Against All Odds

By: Dennis Piskorowski – Metamora, MI

Jeff Stolowski had no idea of how his life was about to change.  When he asked his friend Mike Edgar (who is a picker at estate sales in Michigan), to inform him of any Oldsmobiles that he finds. So when Mike called Jeff about a Cutlass convertible that he found at an estate sale outside of Lansing, Jeff wasted no time, hooked up a car hauler and headed downstate.  He didn’t even know what year, or condition the car was. All he knew was that it was an Oldsmobile. Upon his arrival, he discovered the car was neglected for decades. It was a 1970, and the asking price was $600.  After the sale was completed, and as he loaded the car onto the trailer, he noticed that the car had a dual gate shifter, (meaning that it might be a 442) and that made him smile.  After driving a couple of miles down the road Jeff looked in his rear view mirror and was able to watch as his newly purchased car fell off of the trailer!  Thankfully the car did not receive too much damage and the rest of the trip was uneventful.  Once home, with the car  off the trailer,  he noticed what appeared to be parade handles, next to the rear windows behind the drivers and passenger seats.  This made him start to wonder about the history that this car might have. Not knowing exactly what he was going to do with the car, he left it parked in front of his garage, in the rain for a few days.  His friends would come over to see his new purchase and, after looking at the car that was in such bad shape would say, “Jeff what were you thinking?”  – he really didn’t have an answer.

Jeff knew that he would have to do some research before starting any kind of restoration.  He was able to find out some information on his own, but he needed it to be confirmed. So he decided to pay a visit to his friend, and local Oldsmobile collector, Jack Tokie. It took Jack less than one minute, after telephoning a friend in Lansing with the VIN to learn all he needed to know, he politely thanked his friend, and hung up the phone,  and told Jeff, “You better get good insurance . . .you have the Number One 1970 Oldsmobile Indianapolis Pace Car that was used for the world famous race!”  After thinking that it couldn’t get any better, a couple weeks later, Jeff got a call from Mike Edgar to notify him that while he was rummaging at that same estate sale, he found the #1 pace car (official license) plate. Today, it remains in its unrestored condition, mounted on the front bumper. Jeff compiled all of his research findings and presented it to the GM Heritage Center. They, in return, gave Jeff all of the needed documentation to prove again, beyond a shadow of any doubt, that he has the #1 pace car that was used at Indy that actually led the famous race.

Now the big decision is where do you start on a car that has so much history, and is in such bad shape. Jeff describes the next five years as a rollercoaster ride.   The car sat idle for a year while he was figuring out the best way to completely do a frame off, (to make it historically correct) and find out where he might locate the correct parts that were needed. Some of the things that Jeff learned by investigating the cars history, is that before GM could release the Pace Car for sale, it had to  install a passenger side sun visor,  where a parade handle was located. Another fact for the pace car, to qualify to lead the famous race it had to be able to go 135mph and to completely stop within 500 feet. Jeff also had the unheard of luck to be able to come in contact with retired engineer Don Morrow,(with green Jacket in photo)  who was assigned to build the engine for the famous car. It was Don’s decision, (knowing of what was required of the car) as to how he was going to build the high performance engine that would perform in front of a world audience. It was Don’s choice to change the engine color to black instead of the typical blue, and also what would be chromed.

As time passed other people shared Jeff’s passion for his car. Two mechanics, Patrick Tokie and Kenny Kouchnerkavich, volunteered there time to totally rebuild the engine and to reassemble the car. While his friend and transmission expert Jack Tokie, completely rebuilt the transmission and rear-end. After what seemed to be an endless search for parts, research, and craftsmen to perform the work, the completion of the project was in sight. Deciding that he wants to share the car with everybody, a party was planned for September 5th.  Typical of the pressure that Jeff was accustomed to, he got the car home from Pennsylvania, less than 24 hours before the planned party was to start.  It was sent there to be painted and have the finishing touches done by Troy Thronton.  Over seventy-five family & friends, including local news reporters, were there to help Jeff celebrate a job well done.  Two weeks later, being a member of the Motor City Rockets, Jeff invited the club (members drove their Oldsmobiles 200 miles) to see the finished car.  According to Jeff this is only the beginning.  This car has a history that makes it special.  He doesn’t want to see the car end up hidden, in a private collection. It was made to be seen, just like it was over forty years ago.  So that is why he wants to use the car to help raise money for charities, (he’s particular to Cancer research).  Jeff figures that there was a reason that the car came into his life, and maybe just maybe, it might help someone beat the odds.

NOTE: Early track photo courtesy of  IMS Photo

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