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70-614: The Turnpike Cruiser was produced as a luxury two-door and a four-door hardtop sedan. During the 1957 model year, a convertible, called the Convertible Cruiser, was offered on a limited basis, which served as a pace car for the Indianapolis 500 auto race. Mercury fitted the Turnpike Cruiser with a wide variety of advanced features for the time of its production, including a retractable rear window marketed as

140-399: A continental kit is the common U.S. term for an upright externally-mounted spare tire behind an automobile's trunk. These were available as factory-installed or aftermarket "kits" with full-sized spare wheels. The term is also applied to a cosmetic accessory designed to give the impression of an exposed rear-mounted spare tire. The term also describes a tire-like styling bulge stamped into

210-484: A " rolling start " led by a pace car. Nearly all races at the time, as well as all Formula One races even to the present, utilize a standing start . In almost every year since 1936, it has been a tradition that the winner of the Indianapolis 500 be presented with one of that year's pace cars (or a replica). In most years since 1911, the driver of the pace car at the start of the race has been an invited celebrity,

280-497: A factory design or option. It has become an accessory that typifies "the spirit" of the 1950s. After-market continental kits are available for customization of 200 different automobile models. Some after-market applications may not enhance the car's design. Continental kits and trunk lid add-on spare tire trim were also made popular by the garish pimpmobile era of the 1970s and featured in "Super Fly" movies. Continental kits and simulated spare tires were also featured in some of

350-410: A former racing driver, or notable figure in the automotive industry. Historically, the honor of supplying the pace car was, and continues to be, a coveted honor by the respective automobile manufacturers and a marketing showcase for the particular make/model . The pace car was used to take the starting field on one unscored lap. The field would use the lap to warm up their engines, tires, and then at

420-505: A fringed top, seats, and a continental tire mount with a colorful vinyl-coated fabric covers in "candy stripes" of pink, green, or blue to match the car's body colors. Automotive historians also use this term to describe a nonfunctional circular bulge stamped into the trunk lid to give the impression of a spare tire. However, some argue that the spare hump is not "continental" anymore. Several 1950s Italian-bodied Chrysler concept cars popularized this design feature. The trunk lid bulge

490-464: A pace car. In some years, and in most cases for the past several decades, the winner is actually presented with one of the official street-legal pace car replicas. Starting in 2010, a modified Dallara IR03, converted to a two-seater , has also led the field during the parade and pace lap. Billed as the "Fastest Seat in Sports," it is driven by a former Indy driver, and carries a special passenger. This

560-465: A set of golf clubs without removing the spare tire. The 1956 model year Thunderbird included a spare tire mounted outside as standard equipment. However, adding the weight of the tire and mounting behind the rear wheels affected the car's ride and handling adversely. For the 1957 model year, the Thunderbird's trunk was stretched 5 inches (127 mm) to allow the spare tire back inside, although

630-497: A simulated spare tire bulge include a squared stylized suggestion of a Continental kit on the 1964 Imperials. The 1982 through 1987 Lincoln "Bustleback" four-door sedan design prominently featured the Continental model name as part of the circular trunk lid bump. Contemporary examples of continental kits are sometimes found on old and newer customized automobiles, including late-model Lincoln Continental cars that never included

700-409: A standard (or optional ) side-mounted spare tire (or tires) on the fenders behind the front wheels, either for style or to increase luggage capacity. Early European sports cars had their spare tire attached to the back of the automobile, since their trunk or storage space was often minimal. However, these rear- or side-mounted spare tires were not considered continental tires. The development of

770-430: A standard setup was used. In place of contrasting paint, the scalloped tailfins were gold-anodized. Along with its retractable "Breezeway" rear window, the Turnpike Cruiser received a separate roofline, with a windshield curving into the roof. The windshield was among the first to use tint to reduce solar glare. As a consequence of the compound-curve design of the windshield, Mercury added rooftop ventilation intakes to

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840-426: A two-door hardtop which largely served as a preview of the 1957 Mercury model line. For 1957, the Turnpike Cruiser was offered as the top level Mercury model line, with a similar approach to luxury shared with the updated four passenger second generation Ford Thunderbird . The list price was US$ 3,758 for the coupe, $ 40,768 in 2023 dollars , and US$ 4,103 for the convertible, $ 44,511 in 2023 dollars . Outside of Ford,

