1969 Z11 Camaro Official Indy 500 Pace Car - Setting The Pace
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To cash in on the exposure, Chevrolet built a limited run of pace car replicas for sale to the public. While originally planning for production of 6,400 units (one for each dealer), the actual tally was 3,675. Designated RPO Z11 Indy Sport Convertible Accents, the option cost $36.90 (a brace of mandatory options pushed the price far higher). Each car was painted Dover White with Z28 style stripes done in Hugger Orange. The lower body sill and the taillamp panel were painted white instead of the usual black. The Custom interior included wood-grained accents on the dash and steering wheel, molded plastic door panels and orange and black houndstooth check seat upholstery. Fifteen-inch ZJ7 Rally wheels and the new ZL2 cowl induction hood were also part of the pace car package. Approximately 85 percent of Z11 Camaros were built at the Norwood facility, with the remaining 15 percent assembled in Van Nuys. Also built at Norwood was a very limited run of Z10 hardtops. These looked identical to Z11 convertibles and carried most of the same equipment. They were built from April to May as a special promotion for Midwest dealers. Chevrolet also offered a “Pacesetter Value Package” with 350ci engine, J52 power front disc brakes, and deluxe wheel covers that carried a $147 discount Finally...
Charles and Kem Cassella of New Port Ritchey, Florida own our feature ’69 Camaro pace car replica. Charles remembers seeing one in a Chevy dealer showroom as a teenager. His father was shopping for a new car and ended up with a Camaro, but not a pace car. “I never forgot the effect that car had on me,” Charles said.
The taillamp panel was not... The taillamp panel was not blacked out on pace car replicas, even though they were RS/SS models. The only exceptions are those equipped with the 396ci engine. Over the years, a number of collector cars came and went through the Cassella garage, but no pace car. Finally, while at the Turkey Rod Run at Daytona Beach during Thanksgiving, the Cassellas found one for sale. Thanks to Kem’s urging, Charles bought it. Finally, 40 years after that breathtaking trip to a Chevy showroom, he’s finally got his ’69 Camaro Indy pace car.
What Made a Z11
Camaro Pace Car Replica? |
While it was possible to order additional options and accessories,
the basic Z11 pace car convertible replica was equipped with the following: |
RPO |
DESCRPTION |
COST |
50-50 |
Color - Dover White with white soft top |
N/C |
720BA |
Interior - Orange houndstooth check |
N/C |
Z22 |
aRally Sport Package |
$131.65 |
Z27 |
Camaro SS Package |
$311.75 |
Z87 |
Custom Interior |
$110.60 |
YA1 |
Custom Deluxe seatbelts |
$9.00 |
ZL2 |
Special Ducted Hood (Cowl Induction) |
$79.00 |
D80 |
Air Spoiler Equipment |
$32.65 |
ZJ7 |
Rally Wheels |
$35.85 |
Z11 |
Indy Sport Convertible Accents |
$36.90 |
D96 |
Fender Striping |
$15.80 |
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•The door decals were not put on at the factory. Instead, they were included in the trunk, to be installed by the dealer or customer if they so desired.
•As part of the SS package, the standard engine was the 300hp/350ci engine with three-speed manual transmission. Many were equipped with the automatic transmission and other options such as console, gauge package, and power convertible top.
•There are no records for how many 396ci pace car replicas were built, however estimates range between 15 and 25 percent.