STANDARD PACIFIC CORP /DE/
S-3/A, 1998-10-22
OPERATIVE BUILDERS
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<PAGE>
 
    
 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 22, 1998     
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-64719     
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                ---------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                                ---------------
 
                            STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                                ---------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                  DELAWARE                                       33-0475989
        (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
      OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                    IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                          1565 W. MACARTHUR BOULEVARD
                             COSTA MESA, CA 92626
                                (714) 668-4300
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                                ---------------
 
                              ARTHUR E. SVENDSEN
               CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.
                          1565 W. MACARTHUR BOULEVARD
                             COSTA MESA, CA 92626
                                (714) 668-4300
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                  COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
 <S>                                             <C>
            CLAY A. HALVORSEN, ESQ.                        ROBERT K. MONTGOMERY, ESQ.
 VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY            GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP
            STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.                           2029 CENTURY PARK EAST
          1565 W. MACARTHUR BOULEVARD                        LOS ANGELES, CA 90067
             COSTA MESA, CA 92626
</TABLE>
 
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box: [_]
 
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
 
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
 
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [_]
 
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
       
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE AN AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION
8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                  
               PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 22, 1998     
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $300,000,000
 
                             STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.
 
                       DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK,
                           COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS
 
                                  -----------
 
  Standard Pacific Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), may offer and
issue from time to time (i) its debt securities ("Debt Securities"), which may
be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated
debt securities, (ii) shares of its Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share
("Preferred Stock"), (iii) shares of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
("Common Stock"), or (iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred
Stock, Common Stock or other securities of the Company or another issuer
("Warrants"). The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Warrants
are herein collectively referred to as the "Securities." The Securities may be
offered in one or more separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on
terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of sale and to be set
forth in a supplement or supplements to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus
Supplement"). Any Securities may be offered with other Securities or
separately. Debt Securities or Preferred Stock may be exchangeable for or
convertible into shares of Common Stock. The aggregate offering price of the
Securities will not exceed $300,000,000.
 
  Certain terms of any Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement
including, without limitation, the specific designation, aggregate principal
amount, purchase price, currency of payment, denomination, maturity, interest
rate (which may be fixed or variable) and time of payment of interest (if any),
terms (if any) for the subordination, redemption, purchase or conversion
thereof, listing (if any) on a securities exchange, additional or different
covenants and events of default, and any other material terms of the Debt
Securities. Certain terms of any Preferred Stock in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement including, without limitation, the specific designation, number of
shares, liquidation preference, purchase price, dividends, voting, redemption
and conversion provisions (if any), any listing on a securities exchange and
any other material terms of the Preferred Stock. The purchase price of any
Common Stock in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set
forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. Certain terms of any Warrants
in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement, including the specific designation, number,
duration, purchase price and terms thereof, any listing of the Warrants or the
underlying securities on a securities exchange and any other terms in
connection with the offering, sale and exercise of Warrants, as well as the
terms on which the securities for which such Warrants may be exercised. The
Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about
certain United States federal income tax considerations relating to the
Securities covered by the Prospectus Supplement.
 
  The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "SPF."
 
  The Securities may be sold on a negotiated or competitive bid basis to or
through underwriters or dealers designated from time to time or to other
purchasers directly or through agents designated from time to time (see "Plan
of Distribution"). Certain terms of any offering and sale of the Securities,
including, where applicable, the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents,
if any, the principal amount or number of shares to be purchased, the purchase
price of the Securities, the proceeds to the Company from such sale and any
applicable commissions, discounts and other items constituting compensation of
such underwriters, dealers or agents will also be set forth in an accompanying
Prospectus Supplement.
 
  This Prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless
accompanied by the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                  -----------
 
THESE SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE  SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
  ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY  OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS.  ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO  THE
   CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                                  -----------
                 
              The date of this Prospectus is October  , 1998.     
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
   
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Registration
Statement (as defined), and exhibits and schedules forming a part thereof and
the reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Company with
the Commission in accordance with the Exchange Act can be inspected and copied
at the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C., 20549, and at the following regional offices of the
Commission: Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-
2511. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates. Electronic filings made through the Electronic Data
Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System are publicly available through the
Commission's Website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, the Common Stock is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange and similar information concerning the
Company can be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.     
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (the "Registration Statement") (of which this Prospectus is a part) under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to
the Securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain portions of which
have been omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or
other documents are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference
is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all
respects by such reference and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further
information regarding the Company and the Securities, reference is hereby made
to the Registration Statement and such exhibits and schedules which may be
obtained from the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C., upon
payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The documents listed below have been filed by the Company under the Exchange
Act with the Commission and are incorporated herein by reference:
 
  a. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997;
 
  b. Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and
     June 30, 1998;
     
  c. Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed September 3 and October 2, 1998;     
 
  d. The following sections of the Company's Proxy Statement relating to its
     Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 14, 1998: Election of
     Directors, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
     Management, Executive Compensation and Section 16(a) Beneficial
     Ownership Reporting Compliance; and
 
  e. The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the
     Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B (File No. 1-10959) filed
     December 17, 1991 and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of
     updating such description.
 
  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
to the termination of the offering of the Securities shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be part hereof from the
date of filing such documents.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained
herein (or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
  Copies of all documents which are incorporated herein by reference (not
including the exhibits to such information, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such information) will be provided
without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this
Prospectus is delivered upon written or oral request. Requests should be
directed to Clay A. Halvorsen, Secretary, Standard Pacific Corp., 1565 West
MacArthur Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California 92626 (telephone no. (714) 668-
4300).
 
  CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN AN OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS THAT
STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES,
INCLUDING STABILIZING AND SYNDICATE COVERING TRANSACTIONS AND THE IMPOSITION
OF A PENALTY BID. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING" IN
THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company designs, constructs and sells high quality, single-family homes
targeted primarily to the move-up buyer. The Company is a leading builder in
California where it has operated for over 30 years and also has established
operations in Texas. In addition, the Company recently entered the Phoenix,
Arizona market through the acquisition of an ongoing operation, including
seven active selling communities. The Company is geographically diversified in
these markets with operations in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego
and Ventura Counties in southern California, in the San Francisco Bay area of
northern California, in the Houston, Dallas and Austin markets in Texas and in
the Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona. The Company's principal executive
offices are located at 1565 West MacArthur Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California
92626, and its telephone number is (714) 668-4300.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities for
general corporate purposes, including, among other things, acquisition,
development and construction of new residential properties, acquisition of
companies or operations in homebuilding and related businesses, and repayment
of existing indebtedness.
 
                       EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES RATIOS
 
  The following table sets forth the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed
charges for the six-month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 and the five
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED -----------------------------
                          JUNE 30, 1998    JUNE 30, 1997   1997  1996  1995  1994  1993
                         ---------------- ---------------- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S>                      <C>              <C>              <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges(1).......      2.89x            3.08x       3.91x 2.41x 1.96x 2.04x 1.03x
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) For purposes of calculating this ratio, fixed charges consist of interest
    cost (interest expense plus capitalized interest), one-third of estimated
    rent expense as representative of the interest portion of rentals and
    amortization of debt expense, and earnings consist of earnings (loss)
    before income taxes and discontinued operations and before (i) interest
    expensed, (ii) amortization of capitalized interest in cost of sales,
    (iii) income from unconsolidated joint ventures, (iv) depreciation and
    amortization, (v) amortization of excess of cost over net assets acquired,
    (vi) nonrecurring noncash charges of approximately $46.5 million and $3.1
    million in 1995 and 1993, respectively, (vii) one-third of estimated rent
    expense as representative of the interest portion of rentals and
    amortization of debt expense, and includes income distributions from
    unconsolidated joint ventures.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of each
Indenture under which the Debt Securities are to be issued. The particular
terms of the Debt Securities will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement
relating to such Debt Securities. The Debt Securities are to be issued under
one or more Indentures, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the
"Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and a trustee chosen by
the Company and qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended (the "TIA") (together with any other trustee(s) chosen by the Company
and appointed in a supplemental indenture with respect to a particular series,
the "Trustee"). The forms of Indentures have been filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part and will be
available for inspection at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, or as
described above under "Available Information." The Indentures are subject to,
and governed by, the TIA. The Company will execute an Indenture if and when
the Company issues any Debt Securities. The statements made hereunder relating
to the Indentures and the Debt Securities to be issued thereunder are
summaries of certain provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and
are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all
provisions of the Indentures (including those terms made a part of the
Indenture by reference to the TIA) and such Debt Securities. Capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in
the Indentures. References below to an "Indenture" are deemed to constitute a
reference to the applicable Indenture under which a particular series of Debt
Securities is issued.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company. The Debt
Securities may be issued in one or more series. Specific terms of each series
of Debt Securities will be contained in authorizing resolutions or a
supplemental indenture relating to that series. There will be Prospectus
Supplements relating to particular series of Debt Securities. Each Prospectus
Supplement will describe, as to the Debt Securities to which it relates:
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
(i) the title of the Debt Securities; (ii) any limit upon the aggregate
principal amount of a series of Debt Securities which may be issued; (iii) the
date or dates on which principal of the Debt Securities will be payable and
the amount of principal which will be payable; (iv) the rate or rates (which
may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities will bear interest, if
any, as well as the dates from which interest will accrue, the dates on which
interest will be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any
payment date; (v) the currency or currencies in which principal, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, will be paid; (vi) the place or places where
principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities will
be payable and where Debt Securities which are in registered form can be
presented for registration of transfer or exchange and the identification of
any depositary or depositaries for any global debt securities; (vii) any
provisions regarding the right of the Company to redeem or purchase Debt
Securities or of holders to require the Company to redeem Debt Securities;
(viii) the right, if any, of holders of the Debt Securities to convert them
into stock or other securities of the Company, including any provisions
intended to prevent dilution of the conversion rights or otherwise; (ix) any
provisions by which the Company will be required or permitted to make payments
to a sinking fund which will be used to redeem Debt Securities or a purchase
fund which will be used to purchase Debt Securities; (x) the percentage of the
principal amount at which Debt Securities will be issued and, if other than
the full principal amount thereof, the percentage of the principal amount of
the Debt Securities which is payable if maturity of the Debt Securities is
accelerated because of a default; (xi) the terms, if any, upon which Debt
Securities may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company; (xii) any
additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of the Debt
Securities with respect to Events of Default or covenants or other provisions
set forth in the Indenture; and (xiii) any other material terms of the Debt
Securities, which may be different than the terms set forth in this
Prospectus.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 
  An Event of Default with respect to any series of Debt Securities is defined
in the Indenture as being default in payment of the principal of or premium,
if any, on any of the Debt Securities of such series; default for 30 days in
payment of any installment of interest on any Debt Security of such series;
default by the Company for 60 days after notice in the observance or
performance of any other covenants in the Indenture relating to such series;
and certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
Company. The Indenture provides that the Trustee may withhold notice to the
holders of any series of Debt Securities of any default (except a default in
payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, with respect to
such series of Debt Securities) if the Trustee considers it in the interest of
the holders of such series of Debt Securities to do so.
 
  The Indenture provides that if any Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of such series of Debt
Securities then outstanding may declare the principal of all the Debt
Securities of such series to be due and payable immediately. However, the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such
series then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee and the Company may
waive any Default or Event of Default (other than any continuing Default or
Event of Default in payment of principal or interest) with respect to such
series of Debt Securities. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
then outstanding Debt Securities of any series may rescind an acceleration
with respect to such series and its consequences (except an acceleration due
to nonpayment of principal or interest on such series) if the rescission would
not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default
with respect to such series have been cured or waived.
 
  The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any
series then outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee
with respect to such series, subject to certain limitations specified in the
Indenture.
 
DEFEASANCE OF INDENTURE
 
  The Indenture permits the Company to terminate all of its obligations under
the Indenture as they relate to any particular series of Debt Securities,
other than the obligation to pay interest, if any, on and the principal of the
Debt Securities of such series and certain other obligations, at any time by
(i) depositing in trust with the
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Trustee, under an irrevocable trust agreement, money or U.S. government
obligations in an amount sufficient to pay principal of and interest, if any,
on the Debt Securities of such series to their maturity, and (ii) complying
with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an opinion
of counsel or a ruling received from the Internal Revenue Service to the
effect that holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes as a result of the Company's exercise of such right and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case otherwise.
 
  In addition, the Indenture permits the Company to terminate all of its
obligations under the Indenture as they relate to any particular series of
Debt Securities (including the obligations to pay interest, if any, on and the
principal of the Debt Securities of such series and certain other
obligations), at any time by (i) depositing in trust with the Trustee, under
an irrevocable trust agreement, money or U.S. government obligations in an
amount sufficient to pay principal of and interest, if any, on the Debt
Securities of such series to their maturity, and (ii) complying with certain
other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an opinion of counsel
or a ruling received from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that
holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of the Company's exercise of such right and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case otherwise, which opinion of counsel
is based upon a change in the applicable federal tax law since the date of the
Indenture.
 
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
  A holder will be able to transfer or exchange Debt Securities only in
accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The registrar may require a
holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents, and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture.
 
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
  Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Debt Securities may be
amended or supplemented with the consent (which may include consents obtained
in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Debt Securities) of
the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities
of such series then outstanding, and any existing Default under, or compliance
with any provision of the Indenture relating to a particular series of Debt
Securities may be waived (other than any continuing Default or Event of
Default in the payment of interest on or the principal of such Debt
Securities) with the consent (which may include consents obtained in
connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Debt Securities) of the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such
series then outstanding. Without the consent of any holder, the Company and
the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Debt Securities to
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; to provide for uncertificated
Debt Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Debt Securities; to
make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights of any holder;
or to create a series and establish its terms.
 
  Without the consent of each holder affected, the Company and the Trustee may
not (i) reduce the amount of Debt Securities of such series whose holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver, (ii) reduce the rate of or
change the time for payment of interest, (iii) reduce the principal of or
change the fixed maturity of any Debt Security or alter the provisions with
respect to redemptions or mandatory offers to repurchase Debt Securities
pursuant to certain covenants set forth in the Indenture, (iv) make any Debt
Security payable in money other than that stated in the Debt Security, (v)
modify the ranking or priority of the Debt Securities or (vi) waive a
continuing default in the payment of principal of or interest on the Debt
Securities.
 
  The right of any holder to participate in any consent required or sought
pursuant to any provision of the Indenture (and the obligation of the Company
to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such holder) may be subject
to the requirement that such holder shall have been the holder of record of
any Debt Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought
as of a date identified by the Trustee in a notice furnished to holders in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
  The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and is not
cured, the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the
degree of care of a prudent person in similar circumstances in the conduct of
its own affairs. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any
right or power under the Indenture, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory
to it against any loss, liability or expense.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by the laws of the
State of New York without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.
 
                             DESCRIPTION OF STOCK
 
  The summary of the terms of the stock of the Company set forth below does
not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by
reference to the charter and bylaws of the Company and applicable law. See
"Available Information."
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company has authorized 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par
value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per
share. As of September 15, 1998, 29,767,280 shares of Common Stock were issued
and outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Board of Directors of the Company has the authority, without further
action by the Company's stockholders, to determine the principal rights,
preferences and privileges of the unissued Preferred Stock. In connection with
the Rights Agreement (as described below), the Board of Directors of the
Company has authorized the reservation of 500,000 shares of Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
"Preferred Shares"), for issuance upon exercise of the Rights (as defined
below). For a description of the Preferred Shares, see "Rights" below.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  Subject to the preferential rights of any series of Preferred Stock that may
be outstanding, all shares of Common Stock participate equally in any
dividends declared by the Board of Directors and in the net assets of the
Company on liquidation. Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one
vote for each share held of record and have no conversion, exchange,
preemptive or cumulative voting rights. All outstanding shares of Common Stock
are fully paid and nonassessable.
 
  The Board of Directors of the Company has the authority, without further
action by stockholders, to fix or alter the rights, powers and privileges of
any wholly unissued series of Common Stock and to increase or decrease the
number of shares of such series. The Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company (the "Charter") provides that the Board of Directors has no power to
alter the rights of any outstanding shares of Common Stock. Certain other
provisions of the Charter affect the rights of holders of Common Stock. For a
description of such provisions, see "Certain Provisions in the Charter and
Bylaws" below.
 
  The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is First Chicago Trust
Company of New York.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
RIGHTS
 
  In December 1991, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a
dividend of one Preferred Share purchase right ("Right") for each outstanding
share of Common Stock. A description and terms of the Rights are set forth in
a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and First
Chicago Trust Company of New York, as rights agent (the "Rights Agent"). The
basic concept behind all rights plans, including the Rights Agreement, is that
the rights themselves are initially evidenced by ownership of shares, no
separate rights certificates are issued, the rights may not be traded
separately from the shares and the rights will be evidenced by a notation on
the stock certificates for the shares of common stock to which they are
attached. Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have
no rights as a stockholder of the Company (other than rights resulting from
such holder's ownership of shares of Common Stock), including, without
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
 
  The Rights Agreement provides that, upon the occurrence of certain events,
the Rights become exercisable and separate Right certificates will be
distributed. These events include the following:
 
  .  The tenth business day (or such later date as the Board determines)
     after the date (the "15% Ownership Date") of public announcement that
     any person (a "15% Stockholder") has become the beneficial owner of at
     least 15% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
  .  The tenth business day after the date of public announcement of a tender
     offer or exchange offer that, if successful, would cause a person to
     become a 15% Stockholder.
 
  .  The date, on or after the 15% Ownership Date, of a merger in which the
     Company is not the surviving corporation or of the sale of at least 50%
     of the Company's assets or earning power.
 
The earliest of the above three dates is referred to as the "Distribution
Date." On the Distribution Date, each Right (other than certain Rights that
become void) will become exercisable to purchase, for the "Exercise Price"
(initially $40.00), 1/100 of a Preferred Share. Thereafter, the Rights may
come to represent the right to purchase other securities or property (as
described more fully below).
 
  Because of the nature of the Preferred Shares' dividend, liquidation and
voting rights, the value of 1/100 of a Preferred Share to be received upon
exercise of a Right will have approximately the same value as one share of
Common Stock. The Preferred Shares are non-redeemable and, unless otherwise
provided in connection with the creation of a series of Preferred Stock, are
subordinate to any other series of Preferred Stock, whether issued before or
after the issuance of Preferred Shares. The Preferred Shares may not be issued
except upon exercise of Rights. The holder of a Preferred Share is entitled to
receive when, as and if declared, the greater of (i) cash and non-cash
dividends in an amount equal to 100 times the dividends declared on each share
of Common Stock or (ii) a preferential annual dividend of $1.00 per Preferred
Share ($.0l per 1/100 of a Preferred Share). In the event of liquidation, the
holders of Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive a liquidation payment
in an amount equal to the greater of $1.00 per Preferred Share ($.01 per 1/100
of a Preferred Share), plus all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions
on the Preferred Shares, or an amount equal to 100 times the aggregate amount
to be distributed of Common Stock. Each Preferred Share has 100 votes, voting
together with the shares of Common Stock. In the event of any merger,
consolidation or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are
exchanged, the holder of a Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 100
times the amount received per share of Common Stock. The rights of the
Preferred Shares as to dividends, voting and liquidation preferences are
protected by anti-dilution provisions.
 
  Instead of being exercisable for Preferred Shares, the Rights become
exercisable for other securities or property under the following
circumstances:
 
 .  After the tenth business day following the 15% Ownership Date, each initial
   Right (other than those that have become void) will come to represent the
   right to purchase, for the Exercise Price, shares of Common Stock with an
   aggregate market value of twice the Exercise Price.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
  .  After the 15% Ownership Date, upon either a merger in which the Company
     is not the surviving corporation or a sale of at least 50% of the
     Company's assets or earning power, each Right (other than those that
     have become void) will come to represent the right to purchase, for the
     Exercise Price, common shares of the surviving corporation or purchaser,
     with an aggregate market value of twice the Exercise Price.
 
  .  At any time after the first public announcement that any person has
     become a 15% Stockholder and prior to the first date thereafter upon
     which a 15% Stockholder beneficially owns 50% or more of the outstanding
     shares of Common Stock, a majority but not less than three of the
     members of the Board of Directors that are not affiliated with the 15%
     Stockholder (the "Independent Directors") may at their option, direct
     the Company to exchange all, but not less than all, of the then
     outstanding Rights (which do not include Rights that have become void)
     for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common
     Stock per Right, whereupon the right to exercise Rights terminates and
     the only right of the holders of Rights thereafter will be to receive a
     number of shares of Common Stock equal to the exchange ratio.
 
  .  Prior to the Distribution Date, a majority but not less than three of
     the Independent Directors may authorize the substitution of cash, other
     securities or other property for all or any portion of the Preferred
     Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Rights. The reasons for
     this are to give the Independent Directors flexibility in the event
     that, at the time the Rights become exercisable, the Company does not
     have an adequate reserve of Preferred Shares to permit the exercise in
     full of the Rights. The situation might also arise where it is unlikely
     that many Rightholders will exercise the Rights for Preferred Shares,
     for example, if the Exercise Price exceeds the fair market value of the
     stock issuable upon exercise, but a number of holders nonetheless elect
     to exercise. The ability to substitute other securities, cash or
     property will enable the Company to avoid the costs and administrative
     inconvenience attendant to trading only a handful of Preferred Shares.
 
  In connection with the occurrence of an event that would render the Rights
exercisable to purchase shares of Common Stock or stock of the surviving
corporation or purchaser in connection with a business combination or sale of
assets or earning power, any Rights that are or were beneficially owned by a
15% Stockholder become null and void.
 
  The Rights may be redeemed at $.01 per Right (the "Redemption Price") at any
time prior to the Distribution Date by a majority, but not less than three,
Independent Directors. The Independent Directors may redeem the Rights in
whole, but not in part, and may elect to pay the Redemption Price in cash,
securities or other property.
 
  The Rights Agreement may be amended by a majority, but not less than three,
of the Independent Directors, although, after the lapse of 10 business days
after the 15% Ownership Date, the Independent Directors may only amend the
Rights Agreement if such amendment is not adverse to the Rightholders (other
than Rightholders whose Rights have become void).
 
  The Exercise Price payable and the number of Preferred Shares or other
securities or property issuable upon exercise of the Rights are subject to
adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution. With certain exceptions, no
adjustment in the Exercise Price will be required until cumulative adjustments
require an adjustment of at last 1% in such Exercise Price. No fractional
Preferred Shares will be issued (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of 1/100th of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the
Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) and in lieu thereof, an
adjustment in cash will be made based upon the market price of the Preferred
Shares on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise.
 
  The Board of Directors determined that is in the best interests of the
Company and its stockholders to adopt the Rights Agreement and distribute the
Rights in order to protect the stockholders of the Company against coercive,
unfair or inadequate tender offers or other abusive take-over tactics. See
"Certain Provisions in the Charter and Bylaws" below. The Rights Agreement is
designed to encourage any person who desires to take
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
control of and/or acquire the Company to enter into negotiations with the
Company's Board of Directors. Exercise of the Rights will substantially reduce
the ownership interest of certain persons attempting to acquire control of the
Company on terms not approved by the Board of Directors.
 
  Neither the ownership nor the further acquisition of Common Stock by the
Company, any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan
of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, any person holding shares of
Common Stock pursuant to any such employee benefit plan, Arthur E. Svendsen or
any trust, trustee or beneficiary of a trust of which Mr. Svendsen is the
settlor will cause the Rights to become exercisable or non-redeemable or
trigger the other features of the Rights. Mr. Svendsen currently holds
approximately 9.4% of the outstanding Common Stock and is the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He holds the shares through
a living trust. He has exercised some measure of control over the Company
since its inception (including the Company's predecessors) and is expected to
continue to do so in the foreseeable future.
 
  The provisions in the Rights Agreement requiring the approval of a majority
but not less than three of the Independent Directors to approve certain
actions, in lieu of requiring approval of the entire Board, are intended to
prevent an Acquiring Person from undermining the protection provided by the
Rights by obtaining control of the Board of Directors and thereby obtaining
Board approval of such actions.
 
  This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement which is on
file with the Commission (see "Available Information") and is available upon
request from the Company.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE CHARTER AND BYLAWS
 
  Stockholder Meeting. The Charter provides that any action required to be
taken or that may be taken at any meeting of the Company's stockholders may
only be taken at a meeting of stockholders and not by written consent. In
addition, only the Board of Directors or a designated committee of the Board
of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. If a stockholder
wishes to propose an agenda item for consideration at a stockholder meeting he
or she must give written notice to the Company not less than 90 days prior to
the meeting or, if later, the seventh day following the first public
announcement of such meeting, or such other date as necessary to comply with
applicable federal proxy solicitation rules or other regulations.
 
  Classified Board of Directors. The Charter provides for three classes of
directors and directors are elected by classes to three-year terms. The
Company's Board of Directors believes that this provision promotes stability
and continuity of the Board of Directors. Classification of the Board may also
have the effect of decreasing the number of directors that could otherwise be
elected at each annual meeting of stockholders by a person who obtains a
controlling interest in the Common Stock.
 
  Business Combination Transactions. The Charter also requires, for the
approval of any merger, consolidation or other business reorganization or
combination of the Company with any other person or entity or any of its
affiliates that individually or in the aggregate are directly or indirectly
the beneficial owners of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(the "Interested Stockholder"), the affirmative vote of the holders of not
less than two-thirds ( 2/3) of the total voting shares of the Company other
than the shares held by the Interested Stockholder. This provision of the
Charter does not apply to a reorganization approved by the directors prior to
acquisition of the beneficial ownership of 5% of the outstanding shares by the
other corporation or its affiliates, nor does it apply to a reorganization
with a subsidiary of the Company.
 
  When evaluating any proposed transaction that would result in a person or
entity becoming an Interested Stockholder or an Interested Stockholder
increasing his or her ownership of shares of Company stock, or any business
combination requiring the affirmative vote of two-thirds ( 2/3) of the total
voting shares of exclusive of those held by an Interested Stockholder, the
Board of Directors must consider all relevant factors including the
independence and integrity of the Company's operations, the social, economic
and environmental effect of the

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
proposed transaction on stockholders, employees, customers, suppliers and
other constituents as well as on the communities in which the Company and its
subsidiaries operate.
 
  Amendment of Charter and Bylaws. The Bylaws of the Company (the "Bylaws")
may not be amended without the approval of the holders of at least 80% of the
outstanding voting shares of the Company or the approval of a majority of the
directors (or a majority of the independent directors if an Interested
Stockholder exists). In addition, the provisions contained in the Charter with
respect to the prohibition against stockholder action without meetings, the
classification of the Board of Directors, the increased stockholder vote
required for certain business combinations, consideration of constituencies,
alteration of the Bylaws, and indemnification may not be amended without the
approval of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding voting shares of
the Company or the approval of a majority of the directors (or a majority of
the independent directors if an Interested Stockholder exists).
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
  The Company may issue warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the "Debt
Warrants"), Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock Warrants"), Common Stock
(the "Common Stock Warrants") or other securities issued by the Company or
another issuer (the "Other Warrants," collectively with the Common Stock
Warrants, the Debt Warrants and the Preferred Stock Warrants, the "Warrants").
Warrants may be issued independently or together with any Securities and may
be attached to or separate from such Securities. The Warrants are to be issued
under warrant agreements (each a "Warrant Agreement") to be entered into
between the Company and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent (the
"Warrant Agent"), all as shall be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the Warrants being offered pursuant thereto.
 
DEBT WARRANTS
 
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of Debt
Warrants offered thereby, the Warrant Agreement relating to such Debt Warrants
and the debt warrant certificates representing such Debt Warrants, including
the following: (i) the title of such Debt Warrants; (ii) the aggregate number
of such Debt Warrants; (iii) the price or prices at which such Debt Warrants
will be issued; (iv) the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of
the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants, and the
procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such Debt Warrants; (v)
the date, if any, on and after which such Debt Warrants and the related Debt
Securities will be separately transferable; (vi) the principal amount of Debt
Securities purchasable upon exercise of each Debt Warrant, and the price at
which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such
exercise; (vii) the date on which the right to exercise such Debt Warrants
shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire; (viii) the
maximum or minimum number of such Debt Warrants which may be exercised at any
time; (ix) a discussion of material federal income tax considerations, if any;
and (x) any other terms of such Debt Warrants and terms, procedures and
limitations relating to the exercise of such Debt Warrants.
 