910-503: A two-time Indiana 250 winning car owner at the Speedway, drove in 2019. 1957: A new state-of-the-art pit lane was built. For the first time, the pit area was separated from the racing surface. For 1957–1958, the field was lined up in single file on the pit lane, rather than the traditional 11 rows of three on the race surface. This required the cars to pull away, then assemble into formation. This caused tremendous confusion in 1958, as

980-455: Is featured at many IndyCar Series races. The process of varying the selection across different models, which existed from 1911 through 2001, has been abandoned since 2002, with all pace cars exclusively provided by the Chevrolet marque since that year. A list of manufacturers and the frequency in which they either provided official pace cars, or one of their vehicles were selected to pace

1050-672: The IMS Radio Network , and other celebrities were among those invited to ride in the pace car. In 1971, local Indianapolis Dodge dealer Eldon Palmer was involved in a crash driving the pace car. He crashed into a photographer's stand at the south end of the pit area, injuring several persons. In the years immediately following, the pace car driver utilized would only be an experienced race driver. Former Indy winner Jim Rathmann served six times (and once for caution periods only). Celebrities James Garner and Marty Robbins were chosen in part due to their experience in racing. In 1977,

1120-548: The Lincoln Zephyr chassis that was chopped and channeled , stylist Eugene T. "Bob" Gregorie, designed a convertible with a long hood and a spare tire mounted to the rear to reinforce the image of a low speedy automobile. The 1939 Lincoln Continental 's short trunk with its external rear spare tire mount became a distinctive design. Reaction was so positive that Lincoln produced the car in 1940 through 1942 and returned after World War II, between 1946 and 1948. While this

1190-466: The " Breezeway ", compound-curve windshield, mechanical pushbutton transmission controls and a trip computer. In total, 23,268 examples of the Turnpike Cruiser were produced over two years. Mercury discontinued the Turnpike Cruiser for the 1958 model year, phasing its content into the Park Lane product line. The Turnpike Cruiser derives its name from the 1956 Mercury XM-Turnpike Cruiser concept car,

1260-460: The Indianapolis 500. This list counts all subsidiary marques, current and defunct, from each manufacturer along with vehicles made by a company that later merged with another on the list. The process of varying the selection across different manufacturers, which existed from 1911 through 1996, has been abandoned since 1997, with all pace cars exclusively provided by General Motors since that year. Continental tire A continental tire or

1330-467: The Monterey and Montclair. Front suspension was independent ball-joint with coil springs, the rear a live axle with leaf springs. Brakes were 11-inch drummed all round. Edsel adopted a 124-inch wheelbase version of the chassis was for its 1958 model year Corsair and Citation premium model lines. For 1957, the Turnpike Cruiser was fitted with a 368 cubic-inch, 290 hp V8. Sharing its name with

1400-456: The Speedway to provide the pace car and other official vehicles for the Indianapolis 500. Prior to that, series engine provider Oldsmobile (1997-2001) had a similar arrangement, and provided the pace car three times over a five-year period. Chevrolet has had a contract to provide the pace car for the Brickyard 400 since 1994. Since 1936, the winner of the race has traditionally been awarded

1470-541: The Super Marauder was the first factory-produced engine with a 400 hp output, a response to the 375/390 hp 1957 Chrysler 300C . All Turnpike Cruiser engines were paired with a 3-speed " Merc-O-Matic " automatic. For 1957, Mercury offered pushbutton transmission controls in response to the Chrysler TorqueFlite introduced in 1956. The Mercury control buttons initially offered five buttons and

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1540-507: The Turnpike Cruiser to cover a body seam, and unusually in a secondary function, each intake housed a fake radio antenna, as the functional radio antenna was mounted on the passenger side front fender. Air conditioning and power side windows were additional cost options. For 1958, the Turnpike Cruiser adapted the styling changes of the Montclair and Monterey, shifting the grilles into the front bumper. The rear fascia saw multiple changes, as

