell this or my GNX, the GNX market is more clearly defined, this car however is a loose cannon. I'm not trying to wind anyones watch but last year I wanted the backup 86 & 98 pace cars that sold at the Florida BJ auction. They sold for over $80 and $90 respectively. 86 & 98 Corvettes are in the teens and twenties.
