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136

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / North Carolina Motor Speedway 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for NASCAR GT

« on: February 26, 2019, 05:13:38 AM »

A white 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible was used as the pace car for the Sandhills 250 NASCAR Grand Touring division race held at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina on Saturday, March 9, 1968.  This Camaro is wearing similar decals/stickers to the Camaro pace cars used at Daytona the previous month.  It might even be one of those cars, albeit with different lettering on the fenders.  Notice that this car does not have the decal/sticker that went over the hood on the Daytona pace cars.  It only has the red side decals/stickers.  Also notice that the upper door decal/sticker is different from the one on the Daytona pace cars.  This car has the word "CAMARO" next to the door handle and the NASCAR symbol under the door mirror.  The Daytona pace cars had the opposite placement.  This car also has a larger rear stripe that follows the contour of the upper part of the rear quarter panel, whereas the top of the stripe on the Daytona pace cars cuts straight across and does not follow the upper contour.

The "Carolina 500" on the rear quarter panels is there to promote the NASCAR Grand National event that was scheduled to run the next day, Sunday March 10th but was ultimately postponed due to rain.  It would be run in June.

This was the inaugural event for the new NASCAR Grand Touring (GT) division which featured two classes of cars running on the track at the same time.  Similar to the SCCA's Trans Am Championship, Camaros, Firebirds, Cougars, Mustangs, Javelins, Barracudas and Darts participated in the over 2.0 liter class (305 Cu. in. max.) while Porsches, Alfa Romeos and Minis ran in the under 2.0 liter class.

Tiny Lund won the event in his Bud Moore Cougar.  Buck Baker had the highest finishing Camaro in the event.  He finished fourth.

All four of these pictures came from the Peterson Automotive Museum SEMA Digitization Project: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php

Notice that the first and fourth pictures feature comedian and racing enthusiast/driver/owner Dick Smothers.  It looks like he rode along in the back seat on the parade/pace laps with a beauty queen.

The second picture shows the Camaro in front of the field during a caution period.

137

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Daytona Int. Speedway: Multiple 1968 Camaro RS/SS Convertibles at Daytona 500

« on: February 14, 2019, 04:11:07 AM »

Multiple white 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertibles were used during the Daytona 500 NASCAR Grand National race held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on Sunday, February 25, 1968.  Two were used as the pace cars for the event.  They both had rally wheels, red line tires, a rear spoiler, bumper guards and a white convertible top.  They were painted white with a black nose stripe and they featured special red stickers/decals with black borders that appeared on the sides of the car as well as on the leading edge of the hood behind the nose stripe.  The words "DAYTONA 500" appeared on the portion of the stripe on the front fenders.  More than likely one of these or perhaps both were used during the race events held earlier in the month, albeit with different lettering on the front fenders (see earlier threads on Daytona 24 Hours and Permatex 300).

Pictures:

1) Getty Images
2 - 3) Peterson Auto Museum SEMA digitization project web site: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php

138

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / 1st Generation Camaro Outdoor Billboards (1966-1969)

« on: February 05, 2019, 05:09:35 PM »

While looking for vintage Camaro pictures I stumbled across the Duke University Libraries Digital Collections web site.  They have a collection known as the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) Archives, 1885-1990s, and out of a total of more than 16,000 images, this collection has over 250 images of Chevrolet outdoor advertising.  I was able to find a few cool photos showing how the first generation Camaro was advertised on outdoor billboards when they were new.  I thought I would add these to the ones I had already found and create this thread.  Enjoy!

Browse the collection here: https://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/oaaaarchives/

1967

139

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Daytona Int. Speedway: 1968 Camaro RS/SS Conv. Pace Car for NASCAR Permatex 300

« on: February 04, 2019, 06:04:21 PM »

A 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible was used as the pace car for the Permatex 300 held on Saturday, February 24, 1968 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.  This was a NASCAR Late Model Sportsman event held the day before the Daytona 500.  It was won by Bunkie Blackburn in a three year old Dodge. 

This may or may not be the same car that was used as the pace car for the Daytona 24 hour race held a few weeks prior (see earlier thread for pictures).  Notice that this car has the same stripe package as that car with the exception of "PERMATEX 300" written on the front fenders.  Photographic evidence that I will post in an upcoming thread on the 1968 Daytona 500 demonstrates that there were at least two Camaro pace cars used at Daytona during the month of February 1968 and probably more. 

