1969 Chevrolet Camaro

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 GMs 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 1980s 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, theres more...This particular Camaro was the 1st Z10 coupe to ever be entered into the prestigious judging of the Red, White, & Blue Concours. Exterior Dover White covers the straight steel panels on this car, which are all minding their gaps very well and its 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 thats 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. 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 appliqu 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. 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 drivers 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. 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 is technically just a stripe package to the average Camaro collector, to those in the know this is one of the Holy Grails for a collection. A rarely seen and rarely up for sale example of internal marketing to get buyers hyped, but now holding its own in our North mallway.