CRG Discussion Forum
Model Specific Discussions => Promotional Events and Concept Cars => Topic started by: SMKZ28 on April 30, 2020, 05:12:57 PM
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Here are several photos of the two actual Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible Z11 pace cars used at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the days and weeks leading up to the Indianapolis 500. A quick way to visually identify one of the actual pace cars is to look for 15" rally wheels, hood pins and flag holders mounted at the rear.
Here is a paragraph describing the actual pace cars. It appears in a special 1969 Z11 pace car section of CRG: http://www.camaros.org/69pacer.shtml
"The Real Pace Cars
The two cars built to actually pace the race, the pace car and the backup car, were both ordered with the L89 aluminum head 375 hp 396 engines, automatic transmissions, power steering, sport-styled steering wheels, consoles, gauges, and AM radios. After assembly, they were shipped from the Norwood plant to the GM Tech Center.
Both cars were then identically prepared by Chevrolet Engineering and Chevrolet Experimental Department. The engines and transmissions were disassembled, thoroughly inspected, and reassembled. The aluminum heads were replaced with L78 cast iron heads, a special 6-bolt COPO torque converter was installed, and service JL8 four-wheel disc brake axles with 3.31 gears were installed. (The cars were not ordered with JL8, possibly due to limited JL8 availability.)
The driveshaft was balanced and the front JL8 brake components were installed. All chassis safety items and suspension components were magnafluxed/inspected and treated to insure they would not fail at the race. The heavy-duty battery and a 61-amp alternator were used to ensure 12 volts at all times (it is unclear whether the cars were ordered with these items or retrofitted). Prestretched drive belts were used and ‘aircraft-type’ hose clamps were installed on all hoses. 15-inch rally wheels replaced the standard 14-inch wheels. One car was equipped with Firestone tires and the other with Goodyear tires to give both companies equal promotional time.
Several external and internal body modifications were made for the pace car duties. Grab handles for the passengers were installed and flag brackets were mounted on the rear bumper. A two-way radio was installed to communicate with the tower. Hood pins and special convertible top boot fasteners were used to keep things in place at the 130 mph pace speeds.
The pace cars were driven by Jim Rathmann, winner of the 1960 Indy 500. Both pace cars were used to pace the race. The #1 car was used for the initial pace lap. The #2 car was used when the pace lap was rerun due to an accident. Both cars still survive."
Photos:
1) http://www.camaros.org/69pacer.shtml
2) yenko.net
3) https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/SatterleePh/id/379/rec/1
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These photos of one of the actual pace cars came from here: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php?login=true
This is the Camaro with the Goodyear tires.
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More from here: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php?login=true
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Even more from https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php?login=true
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https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php?login=true
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https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php?login=true
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In these photos you can see one of the actual pace cars near the scene of Mario Andretti's primary car accident which ocurred during a practice session.
1 & 2) https://www.flickr.com/photos/thehenryford/albums/72157646145380356
3 & 4) Facebook
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I believe these photos were taken during qualifying on either Saturday, May 24 or Sunday, May 25, 1969. Qualifying had been rained out the weekend before.
1) indycar.com
2) https://www.flickr.com/photos/thehenryford/albums/72157646145380356
3 & 4) ebay
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Here are a few photos of the actual two 1969 Indy 500 pace cars when they appeared fully restored in the pace car section of the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) held in Rosemont, Illinois in 2014.
While I go nearly every year to this fantastic event, I was unable to attend in 2014 so I don't have my own photos to share.
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Great collection of photos Scott.
I've often wondered why both the primary and backup pace cars were ordered with RPO L89, but during prep at the Tech Center, cast iron L78 heads were installed.
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Great collection of photos Scott.
I've often wondered why both the primary and backup pace cars were ordered with RPO L89, but during prep at the Tech Center, cast iron L78 heads were installed.
Thanks Tim. I've wondered that myself. Perhaps there was a known problem with them and they didn't want anything to malfunction while on such a large stage??? Does anyone know the story?
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It's alway been stated it was done for reliability reasons.
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Thanks for confirming Kurt. Seemed unusual to order an expensive option on top of an L78 and then revert back to L78 specs. Were the aluminum heads prone to cause overheating, or was it something else?
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Great collection of photos Scott.
I've often wondered why both the primary and backup pace cars were ordered with RPO L89, but during prep at the Tech Center, cast iron L78 heads were installed.
Thanks Tim. I've wondered that myself. Perhaps there was a known problem with them and they didn't want anything to malfunction while on such a large stage??? Does anyone know the story?
I also wondered why too. One would think the aluminum heads would aid in handling. However, I can see that Chevy went the reliable route for concerns of possible issues in front of a world famous audience. Makes sense.
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As I remember the cast iron heads made more HP.
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the track cars do appear slightly nose heavy in some of those picture. Lighter weight of aluminum heads would have yielded a lighter front spring calculation at assembly. I did the spring calculation for my L78 Pace Car - hoping that the spring tag (still on the original front springs) would have indicated original L89, but, darn, it came out to correct spring for L78.
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Boys,
By using the iron heads whats the difference in weight over the aluminum versions all said and done? 50, 75, or 100 lbs?
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Thanks to the dedication of the folks who contributed to this site, there's a 1969 spring table here. Looks like 55 pounds difference, but would have been just enough to select a lighter spring if my car was an L89 instead of an L78. So, the selection changed from the heavier end of the lighter spring (if it had been an L89) to the lighter end of the heavier spring (in the case of an L78). Putting iron heads on the L89 car added 55 pounds of load to springs that were lighter to begin with.
Is that clear as mud?!
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Where are the two original 1969 Pace Cars kept? Does GM have them or does Indy have them? Does anyone have the original VIN's # of the actual pace cars?
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Where are the two original 1969 Pace Cars kept? Does GM have them or does Indy have them? Does anyone have the original VIN's # of the actual pace cars?
Neither GM or the Indianapolis Motor Speedway own the cars. They are privately owned. According to a 2016 Facebook post by those running the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, "Thanks go out to all of the participants, especially Wade and Aster Ogle and Vernon Smith, owners of those incredible 69's." They went on to post that "one resides in Newfoundland while the other is in California." This was the case back in 2016. Not sure if they have changed hands since then. See the post here: https://www.facebook.com/MCACN/photos/with-the-100th-running-of/1091716530872265/
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As of May 2019, both were at the Indy Museum for a special Mario Andretti display.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I87fDVN0hTw