I always thought the 69 camaro was the best looking. I guess that's why GM decided too use some of the look on the current model. I also thought the winner received the actual pace car . Was I wrong?
The 69 Camaro was definitely the best looking 1st generation camaro. It had more body accents and contoured lines. Engine upgrades and cowl hood started in 69 Cowl hoods on 67,68 camaros are in correct, but used because it still looked great. Mario Andretti was in fact presented a Pace Car for winning the 69 Indy 500. I believe it was one of the many replicas at the track that year. I actually owned one myself that the track manager originally owned and bought there. His name was Clarence Cagle. I had all the original paper work. I often wonder where it is now....
"A guilt-free driving cruiser," that is my exact idea of what a car should be. If it is too valuable to drive it is too valuable. When the "National Cheese Rolling Championship Plymouth Volare Wagon" was mentioned my thoughts were bittersweet. Where a Plymouth Valiant Wagon (Slant 6) could be considered one of the most sensible and practical transportation options in American history, the Volare wagon was a heartbreaking disaster.
In 1977 ,my best friend at the time bought one of these, Exact same car. 1969 SS 396 Convertible Indi Pace car, white with orange stripes and orange interior, A few weeks later, after we checked it all out, did a tune up ect, we went on our summer vacation in it to Cape Cod Mass from Keene NH. It was a very memorable trip and a time when these were more plentifulm but we all knew he had scored something very cool , he was 19 and I was 17. I think he paid $1800.00 for it. I understand he still has it, in fact he bought the 25th anniversary model , same colors, same convertible for his wife and they have both sitting in the garage. I think the pair would bring big money now. Smart move.
My grandpa had one of these cars. He bought it from a guy in 1976 and barely ever drove it. He sold it in 2006 for $30,000. I'm not sure how many miles were on it but it was a very mint car and was never restored. I wish he still had it.
I was the proud owner of one of these 396/325 pace cars. It was the best muscle car I've owned. Only the cars with lead weights on the four corners of these Camaros w/396/325 are actual the pace cars, of which mine was one.
That is incorrect. All Camaro convertible’s had the four corner shock dampeners in them. I’ve probably had 10 Camaro RSSS convertible’s and four pace cars. Two 396/325 and one 396/375 and one 350 auto all original. Even a 6cyl conv would have them. Was for body shake.
I had 3 396/4 spd Pace cars back in the 80s. A 325 and 375 hp. The trunk stripe does Not go all the way down on the trunk lip when they came out of the factory. Only cars that did not come with a spoiler had a trunk lip stripe as it went down the entire trunk. When the spoiler was added later on. All pace cars had a spoiler so that stripe on the lip is incorrect
Heheheh You are so right. I just went out to my garage to check my Z11 strips and you're right. The strips don't go all the way down to the trunk lip. They stop at the spoiler. Good observation Robert.
Yeah with some mods it is possible to make those late 70s Corvettes go fast. My uncle had a 79. Had a 350 that definitely wasn't stock and that car would fly. Gotta do quite a few mods on ANY car from about 1975 until the mid 80s when those Buick Grand Nationals came out
OK, so a convertible Corvair isn't exactly the picture of muscle car-dom, but they were the first Yenkos built (ordered late '65 and finished before race season in 1966) and they were quite fast. Mostly because they only weighed in at around 2500 lbs., w/ anywhere from 140+ HP up to around 250 HP, the Yenko Stingers were awesome little track cars w/ their 4-wheel independent suspension and Corvette style transaxle and halfshafts.
First this is an SS and that was an option on 1st gen Camaros. Second there was no convertible option for the 1st gen Z/28s, although there was one built for a GM exec in 1968.
I'd say the hideaway doors aren't on it right now because the headlights are still behind the level of the grill. The 69 non rs cars- the headlights look like bug eyes sticking out IMHO.
I am a second gen fan (70-73) BUT there is definitely a spot in my heart for the 69 pace car... so beautiful!!!
One of the best looking Camaros ever built!
I always thought the 69 camaro was the best looking. I guess that's why GM decided too use some of the look on the current model. I also thought the winner received the actual pace car . Was I wrong?
@@jswan9658 It seems to me that they did.
The best looking is the 67 Pace Car, then the 69 Pace Car! LOL
The 69 Camaro was definitely the best looking 1st generation camaro. It had more body accents and contoured lines. Engine upgrades and cowl hood started in 69
Cowl hoods on 67,68 camaros are in correct, but used because it still looked great.
Mario Andretti was in fact presented a Pace Car for winning the 69 Indy 500. I believe it was one of the many replicas at the track that year. I actually owned one myself that the track manager originally owned and bought there. His name was Clarence Cagle. I had all the original paper work. I often wonder where it is now....
Very nice, 69 to 73 being my pick of Camaros👍
"A guilt-free driving cruiser," that is my exact idea of what a car should be. If it is too valuable to drive it is too valuable. When the "National Cheese Rolling Championship Plymouth Volare Wagon" was mentioned my thoughts were bittersweet. Where a Plymouth Valiant Wagon (Slant 6) could be considered one of the most sensible and practical transportation options in American history, the Volare wagon was a heartbreaking disaster.
