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Auctions

Eric Killorin

Fri Jan 10 2014 22:33:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Indy Pace Car Replica to be auctioned on Friday, January 17, 2014 at RM Scottsdale. Presale esimate: $110,000 - $130,000

454 cu. in. overhead-valve V-8 engine, Muncie M21 Rock Crusher transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs, live rear axle suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 108.1 in.

One of 3,675 Indy Pace Car Replicas built
Equipped with the vaunted 454 big block V-8. Original 396 is included with the car
Attractive black-and-orange houndstooth interior

A smart styling update for 1969 lent the Camaro a tougher appearance and made it the most iconic of all Camaros. An inset grille gave the front end a meaner look, while creases above the wheel wells on all four fenders created a more masculine stance. Round parking lights also replaced the rectangular lights, and the taillights changed from double to triple lenses.

The new look earned the Camaro the honor of pacing the 1969 Indianapolis 500 for the second time in three years. This was the fourth time that Chevy had received the honors, with the previous races being in 1948, 1955, and 1967. The ’67 race, just two years earlier, had been paced by a Camaro in its introductory year.

All of the Indy Pace Car Replicas were RS/SS convertibles that had been painted Dover White with orange Z28-style stripes, and they all featured bold black-and-orange houndstooth upholstery. The RPO Z11 package, which denoted the Indy Pace Car Replicas, also included D80 spoilers, YA1 deluxe seatbelts, ZJ7 rally wheels, and a ZL2 ducted hood. The RS package included hidden headlights, front and rear wheel lip moldings, chrome accents on the rear fender louvers, and assorted RS trim.

The Pace Cars were available with either the SS 350 or SS 396 packages. This example has the more desirable SS 396, which also came with sport suspension, sport wheels, and power disc brakes. It is believed that roughly only 15 to 20 percent of the Indy Pace Car Replicas were ordered with the 396. Other options included air conditioning, power steering, a power top, and gauges, making this car easier to drive on a regular basis than most muscle cars.

The current owner believes that he is only the third owner of the car. Interestingly, the first owner installed a 454-cubic inch big block V-8 engine; however, the original matching-numbers 396-cubic inch V-8 also comes with the car. The original engine has been professionally cleaned and tested, and it remains in excellent condition. Overall, this is an outstanding example that has benefitted from some thoughtful performance upgrades that will undoubtedly deliver more than ample performance and excitement for its next owners.

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