  Debt Warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new Debt Warrant
certificates of different denominations, and Debt Warrants may be exercised at
the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent or any other office indicated
in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Debt Warrants,
holders of Debt Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the
securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments
of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the securities
purchasable upon such exercise.
 
PREFERRED STOCK WARRANTS, COMMON STOCK WARRANTS AND OTHER WARRANTS
 
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms of
Preferred Stock Warrants, Common Stock Warrants, and Other Warrants in respect
of which this Prospectus is being delivered: (i) the title of such Warrants;
(ii) the securities for which such Warrants are exercisable; (iii) the price
or prices at which
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
such Warrants will be issued; (iv) if applicable, the number of such Warrants
issued with each share of Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other securities of
the Company or another issuer; (v) any provisions for adjustment of the number
or amount of shares of Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other securities of
the Company or another issuer receivable upon exercise of such Warrants or the
exercise price of such Warrants; (vi) if applicable, the date on and after
which such Warrants and the related Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other
securities of the Company or another issuer will be separately transferable;
(vii) if applicable, a discussion of material federal income tax
considerations; (viii) any other terms of such Warrants, including terms,
procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such
Warrants; (ix) the date on which the right to exercise such Warrants shall
commence, and the date on which such right shall expire; and (x) the maximum
or minimum number of such Warrants which may be exercised at any time.
 
EXERCISE OF WARRANTS
 
  Each Warrant will entitle the holder of Warrants to purchase for cash such
principal amount of Debt Securities, shares of Preferred Stock or Common
Stock, or amounts of other securities at such exercise price as shall in each
case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the Prospectus
Supplement relating to the Warrants offered thereby. Warrants may be exercised
at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Warrants offered thereby. After the
close of business on the expiration date, unexercised Warrants will become
void.
 
  Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to the Warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant
certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office
of the Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement, the Company will, as soon as practicable, forward the Debt
Securities, shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock or other securities
purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the Warrants represented
by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be
issued for the remaining Warrants.
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Securities may be sold (i) through agents, (ii) through underwriters,
(iii) through dealers, (iv) directly to purchasers (through a specific bidding
or auction process or otherwise); or (v) through a combination of any such
methods of sale. The distribution of Securities may be effected from time to
time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices
relating to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
 
  Offers to purchase the Securities may be solicited by agents designated by
the Company from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of
the Securities will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company to
such agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise
indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a
best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be
deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of
the Securities so offered and sold.
 
  If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of Securities,
the Company will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriter or
underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached. The names of
the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other
underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the
underwriters and dealers, which may be in the form of discounts, concessions
or commissions, if any, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, which
will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the Securities.
 
  If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the Securities, the Company or an
underwriter will sell such Securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer
may then resell such Securities to the public at varying prices to be
determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The name of the dealer and
the terms of the transactions will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
  Offers to purchase the Securities may be solicited directly by the Company
and sales thereof may be made by the Company directly to institutional
investors or others. The terms of any such sales, including the terms of any
bidding or auction process, if utilized, will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto.
 
  Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may
be entered into with the Company to indemnification by the Company against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribution by the Company to payments they may be required to make in
respect thereof. The terms and conditions of such indemnification or
contribution will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Certain of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be
customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for the Company
in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The financial statements incorporated by reference in this registration
statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
giving said reports.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has rendered an opinion (filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement) with respect to the validity of the Securities
being offered hereby. If certain legal matters in connection with offerings
made by this Prospectus are passed on by counsel for the underwriters of an
offering of those Securities, that counsel will be named in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to that offering. Robert K. Montgomery, a partner of
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and certain members of his immediate family own
approximately 50,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER
THAN THE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE
ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY
SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS
OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                                ---------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Available Information......................................................   2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................   2
The Company................................................................   3
Use of Proceeds............................................................   4
Earnings to Fixed Charges Ratios...........................................   4
Description of Debt Securities.............................................   4
Description of Stock.......................................................   7
Description of Warrants....................................................  11
Plan of Distribution.......................................................  12
Experts....................................................................  13
Legal Matters..............................................................  13
</TABLE>
 
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 $300,000,000
 
                            STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.
 
                               DEBT SECURITIES,
                         PREFERRED STOCK, COMMON STOCK
                                 AND WARRANTS
 
                                ---------------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                                ---------------
                                
                             OCTOBER  , 1998     
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions in
connection with the offering of the securities being registered are set forth
below. All of such expenses are estimates, except the Securities Act
Registration fee.
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   Securities Act Registration fee.................................... $ 88,500
   Printing fees......................................................   20,000
   Legal fees and expenses............................................   30,000
   Accounting fees and expenses.......................................   10,000
   Miscellaneous expenses.............................................   10,000
                                                                       --------
     Total............................................................ $158,500
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL") makes provision
for the indemnification of officers and directors in terms sufficiently broad
to indemnify officers and directors of Standard Pacific Corp. (the
"Registrant") under certain circumstances from liabilities (including
reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation ("Certificate") and Bylaws
provide, in effect, that, to the fullest extent and under the circumstances
permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, the Registrant will indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is a
director or officer of the Registrant or is or was serving at the request of
the Registrant as a director or officer of another corporation or enterprise.
The Registrant has also entered into indemnification agreements with its
officers and directors. The Registrant may, in its discretion, similarly
indemnify its employees and agents. The Registrant's Certificate relieves its
directors from monetary damages to the Registrant or its stockholders for
breach of such director's fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent
permitted by the DGCL. Under Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, a corporation may
relieve its directors from personal liability to such corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of their fiduciary duty as
directors except (i) for a breach of the duty of loyalty, (ii) for failure to
act in good faith, (iii) for intentional misconduct or knowing violation of
law, (iv) for willful or negligent violations of certain provisions in the
DGCL imposing certain requirements with respect to stock repurchases,
redemptions and dividends, or (v) for any transactions from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit. Depending upon the character of the
proceeding, under Delaware law, the Registrant may indemnify against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding if the person indemnified acted in good faith and in a manner he or
she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the
Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. To the extent that a
director or officer of the Registrant has been successful in the defense of
any action, suit or proceeding referred to above, the Registrant would have
the right to indemnify him or her against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>       <S>
  **3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Registration Statement
           on Form S-4 (File No. 33-42293)).
  **3.2    Certificate of Correction of Certificate of Incorporation of the
           Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
           Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 1991).
  **3.3    Form of Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of
           the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
           Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 1991).
  **3.4    Form of Certificate of Merger of the Registrant (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Registrant's Registration Statement
           on Form 8-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
           December 17, 1991).
  **3.5    Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2
           of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-
           42293)).
    4.1(a) Form of Senior Debt Securities Indenture
    4.1(b) Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture
    4.1(c) Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture
    4.2+   Form of Note
    4.3+   Form of Warrant
    4.4+   Form of Warrant Agreement
  **5.1    Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
 **12.1    Statement of Computation of Ratios
   23.1    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
 **23.2    Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 **24.1    Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration
           Statement)
   25.1+   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-I
</TABLE>    
- --------
+  To be filed by Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by
   reference or by post-effective amendment.
   
** Previously filed.     
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
    (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
      (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
    Securities Act of 1933;
 
      (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
    the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
    post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
    aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in this registration statement; and
 
      (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
    distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or
    any material change to such information in this registration statement;
 
provided however, that subparagraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in the periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
  to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
  herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
  be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
  any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
  termination of the offering.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes that, for the purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
  this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
  form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
  (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
  registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
  of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
  time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes to file an application
for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the Trustee to act under
subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with
the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2)
of the Act.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 of this
registration statement, or otherwise (other than insurance), the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in such Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the Securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of
its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in such Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.
 
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Costa Mesa, State of
California, on the 20th day of October, 1998.     
 
                                          STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.
 
                                                 /s/ Arthur E. Svendsen
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                     Arthur E. Svendsen
                                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer
                                                       
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                           TITLE                  DATE
             ---------                           -----                  ----
 
<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
     /s/ Arthur E. Svendsen          Chairman of the Board, Chief    October 20,
____________________________________  Executive Officer and             1998
         Arthur E. Svendsen           Director (Principal
                                      Executive Officer)
 
   /s/ Stephen J. Scarborough        President and Director          October 20,
____________________________________                                    1998
       Stephen J. Scarborough
 
      /s/ Andrew H. Parnes           Vice President of Finance       October 20,
____________________________________  and Treasurer (Principal          1998
          Andrew H. Parnes            Financial and Accounting
                                      Officer)
 
                 *                   Director                        October 20,
____________________________________                                    1998
           James L. Doti
 
                 *                   Director                        October 20,
____________________________________                                    1998
          Ronald R. Foell
 
                 *                   Director                          October
____________________________________                                  20, 1998
         Douglas C. Jacobs
 
____________________________________ Director                          October
          Keith D. Koeller                                            20, 1998
 
____________________________________ Director                          October
       William H. Langenberg                                          20, 1998
 
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
              SIGNATURE                           TITLE                  DATE
              ---------                           -----                  ----
 
 <S>                                  <C>                           <C>
                  *                   Director                          October
 ____________________________________                                  20, 1998
          Donald H. Spengler
 
                  *                   Director                          October
 ___________________________________                                   20, 1998
        Robert J. St. Lawrence
 
 *By
      /s/ Arthur E. Svendsen
 ____________________________________
          Arthur E. Svendsen
           Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
    NO.                                 DESCRIPTION
  -------                               -----------
 <C>       <S>
  **3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Registration Statement
           on Form S-4 (File No. 33-42293)).
  **3.2    Certificate of Correction of Certificate of Incorporation of the
           Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
           Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 1991).
  **3.3    Form of Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of
           the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
           Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 1991).
  **3.4    Form of Certificate of Merger of the Registrant (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Registrant's Registration Statement
           on Form 8-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
           December 17, 1991).
  **3.5    Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2
           of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-
           42293)).
    4.1(a) Form of Senior Debt Securities Indenture
    4.1(b) Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture
    4.1(c) Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture
    4.2+   Form of Note
    4.3+   Form of Warrant
    4.4+   Form of Warrant Agreement
  **5.1    Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
 **12.1    Statement of Computation of Ratios
   23.1    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
 **23.2    Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 **24.1    Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration
           Statement)
   25.1+   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-I
</TABLE>    
- --------
+  To be filed by Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by
   reference or by post-effective amendment.
   
** Previously filed.     
 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT 4.1(a)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                             STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.

                             SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES


                                   INDENTURE

                       DATED AS OF _______________, 1998


                           _________________, TRUSTEE

                                        

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                    Page
                                                                                                    ----
<S>                                                                                                 <C> 
ARTICLE ONE  DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE............................................   1

     Section 1.01.  Definitions....................................................................   1
     Section 1.02.  Other Definitions..............................................................   7
     Section 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act..............................   7
     Section 1.04.  Rules of Construction..........................................................   7

ARTICLE TWO  THE SECURITIES........................................................................   8

     Section 2.01.  Form and Dating................................................................   8
     Section 2.02.  Execution and Authentication...................................................   9
     Section 2.03.  Registrar and Paying Agent.....................................................  10
     Section 2.04.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust............................................  10
     Section 2.05.  Securityholder Lists...........................................................  10
     Section 2.06.  Transfer and Exchange..........................................................  11
     Section 2.07.  Replacement Securities.........................................................  11
     Section 2.08.  Outstanding Securities.........................................................  11
     Section 2.09.  Temporary Securities...........................................................  12
     Section 2.10.  Cancellation...................................................................  12
     Section 2.11.  Defaulted Interest.............................................................  12
     Section 2.12.  Treasury Securities............................................................  13
     Section 2.13.  CUSIP Numbers..................................................................  13
     Section 2.14.  Deposit of Moneys..............................................................  13
     Section 2.15.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security......................................  13

ARTICLE THREE  REDEMPTION..........................................................................  14

     Section 3.01.  Notices to Trustee.............................................................  14
     Section 3.02.  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.........................................  15
     Section 3.03.  Notice of Redemption...........................................................  15
     Section 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.................................................  16
     Section 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price....................................................  16
     Section 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part....................................................  16

ARTICLE FOUR  COVENANTS............................................................................  16

     Section 4.01.  Payment of Securities..........................................................  16
     Section 4.02.  Maintenance of Office or Agency................................................  16
     Section 4.03.  Compliance Certificate.........................................................  17
     Section 4.04.  Payment of Taxes; Maintenance of Corporate Existence;
                    Maintenance of Properties......................................................  17
</TABLE> 

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                 <C> 
ARTICLE FIVE  SUCCESSOR CORPORATION................................................................  18

     Section 5.01.  When Company May Merge, etc....................................................  18

ARTICLE SIX  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.................................................................  18

     Section 6.01.  Events of Default..............................................................  18
     Section 6.02.  Acceleration...................................................................  20
     Section 6.03.  Other Remedies.................................................................  20
     Section 6.04.  Waiver of Existing Defaults....................................................  21
     Section 6.05.  Control by Majority............................................................  21
     Section 6.06.  Limitation on Suits............................................................  21
     Section 6.07.  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment...........................................  22
     Section 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee.....................................................  22
     Section 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...............................................  22
     Section 6.10.  Priorities.....................................................................  22
     Section 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs..........................................................  23

ARTICLE SEVEN  TRUSTEE.............................................................................  23

     Section 7.01.  Duties of Trustee..............................................................  23
     Section 7.02.  Rights of Trustee..............................................................  24
     Section 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee...................................................  25
     Section 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer...........................................................  25
     Section 7.05.  Notice of Defaults.............................................................  25
     Section 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders..................................................  25
     Section 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.....................................................  26
     Section 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee.........................................................  26
     Section 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc...............................................  27
     Section 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification..................................................  27
     Section 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company..............................  27

ARTICLE EIGHT  DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE..............................................................  27

     Section 8.01.  Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government
                    Obligations....................................................................  27
     Section 8.02.  Survival of the Company's Obligations..........................................  30
     Section 8.03.  Application of Trust Money.....................................................  30
     Section 8.04.  Repayment to the Company.......................................................  30
     Section 8.05.  Reinstatement..................................................................  31

ARTICLE NINE  AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS..................................................  31

     Section 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.....................................................  31
     Section 9.02.  With Consent of Holders........................................................  32
     Section 9.03.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act............................................  33
</TABLE> 

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                 <C> 
     Section 9.04.  Revocation and Effect of Consents............................................... 33
     Section 9.05.  Notation on or Exchange of Securities........................................... 33
     Section 9.06.  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc................................................. 34

ARTICLE TEN  MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................... 34

     Section 10.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls................................................... 34
     Section 10.02.  Notices........................................................................ 34
     Section 10.03.  Communications by Holders with Other Holders................................... 35
     Section 10.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent............................. 35
     Section 10.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.................................. 35
     Section 10.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.................................................... 36
     Section 10.07.  Legal Holidays................................................................. 36
     Section 10.08.  Governing Law.................................................................. 36
     Section 10.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.................................. 36
     Section 10.10.  No Recourse Against Others..................................................... 36
     Section 10.11.  Successors and Assigns......................................................... 36
     Section 10.12.  Duplicate Originals............................................................ 36
     Section 10.13.  Severability................................................................... 36
</TABLE> 

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       This Cross-Reference Table is not a part of the Indenture.

TIA Indenture Section                                                                          Section
- ---------------------                                                                          -------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
310(a)(1)...........................................................................              7.10
(a)(2)..............................................................................              7.10
(a)(3)..............................................................................              N.A.
(a)(4)..............................................................................              N.A.
(b)................................................................................. 7.08; 7.10; 10.02
310(a)..............................................................................              7.10
(b).................................................................................              7.10
(c).................................................................................              N.A.
312(a)..............................................................................              2.05
(b).................................................................................             10.03
(c).................................................................................             10.03
313(a)..............................................................................              7.06
(b)(1)..............................................................................              N.A.
(b)(2)..............................................................................              7.06
(c).................................................................................             10.02
(d).................................................................................              7.06
314(a)..............................................................................       4.02; 10.02
(b).................................................................................              N.A.
(c)(1)..............................................................................             10.04
(c)(2)..............................................................................             10.04
(c)(3)..............................................................................              N.A.
(d).................................................................................              N.A.
(e).................................................................................             10.05
315(a)..............................................................................              7.01(b)
(b).................................................................................       7.05; 10.02
(c).................................................................................              7.01(a)
(d).................................................................................              7.01(c)
(e).................................................................................              6.10
316(a)(last sentence)...............................................................             10.06
(a)(1)(A)...........................................................................              6.05
(a)(1)(B)...........................................................................              6.04
(a)(2)..............................................................................              N.A.
(b).................................................................................              6.07
317(a)(1)...........................................................................              6.08
(a)(2)..............................................................................              6.09
(b).................................................................................              2.04
318(a)..............................................................................             10.01

N.A. means Not Applicable.
</TABLE>


                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
     INDENTURE dated as of ______, 1998, by and between STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and        (the "Trustee").

     Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the
equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's debt securities issued
under this Indenture (the "Securities"):

                                  ARTICLE ONE


                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01.  Definitions.
               ----------- 

     "Affiliate" means, when used with reference to a specified person, any
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with the Person specified.

     "Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar or agent for
service of notices and demands.

     "Authorizing Resolution" means a resolution adopted by the Board of
Directors or by an Officer or committee of Officers pursuant to Board delegation
authorizing a Series of Securities.

     "Bankruptcy Law" means title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or
any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

     "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
authorized committee thereof.

     "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of or in
such Person's capital stock or other equity interests, and options, rights or
warrants to purchase such capital stock or other equity interests, whether now
outstanding or issued after the applicable Issue Date, including, without
limitation, all Preferred Stock.

     "Capitalized Lease Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such
Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease that is required to be
capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the
amount of such obligations will be the capitalized amount thereof determined in
accordance with GAAP.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     "Company" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor
replaces it pursuant to the Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

     "Currency Agreement" of any Person means any foreign exchange contract,
currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to
protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency
values.

     "Default" means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the
passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession of the United States, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

     "Holder" or "Securityholder" means the person in whose name a Security is
registered on the Registrar's books.

     "Indebtedness" of any Person means notes, bonds, debentures or other 
similar evidences of indebtedness for borrowed money or any guarantee of any of 
the foregoing.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     "Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to
time, including pursuant to any Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture
pertaining to any Series.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     "Issue Date" means, with respect to any Series of Securities, the date on
which the Securities of such Series are originally issued under this Indenture.

     "Lien" means, with respect to any Property, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such
Property. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed to own,
subject to a Lien, any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to the
interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital
lease or other title retention agreement relating to such Property.

     "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the Secretary of the Company.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an
Officer and an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or
counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.

     "Preferred Stock" of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person
which has a preference in liquidation or with respect to the payment of
dividends.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     "principal" of a debt security means the principal of the security plus,
when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the security.

     "Property" of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible,
intangible or mixed property owned by such Person, whether or not included in
the most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries
under GAAP.

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency
performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA.

     "Securities" means any Securities that are issued under this Indenture.

     "Series" means a series of Securities established under this Indenture.

     "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation or other entity of which a
majority of the Capital Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of the Board of Directors or other persons performing similar functions is at
the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person.

     "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect from time to
time.

     "Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor
replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor
serving hereunder.

     "Trust Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by
the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

     "United States" means the United States of America.

     "U.S. government obligations" means securities which are (i) direct
obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and
credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by
and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the payment of
which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States, which, in either case are not callable or redeemable at the
option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued
by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. government
obligations or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S.
government obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a
depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is
not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of
such depository 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S.
government obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the
U.S. government obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Section 1.02.  Other Definitions.
               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Term                                                        Defined in Section
<S>                                                         <C>   
"Agent Members"............................................        2.15       
"Business Day".............................................       10.07       
"Custodian"................................................        6.01       
"Depository"...............................................        2.15       
"Event of Default".........................................        6.01       
"Legal Holiday"............................................       10.07       
"Paying Agent".............................................        2.03       
"Registrar"................................................        2.03        
</TABLE>
Section 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
               --------------------------------------------------

     Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

     "Commission" means the SEC.

     "indenture securities" means the Securities.

     "indenture Securityholder" means a Securityholder.

     "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.

     "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.

     "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company or any other
obligor on the Securities of a Series.

     All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the
meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04.  Rules of Construction.
               --------------------- 

     Unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it
in accordance with GAAP;

     (3)  "or" is not exclusive;

     (4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the
singular; and

     (5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions.


                                  ARTICLE TWO

                                 THE SECURITIES

Section 2.01.  Form and Dating.
               --------------- 

     The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be issued under this
Indenture is unlimited.  The Securities may be issued from time to time in one
or more Series.  Each Series shall be created by an Authorizing Resolution or a
supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of the Series, which may
include the following:

     (1)  the title of the Series;

     (2) the aggregate principal amount (or any limit on the aggregate principal
amount) of the Series and, if any Securities of a Series are to be issued at a
discount from their face amount, the method of computing the accretion of such
discount;

     (3) the interest rate or method of calculation of the interest rate;

     (4) the date from which interest will accrue;

     (5) the record dates for interest payable on Securities of the Series;

     (6) the dates when, places where and manner in which principal and interest
are payable;

     (7)  the Registrar and Paying Agent;

     (8) the terms of any mandatory (including any sinking fund requirements) or
optional redemption by the Company;

     (9) the terms of any redemption at the option of Holders;

     (10) the denominations in which Securities are issuable;

     (11) whether Securities will be issued in registered or bearer form and the
terms of any such forms of Securities;

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     (12) whether any Securities will be represented by a global Security and
the terms of any such global Security;

     (13) the currency or currencies (including any composite currency) in which
principal or interest or both may be paid;

     (14) if payments of principal or interest may be made in a currency other
than that in which Securities are denominated, the manner for determining such
payments;

     (15) provisions for electronic issuance of Securities or issuance of
Securities in uncertificated form;

     (16) any Events of Default, covenants and/or defined terms in addition to
or in lieu of those set forth in this Indenture;

     (17) whether and upon what terms Securities may be defeased if different
from the provisions set forth in this Indenture;

     (18) the form of the Securities, which, unless the Authorizing Resolution
or supplemental indenture otherwise provides, shall be in the form of Exhibit A;

     (19) any terms that may be required by or advisable under applicable law;

     (20) the percentage of the principal amount of the Securities which is
payable if the maturity of the Securities is accelerated in the case of
Securities issued at a discount from their face amount;

     (21) whether any Securities will have guarantees; and

     (22) any other terms in addition to or different from those contained in
this Indenture.

     All Securities of one Series need not be issued at the same time and,
unless otherwise provided, a Series may be reopened for issuances of additional
Securities of such Series pursuant to an Authorizing Resolution, an Officers'
Certificate or in any indenture supplemental hereto.

     The creation and issuance of a Series and the authentication and delivery
thereof are not subject to any conditions precedent.

Section 2.02.  Execution and Authentication.
               ---------------------------- 

     Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature.  The Company's seal shall be reproduced on the Securities.

     If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office
at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall
nevertheless be valid.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     A Security shall not be valid until the Trustee manually signs the
certificate of authentication on the Security.  The signature shall be
conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this
Indenture.

     The Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue upon receipt
of an Officers' Certificate of the Company.  Each Security shall be dated the
date of its authentication.

Section 2.03.  Registrar and Paying Agent.
               -------------------------- 

     The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be
presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar"), an office
or agency where Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent") and an
office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of
the Securities and this Indenture may be served.  The Registrar shall keep a
register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange.  The Company may
have one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The
term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.

     The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent
not a party to this Indenture.  The agreement shall implement the provisions of
this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Company shall promptly notify the
Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent and the Trustee
shall have the right to inspect the Securities register at all reasonable times
to obtain copies thereof, and the Trustee shall have the right to rely upon such
register as to the names and addresses of the Holders and the principal amounts
and certificate numbers thereof.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar
or Paying Agent or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as
such.

     The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

Section 2.04.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
               ----------------------------------- 

     Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders
and the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal
of or interest on the Securities, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by
the Company in making any such payment.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as
Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money and hold it as a separate trust fund.
The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it
to the Trustee.  Upon doing so the Paying Agent shall have no further liability
for the money.

Section 2.05.  Securityholder Lists.
               -------------------- 

     The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
Securityholders.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee at least 5 Business Days before each semiannual interest payment
date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in
such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names
and addresses of Securityholders.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Section 2.06.  Transfer and Exchange.
               --------------------- 

     Where a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a
request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as
requested if the requirements of Section 8-401(1) of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code are met.  Where Securities are presented to the Registrar or a
co-Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of
Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as
requested if the same requirements are met.  To permit transfers and exchanges,
the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar's request.  The
Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Security selected for redemption,
except the unredeemed part thereof if the Security is redeemed in part, or
transfer or exchange any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection
of Securities to be redeemed.  Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge,
except that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax
or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto except in
the case of exchanges pursuant to 2.09, 3.06, or 9.05 not involving any
transfer.

     Any Holder of a global Security shall, by acceptance of such global
Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such global Security
may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of
such global Security (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest
in the Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

Section 2.07.  Replacement Securities.
               ---------------------- 

     If the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost,
destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and, upon
written request of any Officer of the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate a
replacement Security, provided in the case of a lost, destroyed or wrongfully
taken Security, that the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code are met.  If any such lost, destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully
taken Security shall have matured or shall be about to mature, the Company may,
instead of issuing a substitute Security therefor, pay such Security without
requiring (except in the case of a mutilated Security) the surrender thereof.
An indemnity bond must be sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the
Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss which any
of them may suffer if a Security is replaced, including the acquisition of such
Security by a bona fide purchaser.  The Company or the Trustee may charge for
its expenses in replacing a Security.

Section 2.08.  Outstanding Securities.
               ---------------------- 

     Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the
Trustee except for those cancelled by it and those described in this Section.  A
Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its
Affiliates holds the Security.

     If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     If the Paying Agent holds on a redemption date or maturity date money
sufficient to pay Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date
such Securities cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 2.09.  Temporary Securities.
               -------------------- 

     Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare
and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities.  Temporary Securities
shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have
variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.
Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and, upon surrender for
cancellation of the temporary Security, the Company shall execute and the
Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary
Securities.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects
be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities
authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.10.  Cancellation.
               ------------ 

     The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation.  The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any
Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange,
redemption or payment.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and destroy, or
retain in accordance with its standard retention policy, all Securities
surrendered for registration or transfer, exchange, redemption, paying or
cancellation.  Unless the Authorizing Resolution so provides, the Company may
not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has previously paid or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.11.  Defaulted Interest.
               ------------------ 

     If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it
shall pay the defaulted interest plus any interest payable on the defaulted
interest to the persons who are Securityholders on a subsequent special record
date.  The Company shall fix such special record date and a payment date which
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.  At least 15 days before such
special record date, the Company shall mail to each Securityholder a notice that
states the record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to
be paid.  On or before the date such notice is mailed, the Company shall deposit
with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the amount of defaulted interest
to be so paid.  The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful
manner if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed
payment, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Section 2.12.  Treasury Securities.
               ------------------- 

     In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Securities of a Series have concurred in any direction, waiver, consent or
notice, Securities owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be
considered as though they are not outstanding, except that for the purposes of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee actually knows
are so owned shall be so considered.

Section 2.13.  CUSIP Numbers.
               ------------- 

     The Company in issuing the Securities of any Series may use a "CUSIP"
number, and if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number in notices of
redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders of such Securities; provided
that no representation is hereby deemed to be made by the Trustee as to the
correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP number printed in the notice or on
such Securities, and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on such Securities.  The Company shall promptly
notify the Trustee of any change in any CUSIP number.

