Being selected to supply the Pace Car for the annual Indianapolis 500 carries prestige. Despite its enormous sales success, it is an honor bestowed on Ford’s Mustang a mere three times. The second of those occasions was in 1979, and the company elected to leverage the achievement by releasing 10,478 Pace Car Replicas. Buyers could select two different engines, but only 2,402 combined the V8 option with a four-speed manual transmission. Our feature car is one of those vehicles, and its presentation is hard to fault. It has led a sheltered life, but the seller feels the time is right for it to find a new home. Therefore they have listed it here on eBay in Miami, Florida. Their BIN is $30,900, although there is the option to make an offer.

For 1979, Ford offered the Pace Car Edition in a single color combination of Pewter Metallic and Black. They added a distinctive set of stripes, while buyers could elect whether or not they applied the vinyl signage and graphics included with their new purchase. The original owner decided to do so, and the graphics look crisp and free from checking and shrinkage. The paint shines superbly, coating panels that are flawless. The gaps are tight and consistent, rating as some of the best I’ve seen on a Mustang of this vintage. The seller indicates the car has been garage-kept throughout its life, helping to explain its rust-free status and lack of visible UV damage. Life on warm days would be pleasant with the glass sunroof open, while the rear window louver is an excellent period touch. The Mustang wears its original distinctive alloy wheels free from stain and damage. They say it garners plenty of attention when displayed at a Cars & Coffee, and I find that claim easy to believe.

The 1979 Pace Car’s interior possessed the “wow” factor when new, which remains striking today. The seller indicates the seats received a retrim in their correct material, and they appear faultless. The heavily-bolstered outer front seat edges show no wear, which is a significant positive since that area is one of the more prone. The carpet is spotless, the dash is immaculate, and there are no signs of crumbling plastic. A cursory glance suggests no aftermarket additions, but this isn’t accurate. Somebody has swapped aftermarket gauges into the factory gauge cluster. While they don’t look out of place, I’m probably not alone wishing the original items were intact. There are no further changes, with the car retaining its original radio/cassette player and leather-wrapped sports wheel. If the fresh air provided by the sunroof doesn’t provide enough cooling on hot days, the original owner’s decision to order the car with air conditioning is a welcome one.

While Ford offered three drivetrain combinations for the 1979 Pace Car Edition, the most desirable was the V8/four-speed. That is what the original owner selected, with this car being 1-of-2,402 so equipped. When this Mustang was new, Ford hadn’t begun delving into the world of fuel injection or electronic engine management systems, so its 5.0-liter V8 pumps out a modest 140hp. However, with a total weight of a mere 2,850lbs, the Pace Car should cover the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds. It wouldn’t take long for the Mustang to produce power that would blow that figure ten feet in the air, but there was nothing wrong with that ET in 1979. The addition of aftermarket headers and a complete dual exhaust on this car may have boosted power slightly, offering a more rewarding driving experience. The engine bay presentation is as excellent as the rest of the vehicle, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The seller states the car drives exceptionally well, and this YouTube video confirms that V8 sounds as strong as an ox.

While the 1979 Mustang Pace Car Edition was not particularly rare, this car possesses the most desirable drivetrain combination Ford offered. Apart from the aftermarket gauges and exhaust headers, it remains an unmolested classic that presents superbly. However, is its overall condition good enough to justify the BIN price? Admittedly, it does sit at the top end of the market, but it appears to need nothing. Even if the price proves more than many people might initially be willing to pay, it is worth considering this Mustang as a long-term investment prospect. Like most Fox-Bodies, values are growing faster than the classic market average. Even if the price seems steep, the next owner could quickly find themselves with an appreciating asset. Until that happens, they will be able to slip behind the wheel of a car that offers a rewarding driving experience and one that could still turn head on the street or at a Cars & Coffee. I’m not sure whether the seller will achieve their price, but with ninety people watching the listing, I think it is possible.