1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Pace Car Convertible

Description

A nice Camaro will be welcome at any local car show, but a select few get invited to take center stage. This is one of those classics. It's an ultra-desirable 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Indy 500 Pace Car convertible. And the documentation on this one makes it a stand-out all on its own. Plus, nice details like a newer convertible top, a proper hidden headlight front end, a distinct color package, and air conditioning.

We love the Indy 500 Pace Car because it combines the love for the first-gen icon with an even longer-standing performance legend. The Z11 on the trim tag represents the full-pace car replica option with the RS/SS, and while Chevrolet said they would send these to all 6,400 dealers, only 3,675 were made - so it's a true rarity. And even when you find one, few have this level of completeness or documentation. But before we dig into that, let's appreciate the style. The Dover White with Hugger Orange stripes is an invested color combo from what was on the order sheet. It was resprayed later in life, and today it represents a driver-quality finish with a nice gloss. So you won't be afraid to take a few laps with this at your local speedway. And the right desirable details are in place, including the RS hidden headlights, cowl hood, and the Hugger Orange pinstripes highlighting the 1969 car's unique fender lines. When you're checking out all these special elements, don't overlook that this car's fundamentals are correct. The doors fit well, the convertible top was freshly replaced, and the Rally wheels are the correct 14-inch size.

The houndstooth cloth interiors are quite rare, and it's even rarer in orange. But the only way to get it in a convertible is with the pace car option. So it's an awesome detail, especially with how nicely they go with the exterior painted stripes. And this represents the best of the loaded factory cars with stock-style features, like the deluxe door panels, wood-like trim, a center console, and headrest on the front bucket seats. It's impressive, down to the little things like the button-tops on the seatbacks and two color-matched convertible boots. This is even a factory air conditioning car, given a recent servicing. And we like that this is a proper vintage driver with cool details like the thin/grippy dual-spoke SS steering wheel and a horseshoe shifter.

Under the hood is a nice presentation of the 350 cubic-inch V8. The bright block, correct decals, and hint of honesty make this feel like a true classic. You have the correct gasket on the air grabber so the cowl hood can feed fresh air to the correct-style Rochester four-barrel carburetor. The VIN is gone from the block being decked after a likely rebuild. However, it is believed to be the original motor because of this car's high degree of authentic style. The three-speed automatic transmission is the numbers-matching unit, and the 12-bolt rear end is date-correct. And you'll like this for more than just its history. The V8 fires up eagerly, and features like the power steering, power brakes, front discs, and wide BF Goodrich T/As are all great for cruising.

The final piece of impressiveness on this pace car is the paperwork file. This comes with the original dealer invoice, title documents, financing, and original warranty card, all identifying the original Florida owner. And you also have the owner's manual, promotional literature, and maintenance receipts. So while there are details you will likely want to improve - anything from replacing the top rubber seals to restoring the AM radio - nothing compares to the level of individual significance this car retains. So if you're looking for a significant classic with a ton of fun on the road, you need this '69 pace car. Call now!