1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible Pace Car

(from General Motors Press Release)  What does the upcoming Indianapolis 500 have in common with the same race in 1955? Both races at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway were paced by a Chevrolet with a GM small-block V-8 engine. The link between the two pace vehicles bears special significance because the GM small-block V-8 celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

T.H. Keating, a former Chevrolet Division general manager, paced the same race in a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air on May 30, 1955. That Chevy was powered by the first version of the GM small-block V-8 engine ever produced, with a displacement of 265 cubic inches and rated at 180 horsepower at 4,600 rpm.