Section 2.14.  Deposit of Moneys.
               ----------------- 

     Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on each interest payment date and
maturity date with respect to each Series of Securities, the Company shall have
deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient
to make cash payments due on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the
case may be, in a timely manner which permits the Paying Agent to remit payment
to the Holders on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the case may
be.

Section 2.15.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security.
               ----------------------------------------- 

     (a) Any global Security of a Series initially shall (i) be registered in
the name of the depository who shall be identified in the Authorizing Resolution
or supplemental indenture relating to such Securities (the "Depository") or the
nominee of such Depository, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for
such Depository and (iii) bear any required legends.

     Members of, or participants in, the Depository ("Agent Members") shall have
no rights under this Indenture with respect to any global Security held on their
behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the global
Security, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any
agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the global Security
for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the
Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository
and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the
exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Security.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     (b) Transfers of any global Security shall be limited to transfers in
whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective
nominees.  Interests of beneficial owners in the global Security may be
transferred or exchanged for definitive Securities in accordance with the rules
and procedures of the Depository.  In addition, definitive Securities shall be
transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests
in a global Security if (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the global Security and a
successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such
notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the
Registrar has received a request from the Depository to issue definitive
Securities.

     (c) In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the
beneficial interest in any global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to
paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more definitive Securities are to
be issued) reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the
principal amount of the global Security in an amount equal to the principal
amount of the beneficial interest in the global Security to be transferred, and
the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one
or more definitive Securities of like tenor and amount.

     (d) In connection with the transfer of an entire global Security to
beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the global Security shall be deemed
to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial
owner identified by the Depository in exchange for its beneficial interest in
the global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive
Securities of authorized denominations.

     (e) The Holder of any global Security may grant proxies and otherwise
authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold
interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled
to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such Series.

                                 ARTICLE THREE


                                   REDEMPTION

Section 3.01.  Notices to Trustee.
               ------------------ 

     Securities of a Series that are redeemable prior to maturity shall be
redeemable in accordance with their terms and, unless the Authorizing Resolution
or supplemental indenture provides otherwise, in accordance with this Article.

     If the Company wants to redeem Securities pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the
Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and
the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.  Any such notice may be
cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to
Holders.  Any such cancelled notice shall be void and of no effect.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     If the Company wants to credit any Securities previously redeemed, retired
or acquired against any redemption pursuant to Paragraph 6 of the Securities, it
shall notify the Trustee of the amount of the credit and it shall deliver any
Securities not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation with such
notice.

     The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.01 at
least 30 days before the notice of any such redemption is to be mailed to
Holders (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).

Section 3.02.  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
               -------------------------------------- 

     If fewer than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the
Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed by a method the Trustee
considers fair and appropriate.  The Trustee shall make the selection from
Securities outstanding not previously called for redemption and shall promptly
notify the Company of the serial numbers or other identifying attributes of the
Securities so selected.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the
principal of Securities that have denominations larger than the minimum
denomination for the Series.  Securities and portions of them it selects shall
be in amounts equal to the minimum denomination for the Series or an integral
multiple thereof.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called
for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.

Section 3.03.  Notice of Redemption.
               -------------------- 

     At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the
Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed.

     The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

     (1)  the redemption date;

     (2)  the redemption price;

     (3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

     (4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying
Agent to collect the redemption price;

     (5) that interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on
and after the redemption date; and

     (6) that the Securities are being redeemed pursuant to the mandatory
redemption or the optional redemption provisions, as applicable.

     At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption
in the Company's name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company
shall deliver to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the date on which notice
of redemption is to be mailed or such 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
shorter period as may be satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers' Certificate
requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information
to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.
               ------------------------------ 

     Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption
become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price as set
forth in the notice of redemption.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such
Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued interest to the
redemption date.

Section 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price.
               --------------------------- 

     On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying
Agent immediately available funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of and
accrued interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

Section 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part.
               --------------------------- 

     Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for each Holder a new Security equal
in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.


                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                                   COVENANTS

Section 4.01.  Payment of Securities.
               --------------------- 

     The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on a Series on the
dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of the Series.  An
installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is
due if the Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient
to pay the installment.

     The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by
the Series; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the
same rate.

Section 4.02.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.
               ------------------------------- 

     The Company shall maintain the office or agency required under Section
2.03.  The Company shall give prior written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any
time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the
Trustee.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Section 4.03.  Compliance Certificate.
               ---------------------- 

     The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year of the Company an Officers' Certificate stating whether or not
the signers know of any Default by the Company in performing any of its
obligations under this Indenture.  If they do know of such a Default, the
certificate shall describe the Default.

Section 4.04.  Maintenance of Corporate Existence.
               ----------------------------------

     The Company will:

     (a) cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full
force and effect the corporate existence of the Company; provided, however, that
nothing in this subsection (a) shall prevent a consolidation or merger of the
Company not prohibited by the provisions of Article Five or any other provision
or the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to a Series.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE FIVE


                             SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

Section 5.01.  When Company May Merge, etc.
               ----------------------------

     The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, any other
corporation, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to, any entity
unless permitted by law and unless (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee
entity (if other than the Company), which shall be a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof and shall assume
by supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all
of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture and
(2) immediately after giving effect to, and as a result of, such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Thereafter,
in the event that the Company is not the continuing corporation, such successor
corporation or corporations shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company
with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the "Company" and all
such obligations of the predecessor corporation shall terminate.

     The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the
proposed transaction an Officers' Certificate to the foregoing effect and an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental
indenture comply with this Indenture.

     To the extent that an Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture
pertaining to any Series provides for different provisions relating to the
subject matter of this Article Five, the provisions in such Authorizing
Resolution or supplemental indenture shall govern for purposes of such Series.


                                  ARTICLE SIX

                             DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01.  Events of Default.
               ----------------- 

     An "Event of Default" on a Series occurs if, voluntarily or involuntarily,
whether by operation of law or otherwise, any of the following occurs:

     (1) the failure by the Company to pay interest on any Security of such
Series when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such
failure for a period of 30 days;

     (2) the failure by the Company to pay the principal or premium of any
Security of such Series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon
acceleration or otherwise;

     (3) the failure by the Company to comply with any of its agreements or 
covenants in, or provisions of, the Securities of such Series or this Indenture
(as they relate thereto) and such failure continues for the period and after the
notice specified below (except in the case of a default with respect to Article
Five

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
(or any replacement provisions as contemplated by Article Five), which will
constitute Events of Default with notice but without passage of time);

     (4) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

          (A)  commences a voluntary case,

          (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
     involuntary case,

          (C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or
     substantially all of its property, or

          (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

     (5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any
Bankruptcy Law that:

          (A) is for relief against the Company as debtor in an involuntary 
     case,

          (B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or a Custodian for all or 
     substantially all of the property of the Company, or

          (C) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree 
     remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
     A Default as described in sub-clause (3) above will not be deemed an Event
of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25
percent in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the applicable
Series notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default and (except in the
case of a default with respect to Article Five (or any replacement provisions as
contemplated by Article Five)) the Company does not cure the Default within 60
days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand
that it be remedied and state that the notice is a "Notice of Default." If such
a Default is cured within such time period, it ceases.

     The term "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator,
custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 6.02.  Acceleration.
               ------------ 

     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to the
Company resulting from sub-clauses (7) or (8) above) shall have occurred and be
continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the
Holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the Securities of the
applicable Series then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
declare all Securities of such Series to be due and payable immediately.  Upon
such declaration of acceleration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities
of such Series will be due and payable immediately.  If an Event of Default with
respect to the Company specified in sub-clauses (7) or (8) above occurs, all
amounts due and payable on the Securities of such Series will ipso facto become
and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act
on the part of the Trustee and the Company or any Holder.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding
by written notice to the Trustee and the Company may waive any Default or Event
of Default (other than any continuing Default or Event of Default in payment of
principal or interest) with respect to such Series of Securities under the
Indenture.  Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding
Securities of such Series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such
Series and its consequence (except an acceleration due to nonpayment of
principal or interest on the Securities of such Series) if the rescission would
not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default
have been cured or waived.

     No such rescission shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Event of
Default, or shall impair any right or power consequent thereon.

Section 6.03.  Other Remedies.
               -------------- 

     If an Event of Default on a Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the
payment of principal of or interest on the Series or to enforce the performance
of any provision in the Securities or this Indenture applicable to the Series.

     The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of
the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of Default shall not 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the
Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available
remedies are cumulative.

Section 6.04.  Waiver of Existing Defaults.
               --------------------------- 

     Subject to Section 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Securities of a Series on behalf of all the Holders of the
Series by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default on such Series and
its consequences.  When a Default is waived, it is cured and stops continuing,
and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured;
but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any
right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05.  Control by Majority.
               ------------------- 

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities
of a Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on it with respect to such Series.  The Trustee, however, may refuse
to follow any direction (i) that conflicts with law or this Indenture, (ii)
that, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to
the rights of other Securityholders or (iii) that would involve the Trustee in
personal liability.

Section 6.06.  Limitation on Suits.
               ------------------- 

     A Securityholder of a Series may not pursue any remedy with respect to this
Indenture or the Series unless:

     (1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of
Default on the Series;

     (2) the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities of the Series make a written request to the Trustee to
pursue the remedy;

     (3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to
the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

     (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

     (5) no written request inconsistent with such written request shall have
been given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.06.

     A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of
another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another
Securityholder.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
Section 6.07.  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
               ------------------------------------ 

     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Security, on or
after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is
absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the
consent of the Holder.

Section 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee.
               -------------------------- 

     If an Event of Default in payment of interest or principal specified in
Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover
judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company
for the whole amount of principal and interest remaining unpaid.

Section 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
               -------------------------------- 

     The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as
may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee
(including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements,
and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Securityholders
allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or
its property, and unless prohibited by applicable law or regulation, may vote on
behalf of the Holders in any election of a Custodian, and shall be entitled and
empowered to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same and any Custodian in
any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make
such payments to the Trustee.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of
any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder or to authorize
the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder except as
aforesaid for the election of the Custodian.

Section 6.10.  Priorities.
               ---------- 

     If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay
out the money in the following order:

     First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

     Second:  to Securityholders of the Series for amounts due and unpaid on the
Series for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of
any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Series for principal
and interest, respectively; and

     Third:  to the Company as its interests may appear.

     The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Securityholders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
Section 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs.
               --------------------- 

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture
or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as
Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant
in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its
discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in the suit, having the due regard to the merits and
good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section
does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section
6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Series.

                                 ARTICLE SEVEN


                                    TRUSTEE

Section 7.01.  Duties of Trustee.
               ----------------- 

     (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall, prior to the receipt of directions from the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities, exercise its rights and powers and use the
same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise
or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

     (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

          (1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically
     set forth in this Indenture and no others and no implied covenants or
     obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

          (2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
     conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
     the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to
     the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  The
     Trustee, however, shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine
     whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture but need
     not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or
     other facts or matters stated therein.

     (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent
action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except
that:

          (1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this
     Section.

          (2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in
     good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was
     negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
          (3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it
     takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
     received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 or any other direction of the
     Holders permitted hereunder.

     (d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

     (e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or
power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss,
liability or expense.

     (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by
it except as the Trustee may agree with the Company.  Money held in trust by the
Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
law.

     (g) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability
in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights
or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment
of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably
assured to it.

Section 7.02.  Rights of Trustee.
               ----------------- 

     Subject to Section 7.01:

     (a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting on any document, resolution, certificate, instrument, report or
direction believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by
the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated
in the document, resolution, certificate, instrument, report or direction.

     (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both, which shall conform to
Sections 10.04 and 10.05 hereof and containing such other statements as the
Trustee reasonably deems necessary to perform its duties hereunder.  The Trustee
shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in
reliance on the Officers' Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or any other direction
of the Company permitted hereunder.

     (c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the
misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

     (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

     (e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel as to matters of law shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, omitted or
suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or
opinion of such counsel.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
     (f) Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Indenture, any demand,
request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by
an Officer of the Company.

     (g) For all purposes under this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be deemed
to have notice or knowledge of any Event of Default (other than under Section
6.01(1) or 6.01(2)) unless a Trust Officer assigned to and working in the
Trustee's corporate trust office has actual knowledge thereof or unless written
notice of any Event of Default is received by the Trustee at its address
specified in Section 10.02 hereof and such notice references the Securities
generally, the Company or this Indenture.

Section 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee.
               ---------------------------- 

     The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its affiliates
with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the
same with like rights.  The Trustee, however, must comply with Sections 7.10 and
7.11.

Section 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer.
               -------------------- 

     The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this
Indenture, the Securities or of any prospectus used to sell the Securities; it
shall not be accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the
Securities; it shall not be accountable for any money paid to the Company, or
upon the Company's direction, if made under and in accordance with any provision
of this Indenture; it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any
money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee; and it shall not be
responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in the
Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05.  Notice of Defaults.
               ------------------ 

     If a Default on a Series occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Series notice of
the Default (which shall specify any uncured Default known to it) within 90 days
after it occurs.  Except in the case of a default in payment of principal of or
interest on a Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the
board of directors of the Trustee, the executive or any trust committee of such
directors and/or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determine(s)
that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of the Series.

Section 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.
               ----------------------------- 

     Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the
date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief
report dated as of such May 15 that complies with TIA (S)313(a) (but if no event
described in TIA (S)313(2) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the
reporting date no report need be transmitted).  The Trustee also shall comply
with TIA (S)313(b).

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
     A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall
be delivered to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each
national securities exchange on which the Securities are listed.  The Company
agrees to notify the Trustee of each national securities exchange on which the
Securities are listed.

Section 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.
               -------------------------- 

     The Company shall pay to the Trustee or predecessor trustee from time to
time reasonable compensation for their respective services subject to any
written agreement between the Trustee and the Company.  The Company shall
reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by it.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and
expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.  The Company shall indemnify the
Trustee and each predecessor trustee, its officers, directors, employees and
agents and hold it harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred or
made by or on behalf of it in connection with the administration of this
Indenture or the trust hereunder and its duties hereunder including the costs
and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim in the
premises.  The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which
it may seek indemnity.  The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify
against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee's, or
its officers', directors', employees' or agents' negligence or bad faith.

     To ensure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee
shall have a claim prior to the Securities on all money or property held or
collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of or
interest on particular Securities.  When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders
services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01 or in
connection with Article 6 hereof, the expenses (including the reasonable fees
and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for services in connection
therewith are to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

Section 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee.
               ---------------------- 

     The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may remove the
Trustee by so notifying the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a
successor trustee with the Company's consent.  Such resignation or removal shall
not take effect until the appointment by the Securityholders or the Company as
hereinafter provided of a successor trustee and the acceptance of such
appointment by such successor trustee.  The Company may remove the Trustee and
any Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee for any or no
reason, including if:

     (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 after written request by
the Company or any bona fide Securityholder who has been a Securityholder for at
least six months;

     (2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

     (3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
property; or

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
     (4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

     If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office
of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
trustee.  If a successor trustee does not take office within 45 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or any
Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor trustee.

     A successor trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment
to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that, the
retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the
successor trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall
become effective, and the successor trustee shall have all the rights, powers
and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor trustee shall mail
notice of its succession to each Securityholder.

Section 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
               ---------------------------------

     If the Trustee consolidates with, merges with or into or converts into, or
transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another
corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the
successor trustee.

Section 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification.
               ----------------------------- 

     This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements
of TIA (S)310(a)(1).  The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of
at least $10,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of
condition.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S)310(b).

Section 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
               ------------------------------------------------- 

     The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S)311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA (S)311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA (S)311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

                                 ARTICLE EIGHT


                             DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 8.01.  Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations.
               ---------------------------------------------------------------- 

     (a) The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either
paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) below be applied to the outstanding Securities of
any Series upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth in paragraph
(d).

     (b) Upon the Company's exercise under paragraph (a) of the option
applicable to this paragraph (b), the Company shall be deemed to have been
released and discharged from its obligations with respect to the outstanding
Securities of a Series on the date the applicable 

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "Legal Defeasance"). For
this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to
have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding
Securities of a Series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be "outstanding"
only for the purposes of the Sections and matters under this Indenture referred
to in (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under
such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned,
except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or
discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of a
Series to receive solely from the trust fund described in paragraph (d) below
and as more fully set forth in such paragraph, payments in respect of the
principal of and interest on such Securities when such payments are due and (ii)
obligations listed in Section 8.02, subject to compliance with this Section
8.01. The Company may exercise its option under this paragraph (b)
notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under paragraph (c) below with
respect to such Securities.

     (c) Upon the Company's exercise under paragraph (a) of the option
applicable to this paragraph (c), the Company shall be released and discharged
from the obligations under any covenant contained in Article Four and any other
covenant contained in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture
relating to such Series to the extent provided for therein, on and after the
date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant
Defeasance"), and the Securities of such Series shall thereafter be deemed to be
not "outstanding" for the purpose of any direction, waiver, consent or
declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in
connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed "outstanding"
for all other purposes hereunder.  For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance
means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of a Series, the Company
may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term,
condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or
indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or
by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or
in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default
or an Event of Default under Section 6.01(3), but, except as specified above,
the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

     (d) The following shall be the conditions to application of either
paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) above to the outstanding Securities of the
applicable Series:

          (1) The Company shall have irrevocably deposited in trust with the
     Trustee, pursuant to an irrevocable trust and security agreement in form
     and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, money in U.S. dollars
     or U.S. government obligations or a combination thereof in such amounts and
     at such times as are sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
     firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of and
     interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series to maturity or
     redemption; provided, however, that the Trustee (or other qualifying
     trustee) shall have received an irrevocable written order from the Company
     instructing the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to apply such money
     or the proceeds of such U.S. government obligations to said payments with
     respect to the Securities of such Series to maturity or redemption;

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
          (2) No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
     continuing on the date of such deposit;

          (3) Such deposit will not result in a Default under this Indenture or
     a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material
     instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of any of their
     Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of their property is bound;

          (4) (i) In the event the Company elects paragraph (b) hereof, the
     Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United
     States, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to
     the effect that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been
     published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the Issue
     Date pertaining to such Series, there has been a change in the applicable
     federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
     thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall state that, or (ii) in the event the
     Company elects paragraph (c) hereof, the Company shall deliver to the
     Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States, in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that, in the case of
     clauses (i) and (ii), Holders of the Securities of such Series will not
     recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
     of such deposit and the defeasance contemplated hereby and will be subject
     to federal income tax in the same amounts and in the same manner and at the
     same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had
     not occurred;

          (5) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate, stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not made by the
     Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such
     Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of
     defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the
     Company or others;

          (6) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
     Counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that, (A)
     the trust funds will not be subject to the rights of Holders of
     Indebtedness of the Company other than the Securities of such Series and
     (B) assuming no intervening bankruptcy of the Company between the date of
     deposit and the 91st day following the deposit and that no Holder of
     Securities of such Series is an insider of the Company, after the 91st day
     following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to any
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law affecting
     creditors' rights generally; and

          (7) The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
     specified herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section
     8.01 have been complied with.

     In the event all or any portion of the Securities of a Series are to be
redeemed through such irrevocable trust, the Company must make arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee, at the time of such deposit, for the giving of the
notice of such redemption or redemptions by the Trustee in the name and at the
expense of the Company.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
     (e) In addition to the Company's rights above under this Section 8.01, the
Company may terminate all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect
to a Series (subject to Section 8.02), when:

          (1) All Securities of such Series theretofore authenticated and
     delivered (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen
     and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and
     Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust
     or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the
     Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee
     for cancellation or all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the
     Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable and the Company has
     irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust
     funds in trust solely for that purpose an amount of money sufficient to pay
     and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Securities not theretofore
     delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of and interest;

          (2) The Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
     hereunder by the Company;

          (3) The Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee
     to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities at
     maturity or redemption, as the case may be; and

          (4) The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that all conditions precedent specified
     herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have
     been complied with.

Section 8.02.  Survival of the Company's Obligations.
               ------------------------------------- 

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture under
Section 8.01, the Company's obligations in paragraph 9 of the Securities and
Sections 2.03 through 2.07, 4.01, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 8.05, however, shall
survive until the Securities of an applicable Series are no longer outstanding.
Thereafter, the Company's obligations in paragraph 9 of the Securities of such
Series and Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive (as they relate to such
Series).

Section 8.03.  Application of Trust Money.
               -------------------------- 

     The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. government obligations
deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01.  It shall apply the deposited money
and the money from U.S. government obligations in accordance with this Indenture
to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of the defeased
Series.

Section 8.04.  Repayment to the Company.
               ------------------------ 

     The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon
request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.  The Trustee
and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by
them for the payment of principal or interest 

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
that remains unclaimed for two years, provided, however, that the Trustee or
such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of New York or mail to each such Holder notice that such
money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall
not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing, any
unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
After payment to the Company, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to
the Company for payment as general creditors unless applicable abandoned
property law designates another person and all liability of the Trustee or such
Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

Section 8.05.  Reinstatement.
               ------------- 

     If the Trustee is unable to apply any money or U.S. government obligations
in accordance with Section 8.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason
of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining,
restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations
under this Indenture and the Securities relating to the Series shall be revived
and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until
such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. government
obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that (a) if the
Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities of
the Series because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Company shall
be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such
payment from the money or U.S. government obligations held by the Trustee and
(b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment
of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee shall return all such money
or U.S. government obligations to the Company promptly after receiving a written
request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Company's obligations
has occurred and continues to be in effect.

                                  ARTICLE NINE


                      AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

Section 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.
               -------------------------- 

     The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the
Securities of a Series without notice to or consent of any Securityholder of
such Series:

     (1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

     (2)  to comply with Article Five;

     (3) to provide that specific provisions of this Indenture shall not apply
to a Series not previously issued;

     (4) to create a Series and establish its terms;

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
     (5) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of
certificated Securities; and

     (6) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of
Securityholders.

     After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Company
shall mail notice of such amendment to the Securityholders.

Section 9.02.  With Consent of Holders.
               ----------------------- 

     The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the
Securities of a Series without notice to any Securityholder of such Series but
with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Securities of each such Series affected by the
amendment.  Each such Series shall vote as a separate class.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may
waive compliance by the Company with any provision of the Securities of such
Series or of this Indenture relating to such Series without notice to any
Securityholder.  Without the consent of each Securityholder of a Series
affected, however, an amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver
pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

     (1) reduce the amount of Securities of such Series whose Holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

     (2) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest,
including defaulted interest, on any Security;

     (3) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Security or
alter the provisions (including related definitions) with respect to redemption
of Securities pursuant to Article Three hereof or with respect to any
obligations on the part of the Company to offer to purchase or to redeem
Securities of a Series pursuant to the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental
indenture pertaining to such Series;

     (4) modify the ranking or priority of the Securities of any Series;

     (5) make any change in Sections 6.04, 6.07 or this 9.02;

     (6) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the
principal of or interest on any Security; or

     (7) make any Security payable at a place or in money other than that stated
in the Security, or impair the right of any Securityholder to bring suit as
permitted by Section 6.07.

     An amendment of a provision included solely for the benefit of one or more
Series does not affect the interests of Securityholders of any other Series.

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section
to approve the particular form of any proposed supplement, but it shall be
sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

Section 9.03.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
               ----------------------------------- 

     Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities shall
comply with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04.  Revocation and Effect of Consents.
               --------------------------------- 

     A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder shall bind the
Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of
the consent is not made on any Security.  Subject to the following paragraph,
any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his
Security or portion of a Security.  Such revocation shall be effective only if
the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment,
supplement or waiver becomes effective.

     The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the
purpose of determining the Holders of Securities of any Series entitled to
consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver, which record date shall be at
least 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent.  If a record date
is fixed, then notwithstanding the last sentence of the immediately preceding
paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly
designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any
consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders
after such record date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective for more
than 90 days after such record date.

     After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind
every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through
(7) of Section 9.02, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall
bind only each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent
Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as
the consenting Holder's Security; provided that any such waiver shall not impair
or affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and
interest on a Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such
Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after
such respective dates without the consent of such Holder.

Section 9.05.  Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
               ------------------------------------- 

     If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security, the
Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee, at
which time the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Security about
the changed terms and return it to the Holder.  Alternatively, if the Company or
the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue
and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed
terms.

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
Section 9.06.  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
               --------------------------------

     Subject to Section 7.02(b), the Trustee shall sign any amendment,
supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment,
supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities
or immunities of the Trustee.  If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it.
In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplemental indenture, the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying
upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence
that such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and
binding upon the Company in accordance with its terms.

                                  ARTICLE TEN


                                 MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls.
                ---------------------------- 

     If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA,
the required provision shall control.

Section 10.02.  Notices.
                ------- 

     Any order, consent, notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if
in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:

     if to the Company:

     Standard Pacific Corp.
     1565 W. MacArthur Boulevard
     Costa Mesa, CA  92626
     Attention:

     if to the Trustee:

     _________________________

     _________________________

     _________________________

     Attention:

     The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional
or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

     Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed to
him by first class mail at his address as it appears on the registration books
of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the
time prescribed.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
     Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect
in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly
given, whether or not the addressee receives it except that notice to the
Trustee shall only be effective upon receipt thereof by the Trustee.

     If the Company mails notice or communications to the Securityholders, it
shall mail a copy to the Trustee at the same time.

Section 10.03.  Communications by Holders with Other Holders.
                -------------------------------------------- 

     Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA (S) 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA (S) 312(c).

Section 10.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
                -------------------------------------------------- 

     Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

     (1) an Officers' Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth
in Section 10.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions
precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed
action have been complied with; and

     (2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in
Section 10.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions
precedent and covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition
precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed
action or inaction, have been complied with and that any such Section does not
conflict with the terms of the Indenture.

Section 10.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
                --------------------------------------------- 

     Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

     (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read
such covenant or condition;

     (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;

     (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and

     (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
Section 10.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.
                --------------------------- 

     The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of
Securityholders.  The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for
its functions.

Section 10.07.  Legal Holidays.
                -------------- 

     A "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal holiday or a day on
which banking institutions in Los Angeles, California and New York, New York are
not required to be open.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of
payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is
not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.  A
Business Day is any day other than a Legal Holiday.

Section 10.08.  Governing Law.
                ------------- 

     The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the
Securities of each Series.

Section 10.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
                --------------------------------------------- 

     This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt
agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary.  Any such indenture, loan or debt
agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 10.10.  No Recourse Against Others.
                -------------------------- 

     All liability described in paragraph 13 of the Securities of any director,
officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company is waived and
released.

Section 10.11.  Successors and Assigns.
                ---------------------- 

     All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the
Securities shall bind its successors and assigns.  All agreements of the Trustee
in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns.

Section 10.12.  Duplicate Originals.
                ------------------- 

     The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed
copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.

Section 10.13.  Severability.
                ------------ 

     In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in
the Securities of a Series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities.

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: _____________, 1998

                              STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.


                              By:
                                  ----------------------------------
                              Name:
                                    --------------------------------
                              Title:
                                     -------------------------------

Dated: _____________, 1998

                              _______________, as Trustee


                              By:
                                  ----------------------------------
                              Name:
                                    --------------------------------
                              Title:
                                     -------------------------------

(SEAL)

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                                        

No.CUSIP No.: _________________

[Title of Security]

     STANDARD PACIFIC CORP., a Delaware corporation promises to pay to or
registered assigns the principal sum of [Dollars] (1) on

     __________ [Title of Security]

     Interest Payment Dates:  __________ and __________

     Record Dates:  __________ and __________

     Authenticated:

     Dated:

                              STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.