Both pictures came from the Peterson Automotive Museum SEMA Digitization Project: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php

140

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Daytona Int. Speedway: 1968 Camaro RS/SS Convt. Pace Car for 24 Hours of Daytona

« on: February 03, 2019, 03:18:41 PM »

A 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible was used as the pace car for the 24 Hours of Daytona held at Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida in February 1968.  This event was a combined SCCA Trans Am/FIA World Sports Car endurance race that began on Saturday, February 3, 1968 and ended 24 hours later on Sunday, February 4th.  The Camaro was painted white with a black nose stripe.  It had rally wheels, red line tires, a rear spoiler, bumper guards and a white convertible top.  It featured special red stickers/decals with black borders that appeared on the sides of the car as well as on the leading edge of the hood behind the nose stripe.  The words "24 HOURS OF DAYTONA" and "FEB. 3-4, 1968" appeared on the portion of the stripe on the front fenders.  Famous actor and motor racing enthusiast/driver/team owner/James Garner was the driver of the Camaro on the opening pace laps prior to the start of the event.   

The works Porsche 907 of Vic Elford, Jochen Neerpasch, Hans, Herrmann, Jo Siffert, and Rolf Stommellen won the event overall while the Ford Mustang of Jerry Titus and Ronnie Bucknum won the Trans Am class while coming home 4th overall for team Shelby.   

Pictures:

1) This page came from the event program (posted by Jon Mello elsewhere on this site)
2) This photo shows the Camaro parked in front of the finish line and empty grand stands (posted by Jon Mello elsewhere on this site)
3) This photo shows James Garner in the drivers seat of the Camaro prior to the start of the pace laps.  (Getty Images)
4) The Progress Index (Virginia) February 1, 1968 (newspapers.com)

141

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Riverside Int. Raceway: 1968 Camaro RS/SS Convert. Pace Car for NASCAR Jan. 1968

« on: January 24, 2019, 04:39:33 AM »

A 1968 Camaro RS/SS Convertible was used as the pace car for both the Permatex 100 and Motor Trend 500 NASCAR race events held at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California in January 1968.  This car looks to have been painted Tripoli Turquoise with a white nose stripe and white lettering on the doors and front fenders.  The wheels look to have been aftermarket, chromed Krager SS wheels shod with red wall tires.  While I'm not positive, one of the color pictures seems to show that it had a black rear tail panel suggesting that it was an SS 396.

The Permatex 100 was a 100 mile NASCAR Late Model Sportsmen race held on Saturday, January 20, 1968. This was a supporting race that featured older stock cars.  It took place the day before the main event.  It was won by Jerry Titus in a 1960 Ford.

Permatex 100 photos:

1) https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/permatex-100-riverside-nascar-the-chevrolet-camaro-pace-car-news-photo/163091557
2) Notice the drivers side headlight door has opened!  https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/permatex-100-riverside-nascar-the-race-field-files-in-news-photo/163091633
3) https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/permatex-100-riverside-cars-sit-parked-lined-up-on-the-news-photo/163091594
4) cropped version of the above photo

142

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Daytona Int. Speedway: 1967 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car for ARRC in 1967

« on: January 21, 2019, 05:54:48 AM »

A light colored 1967 Camaro RS/SS convertible was used to pace A.R.R.C. (American Road Race of Champions) races held at Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida November 22-26, 1967.  This event was the predecessor of today's SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) National Runnoffs.  In a different thread, Jon Mello stated that, "these races determined the national champions for each SCCA racing class as they brought together the best drivers from each region of the country to face off in a winner-takes-all race. John McComb and his Mustang were the A/Sedan national champs in 1967."

The first picture is a cropped version of the picture that appears in the February 1968 edition of SCCA Sports Car Magazine spread (Ebay pictures)
I'm not sure where I obtained the 3rd picture.

143

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Stardust International Raceway: 1968 Camaro Pace Car for Can Am November 1967

« on: January 21, 2019, 05:18:13 AM »

Here are a few pictures of what looks to be a 1968 Camaro coupe being used as the pace car for the Stardust Grand Prix SCCA Can Am event held at Stardust International Raceway outside Las Vegas, Nevada on November 12, 1967.  This was the last round in the Championship.

Notice the Camaro on the right side of the first picture with its left turn signal illuminated.  To me this shows that it had just turned left off the racetrack and into pit lane leaving the Can Am cars to receive the green flag starting the race.