1610-557: The Turnpike Cruiser was marketed against the Buick Roadmaster and Oldsmobile 98 . The Turnpike Cruiser had a body-on-frame chassis, while the Thunderbird had unibody construction. For 1958, the Turnpike Cruiser was phased into the Montclair line, and the premium top level role was given to the newly introduced Park Lane . The Turnpike Cruiser shared its 122-inch wheelbase, rear-wheel drive, body-on frame chassis with

1680-440: The Turnpike Cruiser, alongside all Mercurys, was introduced with a programmable speed warning, setting off a warning if a preset speed was exceeded. The Turnpike Cruiser standardized several Mercury safety features, including a padded dashboard, and dashboard gauges, a deep-dish flat-top steering wheel, and safety door locks. Seatbelts were optional, alongside a safety harness for children. Nearly 10 years before their introduction,

1750-457: The actual pace car. Some official pace cars, however, have undergone extensive performance modifications, including suspension, transmission, or even engine modifications from their production counterpart (the 1990 Chevrolet Beretta is an example of this). Race-duty pace cars may also have the factory fuel tank replaced with a fuel cell , and usually have an on-board fire extinguisher installed. The special edition production replicas available to

1820-412: The car for the restart as well. Two unscored laps (one parade lap and one pace lap) preceded the resumption at lap 19. 1970: Jim Malloy hit the outside wall in turn four as the field was about the take the green flag. The start was waved off, and the next time by, the field was red flagged to clean up the incident. The teams were allowed to replenish a few gallons of used up fuel, and a short time later,

1890-537: The car, the engine was offered as an option across the rest of the Mercury line. For 1958, two all-new "Marauder" engines were introduced: a 383 cubic-inch, 330 hp V8 was standard (and shared with the Montclair and Colony Park); and a 430 cubic-inch, 360 hp (shared with the Park Lane). An optional triple-two barrel carburetor "Super Marauder" version of the 430 V8 produced 400 hp. Exclusive to Mercury,

1960-417: The conclusion of the lap, at a prescribed speed, the pace car would pull off the track and allow for a rolling or "flying" start. Fisher himself drove the pace car in several early years, but it eventually became an honorary position, with invitations extended to former winners, notable figures in auto racing or the automobile industry. The invited driver was given the honor of "pacemaker," and manufacturers used

2030-539: The continental mounting was still optional. This external spare wheel mount became a customizing aftermarket appearance accessory during the 1950s. In the United States, external continental tire mounting was a factory option for various types of cars during the 1950s and early 1960s. On some smaller models – such as on the Nash Metropolitan and Jeepster Commando – the continental tire

2100-475: The control buttons until the Park button was pulled to release it. The control panel was installed to the left of the steering wheel. In 1959, the keyboard control was discontinued and replaced with a standard steering column gear selector lever. ( Lincoln Y-block ) ( Ford MEL ) ( Ford MEL ) ( Ford MEL ) During its production, the Turnpike Cruiser was offered as a two-door and four-door hardtop. To serve as

2170-404: The design of the taillamps performed as side marker lamps. 4 pace cars Indianapolis 500 pace cars#Cars The Indianapolis 500 auto race has used a pace car every year since 1911. The pace car is utilized for two primary purposes. At the start of the race, the pace car leads the assembled starting grid around the track for a predetermined number of unscored warm-up laps. Then if

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2240-429: The early 1950s using the "continental" description. These kits included extensions for the rear bumper with a valance between the repositioned bumper and body, thus forming a platform or shelf to mount the spare wheel and tire. Consumers were also able to have "continental kits" installed on almost any vehicle. There is a legend that Henry Ford II complained that the trunk of his Ford Thunderbird did not have room for

2310-411: The enclosed trunk on automobiles meant the spare tire could be placed inside rather than on the top of it. This arrangement used up valuable space for carrying luggage. Manufacturers offered the sidemount option to increase trunk capacity. Edsel Ford had a unique car custom-built after returning from a trip to Europe in 1938. He wanted a "continental look," and a spare tire mounted on the trunk. Using

2380-442: The exterior lights were on. While sharing much of its body with the Montclair, the Turnpike Cruiser was distinguished by several exterior design features. Although not legalized across the entire United States until 1958, "Quadri-Beam" dual headlamps were fitted as standard equipment, the only 1957 Mercury to do so, as well as one of very few cars from that year to be equipped as such. For states that still mandated single headlights,