                              [Seal]

                              By:
                                  ----------------------------------
                              Title:
                                     -------------------------------

                              By:
                                  ----------------------------------
                              Title:
                                     -------------------------------

     _________________, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities
referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

                              By:
                                  ----------------------------------
                                        Authorized Signatory

     (1) Or other currency.  Insert corresponding provisions on reverse side of
Security in respect of foreign currency denomination or interest payment
requirement.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
     1.  Interest.  STANDARD PACIFIC CORP. (the "Company"), a Delaware
         --------                                                     
corporation, promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security
at the rate per annum shown above.  The Company will pay interest semiannually
on __________________ and ______________ of each year until the principal is
paid or made available for payment.  Interest on the Securities will accrue from
the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if
no interest has been paid, from _______________, 19 , provided that, if there is
no existing default in the payment of interest, and if this Security is
authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next
succeeding interest payment date, interest shall accrue from such interest
payment date.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.

     2.  Method of Payment.  The Company will pay interest on the Securities
         -----------------                                                  
(except defaulted interest, if any, which will be paid on such special payment
date to Holders of record on such special record date as may be fixed by the
Company) to the persons who are registered Holders of Securities at the close of
business on the [Insert record dates].  Holders must surrender Securities to a
Paying Agent to collect principal payments.  The Company will pay principal and
interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts.

     3.  Paying Agent and Registrar.
         -------------------------- 

     Initially, _________________________ (the "Trustee") will act as Paying
Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change or appoint any Paying Agent,
Registrar or co-Registrar without notice.  The Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

     4.  Indenture.
         --------- 

     The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of
______________, 1998 ("Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee.  The
terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture (including those
terms set forth in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture
pertaining to the Securities of the Series of which this Security is a part) and
those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
("TIA") as in effect on the date of the Indenture.  The Securities are subject
to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act
for a statement of them.

     The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and
without charge a copy of the Indenture and the applicable Authorizing Resolution
or supplemental indenture.  Requests may be made to:  Standard Pacific Corp.,
1565 W. MacArthur Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California  92626, Attention:
___________.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
     5.  Optional Redemption.(1)

     The Company may redeem the Securities at any time on or after
______________, in whole or in part, at the following redemption prices
(expressed as a percentage of their principal amount) together with interest
accrued and unpaid to the date fixed for redemption:

     If redeemed during the Twelve-Month period commencing on ____________ and
ending on __________ in each of the following years Percentage ________.

     (1)  If applicable.

     [Insert provisions relating to redemption at option of Holders, if any]

     Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at
his registered address.  Securities in denominations larger than $1,000 may be
redeemed in part.  On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on
Securities or portions of them called for redemption, provided that if the
Company shall default in the payment of such Security at the redemption price
together with accrued interest, interest shall continue to accrue at the rate
borne by the Securities.

     6.  Mandatory Redemption.(1)
         --------------------    

     The Company shall redeem % of the aggregate principal amount of Securities
originally issued under the Indenture on each of , which redemptions are
calculated to retire % of the Securities originally issued prior to maturity.
Such redemptions shall be made at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof, together with accrued interest to the redemption date.
The Company may reduce the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed
pursuant to this Paragraph 6 by the principal amount of any Securities
previously redeemed, retired or acquired, otherwise than pursuant to this
Paragraph 6, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and
not previously credited to the Company's obligations under this Paragraph 6.
Each such Security shall be received and credited for such purpose by the
Trustee at the redemption price and the amount of such mandatory redemption
payment shall be reduced accordingly.

     (1)  If applicable.

     7.  Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.
         --------------------------------- 

     The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.  A Holder may transfer or exchange
Securities by presentation of such Securities to the Registrar or a Co-Registrar
with a request to register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal
principal amount of Securities of other denominations.  The Registrar may
require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and
transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by
the Indenture.  The Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Security
selected for redemption, except the 

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
unredeemed part thereof if the Security is redeemed in part, or transfer or
exchange any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities
to be redeemed.

     [Insert different or additional denominations and multiples.]

     8.  Persons Deemed Owners.
         --------------------- 

     The registered Holder of this Security shall be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes.

     9.  Unclaimed Money.
         --------------- 

     If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two
years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money back to the Company at its
request.  After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for
payment unless an abandoned property law designates another person.

     10.  Amendment, Supplement, Waiver.
          ----------------------------- 

     Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Securities may be
amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by the
amendment and any past default or compliance with any provision relating to any
Series of the Securities may be waived in a particular instance with the consent
of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities
of such Series.(1)  Without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and
the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Securities to cure any
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Securities in
addition to or in place of certificated Securities, to create a Series and
establish its terms or to make any other change, provided such action does not
adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.

     (1) If different terms apply, insert a brief summary thereof.

     11.  Successor Corporation.
          --------------------- 

     When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor
under the Securities and the Indenture, the predecessor corporation will be
released from those obligations.

     12.  Trustee Dealings With Company.
          ----------------------------- 

     ________________________________, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its
individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and
perform services for the Company or its affiliates, and may otherwise deal with
the Company or its affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

     13.  No Recourse Against Others.
          -------------------------- 

     A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall
not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities
or the Indenture or for any claim 

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.
Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of
the Securities.

     14.  Discharge of Indenture.
          ---------------------- 

     The Indenture contains certain provisions pertaining to defeasance, which
provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth herein.

     15.  Authentication.
          -------------- 

     This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.

     16.  Abbreviations.

     Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an
assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (= custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act).

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

     If you the Holder want to assign this Security, fill in the form below:

     I or we assign and transfer this Security to ____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

     (Insert assignee's social security or tax ID number) ____________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

     (Print or type assignee's name, address, and zip code) __________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

     and irrevocably appoint
_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

     agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company.  The agent may
substitute another to act for him.

     Date: ________________

                              Your signature: _____________________________

                              (Sign exactly as your name appears
                              on the other side of this Security)

                              Signature Guarantee:_________________________

                                      A-6

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT 4.1(b)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                             STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.


                      SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES



                                   Indenture

                       Dated as of _______________, 1998

                                        

                             _____________, TRUSTEE

                                        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                   Page
                                                                                                   ----
<S>                                                                                                <C> 
ARTICLE ONE  DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE.......................................       1

      Section 1.01.  Definitions..............................................................       1
      Section 1.02.  Other Definitions........................................................       8
      Section 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act........................       8
      Section 1.04.  Rules of Construction....................................................       9

ARTICLE TWO  THE SECURITIES...................................................................       9

      Section 2.01.  Form and Dating..........................................................       9
      Section 2.02.  Execution and Authentication.............................................      11
      Section 2.03.  Registrar and Paying Agent...............................................      11
      Section 2.04.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust......................................      11
      Section 2.05.  Securityholder Lists.....................................................      12
      Section 2.06.  Transfer and Exchange....................................................      12
      Section 2.07.  Replacement Securities...................................................      12
      Section 2.08.  Outstanding Securities...................................................      13
      Section 2.09.  Temporary Securities.....................................................      13
      Section 2.10.  Cancellation.............................................................      13
      Section 2.11.  Defaulted Interest.......................................................      13
      Section 2.12.  Treasury Securities......................................................      14
      Section 2.13.  CUSIP Numbers............................................................      14
      Section 2.14.  Deposit of Moneys........................................................      14
      Section 2.15.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security................................      14

ARTICLE THREE  REDEMPTION.....................................................................      15

      Section 3.01.  Notices to Trustee.......................................................      15
      Section 3.02.  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed...................................      16
      Section 3.03.  Notice of Redemption.....................................................      16
      Section 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption...........................................      16
      Section 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price..............................................      17
      Section 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part..............................................      17

ARTICLE FOUR  COVENANTS.......................................................................      17

      Section 4.01.  Payment of Securities....................................................      17
      Section 4.02.  Maintenance of Office or Agency..........................................      17
      Section 4.03.  Compliance Certificate...................................................      17
      Section 4.04.  Payment of Taxes; Maintenance of Corporate Existence;
                     Maintenance of Properties................................................      18
</TABLE> 

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                   Page
                                                                                                   ----
<S>                                                                                                <C> 
      Section 4.05.  Limitation on Senior Subordinated Indebtedness...........................      18

ARTICLE FIVE  SUCCESSOR CORPORATION...........................................................      19

      Section 5.01.  When Company May Merge, etc..............................................      19

ARTICLE SIX  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES............................................................      19

      Section 6.01.  Events of Default........................................................      19
      Section 6.02.  Acceleration.............................................................      21
      Section 6.03.  Other Remedies...........................................................      21
      Section 6.04.  Waiver of Existing Defaults..............................................      22
      Section 6.05.  Control by Majority......................................................      22
      Section 6.06.  Limitation on Suits......................................................      22
      Section 6.07.  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.....................................      23
      Section 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee...............................................      23
      Section 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.........................................      23
      Section 6.10.  Priorities...............................................................      23
      Section 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs....................................................      24

ARTICLE SEVEN  TRUSTEE........................................................................      24

      Section 7.01.  Duties of Trustee........................................................      24
      Section 7.02.  Rights of Trustee........................................................      25
      Section 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee.............................................      26
      Section 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer.....................................................      26
      Section 7.05.  Notice of Defaults.......................................................      26
      Section 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders............................................      26
      Section 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity...............................................      28
      Section 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee...................................................      28
      Section 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.........................................      29
      Section 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification............................................      29
      Section 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company........................      29

ARTICLE EIGHT  DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.........................................................      29

      Section 8.01.  Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government
                     Obligations..............................................................      29
      Section 8.02.  Survival of the Company's Obligations....................................      32
      Section 8.03.  Application of Trust Money...............................................      33
      Section 8.04.  Repayment to the Company.................................................      33
      Section 8.05.  Reinstatement............................................................      33

ARTICLE NINE  AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS.............................................      34

      Section 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders...............................................      34
      Section 9.02.  With Consent of Holders..................................................      34
</TABLE> 

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                   Page
                                                                                                   ----
<S>                                                                                                <C> 
      Section 9.03.   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.....................................      35
      Section 9.04.   Revocation and Effect of Consents.......................................      35
      Section 9.05.   Notation on or Exchange of Securities...................................      36
      Section 9.06.   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.........................................      36

ARTICLE TEN  MISCELLANEOUS....................................................................      36

      Section 10.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls............................................      36
      Section 10.02.  Notices.................................................................      36
      Section 10.03.  Communications by Holders with Other Holders............................      37
      Section 10.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent......................      37
      Section 10.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion...........................      38
      Section 10.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.............................................      38
      Section 10.07.  Legal Holidays..........................................................      38
      Section 10.08.  Governing Law...........................................................      38
      Section 10.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements...........................      38
      Section 10.10.  No Recourse Against Others..............................................      38
      Section 10.11.  Successors and Assigns..................................................      39
      Section 10.12.  Duplicate Originals.....................................................      39
      Section 10.13.  Severability............................................................      39

ARTICLE ELEVEN  SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES...................................................      39

      Section 11.01.  Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness..........................      39
      Section 11.02.  No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.......................      39
      Section 11.03.  Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, etc..........................      40
      Section 11.04.  Subrogation.............................................................      41
      Section 11.05.  Obligations of Company Unconditional....................................      42
      Section 11.06.  Notice to Trustee.......................................................      42
      Section 11.07.  Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating
                      Agent...................................................................      43
      Section 11.08.  Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness...............................      43
      Section 11.09.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of
                      the Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness...........................      44
      Section 11.10.  Securityholders Authorize Trustee To Effectuate
                      Subordination of Securities.............................................      44
      Section 11.11.  This Article Not to Prevent Events of Default...........................      44
      Section 11.12.  Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced...................................      44
      Section 11.13.  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions...................................      45
      Section 11.14.  Certain Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution.......................      45
</TABLE> 

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

   This Cross-Reference Table is not a part of the Indenture.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TIA Indenture Section                                                     Section
- ---------------------                                                     -------  
<S>                                                             <C>
310(a)(1)....................................................               7.10
(a)(2).......................................................               7.10
(a)(3).......................................................               N.A.
(a)(4).......................................................               N.A.
(b)..........................................................   7.08; 7.10; 9.02
310(a).......................................................               7.10
(b)..........................................................               7.10
(c)..........................................................               N.A.
312(a).......................................................               2.05
(b)..........................................................               9.03
(c)..........................................................               9.03
313(a).......................................................               7.06
(b)(1).......................................................               N.A.
(b)(2).......................................................               7.06
(c)..........................................................               9.02
(d)..........................................................               7.06
314(a).......................................................         4.02; 9.02
(b)..........................................................               N.A.
(c)(1).......................................................               9.04
(c)(2).......................................................               9.04
(c)(3).......................................................               N.A.
(d)..........................................................               N.A.
(e)..........................................................               9.05
315(a).......................................................               7.01(b)
(b)..........................................................         7.05; 9.02
(c)..........................................................               7.01(a)
(d)..........................................................               7.01(c)
(e)..........................................................               6.10
316(a)(last sentence)........................................               9.06
(a)(1)(A)....................................................               6.05
(a)(1)(B)....................................................               6.04
(a)(2).......................................................               N.A.
(b)..........................................................               6.07
317(a)(1)....................................................               6.08
(a)(2).......................................................               6.09
(b)..........................................................               2.04
318(a).......................................................               9.01

N.A. means Not Applicable.
</TABLE>

                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
     INDENTURE dated as of _________________, 1998, by and between STANDARD
PACIFIC CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and _______________ (the
"Trustee").  Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and
for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's debt
securities issued under this Indenture (the "Securities"):


                                  ARTICLE ONE

                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     Section 1.01.  Definitions.

     "Affiliate" means, when used with reference to a specified person, any
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with the Person specified.

     "Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar or agent for
service of notices and demands.

     "Authorizing Resolution" means a resolution adopted by the Board of
Directors or by an Officer or committee of Officers pursuant to Board delegation
authorizing a Series of Securities.

     "Bankruptcy Law" means title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or
any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

     "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
authorized committee thereof.

     "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of or in
such Person's capital stock or other equity interests, and options, rights or
warrants to purchase such capital stock or other equity interests, whether now
outstanding or issued after the applicable Issue Date, including, without
limitation, all Preferred Stock.

     "Capitalized Lease Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such
Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease that is required to be
capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the
amount of such obligations will be the capitalized amount thereof determined in
accordance with GAAP.

<PAGE>
 
     "Company" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor
replaces it pursuant to the Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

     "Currency Agreement" of any Person means any foreign exchange contract,
currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to
protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency
values.

     "Default" means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the
passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

     "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means any Senior Indebtedness under any 
institutional credit agreement or any other Senior Indebtedness which, at the
time of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least
$_____ million if the instrument governing such Senior Indebtedness expressly
states that such Indebtedness is "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for purposes
of this Indenture and a Board Resolution setting forth such designation by the
Company has been filed with the Trustee (provided that such instrument may place
limitations and conditions on the right of holders of such Senior Indebtedness
to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Indebtedness).

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession of the United States, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

     "Holder" or "Securityholder" means the person in whose name a Security is
registered on the Registrar's books.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     "Indebtedness" of any Person means (i) notes, bonds, debentures or other
similar evidences of indebtedness for borrowed money or any guarantee of any of
the foregoing and (ii) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of
such Person under Currency Agreements or Interest Protection Agreements to the
extent recorded as liabilities not constituting Interest Incurred, net of
amounts recorded as assets in respect of such agreements, in accordance with
GAAP.

     "Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to
time, including pursuant to any Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture
pertaining to any Series.

     "Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding" means, with respect to any Person,
any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, or any bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding with respect to
such Person, whether voluntary or involuntary.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     "Interest Protection Agreement" of any Person means any interest rate swap
agreement, interest rate collar agreement, option or futures contract or other
similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to Indebtedness
permitted to be incurred under this Indenture.

     "Issue Date" means, with respect to any Series of Securities, the date on
which the Securities of such Series are originally issued under this Indenture.

     "Lien" means, with respect to any Property, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such
Property.  For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed to own,
subject to a Lien, any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to the
interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital
lease or other title retention agreement relating to such Property.

     "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the Secretary of the Company.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an
Officer and an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  The counsel may be an employee of or
counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

     "Permitted Junior Securities" means any securities of the Company or any
other Person that are (i) equity securities or (ii) subordinated in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness that may at the time be outstanding, to
substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities
are subordinated as provided in this Indenture, in any event pursuant to a court
order so providing and as to which (a) the rate of interest on such securities
shall not exceed the effective rate of interest on the Securities on the date of
this Indenture, (b) such securities shall not be entitled to the benefits of
covenants or defaults materially more beneficial to the holders of such
securities than those in effect with respect to the Securities on the date of
this Indenture and (c) such securities shall not provide for amortization
(including sinking fund and mandatory prepayment provisions) commencing prior to
the date six months following the final scheduled maturity date of the Senior
Indebtedness (as modified by the plan of reorganization or readjustment pursuant
to which such securities are issued).

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.

     "Post-Petition Interest" means, with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of
any Person, all interest accrued or accruing on such Indebtedness after the
commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding against such Person in
accordance with and at the contract rate (including, without limitation, any
rate applicable upon default) specified in the agreement or instrument creating,
evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, whether or not, pursuant to
applicable law or otherwise, the claim for such interest is allowed as a claim
in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

     "Preferred Stock" of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person
which has a preference in liquidation or with respect to the payment of
dividends.

     "principal" of a debt security means the principal of the security plus,
when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the security.

     "Property" of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible,
intangible or mixed property owned by such Person, whether or not included in
the most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries
under GAAP.

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency
performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA.

     "Securities" means any Securities that are issued under this Indenture.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     "Senior Indebtedness" means, at any date, all Indebtedness of the Company,
including principal, premium, if any, interest (including Post-Petition
Interest), fees and other amounts payable in connection with such Indebtedness, 
unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness of the Company is incurred
expressly provides that such Indebtedness is not senior or superior in right of
payment to the Securities of the applicable Series, and all renewals,
extensions, modifications, amendments or refinancings thereof. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Senior Indebtedness shall not include (a) to the extent that it
may constitute Indebtedness, any obligation for federal, state, local or other
taxes; (b) any Indebtedness between the Company and any Subsidiary of the
Company; (c) to the extent that it may constitute Indebtedness, any obligation
in respect of any trade payable incurred for the purchase of goods or materials,
or for services obtained, in the ordinary course of business; (d) that portion
of any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture; (e)
Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities; (f) Indebtedness of the Company that
is expressly subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness
of the Company; (g) to the extent that it may constitute Indebtedness, any
obligation owing under leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations); and
(h) any obligation that by operation of law is subordinate to any general
unsecured obligations of the Company.

     "Series" means a series of Securities established under this Indenture.

     "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation or other entity of which a
majority of the Capital Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of the Board of Directors or other persons performing similar functions is at
the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person.

     "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect from time to
time.

     "Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor
replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor
serving hereunder.

     "Trust Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by
the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

     "United States" means the United States of America.

     "U.S. government obligations" means securities which are (i) direct
obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and
credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by
and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the payment of
which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States, which, in either case are not callable or redeemable at the
option of the issuer 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust
company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. government obligations or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. government
obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary
receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not
authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such
depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the
U.S. government obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal
of the U.S. government obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Section 1.02.  Other Definitions.
                    -----------------
     Term                                             Defined in
     ----                                             ----------
<S>                                                   <C>
     "Agent Members"                                      2.15
     "Business Day"                                      11.07
     "Custodian"                                          6.01
     "Depository"                                         2.15
     "Event of Default"                                   6.01
     "Legal Holiday"                                     11.07
     "Paying Agent"                                       2.03
     "Registrar"                                          2.03
</TABLE>

     Section 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
                    -------------------------------------------------

     Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

     "Commission" means the SEC.

     "indenture securities" means the Securities.

     "indenture security holder" means a Securityholder.

     "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.

     "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.

     "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company or any other
obligor on the Securities of a Series.

     All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the
meanings so assigned to them.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     Section 1.04.  Rules of Construction.
                    --------------------- 

     Unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1)  a term has the meaning assigned to it;

     (2)  an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to
          it in accordance with GAAP;

     (3)  "or" is not exclusive;

     (4)  words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include
          the singular; and

     (5)  provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

                                  ARTICLE TWO

                                THE SECURITIES

     Section 2.01.  Form and Dating.  The aggregate principal amount of 
                    ---------------                                    
Securities that may be issued under this Indenture is unlimited.  The Securities
may be issued from time to time in one or more Series.  Each Series shall be
created by an Authorizing Resolution or a supplemental indenture that
establishes the terms of the Series, which may include the following:

     (1)  the title of the Series;

     (2)  the aggregate principal amount (or any limit on the aggregate
          principal amount) of the Series and, if any Securities of a Series are
          to be issued at a discount from their face amount, the method of
          computing the accretion of such discount;

     (3)  the interest rate or method of calculation of the interest rate;

     (4)  the date from which interest will accrue;

     (5)  the record dates for interest payable on Securities of the Series;

     (6)  the dates when, places where and manner in which principal and
          interest are payable;

     (7)  the Registrar and Paying Agent;

     (8)  the terms of any mandatory (including any sinking fund requirements)
          or optional redemption by the Company;

     (9)  the terms of any redemption at the option of Holders;

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     (10) the denominations in which Securities are issuable;

     (11) whether Securities will be issued in registered or bearer form and the
          terms of any such forms of Securities;

     (12) whether any Securities will be represented by a global Security and
          the terms of any such global Security;

     (13) the currency or currencies (including any composite currency) in which
          principal or interest or both may be paid;

     (14) if payments of principal or interest may be made in a currency other
          than that in which Securities are denominated, the manner for
          determining such payments;

     (15) provisions for electronic issuance of Securities or issuance of
          Securities in uncertificated form;

     (16) any Events of Default, covenants and/or defined terms in addition to
          or in lieu of those set forth in this Indenture;

     (17) whether and upon what terms Securities may be defeased if different
          from the provisions set forth in this Indenture;

     (18) the form of the Securities, which, unless the Authorizing Resolution
          or supplemental indenture otherwise provides, shall be in the form of
          Exhibit A;

     (19) any terms that may be required by or advisable under applicable law;

     (20) the percentage of the principal amount of the Securities which is
          payable if the maturity of the Securities is accelerated in the case
          of Securities issued at a discount from their face amount;

     (21) whether any Securities will have guarantees; and

     (22) any other terms in addition to or different from those contained in
          this Indenture.

     All Securities of one Series need not be issued at the same time and,
unless otherwise provided, a Series may be reopened for issuances of additional
Securities of such Series pursuant to an Authorizing Resolution, an Officers'
Certificate or in any indenture supplemental hereto.  The creation and issuance
of a Series and the authentication and delivery thereof are not subject to any
conditions precedent.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     Section 2.02.  Execution and Authentication.
                    ---------------------------- 

     Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature.  The Company's seal shall be reproduced on the Securities.

     If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office
at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall
nevertheless be valid.

     A Security shall not be valid until the Trustee manually signs the
certificate of authentication on the Security.  The signature shall be
conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this
Indenture.

     The Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue upon receipt
of an Officers' Certificate of the Company.  Each Security shall be dated the
date of its authentication.

     Section 2.03.  Registrar and Paying Agent.
                    -------------------------- 

     The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be
presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar"), an office
or agency where Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent") and an
office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of
the Securities and this Indenture may be served.  The Registrar shall keep a
register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange.  The Company may
have one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The
term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.

     The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent
not a party to this Indenture.  The agreement shall implement the provisions of
this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Company shall promptly notify the
Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent and the Trustee
shall have the right to inspect the Securities register at all reasonable times
to obtain copies thereof, and the Trustee shall have the right to rely upon such
register as to the names and addresses of the Holders and the principal amounts
and certificate numbers thereof.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar
or Paying Agent or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as
such.

     The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

     Section 2.04.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
                    ----------------------------------- 

     Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders
and the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal
of or interest on the Securities, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by
the Company in making any such payment.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as
Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money and hold it as a separate trust fund.
The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it
to the Trustee.  Upon doing so the Paying Agent shall have no further liability
for the money.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     Section 2.05.  Securityholder Lists.
                    -------------------- 

     The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
Securityholders.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee at least 7 Business Days before each semiannual interest payment
date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in
such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names
and addresses of Securityholders.

     Section 2.06.  Transfer and Exchange.
                    --------------------- 

     Where a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a
request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as
requested if the requirements of Section 8-401(1) of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code are met.  Where Securities are presented to the Registrar or a
co-Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of
Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as
requested if the same requirements are met.  To permit transfers and exchanges,
the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar's request.  The
Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Security selected for redemption,
except the unredeemed part thereof if the Security is redeemed in part, or
transfer or exchange any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection
of Securities to be redeemed.  Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge,
except that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax
or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto except in
the case of exchanges pursuant to 2.09, 3.06, or 9.05 not involving any
transfer.

     Any Holder of a global Security shall, by acceptance of such global
Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such global Security
may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of
such global Security (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest
in the Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

     Section 2.07.  Replacement Securities.
                    ---------------------- 

     If the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost,
destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and, upon
written request of any Officer of the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate a
replacement Security, provided in the case of a lost, destroyed or wrongfully
taken Security, that the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code are met.  If any such lost, destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully
taken Security shall have matured or shall be about to mature, the Company may,
instead of issuing a substitute Security therefor, pay such Security without
requiring (except in the case of a mutilated Security) the surrender thereof.
An indemnity bond must be sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the
Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss which any
of them may suffer if a Security is replaced, including the acquisition of such
Security by a bona fide purchaser.  The Company or the Trustee may charge for
its expenses in replacing a Security.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     Section 2.08.  Outstanding Securities.
                    ---------------------- 

     Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the
Trustee except for those cancelled by it and those described in this Section.  A
Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its
Affiliates holds the Security.  If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section
2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory
to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.  If the
Paying Agent holds on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay
Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities
cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

     Section 2.09.  Temporary Securities.
                    -------------------- 

     Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare
and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities.  Temporary Securities
shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have
variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.
Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and, upon surrender for
cancellation of the temporary Security, the Company shall execute and the
Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary
Securities.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects
be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities
authenticated and delivered hereunder.

     Section 2.10.  Cancellation.
                    ------------ 

     The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation.  The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any
Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange,
redemption or payment.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and destroy, or
retain in accordance with its standard retention policy, all Securities
surrendered for registration or transfer, exchange, redemption, paying or
cancellation.  Unless the Authorizing Resolution so provides, the Company may
not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has previously paid or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

     Section 2.11.  Defaulted Interest.
                    ------------------ 

     If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it
shall pay the defaulted interest plus any interest payable on the defaulted
interest to the persons who are Securityholders on a subsequent special record
date.  The Company shall fix such special record date and a payment date which
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.  At least 15 days before such
special record date, the Company shall mail to each Securityholder a notice that
states the record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to
be paid.  On or before the date such notice is mailed, the Company shall deposit
with the Paying Agent money 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
sufficient to pay the amount of defaulted interest to be so paid. The Company
may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner if, after notice given by
the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment, such manner of payment shall
be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

     Section 2.12.  Treasury Securities.
                    ------------------- 

     In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Securities of a Series have concurred in any direction, waiver, consent or
notice, Securities owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be
considered as though they are not outstanding, except that for the purposes of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee actually knows
are so owned shall be so considered.

     Section 2.13.  CUSIP Numbers.
                    ------------- 

     The Company in issuing the Securities of any Series may use a "CUSIP"
number, and if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number in notices of
redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders of such Securities; provided
that no representation is hereby deemed to be made by the Trustee as to the
correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP number printed in the notice or on
such Securities, and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on such Securities.  The Company shall promptly
notify the Trustee of any change in any CUSIP number.

     Section 2.14.  Deposit of Moneys.
                    ----------------- 

     Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on each interest payment date and
maturity date with respect to each Series of Securities, the Company shall have
deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient
to make cash payments due on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the
case may be, in a timely manner which permits the Paying Agent to remit payment
to the Holders on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the case may
be.

     Section 2.15.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security.
                    ----------------------------------------- 

          (a) Any global Security of a Series initially shall (i) be registered
in the name of the depository who shall be identified in the Authorizing
Resolution or supplemental indenture relating to such Securities (the
"Depository") or the nominee of such Depository, (ii) be delivered to the
Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear any required legends.
Members of, or participants in, the Depository ("Agent Members") shall have no
rights under this Indenture with respect to any global Security held on their
behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the global
Security, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any
agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the global Security
for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the
Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary
practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Security.

