Indianapolis 500 pace cars have been a marketing bonanza for automakers since at least 1946 when a yellow Lincoln Continental convertible worked the track. Most often, it’s an all-new model and in 1967 the Chevrolet Camaro was chosen to pace the 51st Indianapolis 500, which made sense. For reasons that aren’t altogether clear, the Camaro was selected as the pace car again in 1969. I think Chevy learned their lesson in 1967, where the pace car was just a plain white ragtop with a blue interior, and the marketing department decided they needed something special. For 1969, the pace car was dressed in Dover White with Hugger Orange stripes and a unique orange houndstooth interior, making these some of the most distinctive pace cars ever built. Although Chevrolet management intended to put one pace car in every dealership, only 3675 were actually built.

There’s no mistaking one of these cars and this is indeed an authentic Z11 pace car. The restoration is perhaps 10-12 years old, so it’s not a perfect car, but it’s a very correctly done restoration with a lot of options that makes for a fantastic cruiser today. Like all the pace cars, it’s Dover White with the bright Hugger Orange stripes, and it wears the full decal package, which, after all, is how a pace car should look. When new, the decals were shipped in the trunk to be installed by the dealer at the buyer’s discretion, but pace cars without the decals always look unfinished. Remarkably, all pace cars had both the RS and SS packages, but both the front and rear spoilers were optional. Very correctly finished throughout, it shows quite well with only a few minor signs of use and age and it’s in just about ideal condition for driving and enjoying it as intended. It appears to be wearing all its original sheetmetal with only one patch behind the driver’s rear wheel, but no wholesale replacement of parts, which is nice. Pace cars tend to live easier lives than their siblings, and this seems to be no exception. The chrome is in excellent shape, the lenses and emblems are bright and crisp, and the folding RS headlights work, albeit slowly.

Code 720 was orange houndstooth cloth and vinyl upholstery, which was unique to pace cars and looks flat-out awesome. No, it’s not for everyone but if you’re going to have a car like this, there’s no point in being subtle. Beautifully restored and very correct, it’s as comfortable as Camaros get. The cloth is actually kind of nice in a convertible and the houndstooth pattern will never not look cool. Woodgrained accents add an upscale vibe and this car is outfitted with options such as working factory A/C, a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission (a 3-speed manual was standard), a center console, and a power convertible top. Gauges cover the basics of speed and fuel level and the radio is an AM unit. Black carpets and a matching dashboard keep it from being orange overload, and they’re joined by matching black seat belts that are stored on the center console. The upholstery is in excellent condition with the back seat looking almost new. All pace cars received white convertible tops and orange top boots to cover them when they’re down for a clean look. The trunk is correctly trimmed with a reproduction mat, jack and storage bag, and a spare tire cover, and yes, the factory “soda shakers” are still in place.

The standard engine in all pace cars was a 300 horsepower 350 cubic inch V8, and this does appear to be this car’s original, numbers-matching engine. Topped by a 4-barrel carburetor, it breaks no new ground, but it’s smooth, torquey, and easy to live with, making this pace car a great hobby car that asks for very little. Turn the key and it fires up easily and after a little grumpiness on the choke, it runs smoothly and effortlessly, pulling the convertible around with genuine enthusiasm. It’s properly dressed in Chevy Orange engine enamel and all pace cars received cowl induction hoods and air cleaners, and that dominates the engine bay. Power steering and power disc brakes are worthwhile options that make this car effortless to drive, and it’s detailed down to little items like the hose clamps, fittings, and hardware. It’s a lot of fun to drive.

You could get almost any transmission you wanted in the pace car, from a 3-speed manual to a PowerGlide automatic to a column-shifted TH350, with this car running the popular TH350 3-speed automatic. It shifts crisply and even barks the tires on the 1-2 shift under load, giving the pace car a performance attitude. Out back there’s a rugged 12-bolt rear end with 3.07 gears and an Eaton posi unit inside (at least according to the axle code), so this is a mellow cruiser on the highway and the burly small block doesn’t need a lot of gear to feel quick. The suspension and brakes have been rebuilt and this Camaro rides incredibly well for a performance car, and the brakes and steering are confident at speed. Floors are clean and solid with no evidence of rust repair and even the original factory spot welds are still evident on the rocker panels. New shocks have been fitted along with a fresh gas tank, and a reproduction exhaust system with transverse muffler gives it a correct V8 soundtrack. 14-inch Rally wheels were standard equipment and it’s now wearing 215/70/14 Firestone radials.

Documentation includes an owner’s manual.

Pace cars are awesome. They tell a story beyond just being a vintage car. This Camaro is shockingly easy to live with and anyone can get in and have a good time on a moment’s notice. You’ll always be a celebrity when you drive one of these cars and the long list of options makes this one more than just a pretty face. Be ready to make a lot of new friends, because this Camaro pace car makes people happy wherever it goes. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.