2450-468: The factory, with no attempt to stylize it, just protect it from weather and theft. Accessory spare tire mounts that fit into a car's tow hitch are also available. Recreational vehicles may also have a spare tire on the rear. The wheel and tire combination may be exposed or covered with soft or hard materials and may feature logos or other designs. These rear spare tire mounts are no longer described as "continental tires". Moreover, manufacturers have improved

2520-472: The festival cars are usually worth significantly less than the actual car used to perform the pace car duties. Few festival cars may actually have been driven on the track. Actual pace cars are rare and most are kept and owned by the Speedway museum and the manufacturers. Traditionally, the make of the pace car has always been a domestic American brand . In 1991, the Dodge Stealth was originally named

2590-411: The field pulled away for two new pace laps. 1973: A crash occurred as the field was about to take the green flag. The start was red flagged, and the cars circulated around back to the pits. After clean up, the field restarted, with two pace laps before the green flag. 1986: Tom Sneva crashed on the backstretch on the pace lap. The start was waved off, and the next time around the cars were halted on

2660-467: The field to properly form up, however, in practice it turned out to be difficult and both races saw incidents at the start. In 1959, the field went back to lining up the grid on the main stretch, and continues to do so to this day. By the late 1960s, not only would a special driver be behind the wheel of the pace car, but numerous celebrities would be invited to ride along as passengers. Automotive executives, NASA astronauts, reporters from ABC Sports and

2730-438: The flagman decided to wave off the start, by displaying the yellow flag. The lap was not scored. The field re-formed, and received the green flag the next time by, with a slightly better formation. Through 1978, the pace car was only used at the start of the race, and was not used during caution periods. Since 1979, the pace car has also been used to pack up the field during caution flag periods. The ceremonial driver drove only at

2800-496: The format was changed to three warm up laps - two " parade laps" and one "pace lap". During the parade lap(s), often several replica festival pace cars join the field, usually carrying celebrities and/or special guest drivers. The 1978 race was the first to feature multiple pace cars on the track during the parade lap. Since 2010, the IndyCar "two-seater" (a retired Indy race car modified with a special passenger seat) has also been at

2870-405: The front of the field, carrying a celebrity or special guest. The non-participating vehicles pull off the track after one or two circuits, and the lone official pace car leads the field on the pace lap. In 2012, it was further expanded to four warm up laps (three "parade" laps and one "pace" lap), coinciding with the introduction of a new engine and chassis formula. Starting in about 1994, the field

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2940-430: The front row escaped from the pace car, and the field needed an extra pace lap to assemble before the green was displayed. 1967: The race was red-flagged for rain after 18 laps. The conclusion of the race was moved to the following day. At the time, the pace car was not used for caution periods. However, officials decided to utilize the pace car for the resumption on lap 19. The original pace car driver Mauri Rose drove

3010-406: The frontstretch with a red flag. During the cleanup, officials decided to replenish the teams' fuel tanks with 3 gallons of methanol. After that was completed, the field restarted, and took two warm up laps before the green flag. 1992: Additional pace laps were run (unscored) after Roberto Guerrero crashed during a parade lap. Instead of halting the proceedings, officials decided to simply extend

3080-420: The gold-anodized trim was removed from the scalloped fins. "Rocket-style" tail lamps were added. To distinguish the model line from the Montclair and Park Lane, the Turnpike Cruiser was given gold trim for its badging, including the Mercury "M" grille badge. The interior of the Turnpike Cruiser had several features distinct from other Mercury sedans. To aid forward visibility, a flat-top deep-dish steering wheel

3150-409: The green flag. This also allowed the fans on the main stretch (where the largest grandstands are located) to see the entire field parade by one time before the start. Previously only fans on other parts of the track got to actually see the grid go by for photographs and waving. For the 1957–1958 races, the grid was lined up and exited single-file from the newly constructed pit lane. The two laps allowed

3220-404: The honor of providing the car as marketing exposure. During his tenure as Speedway president, Tony Hulman rode in the pace car nearly every year, immediately after giving the command to start engines. His primary duty was to marshal the start and in some years, his responsibilities included operating a film camera that would be housed inside the car's trunk. Dating back to the very early years,