          (b) Transfers of any global Security shall be limited to transfers in
whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective
nominees.  Interests of beneficial owners in the global Security may be
transferred or exchanged for definitive Securities in accordance with the rules
and procedures of the Depository.  In addition, definitive Securities shall be
transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests
in a global Security if (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the global Security and a
successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such
notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the
Registrar has received a request from the Depository to issue definitive
Securities.

          (c) In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the
beneficial interest in any global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to
paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more definitive Securities are to
be issued) reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the
principal amount of the global Security in an amount equal to the principal
amount of the beneficial interest in the global Security to be transferred, and
the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one
or more definitive Securities of like tenor and amount.

          (d) In connection with the transfer of an entire global Security to
beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the global Security shall be deemed
to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial
owner identified by the Depository in exchange for its beneficial interest in
the global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive
Securities of authorized denominations.

          (e) The Holder of any global Security may grant proxies and otherwise
authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold
interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled
to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such Series.

                                 ARTICLE THREE

                                  REDEMPTION

     Section 3.01.  Notices to Trustee.
                    ------------------ 

     Securities of a Series that are redeemable prior to maturity shall be
redeemable in accordance with their terms and, unless the Authorizing Resolution
or supplemental indenture provides otherwise, in accordance with this Article.

     If the Company wants to redeem Securities pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the
Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and
the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.  Any such notice may be
cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
being mailed to Holders. Any such cancelled notice shall be void and of no
effect. If the Company wants to credit any Securities previously redeemed,
retired or acquired against any redemption pursuant to Paragraph 6 of the
Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the amount of the credit and it shall
deliver any Securities not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
with such notice.

     The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.01 at
least 30 days before the notice of any such redemption is to be mailed to
Holders (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).

     Section 3.02.  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
                    -------------------------------------- 

     If fewer than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the
Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed by a method the Trustee
considers fair and appropriate.  The Trustee shall make the selection from
Securities outstanding not previously called for redemption and shall promptly
notify the Company of the serial numbers or other identifying attributes of the
Securities so selected.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the
principal of Securities that have denominations larger than the minimum
denomination for the Series.  Securities and portions of them it selects shall
be in amounts equal to the minimum denomination for the Series or an integral
multiple thereof.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called
for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.

     Section 3.03.  Notice of Redemption.
                    -------------------- 

     At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the
Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed.  The notice shall identify the
Securities to be redeemed and shall state:  (1) the redemption date; (2) the
redemption price; (3) the name and address of the Paying Agent; (4) that
Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to
collect the redemption price; (5) that interest on Securities called for
redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and (6) that the
Securities are being redeemed pursuant to the mandatory redemption or the
optional redemption provisions, as applicable.  At the Company's request, the
Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company's name and at its
expense; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to the Trustee at
least 15 days prior to the date on which notice of redemption is to be mailed or
such shorter period as may be satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers'
Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the
information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

     Section 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.
                    ------------------------------ 

     Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption
become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price as set
forth in the notice of redemption.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such
Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued interest to the
redemption date.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     Section 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price.
                    --------------------------- 

     On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying
Agent immediately available funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of and
accrued interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

     Section 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part.
                    --------------------------- 

     Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for each Holder a new Security equal
in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                                   COVENANTS

     Section 4.01.  Payment of Securities.
                    --------------------- 

     The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on a Series on the
dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of the Series.  An
installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is
due if the Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient
to pay the installment.

     The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by
the Series; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the
same rate.

     Section 4.02.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.
                    ------------------------------- 

     The Company shall maintain the office or agency required under Section
2.03.  The Company shall give prior written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any
time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the
Trustee.

     Section 4.03.  Compliance Certificate.
                    ---------------------- 

     The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year of the Company an Officers' Certificate stating whether or not
the signers know of any Default by the Company in performing any of its
obligations under this Indenture.  If they do know of such a Default, the
certificate shall describe the Default.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
     Section 4.04.  Maintenance of Corporate Existence. 
                    ----------------------------------

     The Company will:
          
          (a) cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full
force and effect the corporate existence of the Company; provided, however, that
nothing in this subsection (a) shall prevent a consolidation or merger of the
Company not prohibited by the provisions of Article Five or any other provision
or the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to a Series.


     Section 4.05.  Limitation on Senior Subordinated Indebtedness.
                    ---------------------------------------------- 

     The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness that
by its terms would expressly rank senior in right of payment to the Securities
of any Series and expressly rank subordinate in right of payment to any Senior
Indebtedness.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE FIVE


                             SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

     Section 5.01.  When Company May Merge, etc.
                    --------------------------- 

     The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, any other
corporation, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to, any entity
unless permitted by law and unless (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee
entity (if other than the Company), which shall be a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof and shall assume
by supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all
of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture and
(2) immediately after giving effect to, and as a result of, such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Thereafter,
in the event that the Company is not the continuing corporation, such successor
corporation or corporations shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company
with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the "Company" and all
such obligations of the predecessor corporation shall terminate. The Company
shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed
transaction an Officers' Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of
Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture
comply with this Indenture. To the extent that an Authorizing Resolution or
supplemental indenture pertaining to any Series provides for different
provisions relating to the subject matter of this Article Five, the provisions
in such Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture shall govern for
purposes of such Series.

                                  ARTICLE SIX

                             DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     Section 6.01.  Events of Default.
                    ----------------- 

     An "Event of Default" on a Series occurs if, voluntarily or involuntarily,
whether by operation of law or otherwise, any of the following occurs:

     (1)  the failure by the Company to pay interest on any Security of such
          Series when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of
          any such failure for a period of 30 days, whether or not such payment
          is prohibited by Article Eleven hereof;

     (2)  the failure by the Company to pay the principal or premium of any
          Security of such Series when the same becomes due and payable at
          maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, whether or not such payment
          is prohibited by Article Eleven hereof;

     (3)  the failure by the Company to comply with any of its agreements or
          covenants in, or provisions of, the Securities of such Series or this
          Indenture (as they relate thereto) and such failure continues for the
          period and after the notice specified below (except in th e 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
          case of a default with respect to any Change of Control Provisions or
          Article Five (or any replacement provisions as contemplated by Article
          Five), which will constitute Events of Default with notice but without
          passage of time);

     (4)  the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

          (A)  commences a voluntary case,

          (B)  consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
               involuntary case,

          (C)  consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or
               substantially all of its property or

          (D)  makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

     (5)  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any
          Bankruptcy Law that:

          (A)  is for relief against the Company as debtor in an involuntary
               case,

          (B)  appoints a Custodian of the Company or a Custodian for all or
               substantially all of the 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
               property of the Company, or

          (C)  orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or
               decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

     Default as described in sub-clause (3) above will not be deemed an Event of
Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25
percent in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the applicable
Series notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default and (except in the
case of a default with respect to Article Five (or any replacement provisions as
contemplated by Article Five)) the Company does not cure the Default within 60
days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand
that it be remedied and state that the notice is a "Notice of Default." If such
a Default is cured within such time period, it ceases. The term "Custodian"
means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official
under any Bankruptcy Law .

     Section 6.02.  Acceleration.
                    ------------ 

     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to the
Company resulting from sub-clauses (7) or (8) above), shall have occurred and be
continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the
Holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the Securities of the
applicable Series then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
declare all Securities of such Series to be due and payable immediately.  Upon
such declaration of acceleration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities
of such Series will be due and payable immediately.  If an Event of Default with
respect to the Company specified in sub-clauses (7) or (8) above occurs, all
amounts due and payable on the Securities of such Series will ipso facto become
and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act
on the part of the Trustee and the Company or any Holder.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding
by written notice to the Trustee and the Company may waive any Default or Event
of Default (other than any continuing Default or Event of Default in payment of
principal or interest) with respect to such Series of Securities under the
Indenture.  Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding
Securities of such Series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such
Series and its consequence (except an acceleration due to nonpayment of
principal or interest on the Securities of such Series) if the rescission would
not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default
have been cured or waived.

     No such rescission shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Event of
Default, or shall impair any right or power consequent thereon.

     Section 6.03.  Other Remedies.
                    --------------

     If an Event of Default on a Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the
payment of principal of or 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
interest on the Series or to enforce the performance of any provision in the
Securities or this Indenture applicable to the Series.

     The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of
the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy.  All available remedies are cumulative.

     Section 6.04.  Waiver of Existing Defaults.
                    --------------------------- 

     Subject to Section 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Securities of a Series on behalf of all the Holders of the
Series by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default on such Series and
its consequences.  When a Default is waived, it is cured and stops continuing,
and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured;
but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any
right consequent thereon.

      Section 6.05.  Control by Majority.
                     ------------------- 

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities
of a Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on it with respect to such Series.  The Trustee, however, may refuse
to follow any direction (i) that conflicts with law or this Indenture, (ii)
that, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to
the rights of other Securityholders, (iii) that would involve the Trustee in
personal liability or (iv) if the Trustee shall not have been provided with
indemnity satisfactory to it.

    Section 6.06.  Limitation on Suits.
                   ------------------- 

     A Securityholder of a Series may not pursue any remedy with respect to this
Indenture or the Series unless:

     (1)  the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
          of Default on the Series;

     (2)  the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
          outstanding Securities of the Series make a written request to the
          Trustee to pursue the remedy;

     (3)  such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to
          the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

     (4)  the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
          receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
     (5)  no written request inconsistent with such written request shall have
          been given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.06.  A
          Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of
          another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over
          another Securityholder.

     Section 6.07.  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
                    ------------------------------------ 

     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Security, on or
after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is
absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the
consent of the Holder.

     Section 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee.
                    -------------------------- 

     If an Event of Default in payment of interest or principal specified in
Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover
judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company
for the whole amount of principal and interest remaining unpaid.

     Section 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
                    -------------------------------- 

     The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as
may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee
(including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements,
and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Securityholders
allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or
its property, and unless prohibited by applicable law or regulation, may vote on
behalf of the Holders in any election of a Custodian, and shall be entitled and
empowered to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same and any Custodian in
any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make
such payments to the Trustee.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of
any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder or to authorize
the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder except as
aforesaid for the election of the Custodian.

     Section 6.10.  Priorities.
                    ---------- 

     If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay
out the money in the following order:

     First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

     Second:  to Securityholders of the Series for amounts due and unpaid on the
Series for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of
any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Series for principal
and interest, respectively; and

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
     Third:  to the Company as its interests may appear.

     The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Securityholders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

     Section 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs.
                    --------------------- 

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture
or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as
Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant
in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its
discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in the suit, having the due regard to the merits and
good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section
does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section
6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Series.

                                 ARTICLE SEVEN

                                    TRUSTEE

     Section 7.01.  Duties of Trustee.
                    ----------------- 

          (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall, prior to the receipt of directions from the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities, exercise its rights and powers and use the
same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise
or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

          (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

              (1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are
specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others and no implied covenants
or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

              (2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the
Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  The Trustee,
however, shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not
they conform to the requirements of this Indenture but need not confirm or
investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts or matters
stated therein.

          (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

              (1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of
this Section.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
              (2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made
in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

              (3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it
takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by
it pursuant to Section 6.05 or any other direction of the Holders permitted
hereunder.

          (d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

          (e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right
or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss,
liability or expense.

          (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received
by it except as the Trustee may agree with the Company.  Money held in trust by
the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent
required by law.

          (g) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require
the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of
its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that
the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not
reasonably assured to it.

     Section 7.02.  Rights of Trustee.
                    ----------------- 

     Subject to Section 7.01:

          (a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting on any document, resolution, certificate, instrument,
report, or direction believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or
matter stated in the document, resolution, certificate, instrument, report, or
direction.

          (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both, which shall conform to
Sections 10.04 and 10.05 hereof and containing such other statements as the
Trustee reasonably deems necessary to perform its duties hereunder.  The Trustee
shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in
reliance on the Officers' Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or any other direction
of the Company permitted hereunder.

          (c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible
for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

          (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          (e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of
such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel as to matters of law shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, omitted or
suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or
opinion of such counsel.

          (f) Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Indenture, any
demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if
signed by an Officer of the Company.

          (g) For all purposes under this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be
deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Event of Default (other than under
Section 6.01(1) or 6.01(2)) unless a Trust Officer assigned to and working in
the Trustee's corporate trust office has actual knowledge thereof or unless
written notice of any Event of Default is received by the Trustee at its address
specified in Section 10.02 hereof and such notice references the Securities
generally, the Company or this Indenture.

     Section 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee.
                    ---------------------------- 

     The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its affiliates
with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the
same with like rights.  The Trustee, however, must comply with Sections 7.10 and
7.11.

     Section 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer.
                    -------------------- 

     The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this
Indenture, the Securities or of any prospectus used to sell the Securities; it
shall not be accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the
Securities; it shall not be accountable for any money paid to the Company, or
upon the Company's direction, if made under and in accordance with any provision
of this Indenture; it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any
money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee; and it shall not be
responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in the
Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

     Section 7.05.  Notice of Defaults.
                    ------------------ 

     If a Default on a Series occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Series notice of
the Default (which shall specify any uncured Default known to it) within 90 days
after it occurs.  Except in the case of a default in payment of principal of or
interest on a Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the
board of directors of the Trustee, the executive or any trust committee of such
directors and/or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determine(s)
that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of the Series.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
     Section 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.
                    ----------------------------- 

     Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the
date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief
report dated as of such May 15 that complies with TIA (S) 313(a) (but if no
event described in TIA (S) 313(2) has occurred within the twelve months
preceding the reporting date no report need be transmitted).  The Trustee also
shall comply with TIA (S) 313(b).  A copy of each report at the time of its
mailing to Securityholders shall be delivered to the Company and filed by the
Trustee with the SEC and each national securities exchange on which the
Securities are listed.  The Company agrees to notify the Trustee of each
national securities exchange on which the Securities are listed.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
     Section 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.
                    -------------------------- 

     The Company shall pay to the Trustee or predecessor trustee from time to
time reasonable compensation for their respective services subject to any
written agreement between the Trustee and the Company.  The Company shall
reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by it.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and
expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.  The Company shall indemnify the
Trustee and each predecessor trustee, its officers, directors, employees and
agents and hold it harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred or
made by or on behalf of it in connection with the administration of this
Indenture or the trust hereunder and its duties hereunder including the costs
and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim in the
premises.  The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which
it may seek indemnity.  The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify
against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee's, or
its officers', directors', employees' or agents' negligence or bad faith.  To
ensure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have
a claim prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by
the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of or interest on
particular Securities.  When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in
connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01 or in connection
with Article Six hereof, the expenses (including the reasonable fees and
expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for services in connection
therewith are to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

     Section 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee.
                    ---------------------- 

     The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may remove the
Trustee by so notifying the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a
successor trustee with the Company's consent.  Such resignation or removal shall
not take effect until the appointment by the Securityholders or the Company as
hereinafter provided of a successor trustee and the acceptance of such
appointment by such successor trustee.  The Company may remove the Trustee and
any Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee for any or no
reason, including if:

     (1)  the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 after written request by
          the Company or any bona fide Securityholder who has been a
          Securityholder for at least six months;

     (2)  the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

     (3)  a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
          property; or

     (4)  the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

     If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office
of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
trustee.  If a successor trustee does not 

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
take office within 45 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the
retiring Trustee, the Company or any Holder may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee. A successor trustee
shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee
and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer
all property held by it as Trustee to the successor trustee, the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor
trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this
Indenture. A successor trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each
Securityholder.

     Section 7.09.   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
                     -------------------------------- 

     If the Trustee consolidates with, merges with or into or converts into, or
transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another
corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the
successor trustee.

     Section 7.10.   Eligibility; Disqualification.
                     ----------------------------- 

     This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements
of TIA (S) 310(a)(1).  The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of
at least $10,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of
condition.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S) 310(b).

     Section 7.11.   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
                     ------------------------------------------------- 

     The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S) 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA (S) 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA (S) 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

                                 ARTICLE EIGHT

                             DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     Section 8.01.   Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government 
                     ----------------------------------------------------
Obligations. 
- -----------  

     (a)  The Company may, at its option and, subject to the provisions of
          Article Eleven hereof, at any time, elect to have either paragraph (b)
          or paragraph (c) below be applied to the outstanding Securities of any
          Series upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth in
          paragraph (d).

     (b)  Upon the Company's exercise under paragraph (a) of the option
          applicable to this paragraph (b), the Company shall be deemed to have
          been released and discharged from its obligations with respect to the
          outstanding Securities of a Series on the date the applicable
          conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "Legal
          Defeasance").  For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the
          Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire
          Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of a Series,
          which shall thereafter be deemed to be 

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          "outstanding" only for the purposes of the Sections and matters under
          this Indenture referred to in (i) and (ii) below, and to have
          satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this
          Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned, except for the
          following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged
          hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of a
          Series to receive solely from the trust fund described in paragraph
          (d) below and as more fully set forth in such paragraph, payments in
          respect of the principal of and interest on such Securities when such
          payments are due and (ii) obligations listed in Section 8.02, subject
          to compliance with this Section 8.01. The Company may exercise its
          option under this paragraph (b) notwithstanding the prior exercise of
          its option under paragraph (c) below with respect to such Securities.

     (c)  Upon the Company's exercise under paragraph (a) of the option
          applicable to this paragraph (c), the Company shall be released and
          discharged from the obligations under any covenant contained in
          Article Four and any other covenant contained in the Authorizing
          Resolution or supplemental indenture relating to such Series to the
          extent provided for therein, on and after the date the conditions set
          forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance"), and
          the Securities of such Series shall thereafter be deemed to be not
          "outstanding" for the purpose of any direction, waiver, consent or
          declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in
          connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed
          "outstanding" for all other purposes hereunder.  For this purpose,
          such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding
          Securities of a Series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall
          have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set
          forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason
          of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of
          any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in
          any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a
          Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01(3), but, except as
          specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities
          shall be unaffected thereby.

     (d)  The following shall be the conditions to application of either
          paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) above to the outstanding Securities of
          the applicable Series:

          (1)  The Company shall have irrevocably deposited in trust with the
               Trustee, pursuant to an irrevocable trust and security agreement
               in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee,
               money in U.S. dollars or U.S. government obligations or a
               combination thereof in such amounts and at such times as are
               sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
               independent public accountants, to pay the principal of 

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
               and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series to
               maturity or redemption; provided, however, that the Trustee (or
               other qualifying trustee) shall have received an irrevocable
               written order from the Company instructing the Trustee (or other
               qualifying trustee) to apply such money or the proceeds of such
               U.S. government obligations to said payments with respect to the
               Securities of such Series to maturity or redemption;

          (2)  No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
               continuing on the date of such deposit;

          (3)  Such deposit will not result in a Default under this Indenture or
               a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any
               other material instrument or agreement to which the Company or
               any of any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any
               of their property is bound;

          (4)  (i) In the event the Company elects paragraph (b) hereof, the
               Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the
               United States, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
               the Trustee, to the effect that (A) the Company has received
               from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue
               Service a ruling or (B) since the Issue Date pertaining to such
               Series, there has been a change in the applicable federal income
               tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon
               such Opinion of Counsel shall state that, or (ii) in the event
               the Company elects paragraph (c) hereof, the Company shall
               deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United
               States, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
               Trustee, to the effect that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii),
               Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize
               income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
               of such deposit and the defeasance contemplated hereby and will
               be subject to federal income tax in the same amounts and in the
               same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
               such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;

          (5)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
               Certificate, stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not
               made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of
               the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the
               Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or
               defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others;

          (6)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
               Counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect
               that, (A) the trust funds will not be subject to the rights of
               Holders of Indebtedness of the Company other than the Securities
               of such Series and (B) assuming no intervening bankruptcy of the
               Company between the date of deposit and the 91st day following
               the deposit and that no Holder of Securities of such Series is an
               insider of the Company, after the 91st day following the

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
               deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to any applicable
               bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law affecting
               creditors' rights generally; and

          (7)  The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
               and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
               precedent specified herein relating to the defeasance
               contemplated by this Section 8.01 have been complied with.  In
               the event all or any portion of the Securities of a Series are to
               be redeemed through such irrevocable trust, the Company must make
               arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the time of such
               deposit, for the giving of the notice of such redemption or
               redemptions by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the
               Company.

     (e)  In addition to the Company's rights above under this Section 8.01, the
          Company may terminate all of its obligations under this Indenture with
          respect to a Series, when:

          (1)  All Securities of such Series theretofore authenticated and
               delivered (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost
               or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in
               Section 2.07 and Securities for whose payment money has
               theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in
               trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or
               discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee
               for cancellation or all such Securities not theretofore delivered
               to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable and
               the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited
               with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for that purpose
               an amount of money sufficient to pay and discharge the entire
               Indebtedness on the Securities not theretofore delivered to the
               Trustee for cancellation, for principal of and interest;

          (2)  The Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
               hereunder by the Company;

          (3)  The Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee
               to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities
               at maturity or redemption, as the case may be; and

          (4)  The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
               and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that all conditions precedent
               specified herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of
               this Indenture have been complied with.

     Section 8.02.   Survival of the Company's Obligations.
                     ------------------------------------- 

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture under
Section 8.01, the Company's obligations in paragraph 9 of the Securities and
Sections 2.03 through 2.07, 4.01, 

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 8.05, however, shall survive until the Securities of an
applicable Series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, the Company's
obligations in paragraph 9 of the Securities of such Series and Sections 7.07,
8.04 and 8.05 shall survive (as they relate to such Series).

     Section 8.03.   Application of Trust Money.
                     -------------------------- 

     The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. government obligations
deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01.  It shall apply the deposited money
and the money from U.S. government obligations in accordance with this Indenture
to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of the defeased
Series.

     Section 8.04.   Repayment to the Company.
                     ------------------------ 

     The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon
request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.  The Trustee
and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by
them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two
years, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York
or mail to each such Holder notice that such money remains unclaimed and that,
after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the
date of such publication or mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then
remaining will be repaid to the Company.  After payment to the Company,
Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as
general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another
person and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to
such money shall cease.

     Section 8.05.   Reinstatement.
                     ------------- 

     If the Trustee is unable to apply any money or U.S. government obligations
in accordance with Section 8.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason
of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining,
restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations
under this Indenture and the Securities relating to the Series shall be revived
and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until
such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. government
obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that (a) if the
Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities of
the Series because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Company shall
be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such
payment from the money or U.S. government obligations held by the Trustee and
(b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment
of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee shall return all such money
or U.S. government obligations to the Company promptly after receiving a written
request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Company's obligations
has occurred and continue to be in effect.

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE NINE

                      AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

      Section 9.01.   Without Consent of Holders.
                      -------------------------- 

     The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the
Securities of a Series without notice to or consent of any Securityholder of
such Series:

     (1)  to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

     (2)  to comply with Article Five;

     (3)  to provide that specific provisions of this Indenture shall not apply
          to a Series not previously issued;

     (4)  to create a Series and establish its terms;

     (5)  to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of
          certificated Securities; and

     (6)  to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of
          Securityholders.

     After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Company
shall mail notice of such amendment to the Securityholders.

     Section 9.02.   With Consent of Holders.
                     ----------------------- 

     The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the
Securities of a Series without notice to any Securityholder of such Series but
with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Securities of each such Series affected by the
amendment.  Each such Series shall vote as a separate class.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may
waive compliance by the Company with any provision of the Securities of such
Series or of this Indenture relating to such Series without notice to any
Securityholder.  Without the consent of each Securityholder of a Series
affected, however, an amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver
pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

     (1)  reduce the amount of Securities of such Series whose Holders must
          consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

     (2)  reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest,
          including defaulted interest, on any Security;

     (3)  reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Security
          or alter the provisions (including related definitions) with respect
          to redemption of 

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
          Securities pursuant to Article Three hereof or with respect to any
          obligations on the part of the Company to offer to purchase or to
          redeem Securities of a Series pursuant to the Authorizing Resolution
          or supplemental indenture pertaining to such Series;

     (4)  modify the ranking or priority of the Securities of any Series;

     (5)  make any change in Sections 6.04, 6.07 or this 9.02;

     (6)  waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the
          principal of or interest on any Security; or

     (7)  make any Security payable at a place or in money other than that
          stated in the Security, or impair the right of any Securityholder to
          bring suit as permitted by Section 6.07.

     An amendment of a provision included solely for the benefit of one or more
Series does not affect the interests of Securityholders of any other Series.

     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section
to approve the particular form of any proposed supplement, but it shall be
sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

     Section 9.03.   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
                     ----------------------------------- 

     Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities shall
comply with the TIA as then in effect.

     Section 9.04.   Revocation and Effect of Consents.
                     --------------------------------- 

     A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder shall bind the
Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of
the consent is not made on any Security.  Subject to the following paragraph,
any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his
Security or portion of a Security.  Such revocation shall be effective only if
the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment,
supplement or waiver becomes effective.  The Company may, but shall not be
obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Securities of any Series entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or
waiver, which record date shall be at least 10 days prior to the first
solicitation of such consent.  If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding
the last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were
Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those
Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or
not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.  No such consent
shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.  After
an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every
Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (7) of
Section 9.02, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind only
each Holder of a Security who has consented 

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security; provided that any
such waiver shall not impair or affect the right of any Holder to receive
payment of principal of and interest on a Security, on or after the respective
due dates expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of
any such payment on or after such respective dates without the consent of such
Holder.

     Section 9.05.   Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
                     ------------------------------------- 

     If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security, the
Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee, at
which time the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Security about
the changed terms and return it to the Holder.  Alternatively, if the Company or
the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue
and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed
terms.

     Section 9.06.   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
                     ------------------------------- 

     Subject to Section 7.02(b), the Trustee shall sign any amendment,
supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment,
supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities
or immunities of the Trustee.  If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it.
In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplemental indenture, the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying
upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence
that such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and
binding upon the Company in accordance with its terms.

                                  ARTICLE TEN

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 10.01.   Trust Indenture Act Controls.
                      ---------------------------- 

     If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA,
the required provision shall control.

     Section 10.02.   Notices.
                      ------- 

     Any order, consent, notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if
in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:

     if to the Company:

     Standard Pacific Corporation.
     1565 W. MacArthur Boulevard
     Costa Mesa, California 92626

     Attention:

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
     if to the Trustee:

     Attention:

     The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional
or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

     Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed to
him by first class mail at his address as it appears on the registration books
of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the
time prescribed.

     Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect
in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly
given, whether or not the addressee receives it except that notice to the
Trustee shall only be effective upon receipt thereof by the Trustee.

     If the Company mails notice or communications to the Securityholders, it
shall mail a copy to the Trustee at the same time.

     Section 10.03.  Communications by Holders with Other Holders.
                     -------------------------------------------- 

     Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA (S) 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA (S) 312(c).

     Section 10.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
                     -------------------------------------------------- 

     Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

     (1)  an Officers' Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth
          in Section 10.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all
          conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating
          to the proposed action have been complied with; and

     (2)  an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in
          Section 10.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such
          conditions precedent and covenants, compliance with which constitutes
          a condition precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating
          to the proposed action or inaction, have been complied with and that
          any such section does not conflict with the terms of the Indenture.

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
     Section 10.05.   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
                      --------------------------------------------- 

     Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

     (1)  a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has
          read such covenant or condition;

     (2)  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
          investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
          certificate or opinion are based;

     (3)  a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such
          examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express
          an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
          has been complied with; and

     (4)  a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such
          condition or covenant has been complied with.

     Section 10.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.
                     ---------------------------

     The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of
Securityholders.  The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for
its functions.

     Section 10.07.  Legal Holidays.
                     -------------- 

     A "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal holiday or a day on
which banking institutions in Los Angeles, California and New York, New York are
not required to be open.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of
payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is
not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.  A
Business Day is any day other than a Legal Holiday.