The third picture shows the same Camaro in the paddock area.  It is on the top left of the photo with its trunk open.  It appears to be a light colored car that has the standard tail lights indicating that it was not a Rally Sport, just like the Camaro in the pit lane.  See a larger version of the picture here: https://petelyons.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Can-Am-1967-Beginning-of-the-Bruce-and-Denny-Show/G0000.3eQuC0rjq8/I0000o5Snvbiwa.w/C0000evpnMYhHl.4

John Surtees won the event in a Chevy powered Lola T70 Mk 3

1st picture: I found the picture on page 98 of the publication entitled, "McLaren: Sports Racing Cars" written by Dave Friedman
2nd picture: cropped version
3rd picture: petelyons.com

144

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Mid Ohio: 1967 Camaro Convertible paced USRRC Sports Car event in 1967

« on: June 09, 2018, 08:00:11 PM »

A blue base model Camaro convertible was used as the pace car for the Lexington 200 United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on Sunday, August 20, 1967.  Notice that the car has the base hub caps.  I wonder if the car had a six cylinder?

The blue car behind the Camaro convertible pace car is the Chevy powered Penske Sunoco Lola T70 driven by Mark Donohue.  He started on pole and eventually won the race.

Picture 1 came from the Ohio Valley Region of the SCCA's historical photo gallery: http://ovr-scca.org/gallery/?file=Historical/

Picture 2 is a cropped version

Picture 3 is the cover of the event program.  It came from www.racingsportscars.com

145

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Bryar Motorsports Park: 1967 Camaro Conv. Pace Car for Trans Am race in 1967

« on: April 29, 2018, 02:14:12 PM »

A white 1967 Camaro convertible with standard wheel covers and white wall tires was used as the pace car for the Bryar 250 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans Am race held at the 1.6 mile road course known as Bryar Motorsports Park in Loudon, New Hampshire on Sunday, August 6, 1967.  This event was held on a rainy day but the Camaro still had its top down for the parade and pace laps prior to the start of the event.  Notice that the Camaro has its windshield wipers on and its headlights illuminated.  Peter Revson would go on to win the event in his red Bud Moore #15 Cougar.  The top finishing Camaro was driven by John Moore who came in 10th place.

This road course no longer exists.  It is now the location of the 1.058 mile oval track known as New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  It holds NASCAR events every year and has been nicknamed The Magic Mile.

1st picture:  I originally found this color photo back in 2013 at the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group on Facebook.  It was posted by Derek Sutton.  It can also be found as part of a larger collection of photos taken at the event here: http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?1880-Photos-The-Bill-Sutton-Collection

2nd picture: Cropped version of the above color photo.

3rd picture: Black and white photo taken at nearly the same moment and almost the same vantage point as the color photo.  It came from The Revs Digital Library.  Click on the link to use their magnification tools: https://cdm17257.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=334282&collection=p17257coll1

4th picture: Cropped version of the black and white photo.

146

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Kansas State Fairgrounds: 1967 Camaro RS/SS Conv. Pace Car for Modifieds in '67

« on: April 24, 2018, 11:47:45 PM »

A light colored 1967 Camaro RS/SS convertible with rally wheels was used as the pace car for the eleventh annual National Modified Jalopy Championship Races on the historic half-mile, dirt racetrack at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas on Sunday, July 30, 1967.  Notice the checkered flags on the front of the car and the writing all over the side.  Unfortunately the resolution isn't good enough to read what it says.  Harold Leep won the 50 lap event in his Chevrolet powered modified race car.  I found info on the race and the picture here: http://kansasracinghistory.com/Hutch_Nationals/Fair/30Jul1967.htm

 

147

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Meadowdale Raceway: 1967 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car for SCCA in 1967

« on: April 22, 2018, 04:44:46 PM »

A red 1967 Camaro RS/SS convertible with rally wheels and a black interior was used as the pace car for the 1967 Midwestern Council of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) races held at Meadowdale International Raceway on Sunday, July 23, 1967.  This 3.27 mile road course was located in Carpentersville, Illinois a northwestern suburb of Chicago.  It was in operation between 1958 and 1968 before the track was closed.  Remnants of the track still exist.  The property has been turned into a forest preserve called Raceway Woods.  The hiking and biking trails follow the original track layout.

I found the pictures several years ago at a web site that no longer exists.

This first picture shows the Camaro in front of what I believe to be the CP, DP, and EP class race as they go through turn 9.

2nd picture is a cropped version of the first.

