Did you know that 52 iterations of the Indianapolis 500 featured pace cars from General Motors? And 34 of them have emblems from Chevrolet? Granted, that shouldn’t come as a huge surprise considering that Chevy has been serving as the only pace car since 2002, but the brand has been in charge of setting the pace at Indianapolis since 1948.
That’s when a Fleetmaster Six driven by Wilbur Shaw saw the “bowtie” badge debut as a pacemaker for the iconic event. It was followed by a Bel Air in 1955 and a Camaro in 1967. Somewhat surprisingly, the Camaro paced the Indy 500 before the Corvette did. The latter did not become an Indy pacemaker until 1978.
But since then, it has taken the lead a record 20 times. The Camaro was also chosen by the organizers nine times between 1967 and 2016 as their preferred muscle car. The original Camaro crashed twice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And limited-series production automobiles were born from both vehicles.
100 copies of the 1967 model, which was based on an RS/SS Convertible and powered by a 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8, were sold via Chevrolet dealerships. These days, it’s probably the rarest and most sought-after Chevy pace car replica. 3,675 specimens of the second one, which was based on the sportier and redesigned 1969 drop-top, were produced.
While nowhere near as rare as the 1967 version, the 1969 variant is by far the better-looking Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car in my book. Why? Well, the 1969 Camaro itself is prettier and more muscular than its first-year counterpart. Second, I can’t get enough of its Hugger Orange stripes and color-keyed houndstooth upholstery. This car screams “Look at me!” from every angle.
Granted, most of these official Pace Cars aren’t a pleasant sight nowadays. They didn’t get the love they deserve, and they’re rotting away in backyards and barns. But a few have soldiered on for over 50 years as restored gem or unmolested survivors. The example you see here falls in the latter category, and it’s a sight to behold if you’re into all-original, weathered classics.
This Camaro may be a little beat up, but it has been well-maintained ever since it left the production line, as evidenced by the cowl tag, which identifies it as an actual Z11 RPO code vehicle. The interior and chrome trim are factory original and in superb condition, while the white paint has been touched up in a few spots.
A first-generation Camaro should have a 350 cubic inch (5.7 liter) V8 engine, a T-350 automatic transmission, and a 12-bolt back end that are all numbers matching. The Pace Car hasn’t been rebuilt, but it does include some brand-new components, such as cylinders, brakes, brake lines, and fuel lines. Basically, it requires parts to drive and operate.