     Section 10.08.  Governing Law.
                     ------------- 

     The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the
Securities of each Series.

     Section 10.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
                     --------------------------------------------- 

     This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt
agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary.  Any such indenture, loan or debt
agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

     Section 10.10.  No Recourse Against Others.
                     -------------------------- 

     All liability described in paragraph 13 of the Securities of any director,
officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company is waived and
released.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
     Section 10.11.  Successors and Assigns.
                     ---------------------- 

     All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the
Securities shall bind its successors and assigns.  All agreements of the Trustee
in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns.

     Section 10.12.  Duplicate Originals.
                     ------------------- 

     The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed
copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.

     Section 10.13.  Severability.
                     ------------ 

     In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in
the Securities of a Series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities.

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                          SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

     Section 11.01.  Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness.
                     ---------------------------------------------- 

     The Company covenants and agrees, and the Trustee and each Holder of the
Securities by his acceptance thereof likewise covenant and agree, that all
Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Eleven; and
each person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer,
assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that all payments of the
principal of and interest on the Securities by the Company shall, to the extent
and in the manner set forth in this Article Eleven, be subordinated and junior
in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all amounts payable
under Senior Indebtedness.

     Section 11.02.  No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.
                     ------------------------------------------------- 

          (a) No direct or indirect payment (excluding any payment or
distribution of Permitted Junior Securities) by or on behalf of the Company of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or to repurchase
any of the Securities, except from those funds held in trust for the benefit of
Holders of any Securities pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article Eight
hereof, whether pursuant to the terms of the Securities, upon acceleration or
otherwise, shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default
in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any Senior
Indebtedness, when the same becomes due and payable beyond any applicable period
of grace whether at maturity, on account of mandatory redemption or prepayment,
acceleration or otherwise, and such default shall not have been cured or waived
or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness. In addition, during the continuance of any non-payment
event of default with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to
which the maturity thereof may be immediately accelerated, and upon receipt by
the Trustee of written notice (a "Payment Blockage Notice" ) from the Company or
any holder or holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the trustee or
agent acting on behalf of such
                                       39
<PAGE>
 
Designated Senior Indebtedness, then, unless and until such event of default has
been cured or waived or has ceased to exist or such Designated Senior
Indebtedness has been discharged or repaid in full in cash or the benefits of
these provisions have been waived by the holders of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness, no direct or indirect payment (excluding any payment or
distribution of Permitted Junior Securities) shall be made by or on behalf of
the Company of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or
to repurchase any of the Securities, except from those funds held in trust for
the benefit of Holders of any Securities pursuant to the procedures set forth in
Article Eight hereof, to such Holders, during a period (a "Payment Blockage
Period") commencing on the date of receipt of such notice by the Trustee and
ending 179 days thereafter.

     Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Securities to the contrary, (x)
in no event shall a Payment Blockage Period extend beyond 179 days from the date
the Payment Blockage Notice in respect thereof was given (provided that payment
may thereafter be restricted if a payment event of default has occurred), (y)
there shall be a period of at least 181 consecutive days in each 360-day period
when no Payment Blockage Period is in effect and (z) not more than one Payment
Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Securities during any
period of 360 consecutive days. No event of default that existed or was
continuing on the date of commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with
respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage
Period may be, or be made, the basis for the commencement of any other Payment
Blockage Period by the holder or holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness
or the trustee or agent acting on behalf of such Designated Senior Indebtedness,
whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of
default has been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive
days.

          (b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment
shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited
by Section 11.02(a), such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and
shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata
to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness
held by such holders) or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness
may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, or, to the 
extent such Senior Indebtedness is not then due and payable, to the Company.

     Section 11.03.  Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, etc.
                     ----------------------------------------------

          (a) Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the
Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities
(excluding any payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Securities), upon any
dissolution or winding up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
other proceedings, all Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full in cash
before the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on behalf of such Holders
shall be entitled to receive any payment by the Company of the principal of or
interest on the Securities, or any payment by the Company to acquire any of the
Securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution 

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
with respect to the Securities of any cash, property or securities (excluding
any payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Securities or from funds held in
trust for the benefit of Holders of any Securities pursuant to the procedures
set forth in Article Eight hereof). Before any payment may be made by, or on
behalf of, the Company of the principal of or interest on the Securities upon
any such dissolution or winding up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment
or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities (excluding any payment or distribution
of Permitted Junior Securities or from funds held in trust for the benefit of
Holders of any Securities pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article Eight
hereof), to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their behalf
would be entitled, but for the subordination provisions of this Indenture, shall
be made by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation
trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, directly to
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of
the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their
representatives or to the trustee or trustees or agent or agents under any
agreement or indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may
have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent
necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full in cash after giving
effect to any prior or concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to
or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

          (b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provision
prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets
or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property
or securities (excluding any payment or distribution of Permitted Junior
Securities or from funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of any
Securities pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article Eight hereof), shall
be received by the Trustee or any Holder of Securities at a time when such
payment or distribution is prohibited by Section 11.03(a) and before all
obligations in respect of Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash, such
payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of,
and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro
rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior
Indebtedness held by such holders) or their respective representatives, or to
the trustee or trustees or agent or agents under any indenture pursuant to which
any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests may appear, for application to the payment of Senior Indebtedness
remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in
cash after giving effect to any prior or concurrent payment, distribution or
provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

     The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company with or
into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company
following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or
substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and
conditions provided in Article Five (or any replacement provisions as
contemplated by Article Five) shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up,
liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 11.03 if such
other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or
transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Five (or any replacement
provisions as contemplated by Article Five).

     Section 11.04.  Subrogation.
                     ----------- 

     Upon the payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness, or payment in 
other than cash is accepted by the holders of Senior Indebtedness in full
satisfaction of amounts due in respect of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders
of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or
securities of the Company made on such
                                       41
<PAGE>
 
Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and interest on the Securities shall
be paid in full in cash; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments
or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property
or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their
behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Eleven, and
no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eleven to the holders
of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their
behalf shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior
Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by
the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that
the provisions of this Article Eleven are and are intended solely for the
purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the
one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. If any
payment or distribution to which the Holders of the Securities would otherwise
have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article Eleven shall have been
applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eleven, to the payment of
all amounts payable under Senior Indebtedness, then and in such case, the
Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness any payments or distributions received by such holders of
Senior Indebtedness in excess of the amount required to make payment in full in 
cash of such Senior Indebtedness.

     Section 11.05.  Obligations of Company Unconditional.
                     ------------------------------------ 

     Nothing contained in this Article Eleven or elsewhere in this Indenture or
in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company and the
Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of and
interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative
rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein
prevent the Holder of any Security or the Trustee on their behalf from
exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under
this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Eleven of the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of
the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.  Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Eleven shall
restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders of Securities to take any
action to declare the Securities to be due and payable prior to their stated
maturity pursuant to Section 6.01 or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder;
provided, however, that all Senior Indebtedness then due and payable shall first
be paid in full in cash (and no Payment Blockage Period shall be in effect)
before the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee are entitled to receive any
direct or indirect payment from the Company of principal of or interest on the
Securities.

     Section 11.06.  Notice to Trustee.
                     ----------------- 

     The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact
known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the
Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article
Eleven.  The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any
event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or of any other facts
which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless 

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its corporate
trust office to that effect signed by an Officer of the Company, or by a holder
of Senior Indebtedness or trustee or agent therefor; and prior to the receipt of
any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article Seven, be
entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if the Trustee shall
not have received the notice provided for in this Section 11.06 at least two
Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms of this Indenture any
moneys shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the
payment of the principal of or interest on any Security), then, regardless of
anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority
to receive any moneys from the Company and to apply the same to the purpose for
which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the
contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date. Nothing
contained in this Section 11.06 shall limit the right of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness to recover payments as contemplated by Section 11.03. The Trustee
shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person
representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Senior Indebtedness (or a
trustee on behalf of, or other representative of, such holder) to establish that
such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee
or representative on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee
determines in good faith that any evidence is required with respect to the right
of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment
or distribution pursuant to this Article Eleven, the Trustee may request such
Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to
the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such
Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other
facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Eleven, and if
such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.

     Section 11.07.  Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating 
                     -------------------------------------------------------- 
Agent.
- -----

     Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in
this Article Eleven, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be
entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent
jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver,
trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such
payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the
Securities for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate
in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other
indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount
or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or
to this Article Eleven.

     Section 11.08.  Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness.
                     ----------------------------------------- 

     The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set
forth in this Article Eleven with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may
at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same
extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture
shall deprive the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such
holder.

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
     With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes
to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Article Eleven, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe
any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (except as provided in
Section 11.03(b)).  The Trustee shall not be liable to any such holders if the
Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of
Securities or to the Company or to any other person cash, property or securities
to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this
Article Eleven or otherwise.

     Section 11.09.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of
                     --------------------------------------------------------- 
the Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
- --------------------------------------------- 

     No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Indebtedness to
enforce subordination as provided herein shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company
or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any
knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.
The provisions of this Article Eleven are intended to be for the benefit of, and
shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

     Section 11.10.  Securityholders Authorize Trustee To Effectuate 
                     ----------------------------------------------- 
Subordination of Securities.
- ---------------------------

     Each Holder of Securities by his acceptance of such Securities authorizes
and expressly directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this
Article Eleven, and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for such purposes,
including, in the event of any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization of the Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership,
reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the business and assets
of the Company, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its or his
Securities in the form required in those proceedings.

     Section 11.11.  This Article Not to Prevent Events of Default.
                     --------------------------------------------- 

     The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or interest on the
Securities by reason of any provision of this Article Eleven shall not be
construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in
clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01.

     Section 11.12.  Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced.
                     ------------------------------------- 

     Nothing in this Article Eleven shall apply to amounts due to the Trustee
pursuant to other sections in this Indenture.

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
     Section 11.13.  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
                     ------------------------------------- 

     Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 11.09, the holders of
Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent
of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities, without incurring
responsibility to the Holders of the Securities and without impairing or
releasing the subordination provided in this Article Eleven or the obligations
hereunder of the Holders of the Securities to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following:

     (a)  change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of
          payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Indebtedness or any instrument
          evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Indebtedness
          is outstanding or secured;

     (b)  sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged,
          mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness;

     (c)  release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior
          Indebtedness; and

     (d)  exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and
          any other Person.

     Section 11.14.  Certain Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution.
                     ------------------------------------------------- 

     All money and United States government obligations properly deposited in
trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article Eight shall be
for the sole benefit of the Holders and shall not be subject to this Article
Eleven (so long as the funding of such trust did not violate the provisions of 
this Article Eleven).

     Nothing contained in this Article Eleven or elsewhere in this Indenture
shall prevent (i) the Company, except under the conditions described in Section
11.02, Section 11.03 or Section 11.05, from making payments of principal of and
interest on the Securities, or from depositing with the Trustee any moneys for
such payments or from effecting a termination of the Company's obligations under
the Securities and this Indenture as provided in Article Eight, (ii) the
application by the Trustee of any moneys properly deposited in trust with the
Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article Eight (so long as the funding
of such trust did not violate the provisions of this Article Eleven) or (iii)
the application by the Trustee of any other moneys deposited with it for the
purpose of making such payments of principal of on and interest on the
Securities to the holders entitled thereto unless at least two Business Days
prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee
shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 11.06. The
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution,
winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company.

                                       45


<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: ___________________, 1998         STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.


                                         By:
                                            -------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

Dated: ___________________, 1998         [Trustee], as Trustee


                                         By:
                                            -------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

(SEAL)

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

No.  CUSIP No.: _______

     [Title of Security]

     STANDARD PACIFIC CORP., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to or
registered assigns the principal sum of __________________[Dollars]/1/ on [Title
of Security]

     Interest Payment Dates:  and

     Record Dates:  and

     Authenticated:

     Dated:                            Standard Pacific Corp.
                                       (Seal)
                                      

                                       By
                                          -----------------------------------
                                       Title:

                                       By
                                          -----------------------------------
                                       Title:

     , as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities referred to in
the within mentioned Indenture.

                                       By
                                          -----------------------------------
                                                  Authorized Signatory

     /1/ Or other currency.  Insert corresponding provisions on reverse side of
Security in respect of foreign currency denomination or interest payment
requirement.

<PAGE>
 
                             STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.

                              [Title of Security]

     1.  INTEREST.  STANDARD PACIFIC CORP. (the "Company"), a Delaware
         --------                                                     
corporation, promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security
at the rate per annum shown above.  The Company will pay interest semiannually
on __________________ and ______________ of each year until the principal is
paid or made available for payment.  Interest on the Securities will accrue from
the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if
no interest has been paid, from _______________, 19 , provided that, if there is
no existing default in the payment of interest, and if this Security is
authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next
succeeding interest payment date, interest shall accrue from such interest
payment date.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.

     2.  METHOD OF PAYMENT.  The Company will pay interest on the Securities
         -----------------                                                  
(except defaulted interest, if any, which will be paid on such special payment
date to Holders of record on such special record date as may be fixed by the
Company) to the persons who are registered Holders of Securities at the close of
business on the [Insert record dates].  Holders must surrender Securities to a
Paying Agent to collect principal payments.  The Company will pay principal and
interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts.

     3.  PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  Initially, _________________________ (the
         --------------------------                                            
"Trustee") will act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change or
appoint any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar without notice.  The Company
or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

     4.  INDENTURE.  The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated
         ---------                                                             
as of ______________, 1998 ("Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee.
The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture (including
those terms set forth in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture
pertaining to the Securities of the Series of which this Security is a part) and
those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
("TIA") as in effect on the date of the Indenture.  The Securities are subject
to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act
for a statement of them.

     The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and
without charge a copy of the Indenture and the applicable Authorizing Resolution
or supplemental indenture.  Requests may be made to:  Standard Pacific Corp.,
1565 W. MacArthur Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California 92626, Attention:
___________.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     5.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION./1/  The Company may redeem the Securities at any
         -------------------                                                  
time on or after ______________, ____, in whole or in part, at the following
redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of their principal amount) together
with interest accrued and unpaid to the date fixed for redemption:

If redeemed during the Twelve-Month period                         Percentage
 commencing on ___________ and ending on
 ___________ in each of the following years

     [Insert provisions relating to redemption at option of Holders, if any]

     Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at
his registered address.  Securities in denominations larger than $1,000 may be
redeemed in part.  On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on
Securities or portions of them called for redemption, provided that if the
Company shall default in the payment of such Security at the redemption price
together with accrued interest, interest shall continue to accrue at the rate
borne by the Securities.

     6.  MANDATORY REDEMPTION./2/  The Company shall redeem __% of the aggregate
         --------------------                                                   
principal amount of Securities originally issued under the Indenture on each of
_____, which redemptions are calculated to retire % of the Securities originally
issued prior to maturity.  Such redemptions shall be made at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued interest to
the redemption date.  The Company may reduce the principal amount of Securities
to be redeemed pursuant to this Paragraph 6 by the principal amount of any
Securities previously redeemed, retired or acquired, otherwise than pursuant to
this Paragraph 6, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
and not previously credited to the Company's obligations under this Paragraph 6.
Each such Security shall be received and credited for such purpose by the
Trustee at the redemption price and the amount of such mandatory redemption
payment shall be reduced accordingly.

     7.  DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE.  The Securities are in registered
         ---------------------------------                                   
form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000.  A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities by presentation of such
Securities to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the
transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of
other denominations.  The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to
furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and
fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Registrar need not
transfer or exchange any Security 

- ----------------
/1/  If applicable

/2/  If applicable.  Insert different or additional denomination and multiples.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
selected for redemption, except the unredeemed part thereof if the Security is
redeemed in part, or transfer or exchange any Securities for a period of 15 days
before a selection of Securities to be redeemed. If applicable. Insert different
or additional denomination and multiples.

     8.  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.  The registered Holder of this Security shall be
         ---------------------                                                  
treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

     9.  UNCLAIMED MONEY.  If money for the payment of principal or interest
         ---------------                                                    
remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money
back to the Company at its request.  After that, Holders entitled to the money
must look to the Company for payment unless an abandoned property law designates
another person.

     10.  AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT, WAIVER.  Subject to certain exceptions, the
          -----------------------------                                     
Indenture or the Securities may be amended or supplemented with the consent of
the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of each Series affected by the amendment, and any past default or
compliance with any provision relating to any Series of the Securities may be
waived in a particular instance with the consent of the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series /3/.  Without the
consent of any Securityholder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or
supplement the Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, defect or
inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in
place of certificated Securities, to create a Series and establish its terms or
to make any other change, provided such action does not adversely affect the
rights of any Securityholder.

     11.  SUCCESSOR CORPORATION.  If different terms apply, insert a brief
          ---------------------                                           
summary thereof.  When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of
its predecessor under the Securities and the Indenture, the predecessor
corporation will be released from those obligations.

     12.  TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY.  ________________________________, the
          -----------------------------                                        
Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make
loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its
affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its affiliates, as if it
were not Trustee.

     13.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.  A director, officer, employee or
          --------------------------                                   
stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any
claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such 

- -------------
/3/  If different terms apply, insert a brief summary thereof.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
obligations or their creation.  Each Securityholder by accepting a Security
waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.

     14.  DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.  The Indenture contains certain provisions
          ----------------------                                            
pertaining to defeasance, which provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as if set forth herein.

     15.  AUTHENTICATION.  This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee
          --------------                                                     
signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.

     16.  ABBREVIATIONS.  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
          -------------                                                       
Securityholder or an assignee, such as:  TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT
(= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of
survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= custodian), and U/G/M/A (=
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

     If you the Holder want to assign this Security, fill in the form below:

     I or we assign and transfer this Security to (Insert assignee's social
security or tax ID number) (Print or type assignee's name, address, and zip
code) and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Security on the books of
the Company.  The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date: ________________                   Your signature:

                              (Sign exactly as your name appears

                              on the other side of this Security)

                              Signature 
                              Guarantee:
                                        --------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT 4.1(c)




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.

                          SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

                                   INDENTURE

                       DATED AS OF _______________, 1998

                           _________________, TRUSTEE

                                        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                        <C>

ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE....................     1
Section 1.1.         Definitions..........................................     1
Section 1.02.        Other Definitions....................................     8
Section 1.03.        Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act....     8
Section 1.04.        Rules of Construction................................     9

ARTICLE TWO THE SECURITIES................................................     9
Section 2.01.        Form and Dating......................................     9
Section 2.02.        Execution and Authentication.........................    10
Section 2.03.        Registrar and Paying Agent...........................    11
Section 2.04.        Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust..................    11
Section 2.05.        Securityholder Lists.................................    11
Section 2.06.        Transfer and Exchange................................    12
Section 2.07.        Replacement Securities...............................    12
Section 2.08.        Outstanding Securities...............................    13
Section 2.09.        Temporary Securities.................................    13
Section 2.10.        Cancellation.........................................    13
Section 2.11.        Defaulted Interest...................................    13
Section 2.12.        Treasury Securities..................................    14
Section 2.13.        CUSIP Numbers........................................    14
Section 2.14.        Deposit of Moneys....................................    14
Section 2.15.        Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security............    14

ARTICLE THREE REDEMPTION..................................................    15
Section 3.01.        Notices to Trustee...................................    15
Section 3.02.        Selection of Securities to be Redeemed...............    16
Section 3.03.        Notice of Redemption.................................    16
Section 3.04.        Effect of Notice of Redemption.......................    17
Section 3.05.        Deposit of Redemption Price..........................    17
Section 3.06.        Securities Redeemed in Part..........................    17

ARTICLE FOUR COVENANTS....................................................    17
Section 4.01.        Payment of Securities................................    17
Section 4.02.        Maintenance of Office or Agency......................    17
Section 4.03.        Compliance Certificate...............................    18
Section 4.04.        Payment of Taxes; Maintenance of Corporate Existence;
</TABLE>
                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
                                                                                
                                                                                
<S>                                                                         <C>
                     Maintenance of Properties..........................     18

ARTICLE FIVE SUCCESSOR CORPORATION......................................     19
Section 5.01.        When Company May Merge, etc........................     19

ARTICLE SIX DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.......................................     19
Section 6.01.        Events of Default..................................     19
Section 6.02.        Acceleration.......................................     21
Section 6.03.        Other Remedies.....................................     21
Section 6.04.        Waiver of Existing Defaults........................     22
Section 6.05.        Control by Majority................................     22
Section 6.06.        Limitation on Suits................................     22
Section 6.07.        Rights of Holders to Receive Payment...............     22
Section 6.08.        Collection Suit by Trustee.........................     23
Section 6.09.        Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...................     23
Section 6.10.        Priorities.........................................     23
Section 6.11.        Undertaking for Costs..............................     24

ARTICLE SEVEN TRUSTEE...................................................     24
Section 7.01.        Duties of Trustee..................................     24
Section 7.02.        Rights of Trustee..................................     25
Section 7.03.        Individual Rights of Trustee.......................     26
Section 7.04.        Trustee's Disclaimer...............................     26
Section 7.05.        Notice of Defaults.................................     26
Section 7.06.        Reports by Trustee to Holders......................     26
Section 7.07.        Compensation and Indemnity.........................     27
Section 7.08.        Replacement of Trustee.............................     27
Section 7.09.        Successor Trustee by Merger, etc...................     28
Section 7.10.        Eligibility; Disqualification......................     28
Section 7.11.        Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company..     28

ARTICLE EIGHT DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE....................................     28
Section 8.01.        Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.............     28
Section 8.02.        Survival of the Company's Obligations..............     31
Section 8.03.        Application of Trust Money.........................     32
Section 8.04.        Repayment to the Company...........................     32
Section 8.05.        Reinstatement......................................     32

ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS........................     32
Section 9.01.        Without Consent of Holders.........................     32
Section 9.02.        With Consent of Holders............................     33
Section 9.03.        Compliance with Trust Indenture Act................     34
Section 9.04.        Revocation and Effect of Consents..................     34
Section 9.05.        Notation on or Exchange of Securities..............     35
Section 9.06.        Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc....................     35
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>

ARTICLE TEN MISCELLANEOUS................................................    35
Section 10.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls.............................    35
Section 10.02.  Notices..................................................    35
Section 10.03.  Communications by Holders with Other Holders.............    36
Section 10.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.......    36
Section 10.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion............    36
Section 10.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents..............................    37
Section 10.07.  Legal Holidays...........................................    37
Section 10.08.  Governing Law............................................    37
Section 10.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements............    37
Section 10.10.  No Recourse Against Others...............................    37
Section 10.11.  Successors and Assigns...................................    37
Section 10.12.  Duplicate Originals......................................    38
Section 10.13.  Severability.............................................    38
                                                                               
ARTICLE ELEVEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES...............................    38
Section 11.01.  Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness...........    38
Section 11.02.  No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances........    38
Section 11.03.  Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, etc...........    39
Section 11.04.  Subrogation..............................................    40
Section 11.05.  Obligations of Company Unconditional.....................    41
Section 11.06.  Notice to Trustee........................................    41
Section 11.07.  Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating    
                Agent....................................................    42
Section 11.08.  Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness................    42
Section 11.09.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions       
                of the Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness.........    43
Section 11.10.  Securityholders Authorize Trustee To Effectuate             
                Subordination of Securities..............................    43
Section 11.11.  This Article Not to Prevent Events of Default............    43
Section 11.12.  Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced....................    44
Section 11.13.  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions....................    44
Section 11.14.  Certain Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution........    44
                                                                             
SIGNATURES...............................................................    45
                                                                          
EXHIBIT A................................................................     1 
</TABLE> 

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

   This Cross-Reference Table is not a part of the Indenture.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TIA Indenture Section                                                      Section
- ---------------------                                                      -------      
<S>                                                                     <C>
310(a)(1)....................................................               7.10
(a)(2).......................................................               7.10
(a)(3).......................................................               N.A.
(a)(4).......................................................               N.A.
(b)..........................................................  7.08; 7.10; 10.02
311(a).......................................................               7.11
(b)..........................................................               7.11
(c)..........................................................               N.A.
312(a).......................................................               2.05
(b)..........................................................              10.03
(c)..........................................................              10.03
313(a).......................................................               7.06
(b)(1).......................................................               N.A.
(b)(2).......................................................               7.06
(c)..........................................................              10.02
(d)..........................................................               7.06
314(a).......................................................        4.02; 10.02
(b)..........................................................               N.A.
(c)(1).......................................................              10.04
(c)(2).......................................................              10.04
(c)(3).......................................................               N.A.
(d)..........................................................               N.A.
(e)..........................................................              10.05
315(a).......................................................            7.01(b)
(b)..........................................................        7.05; 10.02
(c)..........................................................            7.01(a)
(d)..........................................................            7.01(c)
(e)..........................................................               6.11
316(a)(last sentence)........................................              10.06
(a)(1)(A)....................................................               6.05
(a)(1)(B)....................................................               6.04
(a)(2).......................................................               N.A.
(b)..........................................................               6.07
317(a)(1)....................................................               6.08
(a)(2).......................................................               6.09
(b)..........................................................               2.04
318(a).......................................................              10.01

N.A. means Not Applicable.
</TABLE>

                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
     INDENTURE dated as of _________________, 1998, by and between Standard
Pacific Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and ______________, (the
"Trustee").  Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and
for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's debt
securities issued under this Indenture (the "Securities"):

                                  ARTICLE ONE
                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     Section 1.1.  Definitions.
                   ----------- 

     "Affiliate" means, when used with reference to a specified person, any
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with the Person specified.

     "Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar or agent for
service of notices and demands.

     "Authorizing Resolution" means a resolution adopted by the Board of
Directors or by an Officer or committee of Officers pursuant to Board delegation
authorizing a Series of Securities.

     "Bankruptcy Law" means title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or
any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

     "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
authorized committee thereof.

     "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of or in
such Person's capital stock or other equity interests, and options, rights or
warrants to purchase such capital stock or other equity interests, whether now
outstanding or issued after the applicable Issue Date, including, without
limitation, all Preferred Stock.

     "Capitalized Lease Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such
Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease that is required to be
capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the
amount of such obligations will be the capitalized amount thereof determined in
accordance with GAAP.

     "Company" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor
replaces it pursuant to the Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     "Currency Agreement" of any Person means any foreign exchange contract,
currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to
protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency
values.

     "Default" means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the
passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

     "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means any Senior Indebtedness under any
institutional credit agreement or any other Senior Indebtedness which, at the
time of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least
$___.0 million if the instrument governing such Senior Indebtedness expressly
states that such Indebtedness is "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for purposes
of this Indenture and a Board Resolution setting forth such designation by the
Company has been filed with the Trustee (provided that such instrument may place
limitations and conditions on the right of holders of such Senior Indebtedness
to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Indebtedness).

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession of the United States, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

     "Holder" or "Securityholder" means the person in whose name a Security is
registered on the Registrar's books.

     "Indebtedness" of any Person means (i) notes, bonds, debentures or other
similar evidences of indebtedness for borrowed money or any guarantee of any of
the foregoing and (ii) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of
such Person under Currency Agreements or Interest Protection Agreements to the
extent recorded as liabilities not constituting Interest Incurred, net of
amounts recorded as assets in respect of such agreements, in accordance with
GAAP.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     "Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to
time, including pursuant to any Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture
pertaining to any Series.

     "Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding" means, with respect to any Person,
any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, or any bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding with respect to
such Person, whether voluntary or involuntary.


                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     "Interest Protection Agreement" of any Person means any interest rate swap
agreement, interest rate collar agreement, option or futures contract or other
similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to Indebtedness
permitted to be incurred under this Indenture.

     "Issue Date" means, with respect to any Series of Securities, the date on
which the Securities of such Series are originally issued under this Indenture.

     "Lien" means, with respect to any Property, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such
Property.  For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed to own,
subject to a Lien, any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to the
interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital
lease or other title retention agreement relating to such Property.