3290-437: The mid-1950s, the auto manufacturer who provided the official pace car started selling replica pace cars to the general public. In many cases, the official on-track pace car was modified from its street-legal counterpart. Strobe lights , roll bars , multi-point harnesses , television camera mounts, two-way communication (for officials), and removing the air conditioning, are among some of the more routine modifications made for

3360-405: The number of warm up laps. The race itself ended up having 85 laps of yellow flag conditions, therefore the fuel allotment did not become a factor. 1997: Additional laps were run (unscored) due to a three-car crash on the original pace lap. 2009: When the field came out of turn four for the start, the field was not well aligned in the eleven rows of three. For the first time in modern history,

3430-399: The officials deem appropriate, it releases the field at a purposeful speed to start the race. In addition, during yellow flag caution periods, the pace car enters the track and picks up the leader, bunching the field up at a reduced speed. Prior to the first "500" in 1911, in the interest of safety, Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder Carl G. Fisher is commonly credited with the concept of

3500-603: The pace car also often provides safety trucks for use at the track. For instance, in 1994, the Ford Mustang Cobra was chosen as the primary pace car. Ford Motor Company provided numerous Mustang GTs (a "stripped-down" model) for festival use. In 1996, the Dodge Viper GTS was chosen as the pace car. Rather than providing a fleet of Vipers, Chrysler provided numerous Stratus , Intrepids , and Special Edition Rams for festival use. The replica pace cars and

3570-436: The pace car for the 1957 Indianapolis 500 , a convertible was created, named the Convertible Cruiser, leading Mercury to offer a replica version for sale. It was offered in a single yellow, Sun Glitter, exterior color and fitted with the optional continental tire kit. An unusual 1957 feature was an ornament mounted outside at the base of the rear window, which was relocated inside next to the rear window and would light up if

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3640-556: The pace car. However, the UAW , along with traditionalists, protested since the Stealth was a captive import built by Mitsubishi in Japan. Shortly before the race, the Stealth was downgraded to be the festival car. The pre-production Dodge Viper RT/10 was substituted on race day. In 2001 and 2003, trucks were used instead of pace cars. In 2005, a specially restored 1955 Bel Air pace car

3710-409: The pace cars were often painted with special liveries complete with logos, lettering, pinstriping, and other decorative markings. In addition, sometimes flagpoles, lights, and other motoring paraphernalia were installed to further identify the pace car. Most manufacturers used the opportunity to showcase their higher end or luxury models. Since in the early years, the pace car was only used for one lap at

3780-402: The pace cars, a change that has met with mixed responses from fans. Racers have taken the position in more recent years. A. J. Foyt drove in 2011, Dario Franchitti drove in 2014, Jeff Gordon , a five-time Big Machine Vodka 400 winner, drove in 2015, and with the new broadcast partner NBC Sports , their motorsport broadcaster Dale Earnhardt Jr. , who made 16 Big Machine Vodka 400 starts and

3850-401: The public usually come with full paint and "Indy 500" decals, and may be part of a performance package upgrade. In addition, the track typically is provided with dozens of lower-end ("base model") pace car production replicas (or different makes by the same manufacturer) for use as festival cars throughout the month. Examples of this practice date back to the mid-1920s. The company who provides

3920-432: The race began. The pace lap concept was popular with fans, as many drivers commonly waved at the fans and the rolling grid made for spectacular photographs. By 1957, the procedure was changed so the pace car led the field for two warm up laps. This allowed extra time to warm up the engines, oil temperatures, and tires, and allowed the drivers the chance to survey the conditions of the entire track at least once before receiving

3990-427: The start (and not during caution periods), the need for a high performance machine (i.e., sports car ) was not necessarily the top priority. In many years, the pace car was a convertible , which along with increasing the luxury status of the vehicle, it aided in the officials' ability to marshal the start. In most years through the early 1950s, the pace car led the field around the track for one warm up lap, and then

4060-508: The start of the race. During caution periods, when the pace car is utilized to pace the field, a trained official has been the driver. In some cases, the officials utilize two separate pace cars (exactly the same models) one each for the start of the race, and the caution periods. Currently, the pace car driver for the caution periods is the same driver who drives the pace car for the IndyCar Series during all other events. Starting in

