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Two very different Pace Cars at Martin Auto Museum

2026-09-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

The 1963 Chrysler Pace Setter on display in Arizona. (The Tomaso Collection)

Remember Pontiac’s jingle about Winder’s Better, Y’all?

Like the Martin Auto Museum, who’s vast collection quickly outgrew it’s original building. With proprietor Mel Martin buying up an entire city block!

There’s just so Mucho to talk about that my story quickly outgrew its original footprint, which is quite typical here at No Fenders. So Y’all guessed it, I cranked out another story, Toh-Duh!

Somewhere past the one plus hour mark, my most excellent Docent Jeff steered me past two Pace Cars sitting side-by-side. The first peaking my Attention, being the 1963 Indianapolis 500 Chrysler 300, the year that ‘Ol Rufus Parnelli Jones became the first to qualify at 150mph.

As the feat was celebrated by awarding Parnelli 150 silver dollars, before Jones won the race in ‘Ol Calhoun. J.C. Agajanian’s Watson Roadster.

A 1963 Chrysler 300 convertible Pace Car was driven in the 47th Indianapolis 500 by 1957 Indy 500 winner Sam Hanks, with IMS owner Tony Hulman riding Shotgun. The last Pace car awarded to the team owner.

Thanks to Rick DeBruhl, who’s detailed many of these vehicles with His Auto Evolution series, I learned that said Chrysler 300 was a Pacesetter edition. With 1,861 convertibles being sold as celebratory models to commemorate Chrysler pacing that year’s Indianapolis 500.

VIDEO: 1963 Chrysler 300 Pacesetter

Alongside this Chrysler 300 Pacesetter sat perhaps a Pontiac? Something that paced a NASCAR race, possibly the Day-Toner’ 500? But don’t remember what race it was from.

A follow-up phone call with Martin Auto Museum docent Gene revealed that it was indeed a celebratory 1988 Pontiac Pace car.

After a little more sluicing, err sleuthing. From the Museo’s website I learned it was a 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix SE Pace Car edition of that year’s Daytona 500 Pace Car. When Bobby Allison won ahead of Davey, with the father-son duo finishing 1-2.

Although the sixth generation Pontiac Grand Prix won Motor Trend’s 1988 Car of the Year award, the actual Daytona 500 Pace Car was heavily modified. Since the Grand Prix came stock with an anemic 2.8-litre transverse mounted V-6 lump’ rated at 140Bhp, be still my beating Heart!

Rick DeBruhl completely describes this W Body front wheel drive sedan in the video below.

VIDEO: The Sleekest car of 1988 - The Pontiac Grand Prix

Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister’ Miguel.

AUTOS: Where’s The Judge?

2026-09-04T16:42:00.000-07:00

1966 Pontiac GTO. (The Tomaso Collection)

Strange, but when I think of the Pontiac GTO, I immediately come up with Larry Shinoda’s (1969) version simply known as The Judge!

This 1966 Pontiac GTO 400 Restomod is part of the Martin Auto Museum’s vast collection of over 170 vehicles! With the car’s corresponding plaque mentioning being from the Alexander Orzechowski Collection, dated May 15, 2024.

I say Restomod since this car has been tastefully modified, most notably it’s 400cid Pontiac V-8 engine, along with “knockoff” Cragar wheels, etc.

While once again, Rick DeBruhl “schooled” me on the finer aspects of this vehicle, specifically what it’s Hardtop variant means. Check out the video below…

VIDEO: The Car that made Pontiac Famous – The 1966 GTO

Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister’ Miguel.

AUTOS: What a Purdy’ lump!

2026-09-04T15:40:00.000-07:00

Pontiac 400cid V-8 engine. (The Tomaso Collection)

This Blinged-out’ Chromed 400cid V-8 Pontiac engine provides the motivating power for the Martin Auto Museo’s 1966 Pontiac GTO 400 Restomod!

Cannot tell if it comes equipped wit the vaunted tri-power Carburetors available for that year’s production 389cid V-8?

Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister’ Miguel.