     "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the Secretary of the Company.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an
Officer and an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  The counsel may be an employee of or
counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

     "Permitted Junior Securities" means any securities of the Company or any
other Person that are (i) equity securities or (ii) subordinated in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness that may at the time be outstanding, to
substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities
are subordinated as provided in this Indenture, in any event pursuant to a court
order so providing and as to which (a) the rate of interest on such securities
shall not exceed the effective rate of interest on the Securities on the date of
this Indenture, (b) such securities shall not be entitled to the benefits of
covenants or defaults materially more beneficial to the holders of such
securities than those in effect with respect to the Securities on the date of
this Indenture and (c) such securities shall not provide for amortization
(including sinking fund and mandatory prepayment provisions) commencing prior to
the date six months following the final scheduled maturity date of the Senior
Indebtedness (as modified by the plan of reorganization or readjustment pursuant
to which such securities are issued).

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.

     "Post-Petition Interest" means, with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of
any Person, all interest accrued or accruing on such Indebtedness after the
commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding against such Person in
accordance with and at the contract rate (including, without limitation, any
rate applicable upon default) specified in the agreement or instrument creating,
evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, whether or not, pursuant to
applicable law or otherwise, the claim for such interest is allowed as a claim
in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

     "Preferred Stock" of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person
which has a preference in liquidation or with respect to the payment of
dividends.

     "principal" of a debt security means the principal of the security plus,
when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the security.

     "Property" of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible,
intangible or mixed property owned by such Person, whether or not included in
the most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries
under GAAP.

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency
performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA.

     "Securities" means any Securities that are issued under this Indenture.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     "Senior Indebtedness" means, at any date, all Indebtedness of the Company,
including principal, premium, if any, and interest (including Post-Petition
Interest), fees and other amounts payable in connection with such Indebtedness, 
unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness of the Company is incurred
expressly provides that such Indebtedness is not senior or superior in right of
payment to the Securities of the applicable Series, and all renewals,
extensions, modifications, amendments or refinancings thereof. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Senior Indebtedness shall not include (a) to the extent that it
may constitute Indebtedness, any obligation for federal, state, local or other
taxes; (b) any Indebtedness between the Company and any Subsidiary of the
Company; (c) to the extent that it may constitute Indebtedness, any obligation
in respect of any trade payable incurred for the purchase of goods or materials,
or for services obtained, in the ordinary course of business; (d) that portion
of any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture; (e)
Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities; and (f) to the extent that it may
constitute Indebtedness, any obligation owing under leases (other than
Capitalized Lease Obligations).

     "Series" means a series of Securities established under this Indenture.

     "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation or other entity of which a
majority of the Capital Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of the Board of Directors or other persons performing similar functions is at
the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person.

     "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect from time to
time.

     "Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor
replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor
serving hereunder.

     "Trust Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by
the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

     "United States" means the United States of America.

     "U.S. government obligations" means securities which are (i) direct
obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and
credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by
and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the payment of
which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States, which, in either case are not callable or redeemable at the
option of the issuer 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust
company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. government obligations or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. government
obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary
receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not
authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such
depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the
U.S. government obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal
of the U.S. government obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.


                                       7
<PAGE>
 
        Section 1.02.  Other Definitions.
                       ----------------- 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Term                                                                                      Defined in
- ----                                                                                      ----------
<S>                                                                                        <C>
"Agent Members"..............................................................                2.15
"Business Day"...............................................................               11.07
"Custodian"..................................................................                6.01
"Depository".................................................................                2.15
"Event of Default"...........................................................                6.01
"Legal Holiday"..............................................................               11.07
"Paying Agent"...............................................................                2.03
"Registrar"..................................................................                2.03
</TABLE>

   Section 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
                  ------------------------------------------------- 

     Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

     "Commission" means the SEC.

     "indenture securities" means the Securities.

     "indenture security holder" means a Securityholder.

     "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.

     "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.

     "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company, or any other
obligor on the Securities of a Series.

     All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the
meanings so assigned to them.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     Section 1.04.  Rules of Construction.
                    --------------------- 

     Unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

     (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it
in accordance with GAAP;

     (3)  "or" is not exclusive;

     (4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the
singular; and

     (5)  provisions apply to successive events  and transactions.

                                  ARTICLE TWO
                                 THE SECURITIES

     Section 2.01.  Form and Dating.
                    --------------- 

     The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be issued under this
Indenture is unlimited.  The Securities may be issued from time to time in one
or more Series.  Each Series shall be created by an Authorizing Resolution or a
supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of the Series, which may
include the following:

     (1)  the title of the Series;

     (2)  the aggregate principal amount (or any limit on the aggregate
principal amount) of the Series and, if any Securities of a Series are to be
issued at a discount from their face amount, the method of computing the
accretion of such discount;

     (3)  the interest rate or method of calculation of the interest rate;

     (4)  the date from which interest will accrue;

     (5)  the record dates for interest payable on Securities of the Series;

     (6)  the dates when, places where and manner in which principal and
interest are payable;

     (7)  the Registrar and Paying Agent;

     (8)  the terms of any mandatory (including any sinking fund requirements)
or optional redemption by the Company;

     (9)  the terms of any redemption at the option of Holders;

     (10) the denominations in which Securities are issuable;

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     (11) whether Securities will be issued in registered or bearer form and the
terms of any such forms of Securities;

     (12) whether any Securities will be represented by a global Security and
the terms of any such global Security;

     (13) the currency or currencies (including any composite currency) in which
principal or interest or both may be paid;

     (14) if payments of principal or interest may be made in a currency other
than that in which Securities are denominated, the manner for determining such
payments;

     (15) provisions for electronic issuance of Securities or issuance of
Securities in uncertificated form;

     (16) any Events of Default, covenants and/or defined terms in addition to
or in lieu of those set forth in this Indenture;

     (17) whether and upon what terms Securities may be defeased if different
from the provisions set forth in this Indenture;

     (18) the form of the Securities, which, unless the Authorizing Resolution
or supplemental indenture otherwise provides, shall be in the form of Exhibit A;

     (19) any terms that may be required by or advisable under applicable law;

     (20) the percentage of the principal amount of the Securities which is
payable if the maturity of the Securities is accelerated in the case of
Securities issued at a discount from their face amount;

     (21) whether any Securities will have guarantees; and

     (22) any other terms in addition to or different from those contained in
this Indenture.

     All Securities of one Series need not be issued at the same time and,
unless otherwise provided, a Series may be reopened for issuances of additional
Securities of such Series pursuant to an Authorizing Resolution, an Officers'
Certificate or in any indenture supplemental hereto.  The creation and issuance
of a Series and the authentication and delivery thereof are not subject to any
conditions precedent.

   Section 2.02.  Execution and Authentication.
                  ---------------------------- 

   Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature.  The Company's seal shall be reproduced on the Securities.

   If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office
at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall
nevertheless be valid.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     A Security shall not be valid until the Trustee manually signs the
certificate of authentication on the Security.  The signature shall be
conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this
Indenture.

     The Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue upon receipt
of an Officers' Certificate of the Company.  Each Security shall be dated the
date of its authentication.

   Section 2.03.  Registrar and Paying Agent.
                  -------------------------- 

     The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be
presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar"), an office
or agency where Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent") and an
office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of
the Securities and this Indenture may be served.  The Registrar shall keep a
register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange.  The Company may
have one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The
term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.

     The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent
not a party to this Indenture.  The agreement shall implement the provisions of
this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Company shall promptly notify the
Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent and the Trustee
shall have the right to inspect the Securities register at all reasonable times
to obtain copies thereof, and the Trustee shall have the right to rely upon such
register as to the names and addresses of the Holders and the principal amounts
and certificate numbers thereof.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar
or Paying Agent or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as
such.

     The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

     Section 2.04.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
                    ----------------------------------- 

     Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders
and the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal
of or interest on the Securities, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by
the Company in making any such payment.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as
Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money and hold it as a separate trust fund.
The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it
to the Trustee.  Upon doing so the Paying Agent shall have no further liability
for the money.

     Section 2.05.  Securityholder Lists.
                    -------------------- 

     The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
Securityholders.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee at least 7 Business Days before each semiannual interest payment
date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in
such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names
and addresses of Securityholders.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     Section 2.06.  Transfer and Exchange.
                    --------------------- 

     Where a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a
request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as
requested if the requirements of Section 8-401(1) of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code are met.  Where Securities are presented to the Registrar or a
co-Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of
Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as
requested if the same requirements are met.  To permit transfers and exchanges,
the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar's request.  The
Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Security selected for redemption,
except the unredeemed part thereof if the Security is redeemed in part, or
transfer or exchange any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection
of Securities to be redeemed.  Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge,
except that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax
or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto except in
the case of exchanges pursuant to 2.09, 3.06 or 9.05 not involving any transfer.

     Any Holder of a global Security shall, by acceptance of such global
Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such global Security
may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of
such global Security (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest
in the Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

     Section 2.07.  Replacement Securities.
                    ---------------------- 

     If the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost,
destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and, upon
written request of any Officer of the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate a
replacement Security, provided in the case of a lost, destroyed or wrongfully
taken Security, that the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code are met.  If any such lost, destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully
taken Security shall have matured or shall be about to mature, the Company may,
instead of issuing a substitute Security therefor, pay such Security without
requiring (except in the case of a mutilated Security) the surrender thereof.
An indemnity bond must be sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the
Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss which any
of them may suffer if a Security is replaced, including the acquisition of such
Security by a bona fide purchaser.  The Company or the Trustee may charge for
its expenses in replacing a Security.

     Section 2.08.  Outstanding Securities.
                    ---------------------- 

     Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the
Trustee except for those canceled by it and those described in this Section.  A
Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its
Affiliates holds the Security.  If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section
2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory
to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.  If the
Paying Agent holds on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay
Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities
cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

     Section 2.09.  Temporary Securities.
                    -------------------- 

     Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare
and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities.  Temporary Securities
shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have
variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.
Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and, upon surrender for
cancellation of the temporary Security, the Company shall execute and the
Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary
Securities.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects
be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities
authenticated and delivered hereunder.

     Section 2.10.  Cancellation.
                    ------------ 

     The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation.  The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any
Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange,
redemption or payment.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and destroy, or
retain in accordance with its standard retention policy, all Securities
surrendered for registration or transfer, exchange, redemption, paying or
cancellation.  Unless the Authorizing Resolution so provides, the Company may
not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has previously paid or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

     Section 2.11.  Defaulted Interest.
                    ------------------ 

     If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it
shall pay the defaulted interest plus any interest payable on the defaulted
interest to the persons who are Securityholders on a subsequent special record
date.  The Company shall fix such special record date and a payment date which
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.  At least 15 days before such
special record date, the Company shall mail to each Securityholder a notice that
states the record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to
be paid.  On or before the date such notice is mailed, the Company shall deposit
with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the amount of defaulted interest
to be so paid.  The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful
manner if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed
payment, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

     Section 2.12.  Treasury Securities.
                    ------------------- 

     In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Securities of a Series have concurred in any direction, waiver, consent or
notice, Securities owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be
considered as though they are not outstanding, except that for the purposes of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee actually knows
are so owned shall be so considered.

     Section 2.13.  CUSIP Numbers.
                    ------------- 

     The Company in issuing the Securities of any Series may use a "CUSIP"
number, and if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number in notices of
redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders of such Securities; provided
that no representation is hereby deemed to be made by the Trustee as to the
correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP number printed in the notice or on
such Securities, and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on such Securities.  The Company shall promptly
notify the Trustee of any change in any CUSIP number.

     Section 2.14.  Deposit of Moneys.
                    ----------------- 

     Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on each interest payment date and
maturity date with respect to each Series of Securities, the Company shall have
deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient
to make cash payments due on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the
case may be, in a timely manner which permits the Paying Agent to remit payment
to the Holders on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the case may
be.

     Section 2.15.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security.
                    ----------------------------------------- 

             (a) Any global Security of a Series initially shall (i) be
registered in the name of the depository who shall be identified in the
Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture relating to such Securities
(the "Depository") or the nominee of such Depository, (ii) be delivered to the
Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear any required legends.
Members of, or participants in, the Depository ("Agent Members") shall have no
rights under this Indenture with respect to any global Security held on their
behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the global
Security, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any
agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the global Security
for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall
prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from
giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization
furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent
Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the
rights of a Holder of any Security.

             (b) Transfers of any global Security shall be limited to transfers
in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective
nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the global Security may be
transferred or exchanged for definitive Securities in accordance with the rules
and procedures of the Depository. In addition, definitive Securities shall be
transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests
in a global Security if (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the global Security and a
successor depository is not appointed by the Company 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depository to issue
definitive Securities.

             (c) In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the
beneficial interest in any global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to
paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more definitive Securities are to
be issued) reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the
principal amount of the global Security in an amount equal to the principal
amount of the beneficial interest in the global Security to be transferred, and
the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one
or more definitive Securities of like tenor and amount.

             (d) In connection with the transfer of an entire global Security to
beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the global Security shall be deemed
to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial
owner identified by the Depository in exchange for its beneficial interest in
the global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive
Securities of authorized denominations.

             (e) The Holder of any global Security may grant proxies and
otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may
hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is
entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such Series.

                                 ARTICLE THREE
                                   REDEMPTION

     Section 3.01.  Notices to Trustee.
                    ------------------ 

     Securities of a Series that are redeemable prior to maturity shall be
redeemable in accordance with their terms and, unless the Authorizing Resolution
or supplemental indenture provides otherwise, in accordance with this Article.

     If the Company wants to redeem Securities pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the
Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and
the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.  Any such notice may be
canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to Holders.
Any such canceled notice shall be void and of no effect.  If the Company wants
to credit any Securities previously redeemed, retired or acquired against any
redemption pursuant to Paragraph 6 of the Securities, it shall notify the
Trustee of the amount of the credit and it shall deliver any Securities not
previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation with such notice.

     The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.01 at
least 30 days before the notice of any such redemption is to be mailed to
Holders (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).

   Section 3.02.  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
                  -------------------------------------- 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     If fewer than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the
Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed by a method the Trustee
considers fair and appropriate.  The Trustee shall make the selection from
Securities outstanding not previously called for redemption and shall promptly
notify the Company of the serial numbers or other identifying attributes of the
Securities so selected.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the
principal of Securities that have denominations larger than the minimum
denomination for the Series.  Securities and portions of them it selects shall
be in amounts equal to the minimum denomination for the Series or an integral
multiple thereof.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called
for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.

     Section 3.03.  Notice of Redemption.
                    -------------------- 

     At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the
Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed.  The notice shall identify the
Securities to be redeemed and shall state:  (1) the redemption date; (2) the
redemption price; (3) the name and address of the Paying Agent; (4) that
Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to
collect the redemption price; (5) that interest on Securities called for
redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and (6) that the
Securities are being redeemed pursuant to the mandatory redemption or the
optional redemption provisions, as applicable.  At the Company's request, the
Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company's name and at its
expense; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to the Trustee at
least 15 days prior to the date on which notice of redemption is to be mailed or
such shorter period as may be satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers'
Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the
information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

     Section 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.
                    ------------------------------ 

     Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption
become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price as set
forth in the notice of redemption.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such
Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued interest to the
redemption date.

     Section 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price.
                    --------------------------- 

     On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying
Agent immediately available funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of and
accrued interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

     Section 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part.
                    --------------------------- 

     Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for each Holder a new Security equal
in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE FOUR
                                   COVENANTS

   Section 4.01.  Payment of Securities.
                  --------------------- 

     The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on a Series on the
dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of the Series.  An
installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is
due if the Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient
to pay the installment.

     The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by
the Series; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the
same rate.

   Section 4.02.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.
                  ------------------------------- 

     The Company shall maintain the office or agency required under Section
2.03.  The Company shall give prior written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any
time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the
Trustee.

   Section 4.03.  Compliance Certificate.
                  ---------------------- 

     The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year of the Company an Officers' Certificate stating whether or not
the signers know of any Default by the Company in performing any of its
obligations under this Indenture.  If they do know of such a Default, the
certificate shall describe the Default.

   Section 4.04.  Maintenance of Corporate Existence.
                  ----------------------------------

     The Company will:

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
   (a) cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force
and effect the corporate existence of the Company; provided, however, that
nothing in this subsection (a) shall prevent a consolidation or merger of the
Company not prohibited by the provisions of Article Five or any other provision
or the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to a Series.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                             SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

   Section 5.01.  When Company May Merge, etc.
                  ----------------------------

     The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, any other
corporation, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to, any entity
unless permitted by law and unless (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee
entity (if other than the Company), which shall be a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof and shall assume
by supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all
of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture and
(2) immediately after giving effect to, and as a result of, such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Thereafter,
in the event that the Company is not the continuing corporation, such successor
corporation or corporations shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company
with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the "Company" and all
such obligations of the predecessor corporation shall terminate. The Company
shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed
transaction an Officers' Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of
Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture
comply with this Indenture. To the extent that an Authorizing Resolution or
supplemental indenture pertaining to any Series provides for different
provisions relating to the subject matter of this Article Five, the provisions
in such Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture shall govern for
purposes of such Series.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE SIX

                             DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

   Section 6.01.  Events of Default.
                  ----------------- 

     An "Event of Default" on a Series occurs if, voluntarily or involuntarily,
whether by operation of law or otherwise, any of the following occurs:

     (1) the failure by the Company to pay interest on any Security of such
Series when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such
failure for a period of 30 days, whether or not such payment is prohibited by
Article Eleven hereof;

     (2) the failure by the Company to pay the principal or premium of any
Security of such Series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon
acceleration or otherwise, whether or not such payment is prohibited by Article
Eleven hereof;

     (3) the failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with
any of its agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, the Securities of such
Series or this Indenture (as they relate thereto) and such failure continues for
the period and after the notice specified below (except in the case of a default
with respect to any Change of Control Provisions or Article Five (or any
replacement provisions as contemplated by Article Five), which will constitute
Events of Default with notice but without passage of time);

     (4) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

          (A)  commences a voluntary case,

          (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
involuntary case,

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
          (C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or
substantially all of its property, or

          (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

     (5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any
Bankruptcy Law that:

          (A) is for relief against the Company as debtor in an involuntary
case,

          (B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or a Custodian for all or 
substantially all of the property of the Company, or

          (C) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree 
remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

     A Default as described in sub-clause (3) above will not be deemed an Event
of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25
percent in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the applicable
Series notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default and (except in the
case of a default with respect to Article Five (or any replacement provisions as
contemplated by Article Five)) the Company does not cure the Default within 60
days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand
that it be remedied and state that the notice is a "Notice of Default." If such
a Default is cured within such time period, it ceases. The term "Custodian"
means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official
under any Bankruptcy Law.

   Section 6.02.  Acceleration.
                  ------------ 

     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to the
Company resulting from sub-clauses (7) or (8) above) shall have occurred and be
continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the
Holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the Securities of the
applicable Series then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
declare all Securities of such Series to be due and payable immediately.  Upon
such declaration of acceleration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities
of such Series will be due and payable immediately.  If an Event of Default with
respect to the Company specified in sub-clauses (7) or (8) above occurs, all
amounts due and payable on the Securities of such Series will ipso facto become
and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act
on the part of the Trustee and the Company or any Holder.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding
by written notice to the Trustee and the Company may waive any Default or Event
of Default (other than any continuing Default or Event of Default in payment of
principal or interest) with respect to such Series of Securities under the
Indenture.  Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding
Securities of such Series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such
Series and its consequence (except an acceleration due to nonpayment of
principal or interest on the Securities of such 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
Series) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if
all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived.

     No such rescission shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Event of
Default, or shall impair any right or power consequent thereon.

   Section 6.03.  Other Remedies.
                  -------------- 

     If an Event of Default on a Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the
payment of principal of or interest on the Series or to enforce the performance
of any provision in the Securities or this Indenture applicable to the Series.

     The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of
the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy.  All available remedies are cumulative.

   Section 6.04.  Waiver of Existing Defaults.
                  --------------------------- 

     Subject to Section 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Securities of a Series on behalf of all the Holders of the
Series by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default on such Series and
its consequences.  When a Default is waived, it is cured and stops continuing,
and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured;
but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any
right consequent thereon.

   Section 6.05.  Control by Majority.
                  ------------------- 

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities
of a Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on it with respect to such Series.  The Trustee, however, may refuse
to follow any direction (i) that conflicts with law or this Indenture, (ii)
that, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to
the rights of other Securityholders, (iii) that would involve the Trustee in
personal liability or (iv) if the Trustee shall not have been provided with
indemnity satisfactory to it.

   Section 6.06.  Limitation on Suits.
                  ------------------- 

     A Securityholder of a Series may not pursue any remedy with respect to this
Indenture or the Series unless:

   (1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of
Default on the Series;

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
   (2) the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of the Series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the
remedy;

   (3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the
Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

   (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt
of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

   (5) no written request inconsistent with such written request shall have been
given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.06.  A Securityholder may not
use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder or to
obtain a preference or priority over another Securityholder.

   Section 6.07.  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
                  ------------------------------------ 

     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Security, on or
after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is
absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the
consent of the Holder.

   Section 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee.
                  -------------------------- 

     If an Event of Default in payment of interest or principal specified in
Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover
judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company
for the whole amount of principal and interest remaining unpaid.

   Section 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
                  -------------------------------- 

     The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as
may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee
(including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements
and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Securityholders
allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or
its property, and unless prohibited by applicable law or regulation, may vote on
behalf of the Holders in any election of a Custodian, and shall be entitled and
empowered to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same and any Custodian in
any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make
such payments to the Trustee.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of
any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder or to authorize
the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder except as
aforesaid for the election of the Custodian.

   Section 6.10.  Priorities.
                  ---------- 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
     If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay
out the money in the following order:

     First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

     Second:  to Securityholders of the Series for amounts due and unpaid on the
Series for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of
any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Series for principal
and interest, respectively; and

     Third:  to the Company as its interests may appear.

     The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Securityholders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

   Section 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs.
                  --------------------- 

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture
or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as
Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant
in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its
discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in the suit, having the due regard to the merits and
good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section
does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section
6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Series.

                                 ARTICLE SEVEN

                                    TRUSTEE

   Section 7.01.  Duties of Trustee.
                  ----------------- 

     (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall, prior to the receipt of directions from the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities, exercise its rights and powers and use the
same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise
or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

     (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

          (1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically
set forth in this Indenture and no others and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

          (2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the
Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  The Trustee,
however, shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not
they conform to the requirements of this Indenture but need not confirm or
investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts or matters
stated therein.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
     (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent
action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except
that:

          (1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this
Section.

          (2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in
good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

          (3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it
takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by
it pursuant to Section 6.05 or any other direction of the Holders permitted
hereunder.

     (d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

     (e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or
power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss,
liability or expense.

     (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by
it except as the Trustee may agree with the Company.  Money held in trust by the
Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
law.

     (g) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability
in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights
or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment
of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably
assured to it.

   Section 7.02.  Rights of Trustee.
                  ----------------- 

     Subject to Section 7.01:

     (a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting on any document, resolution, certificate, instrument, report, or
direction believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by
the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated
in the document, resolution, certificate, instrument, report, or direction.

     (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both, which shall conform to
Sections 10.04 and 10.05 hereof and containing such other statements as the
Trustee reasonably deems necessary to perform its duties hereunder.  The Trustee
shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in
reliance on the Officers' Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or any other direction
of the Company permitted hereunder.

     (c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the
misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
     (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

     (e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel as to matters of law shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, omitted or
suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or
opinion of such counsel.

     (f) Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Indenture, any demand,
request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by
an Officer of the Company.

     (g) For all purposes under this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be deemed
to have notice or knowledge of any Event of Default (other than under Section
6.01(1) or 6.01(2)) unless a Trust Officer assigned to and working in the
Trustee's corporate trust office has actual knowledge thereof or unless written
notice of any Event of Default is received by the Trustee at its address
specified in Section 10.02 hereof and such notice references the Securities
generally, the Company or this Indenture.

   Section 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee.
                  ---------------------------- 

     The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its affiliates
with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the
same with like rights.  The Trustee, however, must comply with Sections 7.10 and
7.11.

   Section 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer.
                  -------------------- 

     The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this
Indenture, the Securities or of any prospectus used to sell the Securities; it
shall not be accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the
Securities; it shall not be accountable for any money paid to the Company, or
upon the Company's direction, if made under and in accordance with any provision
of this Indenture; it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any
money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee; and it shall not be
responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in the
Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

   Section 7.05.  Notice of Defaults.
                  ------------------ 

     If a Default on a Series occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Series notice of
the Default (which shall specify any uncured Default known to it) within 90 days
after it occurs.  Except in the case of a default in payment of principal of or
interest on a Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the
board of directors of the Trustee, the executive or any trust committee of such
directors and/or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determine(s)
that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of the Series.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
   Section 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.
                  ----------------------------- 

     Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning  with the May 15 following the
date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief
report dated as of such May 15 that complies with TIA (S) 313(a) (but if no
event described in TIA (S) 313(2) has occurred within the twelve months
preceding the reporting date no report need be transmitted).  The Trustee also
shall comply with TIA (S) 313(b).  A copy of each report at the time of its
mailing to Securityholders shall be delivered to the Company and filed by the
Trustee with the SEC and each national securities exchange on which the
Securities are listed.  The Company agrees to notify the Trustee of each
national securities exchange on which the Securities are listed.

   Section 7.07.  Compensation  and Indemnity.
                  --------------------------- 

     The Company shall pay to the Trustee or predecessor trustee from time to
time reasonable compensation for their respective services subject to any
written agreement between the Trustee and the Company.  The Company shall
reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by it.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and
expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.  The Company shall indemnify the
Trustee and each predecessor trustee, its officers, directors, employees and
agents and hold it harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred or
made by or on behalf of it in connection with the administration of this
Indenture or the trust hereunder and its duties hereunder including the costs
and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim in the
premises.  The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which
it may seek indemnity.  The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify
against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee's, or
its officers', directors', employees' or agents' negligence or bad faith.  To
ensure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have
a claim prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by
the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of or interest on
particular Securities.  When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in
connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01 or in connection
with Article 6 hereof, the expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses
of its counsel) and the compensation for services in connection therewith are to
constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

   Section 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee.
                  ---------------------- 

     The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may remove the
Trustee by so notifying the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a
successor trustee with the Company's consent.  Such resignation or removal shall
not take effect until the appointment by the Securityholders or the Company as
hereinafter provided of a successor trustee and the acceptance of such
appointment by such successor trustee.  The Company may remove the Trustee and
any Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee for any or no
reason, including if:

   (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 after written request by
the Company or any bona fide Securityholder who has been a Securityholder for at
least six months;

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
   (2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

   (3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
property; or

   (4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

     If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office
of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
trustee.  If a successor trustee does not take office within 45 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or any
Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor trustee.  A successor trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of
its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after
that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to
the successor trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall
become effective, and the successor trustee shall have all the rights, powers
and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor trustee shall mail
notice of its succession to each Securityholder.

   Section 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
                  ---------------------------------

     If the Trustee consolidates with, merges with or into or converts into, or
transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another
corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the
successor trustee.

   Section 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification.
                  ----------------------------- 

     This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements
of TIA (S) 310(a)(1).  The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of
at least $10,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of
condition.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S) 310(b).

   Section 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
                  ------------------------------------------------- 

     The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S) 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA (S) 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA (S) 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

                                 ARTICLE EIGHT

                             DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

   Section 8.01.  Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government
                  ----------------------------------------------------
Obligations.
- ----------- 

     (a) The Company may, at its option and, subject to the provisions of
Article Eleven hereof, at any time, elect to have either paragraph (b) or
paragraph (c) below be applied to the outstanding Securities of any Series upon
compliance with the applicable conditions set forth in paragraph (d).