148

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Langhorne Speedway: USAC Champ Cars Paced by 1967 Camaro Indy Pace Car in 1967

« on: April 18, 2018, 09:50:53 PM »

A 1967 Camaro RS/SS convertible Indy Pace Car was used to pace the Langhorne 100 United States Auto Club (USAC) National Championship Trail (Indycar) event held at Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania on Sunday, June 18, 1967.  This was the fifth race of the championship and the second race following the Indianapolis 500.  The track was a one mile oval and 100 laps were run.  Lloyd Ruby won the race in his Lotus/Ford.

You can see the Camaro on the right side of these pictures.  There is a driver sitting in the car waiting to be called upon during a caution period.  Notice that the date of this event is the same day as the June Sprints held at Road America that I previously posted pictures for.  As a result, the Camaro used here at Langhorne Speedway could not possibly have been the same one used at Road America.  While the close-up isn't conclusive, unlike the Camaro at Road America, this car appears to still have the "51st Annual Indianapolis 500 Mile Race May 30, 1967" at the bottom of the door.  I originally thought it might be the same car that was used to actually pace the 1967 Indianapolis 500 but this car also appears to have the passenger side sun visor which was replaced on the Camaro that paced the Indianapolis 500 with a grab handle.  The Langhorne Speedway pace car could be another one of the cars used in Indianapolis during the month of May.  Like most, but not all of the Indy Pace Cars, this one has the Rally Wheels.

Roger McCluskey leads Mario Andretti into the turn in this picture.

1st picture: https://speedsport.com/racing-history/photos-usac-at-langhorne-june-1967/attachment/no12/
2nd picture: cropped version of the same photo

149

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / June Sprints at Road America used 1967 Camaro Indy Pace Car as Pace Car in 1967

« on: April 16, 2018, 06:21:51 PM »

A 1967 Camaro RS/SS convertible Indy Pace Car was used to pace the sports car races held during the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) June Sprints weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18, 1967.  This was just a few weeks after the 1967 Indy 500.  Just like today, in 1967 there were multiple races held during the June Sprints weekend for multiple different classes of sports cars. 

I found three fantastic color photographs of the Camaro pacing three different events at Flickr.  They were posted by Tracer-X and his father took them back in 1967. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tracer-x/sets/72157625338357443)

The color photos show that the Camaro has the same blue interior, sun visors, dashboard, nose stripe and side stripe that the 1967 Indy Pace Car has.  It also has the Rally Wheels, red line tires and the USA-1 front license plate.  The door decal looks to be the same except that the "51st Annual Indianapolis 500 Mile Race May 30, 1967" has been taken off.  Because this car has both sun visors I don't believe that it is the same car that was used to pace the Indy 500.  The actual 1967 Indy 500 pace car had the passenger side sun visor replaced by a grab handle.  That said, this car could've been used during the month of May in Indianapolisr.  I'm not sure what the orange decal on the front fender says.

1st picture:  This photo shows the Camaro just as it began to make its way into pit lane just prior to the F and G Production/H Sports Racer class getting the green flag from the starter stand at the top of the hill.  According to the program this 15 lap event took place at 11:15 am on Sunday, June 18, 1967. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tracer-x/5259858794/in/album-72157625338357443/)

2nd picture:  Cropped version of the same picture.

150

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / 1967 Camaro Convertibles used in Motor Trend 500 Parade in Riverside, CA in 1967

« on: April 08, 2018, 10:46:00 PM »

Several 1967 Camaro convertibles participated in the Motor Trend 500 parade that made its way down Magnolia Avenue in Riverside, California on the morning of Saturday, January 21, 1967.  The parade celebrated and promoted the 5th Annual NASCAR Grand National Stock Car road race which would be held at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California on Sunday, January 22, 1967.  Dick Clark, the nationally famous host of the rock 'n' roll television show American Bandstand, was the Grand Marshal of the parade.  He rode in the back of a 1967 Camaro SS convertible with base wheel covers and red line tires.  Local top 40 disc jockeys from K/men 129 Radio also rode in the back of at least two different 1967 Camaro convertibles.  One was a white Rally Sport convertible with base hub caps and white wall tires.  According to the Vol. 2, no. 9 edition of the Kmentertainer, a newsletter put out by the radio station, the Camaros were provided by Friendly Chevrolet in Rialto, California.

1st picture: Metadata states, "Motor Trend 500 - Riverside - NASCAR. American Bandstand host Dick Clark rides in a Chevrolet Camaro during the race festivities. Clark is the Grand Marshall of the race. (Photo by Randy Holt/The Enthusiast Network/Getty Images)” (https://www.gettyimages.com/license/155882962)

2nd picture: Dick Clark, Grand Marshal (https://www.gettyimages.com/license/155882955)