Vehicle Description
1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS
The 1969 Camaro was chosen as the Official Pace Car for the 1969
running of the Indianapolis 500 and as the Official Car of the
'500' Festival. This was a repeat performance for Camaro since it
had also been chosen as the 1967 Pace Car. To help them stand out
on the large expanse of track, the 1969 pace cars were designed to
be visible: Dover White RS/SS convertibles with Hugger Orange Z28
style stripes and orange houndstooth cloth seats. All were equipped
with the recently released fresh air hood (aka: cowl hood). It was
a well-kept secret for a number of years, the pace car convertibles
had a sibling! There were a limited number of RS/SS coupes built
via the option code Z10 that received the pace car style orange Z28
striping, essentially coupe versions of the pace car. Paperwork
documenting why the cars were made has not been found, but they
were sold in the Southwest, (TX, OK, NM, LA, and AZ), and in
Tennessee. The option was somehow communicated to dealers in these
states, (probably via a zone letter), and the dealers then placed
their orders, (Chevrolet did not build cars without a dealer or
customer order). Production records have not been found. However,
using CRG's data on known Z10's, Z10 production is estimated to be
about 450 to 500 cars. This estimate is higher than other prior
estimates, but the estimate is derived from analytical data. Just
under 200 cars are currently known. -Thx To Camaros.org
While technically not a "pace car" as none of the Z10 cars were at
the '69 Indy 500 race, they generally are referred to as pace car
coupes. The RPO Z10 comes up as "Special Accent Striping", and cost
exactly the same as the Z11, (pace car convertible option), but no
door decals were included with the coupes. Maybe this was GM's way
around licensing fees or possibly part of an Indy contract that
restricted replicas to be convertibles at the time. Proudly gracing
our main showroom and the 1st of its kind here in our Hallowed
Halls, a 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z10 equipped coupe. Restored in the late
1980's and a top points winner at the Street Machine National 1990,
top points car at the Camaro, Chevelle, Nova Nats 1990, Top 25
Grand Run in Pigeon Forge, TN 1990, #2 points car, Camaro class
1990 Super Chevy Show, the topic of many an article while in both
the former owner and our consignors tenure, and was even invited to
be displayed at the Brickyard for a pace car reunion. But wait,
there's more...This particular Camaro was the 1st Z10 coupe to ever
be entered into the prestigious judging of the Red, White, & Blue
Concours. A very nice example, awaiting the next Camaro aficionado
to scoop up and add to their collection of rare and desirable
muscle from the boys with the bowtie.
Exterior
Dover White covers the straight steel panels on this car, which are
all minding their gaps very well and it's really nicely buffed but
does present with some lacquer cracking on nearly every panel. This
cracking is only noticeable upon close inspection. Also, adorning
the exterior are dual wide Hugger Orange painted on racing stripes,
which.... well race up the long hood of this pony car stopping at
the front windscreen and continue on the small rear deck and cool
spoiler atop. At the front of its body, in a satin black grille
hangs a familiar "SS" emblem above clean parking lamps, a small
black spoiler, chromed bumper with optional bumperettes and correct
RS hidden headlights. Behind that grille, a requisite Camaro header
fronts a functional cowl induction hood, which flows to a tinted
greenhouse that's dressed in polished mirrors, polished wipers and
straight stainless trim. On the sides, stainless trim frames the
wheel openings and a rocker spears between them, correct rear
quarter panel shark gill louvers are on as well as traditional door
handles and ornate fender emblems. Hand painted Hugger Orange
pinstriping adorns the bulges of the front fender and rear quarter
and around back, an "SS" branded filler panel, RS taillights, and a
second chromed bumper with more bumperettes are seen. 14" deep dish
rally wheels are on along with raised white letter Firestone Wide
Oval tires in F70-14 configuration.
Interior
Swinging open the well balanced doors and we are met with an Ivory
vinyl covered molded door panel with a swoopy armrest and bright
chrome strip following suit. The bottom of the panel is dressed in
clean black carpet and gives nice contrast, and these panels are
part of the RS trim package. Smooth Ivory vinyl bolsters with white
and black houndstooth cloth inserts covers the recovered front
buckets and rear bench, this interior is fab! Up front there is a
new dash pad, very clean instruments and some wood applique on the
steering wheel and dash front in nice condition, and a factory tilt
mechanism is also on. Also, the original AM radio, which works, is
within the resorted dash. A wood applique center console races from
rear to dash and houses an aircraft throttle inspired horseshoe
shaped shifter. A sea of calm black carpet douses the floors and is
in nice condition. In the center of the dash also resides the
vertical heater slides, which include AC, as most of the Z10 came
equipped as such.
Drivetrain
A hoist of the hood, and we note a 350ci V8 in good shiny
condition. This engine carries a correct 3956618 casting number,
and B279 casting date, along with the correct 300hp HB stamping
code but no VIN is stamped into the upper machined pad or the
alternate stamping location near the oil filter. This is topped
with a (circa 1973), Quadrajet 4bbl carburetor and correct cowl
induction air cleaner assembly. Under this carb is a part number
correct but casting date incorrect cast iron intake manifold. A
non-stamped or tagged TH350 3-speed automatic transmission is on
back which connects to a 3.07 geared conventional BL 0414G2 stamped
and 3894860 and D39 cast 12 bolt rear. Everything in the engine bay
looks just fab with an orange/red painted block and supple black
hoses and correct clamps.
Undercarriage
A very small amount of surface rust is seen on the usual suspects,
however unremarkable. A solid unibody, and Dover White painted
floor pans, and correct stock style dual exhaust can be seen
underneath. Independent front suspension with coil springs and
power disc brakes is on the front while on the rear we see leaf
springs and power drums. A very nice presentation down below.
Drive-Ability
I usually reserve the muscle car driving for my crack decoder but
since this is the first of its ilk to grace our halls I hopped over
my desk and swiped the keys right from his trembling hands.
Slipping into the driver's seat was a breeze thanks in part to the
tilt column and the houndstooth is just heavenly to sit in. With a
turn of the key the engine came to life and settled into a nice
sedate idle. I slid the shifter into drive and off to the test
track I went. Here it performed well with seemingly limitless
acceleration from the 350 cubes and on the track the car handled
very well, and braking was smooth and bias free. All in all, a
great drive with all functions operational save for the air
conditioning blowing warm and the horn occasionally tooting when it
turned the SS emblazoned wheel.
Camaros of all ages and styles have come to grace our showrooms
here at our beloved Classic Auto Mall but this is the 1st time a
fabled Z10 car has come through the doors. With an amazing pedigree
of show wins, invitations, and even an attempt at the Red, White, &
Blue Concours this car stands on a pedestal above the rest. While
the Z10...for more information please contact the seller.
