Did you know that General Motors provided pace cars for no fewer than 52 runnings of the Indianapolis 500? And that 34 of them have Chevrolet badges? Granted, that’s not very surprising given that pace car duties have been handled exclusively by Chevy since 2002, but the brand’s involvement in leading the pack at Indianapolis goes back to 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 it has since led the pack a record 20 times. The Camaro was also favored by the organizers, who picked the muscle car nine times between 1967 and 2016. The first-gen Camaro hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway twice. And both vehicles spawned limited-series production cars.
The 1967 version, based on an RS/SS Convertible fitted with a 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8, found its way into Chevrolet dealerships in 100 units. It’s arguably the rarest and most desirable Chevy pace car replica nowadays. The second one, based on the facelifted and sportier 1969 drop-top, saw daylight in 3,675 examples.
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.
An authentic Z11 RPO code vehicle, as seen on the cowl tag, this Camaro may be a little rough, but it has been well-maintained ever since it left the assembly line. The white paint has been refreshed in places, but the chrome trim and the interior are factory original and in fantastic shape.
Better yet, the 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8 engine, the T-350 automatic gearbox, and the 12-bolt rear end are all numbers matching, which is what you want in a first-generation Camaro. The Pace Car hasn’t been restored, but it does have a few new features, including brakes, brake lines, fuel lines, and cylinders. Essentially parts that it needs to run and drive.
Located in East Aurora, New York, this 1969 Z11 Pace Car is looking for a new owner who will either restore it or drive it as is. With bidding already at $48,000 with four days to go, it seems as if this orange-striped convertible might hit the $50K mark.