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
     (b) Upon the Company's exercise under paragraph (a) of the option
applicable to this paragraph (b), the Company shall be deemed to have been
released and discharged from its obligations with respect to the outstanding
Securities of a Series on the date the applicable conditions set forth below are
satisfied (hereinafter, "Legal Defeasance").  For this purpose, such Legal
Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged
the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of a Series,
which shall thereafter be deemed to be "outstanding" only for the purposes of
the Sections and matters under this Indenture referred to in (i) and (ii) below,
and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this
Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned, except for the following
which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:  (i) the
rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of a Series to receive solely from
the trust fund described in paragraph (d) below and as more fully set forth in
such paragraph, payments in respect of the principal of and interest on such
Securities when such payments are due and (ii) obligations listed in Section
8.02, subject to compliance with this Section 8.01.  The Company may exercise
its option under this paragraph (b) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its
option under paragraph (c) below with respect to such Securities.

     (c) Upon the Company's exercise under paragraph (a) of the option
applicable to this paragraph (c), the Company shall be released and discharged
from the obligations under any covenant contained in Article Five and any other
covenant contained in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture
relating to such Series to the extent provided for therein, on and after the
date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant
Defeasance"), and the Securities of such Series shall thereafter be deemed to be
not "outstanding" for the purpose of any direction, waiver, consent or
declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in
connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed "outstanding"
for all other purposes hereunder.  For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance
means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of a Series, the Company
may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term,
condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or
indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or
by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or
in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default
or an Event of Default under Section 6.01(3), but, except as specified above,
the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

     (d) The following shall be the conditions to application of either
paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) above to the outstanding Securities of the
applicable Series:

          (1) The Company shall have irrevocably deposited in trust with the
     Trustee, pursuant to an irrevocable trust and security agreement in form
     and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, money in U.S. dollars
     or U.S. government obligations or a combination thereof in such amounts and
     at such times as are sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
     firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of and
     interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series to maturity or
     redemption; provided, however, that the Trustee (or other qualifying
     trustee) shall have received an irrevocable written order from the Company
     instructing the Trustee (or other qualifying 

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
     trustee) to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. government
     obligations to said payments with respect to the Securities of such Series
     to maturity or redemption;

          (2) No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
     continuing on the date of such deposit;

          (3) Such deposit will not result in a Default under this Indenture or
     a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material
     instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of any of their
     Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of their property is bound;

          (4) (i) In the event the Company elects paragraph (b) hereof, the
     Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United
     States, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to
     the effect that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been
     published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the Issue
     Date pertaining to such Series, there has been a change in the applicable
     federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
     thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall state that, or (ii) in the event the
     Company elects paragraph (c) hereof, the Company shall deliver to the
     Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States, in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that, in the case of
     clauses (i) and (ii), Holders of the Securities of such Series will not
     recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
     of such deposit and the defeasance contemplated hereby and will be subject
     to federal income tax in the same amounts and in the same manner and at the
     same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had
     not occurred;

          (5) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate, stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not made by the
     Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such
     Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of
     defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the
     Company or others;

          (6) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
     Counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that, (A)
     the trust funds will not be subject to the rights of Holders of
     Indebtedness of the Company other than the Securities of such Series and
     (B) assuming no intervening bankruptcy of the Company between the date of
     deposit and the 91st day following the deposit and that no Holder of
     Securities of such Series is an insider of the Company, after the 91st day
     following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to any
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law affecting
     creditors' rights generally; and

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          (7) The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
     specified herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section
     8.01 have been complied with.  In the event all or any portion of the
     Securities of a Series are to be redeemed through such irrevocable trust,
     the Company must make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the time
     of such deposit, for the giving of the notice of such redemption or
     redemptions by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

     (e) In addition to the Company's rights above under this Section 8.01, the
Company may terminate all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect
to a Series (subject to Section 8.02), when:

          (1) All Securities of such Series theretofore authenticated and
     delivered (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen
     and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and
     Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust
     or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the
     Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee
     for cancellation or all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the
     Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable and the Company has
     irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust
     funds in trust solely for that purpose an amount of money sufficient to pay
     and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Securities not theretofore
     delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of and interest;

          (2) The Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
     hereunder by the Company;

          (3) The Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee
     to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities at
     maturity or redemption, as the case may be; and

          (4) The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that all conditions precedent specified
     herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have
     been complied with.

   Section 8.02.  Survival of the Company's Obligations.
                  ------------------------------------- 

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture under
Section 8.01, the Company's obligations in paragraph 9 of the Securities and
Sections 2.03 through 2.07, 4.01, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 8.05, however, shall
survive until the Securities of an applicable Series are no longer outstanding.
Thereafter, the Company's obligations in paragraph 9 of the Securities of such
Series and Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive (as they relate to such
Series).

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
   Section 8.03.  Application of Trust Money.
                  -------------------------- 

     The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. government obligations
deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01.  It shall apply the deposited money
and the money from U.S. government obligations in accordance with this Indenture
to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of the defeased
Series.

   Section 8.04.  Repayment to the Company.
                  ------------------------ 

     The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon
request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.  The Trustee
and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by
them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two
years, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York
or mail to each such Holder notice that such money remains unclaimed and that,
after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the
date of such publication or mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then
remaining will be repaid to the Company.  After payment to the Company,
Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as
general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another
person and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to
such money shall cease.

   Section 8.05.  Reinstatement.
                  ------------- 

     If the Trustee is unable to apply any money or U.S. government obligations
in accordance with Section 8.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason
of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining,
restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations
under this Indenture and the Securities relating to the Series shall be revived
and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until
such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. government
obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that (a) if the
Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities of
the Series because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Company shall
be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such
payment from the money or U.S. government obligations held by the Trustee and
(b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment
of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee shall return all such money
or U.S. government obligations to the Company promptly after receiving a written
request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Company's obligations
has occurred and continue to be in effect.

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                      AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

   Section 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.
                  -------------------------- 

     The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the
Securities of a Series without notice to or consent of any Securityholder of
such Series:

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
   (1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

   (2)  to comply with Article Five;

   (3) to provide that specific provisions of this Indenture shall not apply to
a Series not previously issued;

   (4) to create a Series and establish its terms;

   (5) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of
certificated Securities; and

   (6) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of
Securityholders.

     After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Company
shall mail notice of such amendment to the Securityholders.

   Section 9.02.  With Consent of Holders.
                  ----------------------- 

     The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the
Securities of a Series without notice to any Securityholder of such Series but
with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Securities of each such Series affected by the
amendment.  Each such Series shall vote as a separate class.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may
waive compliance by the Company with any provision of the Securities of such
Series or of this Indenture relating to such Series without notice to any
Securityholder.  Without the consent of each Securityholder of a Series
affected, however, an amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver
pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

   (1) reduce the amount of Securities of such Series whose Holders must consent
to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

   (2) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including
defaulted interest, on any Security;

   (3) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Security or
alter the provisions (including related definitions) with respect to redemption
of Securities pursuant to Article Three hereof or with respect to any
obligations on the part of the Company to offer to purchase or to redeem
Securities of a Series pursuant to the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental
indenture pertaining to such Series;

   (4) modify the ranking or priority of the Securities of any Series;

   (5) make any change in Sections 6.04, 6.07 or this 9.02;

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
   (6) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the
principal of or interest on any Security; or

   (7) make any Security payable at a place or in money other than that stated
in the Security, or impair the right of any Securityholder to bring suit as
permitted by Section 6.07.  An amendment of a provision included solely for the
benefit of one or more Series does not affect the interests of Securityholders
of any other Series.

     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section
to approve the particular form of any proposed supplement, but it shall be
sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

   Section 9.03.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
                  ----------------------------------- 

     Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities shall
comply with the TIA as then in effect.

   Section 9.04.  Revocation and Effect of Consents.
                  --------------------------------- 

     A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder shall bind the
Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of
the consent is not made on any Security.  Subject to the following paragraph,
any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his
Security or portion of a Security.  Such revocation shall be effective only if
the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment,
supplement or waiver becomes effective.  The Company may, but shall not be
obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Securities of any Series entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or
waiver, which record date shall be at least 10 days prior to the first
solicitation of such consent.  If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding
the last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were
Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those
Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or
not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.  No such consent
shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.  After
an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every
Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (7) of
Section 9.02, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind only
each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of
a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the
consenting Holder's Security; provided that any such waiver shall not impair or
affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest
on a Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security,
or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such
respective dates without the consent of such Holder.

   Section 9.05.  Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
                  ------------------------------------- 

     If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security, the
Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee, at
which time the Trustee shall 

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return
it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines,
the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall
authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms.

   Section 9.06.  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
                  --------------------------------

     Subject to Section 7.02(b), the Trustee shall sign any amendment,
supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment,
supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities
or immunities of the Trustee.  If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it.
In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplemental indenture, the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying
upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence
that such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and
binding upon the Company in accordance with its terms.

                                  ARTICLE TEN

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

   Section 10.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls.
                   ---------------------------- 

     If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA,
the required provision shall control.

   Section 10.02.  Notices.
                   ------- 

     Any order, consent, notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if
in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:

     if to the Company:

          Standard Pacific Corp.
          1565 W. MacArthur Boulevard
          Costa Mesa, CA  92626
          Attention:

     if to the Trustee:


          Attention:

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or
different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

     Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed to
him by first class mail at his address as it appears on the registration books
of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the
time prescribed.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
     Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect
in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly
given, whether or not the addressee receives it except that notice to the
Trustee shall only be effective upon receipt thereof by the Trustee.

     If the Company mails notice or communications to the Securityholders, it
shall mail a copy to the Trustee at the same time.

   Section 10.03.  Communications by Holders with Other Holders.
                   -------------------------------------------- 

     Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA (S) 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA (S) 312(c).

   Section 10.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
                   -------------------------------------------------- 

     Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

   (1) an Officers' Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in
Section 10.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions
precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed
action have been complied with; and

   (2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in
Section 10.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions
precedent and covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition
precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed
action or inaction, have been complied with and that any such section does not
conflict with the terms of the Indenture.

   Section 10.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
                   --------------------------------------------- 

     Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

   (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read
such covenant or condition;

   (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;

   (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and

   (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
   Section 10.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.
                   --------------------------- 

     The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of
Securityholders.  The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for
its functions.

   Section 10.07.  Legal Holidays.
                   -------------- 

     A "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal holiday or a day on
which banking institutions in Los Angeles, California and New York, New York are
not required to be open.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of
payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is
not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.  A
Business Day is any day other than a Legal Holiday.

   Section 10.08.  Governing Law.
                   ------------- 

     The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the
Securities of each Series.

   Section 10.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
                   --------------------------------------------- 

     This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt
agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary.  Any such indenture, loan or debt
agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

   Section 10.10.  No Recourse Against Others.
                   -------------------------- 

     All liability described in paragraph 13 of the Securities of any director,
officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company is waived and
released.

   Section 10.11.  Successors and Assigns.
                   ---------------------- 

     All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the
Securities shall bind its successors and assigns.  All agreements of the Trustee
in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns.

   Section 10.12.  Duplicate Originals.
                   ------------------- 

     The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed
copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.

   Section 10.13.  Severability.
                   ------------ 

     In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in
the Securities of a Series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities.

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                          SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

   Section 11.01.  Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness.
                   ---------------------------------------------- 

     The Company covenants and agrees, and the Trustee and each Holder of the
Securities by his acceptance thereof likewise covenant and agree, that all
Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Eleven; and
each person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer,
assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that all payments of the
principal of and interest on the Securities by the Company shall, to the extent
and in the manner set forth in this Article Eleven, be subordinated and junior
in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all amounts payable
under Senior Indebtedness.

   Section 11.02.  No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.
                   ------------------------------------------------- 

     (a) No direct or indirect payment (excluding any payment or distribution of
Permitted Junior Securities) by or on behalf of the Company of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or to repurchase any of the
Securities, except from those funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of
any Securities pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article Eight hereof,
whether pursuant to the terms of the Securities, upon acceleration or otherwise,
shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the
payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any Senior Indebtedness,
when the same becomes due and payable beyond any applicable period of grace
whether at maturity, on account of mandatory redemption or prepayment,
acceleration or otherwise, and such default shall not have been cured or waived
or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness. In addition, during the continuance of any non-payment
event of default with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to
which the maturity thereof may be immediately accelerated, and upon receipt by
the Trustee of written notice (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from the Company or
any holder or holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the trustee or
agent acting on behalf of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, then, unless and
until such event of default has been cured or waived or has ceased to exist or
such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been discharged or repaid in full in
cash or the benefits of these provisions have been waived by the holders of such
Designated Senior Indebtedness, no direct or indirect payment (excluding any
payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Securities) shall be made by or on
behalf of the Company of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the
Securities or to repurchase any of the Securities, except from those funds held
in trust for the benefit of Holders of any Securities pursuant to the procedures
set forth in Article Eight hereof, to such Holders, during a period (a "Payment
Blockage Period") commencing on the date of receipt of such notice by the
Trustee and ending 179 days thereafter.

     Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Securities to the contrary, (x)
in no event shall a Payment Blockage Period extend beyond 179 days from the date
the Payment Blockage Notice in respect thereof was given (provided that payment
may thereafter be restricted if a payment event of default has occurred), (y)
there shall be a period of at least 181 consecutive days in each 360-day period
when no Payment Blockage Period is in effect and (z) not more than one Payment
Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Securities during any
period of 360 consecutive days. No event of default that existed or was
continuing on the date of commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with
respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage
Period may be, or be made, the basis for the


                                       37
<PAGE>
 
commencement of any other Payment Blockage Period by the holder or holders of
such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the trustee or agent acting on behalf of
such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360
consecutive days, unless such event of default has been cured or waived for a
period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

     (b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be
received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited by Section
11.02(a), such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be
paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such
holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by
such holders) or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees
under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have
been issued, as their respective interests may appear, or, to the extent such 
Senior Indebtedness is not then due and payable, to the Company.

   Section 11.03.  Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, etc.
                   -----------------------------------------------

     (a) Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company
of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (excluding any
payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Securities), upon any dissolution or
winding up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or
involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all
Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full in cash before the Holders of
the Securities or the Trustee on behalf of such Holders shall be entitled to
receive any payment by the Company of the principal of or interest on the
Securities, or any payment by the Company to acquire any of the Securities for
cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the Securities
of any cash, property or securities (excluding any payment or distribution of
Permitted Junior Securities or from funds held in trust for the benefit of
Holders of any Securities pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article Eight
hereof). Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, the Company of the
principal of or interest on the Securities upon any such dissolution or winding
up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or
securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or
securities (excluding any payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Securities
or from funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of any Securities
pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article Eight hereof), to which the
Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled, but
for the subordination provisions of this Indenture, shall be made by the Company
or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other
Person making such payment or distribution, directly to the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective
amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their representatives or
to the trustee or trustees or agent or agents under any agreement or indenture
pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their
respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior
Indebtedness in full in cash after giving effect to any prior or concurrent
payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness.

     (b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provision prohibiting
such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets or
securities of the Company of 

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (excluding any
payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Securities or from funds held in
trust for the benefit of Holders of any Securities pursuant to the procedures
set forth in Article Eight hereof), shall be received by the Trustee or any
Holder of Securities at a time when such payment or distribution is prohibited
by Section 11.03(a) and before all obligations in respect of Senior Indebtedness
are paid in full in cash, such payment or distribution shall be received and
held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the
respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their
respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees or agent or agents
under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have
been issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the
payment of Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash after giving effect to any prior or
concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness.

     The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company with or
into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company
following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or
substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and
conditions provided in Article Five (or any replacement provisions as
contemplated by Article Five) shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up,
liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 11.03 if such
other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or
transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Five (or any replacement
provisions as contemplated by Article Five).

   Section 11.04.  Subrogation.
                   ----------- 

     Upon the payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness, or provision
for payment in other than cash is accepted by the holders of Senior Indebtedness
in full satisfaction of amounts due in respect of all Senior Indebtedness, the
Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of
Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or
securities of the Company made on such Senior Indebtedness until the principal
of and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full in cash; and, for the
purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of
the Securities or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the
provisions of this Article Eleven, and no payment over pursuant to the
provisions of this Article Eleven to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by
Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between the
Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the
Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on
account of the Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this
Article Eleven are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the
relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. If any payment or
distribution to which the Holders of the Securities would otherwise have been
entitled but for the provisions of this Article Eleven shall have been applied,
pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eleven, to the payment of all amounts
payable under Senior Indebtedness, then and in such case, the Holders of the
Securities shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness any payments or distributions received by such holders of Senior
Indebtedness in excess of the amount required to make payment in full in cash.

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
   Section 11.05.  Obligations of Company Unconditional.
                   ------------------------------------ 

     Nothing contained in this Article Eleven or elsewhere in this Indenture or
in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company and the
Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of and
interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative
rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein
prevent the Holder of any Security or the Trustee on their behalf from
exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under
this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Eleven of the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of
the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.  Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Eleven shall
restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders of Securities to take any
action to declare the Securities to be due and payable prior to their stated
maturity pursuant to Section 6.01 or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder;
provided, however, that all Senior Indebtedness then due and payable shall first
be paid in full in cash (and no Payment Blockage Period shall be in effect)
before the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee are entitled to receive any
direct or indirect payment from the Company of principal of or interest on the
Securities.

   Section 11.06.  Notice to Trustee.
                   ----------------- 

     The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact
known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the
Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article
Eleven.  The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any
event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or of any other facts
which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and
until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its corporate trust
office to that effect signed by an Officer of the Company, or by a holder of
Senior Indebtedness or trustee or agent therefor; and prior to the receipt of
any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article Seven, be
entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if the Trustee shall
not have received the notice provided for in this Section 11.06 at least two
Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms of this Indenture any
moneys shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the
payment of the principal of or interest on any Security), then, regardless of
anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority
to receive any moneys from the Company and to apply the same to the purpose for
which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the
contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date.  Nothing
contained in this Section 11.06 shall limit the right of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness to recover payments as contemplated by Section 11.03.  The Trustee
shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person
representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Senior Indebtedness (or a
trustee on behalf of, or other representative of, such holder) to establish that
such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee
or representative on behalf of any such holder.  In the event that the Trustee
determines in good faith that any evidence is required with respect to the right
of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment
or distribution pursuant to this Article Eleven, the Trustee may request such
Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable 

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such
Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such
payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such
Person under this Article Eleven, and if such evidence is not furnished, the
Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as
to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

   Section 11.07.  Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating
                   --------------------------------------------------------
Agent.
- ----- 

     Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in
this Article Eleven, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be
entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent
jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver,
trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such
payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the
Securities for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate
in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other
indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount
or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or
to this Article Eleven.

   Section 11.08.  Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness.
                   ----------------------------------------- 

     The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set
forth in this Article Eleven with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may
at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same
extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture
shall deprive the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such
holder.

     With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes
to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Article Eleven, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe
any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (except as provided in
Section 11.03(b)).  The Trustee shall not be liable to any such holders if the
Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of
Securities or to the Company or to any other person cash, property or securities
to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this
Article Eleven or otherwise.

   Section 11.09.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the
                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
- ----------------------------------------- 

     No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Indebtedness to
enforce subordination as provided herein shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company
or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any
knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged 

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
with. The provisions of this Article Eleven are intended to be for the benefit
of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

   Section 11.10.  Securityholders Authorize Trustee To Effectuate Subordination
                   -------------------------------------------------------------
of Securities.
- ------------- 

     Each Holder of Securities by his acceptance of such Securities authorizes
and expressly directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this
Article Eleven, and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for such purposes,
including, in the event of any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization of the Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership,
reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the business and assets
of the Company, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its or his
Securities in the form required in those proceedings.

   Section 11.11.  This Article Not to Prevent Events of Default.
                   --------------------------------------------- 

     The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or interest on the
Securities by reason of any provision of this Article Eleven shall not be
construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in
clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01.

   Section 11.12.  Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced.
                   ------------------------------------- 

     Nothing in this Article Eleven shall apply to amounts due to the Trustee
pursuant to other sections in this Indenture.

   Section 11.13.  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
                   ------------------------------------- 

     Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 11.09, the holders of
Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent
of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities, without incurring
responsibility to the Holders of the Securities and without impairing or
releasing the subordination provided in this Article Eleven or the obligations
hereunder of the Holders of the Securities to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place
or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior
Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which
Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or
otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior
Indebtedness; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of
Senior Indebtedness; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights
against the Company and any other Person.

   Section 11.14.  Certain Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution.
                   ------------------------------------------------- 

     All money and United States government obligations properly deposited in
trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article Eight shall be
for the sole benefit of the Holders and shall not be subject to this Article
Eleven (so long as the funding of such trust did not violate the provisions of 
this Article Eleven).

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
     Nothing contained in this Article Eleven or elsewhere in this Indenture
shall prevent (i) the Company, except under the conditions described in Section
11.02, Section 11.03 or Section 11.05, from making payments of principal of and
interest on the Securities, or from depositing with the Trustee any moneys for
such payments or from effecting a termination of the Company's obligations under
the Securities and this Indenture as provided in Article Eight, (ii) the
application by the Trustee of any moneys properly deposited in trust with the
Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article Eight (so long as the funding
of such trust did not violate the provisions of this Article Eleven) or (iii)
the application by the Trustee of any other moneys deposited with it for the
purpose of making such payments of principal of on and interest on the
Securities to the holders entitled thereto unless at least two Business Days
prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee
shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 11.06. The
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution,
winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company.


                                      43
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed, all as of the date first above written.

Dated:             , 1998           STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.

                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:


Dated:              , 1998          ______________, Trustee
                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

(SEAL)

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

No.                                                       CUSIP No.: _______
                              [Title of Security]

     STANDARD PACIFIC CORP., a Delaware corporation promises to pay to or
registered assigns the principal sum of ______________________ Dollars/1/ on
___________________________ [Title of Security]
Interest Payment, Dates:                           and
Record Dates:                                      and

Authenticated:                              Dated:

                                            Standard Pacific Corp.
                                            (Seal)

                                            By _________________________________
                                               Title:


                                            By _________________________________
                                               Title:


     _________________, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities
referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.
  
                                            By _________________________________
                                               Authorized Signatory

/1/ Or other currency.  Insert corresponding provisions on reverse side of
Security in respect of foreign currency denomination or interest payment
requirement.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                             STANDARD PACIFIC CORP.
                              [Title of Security]

     1.  Interest.

     STANDARD PACIFIC CORP. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, promises to
pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum
shown above.  The Company will pay interest semiannually on __________________
and ______________ of each year until the principal is paid or made available
for payment.  Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date
to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been
paid, from _______________, 19__, provided that, if there is no existing default
in the payment of interest, and if this Security is authenticated between a
record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding interest
payment date, interest shall accrue from such interest payment date.  Interest
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     2.  Method of Payment.

     The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest,
if any, which will be paid on such special payment date to Holders of record on
such special record date as may be fixed by the Company) to the persons who are
registered Holders of Securities at the close of business on the [Insert record
dates].  Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect
principal payments.  The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the
United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public
and private debts.

     3.  Paying Agent and Registrar.

     Initially, _________________________ (the "Trustee") will act as Paying
Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change or appoint any Paying Agent,
Registrar or co-Registrar without notice.  The Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

     4.  Indenture.

     The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of
______________, 1998 ("Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee.  The
terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture (including those
terms set forth in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture
pertaining to the Securities of the Series of which this Security is a part) and
those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
("TIA") as in effect on the date of the Indenture. The Securities are subject to
all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act
for a statement of them.

     The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and
without charge a copy of the Indenture and the applicable Authorizing Resolution
or supplemental indenture.  Requests may be made to: Standard Pacific Corp.,
1565 W. MacArthur Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, Attention: ___________.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
     5.  Optional Redemption./1/

     The Company may redeem the Securities at any time on or after
______________, ____, in whole or in part, at the following redemption prices
(expressed as a percentage of their principal amount) together with interest
accrued and unpaid to the date fixed for redemption:

     If redeemed during the Twelve-Month
     period commencing on ______________ and 
     ending on ___________ in each of the
     following years                                    Percentage
     ---------------                                    ----------

     [Insert provisions relating to redemption at option of Holders, if any]

     Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at
his registered address.  Securities in denominations larger than $1,000 may be
redeemed in part.  On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on
Securities or portions of them called for redemption, provided that if the
Company shall default in the payment of such Security at the redemption price
together with accrued interest, interest shall continue to accrue at the rate
borne by the Securities.

/1/  If applicable

     6.  Mandatory Redemption./1/

     The Company shall redeem % of the aggregate principal amount of Securities
originally issued under the Indenture on each of , which redemptions are
calculated to retire % of the Securities originally issued prior to maturity.
Such redemptions shall be made at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof, together with accrued interest to the redemption date.
The Company may reduce the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed
pursuant to this Paragraph 6 by the principal amount of any Securities
previously redeemed, retired or acquired, otherwise than pursuant to this
Paragraph 6, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and
not previously credited to the Company's obligations under this Paragraph 6.
Each such Security shall be received and credited for such purpose by the
Trustee at the redemption price and the amount of such mandatory redemption
payment shall be reduced accordingly.

     /1/ If applicable

     7.  Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.

     The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.  A Holder may transfer or exchange
Securities by presentation of such Securities to the Registrar or a co-Registrar
with a request to register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal
principal amount of Securities of other denominations.  The Registrar may
require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and
transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by
the Indenture.  

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
The Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Security selected for
redemption, except the unredeemed part thereof if the Security is redeemed in
part, or transfer or exchange any Securities for a period of 15 days before a
selection of Securities to be redeemed.

     [Insert different or additional denomination and multiples.]

     8.  Persons Deemed Owners.

     The registered Holder of this Security shall be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes.

     9.  Unclaimed Money.

     If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two
years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money back to the Company at its
request.  After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for
payment unless an abandoned property law designates another person.

     10.  Amendment, Supplement, Waiver.

     Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Securities may be
amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by the
amendment, and any past default or compliance with any provision relating to any
Series of the Securities may be waived in a particular instance with the consent
of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities
of such Series./1/ Without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and
the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Securities to cure any
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Securities in
addition to or in place of certificated Securities, to create a Series and
establish its terms, or to make any other change, provided such action does not
adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.

/1/ If different terms apply, insert a brief summary thereof.

     11.  Successor Corporation.

     When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor
under the Securities and the Indenture, the predecessor corporation will be
released from those obligations.

     12.  Trustee Dealings With Company.

     ________________________________, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its
individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and
perform services for the Company or its affiliates, and may otherwise deal with
the Company or its affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

     13.  No Recourse Against Others.

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
     A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall
not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities
or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such
obligations or their creation.  Each Securityholder by accepting a Security
waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.

     14.  Discharge of Indenture.

     The Indenture contains certain provisions pertaining to defeasance, which
provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth herein.

     15.  Authentication.

     This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.

     16.  Abbreviations.

     Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an
assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (= custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act).

                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

     If you the Holder want to assign this Security, fill in the form below:

     I or we assign and transfer this Security to (Insert assignee's social
                                                  -------------------------
security or tax ID number) (Print or type assignee's name, address, and zip
- --------------------------  -----------------------------------------------
code) and irrevocably appoint __________________________, agent to transfer this
- ----
Security on the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute another to act
for him.

Date: ________________        Your signature:
                              (Sign exactly as your name appears
                              on the other side of this Security)
 

                              Signature Guarantee:_______________________



                                      A-5

<PAGE>
 
                                                                 
                                                              EXHIBIT 23.1     
                   
                CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS     
   
To Standard Pacific Corp.:     
   
  As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 23, 1998,
included in Standard Pacific Corp.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997 and to all references to our Firm included in this registration
statement.     
                                             
                                          /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP    
                                             
                                          Arthur Andersen LLP     
   
Orange County, California     
   
October 21, 1998     
       


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