4130-544: The transformations done on the Pimp My Ride show. Continental tires are known as 'fifth wheels' in hip hop slang. For example, in the Houston hip-hop culture, "slabs" feature a rear-mounted wheel "cut in half and enclosed in a fiberglass casing." There are custom continental kits for lowrider bicycles available. Numerous compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) models include an external rear-mounted spare tire from

4200-546: The trunk lid as a "toilet seat." The Lincoln Continental Mark III in 1969 included a "bump" in its rear deck lid to vaguely substitute the original 1939 Lincoln Continental spare tire design. Lincoln described this feature as its "traditional 'simulated' spare tire carrier". This distinctive rear design continued on the Mark series, including the Mark VIII coupe produced through 1998. Other cars that incorporated versions of

4270-421: The trunk lid. This non-functional feature appeared on the 1956 Continental Mark II and through successive generations of Mark-series Continentals until the 1998 model year. Early automobiles' pre-mounted spare tire and wheel combination typically meant an external mounting because motorists often needed to change tires. Automakers often mounted a spare tire, or two, on the rear of the car. Some cars featured

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4340-413: Was a standard feature. The two-passenger Nash Metropolitan's rear-mounted spare tire was more convenient because the trunk was accessible by folding down the seatback on the early (1954 through 1958) models. The large-sized 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser was the top-of-the-line model and included what Ford described a "Dream Car Spare Tire Carrier" among its many standard features. The car's rear bumper

4410-442: Was called "Keyboard Control", with a long button on top labeled "Drive" and four smaller buttons below labeled "Brake", "Neutral Start", which allowed the engine to start with the ignition key, "Hill Control", and "Reverse". Later versions, relabeled as "Multi-Drive" for 1958, separated the "Drive" button to "Performance" and "Cruising". A separate push/pull lever was included below the control buttons labeled "Park" which would lock out

4480-746: Was commissioned by the Indianapolis Race Committee to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Chevrolet V-8 engine. Only one car was built and it was displayed and used on the speedway. It differed from the first 1955 track cars in that it was black. The original 1955 Chevrolet pace cars were red and cream two-tone. This car is currently on display at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana. Since 2002, Chevrolet has had an exclusive contract with

4550-400: Was fitted, to match the curve of the instrument panel. Alongside a tachometer, "to measure engine efficiency", the instrument panel was fitted with a clock to calculate average speed and a trip odometer, effectively, a trip computer. One of the first memory seats, "Seat-O-Matic" was programmable and moved down and back when the ignition was off. While not equipped with cruise control, in 1958,

4620-400: Was later embraced by Chrysler designer Virgil Exner and incorporated on many cars. The luxury 1957 Imperial was available with a simulated spare tire cover for the trunk lid. Subsequently, the design element was featured on mass-market models such as the 1959 Plymouth Belvedere and included on the compact Plymouth Valiant by 1960. Some critics described this bulging styling element on

4690-466: Was not the first car to either carry its spare above the rear bumper or integrate it into the rear bodywork, it became known as a "continental tire" even if the design was found on other brands. Similar external spare tire placements were added as standard or optional to popular mass-market and also described as a "continental kit", borrowing their name from the production Lincoln Continental. The aftermarket accessory rear mounted spare became popular in

4760-399: Was observed to be quite straggled about during the parade lap(s), and often circulated the track single-file. Drivers were known to weave back and forth, sometimes vigorously, in an effort to build up tire temperature. On the final pace lap, the field would finally form up into the eleven rows of three on the backstretch, but oftentimes it was still loose and not in pristine order. This practice

4830-425: Was often extended, and the tire had a fabric or metal cover. The bracket for the spare wheel was designed to swing away for access to the trunk. Manufacturers included continental tire mounts for their perceived "distinctiveness" and to increase luggage space in the trunk, such as on all the 1954 Nash Custom models. The Jeep DJ was available in a "Surrey Gala" appearance package from 1959 until 1964. Included were

4900-411: Was often the subject of harsh criticism from fans and media, especially when the start was strung out single file, breaking tradition. In 2010, officials announced they were going to police the parade and pace laps closer, requiring the drivers to stay in the rows of three during the extent of the warm up period. In later years, the Speedway began experimenting with using pop culture celebrities driving

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