2008 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Cars

Chevrolet has revealed two Corvette variants that will serve as pace cars at the 2008 Indy 500 -- a custom Z06 that runs on E85 ethanol that will be driven by two-time Indy 500 champ Emerson Fittipaldi, and a 30th anniversary Corvette that commemorates the Corvette's first appearance as a pace car at the 1978 Indy 500.

Other than a revamped fuel-system to allow the car to run on E85 ethanol, the Corvette Z06 E85 is mechanically unchanged. The only other modification to the car, besides its wild, color changing Gold Rush Green paint job accented by a checkered flag pattern on its flanks, is the car's requisite safety equipment. The E85 Vette is a one-off concept that will only see duty as a pace car at the race.

The 30th Anniversary commemorative edition Corvette, on the other hand, will be entering limited production as both a coupe and convertible. GM has announced that 500 of the vehicles will be made, although the distribution between hardtops and droptops is not yet known.

Functionally, they will be equivalent to fully-loaded 2008 Corvettes -- complete with 436 horsepower LS3 V-8 and either a manual or automatic transmission. The Corvette's 3LT option package, Z51 performance package, and the dual-mode exhaust all are standard equipment on the black-and-silver sprayed vehicle.

The Corvette pacer will also feature a set of new chromed, five-spoke aluminum wheels that are slated to become optional equipment for the 2008 Corvette model year, along with a rear spoiler from the Z06. The interior features a two-tone titanium color scheme and embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos on the seats. Pricing will be announced at a later date, according to GM.