In 1977 ,my best friend at the time bought one of these, Exact same car. 1969 SS 396 Convertible Indi Pace car, white with orange stripes and orange interior, A few weeks later, after we checked it all out, did a tune up ect, we went on our summer vacation in it to Cape Cod Mass from Keene NH. It was a very memorable trip and a time when these were more plentifulm but we all knew he had scored something very cool , he was 19 and I was 17. I think he paid $1800.00 for it. I understand he still has it, in fact he bought the 25th anniversary model , same colors, same convertible for his wife and they have both sitting in the garage. I think the pair would bring big money now. Smart move.
Wow, to have 1 would be awesome but 3 with 2 being the actual pace cars? that's over the top, love these cars, thanks Kevin.
My grandpa had one of these cars. He bought it from a guy in 1976 and barely ever drove it. He sold it in 2006 for $30,000. I'm not sure how many miles were on it but it was a very mint car and was never restored. I wish he still had it.
I was the proud owner of one of these 396/325 pace cars. It was the best muscle car I've owned. Only the cars with lead weights on the four corners of these Camaros w/396/325 are actual the pace cars, of which mine was one.
That is incorrect. All Camaro convertible’s had the four corner shock dampeners in them. I’ve probably had 10 Camaro RSSS convertible’s and four pace cars. Two 396/325 and one 396/375 and one 350 auto all original. Even a 6cyl conv would have them. Was for body shake.
MY DAD BOUGHT ONE IN 69 I LOVED THAT CAR
200-300 Coupes were built in Norwood. There’s a authentic one for sale at Barret Jackson
Scottsdale In Jan. 2022
I own a 69 SS and it is my favorite muscle car by far. A old man told me many years back when the top goes down the price goes up. ✔
My dream car is the 68 SS 396 4 speed
I had 3 396/4 spd Pace cars back in the 80s. A 325 and 375 hp. The trunk stripe does Not go all the way down on the trunk lip when they came out of the factory. Only cars that did not come with a spoiler had a trunk lip stripe as it went down the entire trunk. When the spoiler was added later on. All pace cars had a spoiler so that stripe on the lip is incorrect
Heheheh You are so right. I just went out to my garage to check my Z11 strips and you're right. The strips don't go all the way down to the trunk lip. They stop at the spoiler. Good observation Robert.
just watching this made me feel like i was going to need a pace maker
Towed a convertible orange 350 back from Boston back in the eighties
What about the indy haulers?Coolest pick up's ever!
Still got one in super good condition in the garage to this day!
You lucky rascal !!! Good for you!!! Must be worth a lot of money.
Stunning 🥰
Vary Nice a peace of history.
Beautiful car there sharp love the color and of course it's in the brothers collection
Love the Pace cars.., I was able to score a low mile L-82/4-speed 78 Corvette, not like a big block 69 Camaro but nevertheless still fun!
Yeah with some mods it is possible to make those late 70s Corvettes go fast. My uncle had a 79. Had a 350 that definitely wasn't stock and that car would fly. Gotta do quite a few mods on ANY car from about 1975 until the mid 80s when those Buick Grand Nationals came out
Looks like the museum is taking shape!
Just watched this go at auction for $52,000
That was a different car, the Mecum Auction car was a 350 V8 and not the 396 like this one. Cool car, though.
OK, so a convertible Corvair isn't exactly the picture of muscle car-dom, but they were the first Yenkos built (ordered late '65 and finished before race season in 1966) and they were quite fast. Mostly because they only weighed in at around 2500 lbs., w/ anywhere from 140+ HP up to around 250 HP, the Yenko Stingers were awesome little track cars w/ their 4-wheel independent suspension and Corvette style transaxle and halfshafts.
I was told or read that there were a few Pace Car coups built ?
Another great video, albeit late to UA-cam, at least on West Coast.
I wonder if any one of these pave cars were sent to the speed shops for COPO 427 conversions
Fix the headlights and get some better tires.
Why didn't you close the headlights? Looks like this car has had enough modifications to warrant a restoration instead of leaving it like it is.
A/C delete? It was an OPTION!!!
Kevin
What is the brothers collection you refer to?
Is the stripe coming under the spoiler and out the back correct? I thought it terminated under the spoiler and didn't exit
Awesome car
beautiful car
Nice
69 Z28 and convertible just doesn't go together
Don't like any muscle car convertibles. The roofline was a big part of the styling on some cars and the convertible top kinda ruins that
And if you're a drag racer a hardtop has a way more rigid structure
First this is an SS and that was an option on 1st gen Camaros. Second there was no convertible option for the 1st gen Z/28s, although there was one built for a GM exec in 1968.
If these were all RS cars, where are the headlight doors on this one? Were they just non-functioning and in need of repair?
+Red 13 they were in the open position.
I'd say the hideaway doors aren't on it right now because the headlights are still behind the level of the grill. The 69 non rs cars- the headlights look like bug eyes sticking out IMHO.
The doors are there, they are open.
At 4:05 you can see them retracted behind the grill. They slide back towards the center of the grill when retracted.
Love your videos.