"Many of those cars were gone in less than 10 years."
I can definately agree to that statement.
God, I can really remember those gas station lines when that Gas crunch hit. Sitting in the car with the folks was quite the ordeal! People were nearly fighting each other over: Gasoline!

SO, I will agree that it is possible that there were more than seen. What area are you located in that you saw so many? I also assume GM dumped those remaining INDY Parade Cars right after the race?