Topics

31

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Maple Grove Drag-O-Way: 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 Conv. Pre Race Parade 1969

« on: January 28, 2022, 04:46:29 PM »

Here is a photo showing a 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 convertible going down the dragstrip during the pre-race ceremonies with a woman on the back prior to a large NHRA sanctioned event at Maple Grove Drag-O-Way in Mohnton, Pennsylvania sometime during the racing season of 1969.  Notice that most of the people in the background are wearing pants, long sleeve shirts and jackets.  Either it was a cool day in the summer or possibly spring or fall.  Also notice the "USA-1" license plate on the front, the Uniroyal tires, the small Chevy bow-tie sticker above the rear wheel and the extremely poor fitting lower part of the door decal. 

I found the photo years ago on Ebay.

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Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Indianapolis Raceway Park: 1969 Camaro Pace Car for Champ Car Indy 200 1969

« on: January 28, 2022, 03:28:35 PM »

I know its not the greatest picture but I found an image that possibly demonstrates that a white 1969 Camaro of some sort was used as the pace car for the USAC Champ Car Indy 200 held at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Clermont, Indiana on Sunday, July 27, 1969.  The event consisted of two 100 mile heats on the 2.5 mile road course portion of the facility.  Dan Gurney won Heat #1 in his Eagle Ford and Peter Revson won Heat #2 in his Brabham Repco. 

If you look at the very right side of the picture you can see the rear portion of a white pace car.  To me the squared off wheel well, the bumper position, the rear spoiler and what appears to be a Rally Wheel makes me think that it is the back end of a 1969 Camaro.  Since this track was owned by the same owners as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the time, it makes sense that this could be a 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 convertible being used as the pace car.  It might even be one of the actual pace cars that was used to pace the 1969 Indianapolis 500.

This is the only image showing the pace car for this event that I could find.  Hopefully another one emerges to confirm or disprove.

Click on the following link to use the magnification tools for this image here: https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=205054&collection=p17257coll1

 

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Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Kansas State Fairgrounds: 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 Conv Pace Car for Modifieds 1969

« on: January 26, 2022, 05:40:10 PM »

This color image shows that a 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 convertible was used as the pace car for the Thirteenth Annual National Modified Championship Races held on the half-mile dirt racetrack at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas on Sunday, July 27, 1969.  Notice that there is writing in a matching orange color on the passenger side door but unfortunately it is illegible.  The picture was taken after the final 50 lap race had been run.  Notice how dirty the car is from doing several laps around the dirt track pacing the seven events held at the track that day. 

Description and pictures of the event can be seen here: https://kansasracinghistory.com/Hutch_Nationals/Fair/27Jul1969.htm

Caption for this photo states: "Trophy Queen Janet Reimer and her attendants being escorted to the front straightaway on this afternoon for the trophy presentation.  Riding on the deck lid of the car was “Peanuts the Clown” portrayed this day by Tommy Madison...  Schrater family collection."

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Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Orange Co Int Raceway: 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 Conv Pace Car Beach City Chevy 1969

« on: January 23, 2022, 03:43:24 PM »

A 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 convertible was used in some official capacity at Orange County International Raceway (OCIR) in East Irvine, California sometime in July of 1969.  In this photo you can see the Camaro on the dragstrip with a couple of women sitting on the back.  It was probably taken prior to an event during the pre-race ceremonies.  This photograph has the date stamp of July 1969 indicating that it was developed sometime in July of 1969. 

I found it somewhere on Facebook a while back but I can not find it again so I'm not actually sure which Facebook group I found it on.  Nor am I sure what event it was taken at.  UPDATE: I found my notes on where I obtained the photo.  It came from the Memories of OCIR Facebook page.  Since I found it about a year ago the site has gone private.  That is why I couldn't find it again.  My notes also state that the person who posted the photo wrote that the event took place on July 20, 1969 and that it was sponsored by the Professional Dragster Association. 

35

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Bristol Inter Speedway: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv Pace Car for NASCAR July 1969

« on: January 12, 2022, 05:14:31 PM »

A white with blue interior 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible was used as the pace car for the Volunteer 500 NASCAR Grand National event held at the Bristol International Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee on Sunday, July 20, 1969.  David Pearson won the race in his 1969 Ford Torino Talladega.

An interesting side note, this is the same day as the Apollo 11 moon landing.

This is the same Camaro that was used at the track for multiple events and the car still exists.  See my other threads for details:
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18306.0
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18964.0

This first photo shows Linda Vaughn, Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, riding in the back of the Camaro at the Bristol International Dragway.  You can tell that it is not the Bristol International Speedway because of the lettering on the wall behind the car.  See the third picture to match the way the lettering looks.  The photo must have been taken during one of the days of the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) Spring Nationals that took place June 7/8, 1969.  It was used to promote the upcoming NASCAR event.

1st/2nd photos: https://acmehpl.com/linda-vaughn-hurst-shifters/
3rd photo: https://tnsos.org/tsla/imagesearch/index.php 

 

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Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Watkins Glen: 1969 Camaro SS 396 Conv Pace Car for 6 Hour Sports Cars & Can Am

« on: December 31, 2021, 01:14:38 PM »

In July of 1969 a white 1969 Camaro SS 396 convertible was used as the pace car for a double header weekend of sports car racing held at Watkins Glen International Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York.  An endurance race known as the Six Hours for the World Championship of Manufacturers was held on Saturday, July 12, 1969 and the Sports Car Club of America's (SCCA) Canadian-American Challenge Cup race (Can-Am) took place on Sunday, July 13, 1969.  The driving pair of Jo Siffert and Brian Redman were victorious in the Six Hour event driving their Porsche 908/02 Spyder while Bruce McLaren won the Can-Am race in his McLaren M8B 2/Chevrolet. 

This white 1969 Camaro SS 396 convertible is not the same car that was used in some official capacity at the U.S. Grand Prix held at the track nine months earlier in October of 1968.  That particular car was optioned with the Rally Sport equipment.  This one is not a Rally Sport.  In addition, this 1969 Camaro SS convertible is not the same car that is currently for sale as the "1969 Chevrolet Camaro U.S. Formula One Watkins Glen Grand Prix Pace Car"  That car was built in September of 1969, two months after the events depicted in these images.  (A thread on this car will be posted in the future.)

These four pictures show the Camaro parked in front of the field of sports cars prior to the pace lap for the Six Hour event held on Saturday, July 12, 1969.  You can see it on the right side of each image.  They are attributed to Dave Friedman.  I found them about a decade ago but unfortunately the web site where they were located no longer exists. 

Click on the link to see footage of the start of the Six Hour event.  It's not very clear but you can see the 1969 Camaro SS convertible pace car entering the pits at the 12:22 mark in the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJpvsBpG0kQ   

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Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Marlboro Speedway: 1968 Camaro Z28 RS Pace Car for SCCA Marlboro Cup Races

« on: December 22, 2021, 05:42:37 PM »

As so often happens, I was looking for images for another event but came across a couple of pictures that demonstrate that a 1968 Camaro Z28 RS was used as the pace car for the SCCA Marlboro Cup races held at Marlboro Speedway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland on Sunday, September 22, 1968.  There are many races in a national SCCA event like this featuring many different classes of racecars, so the Z28 was probably used as a pace car multiple times that day. 

Notice that there are two "pace car" flags attached to the back of the car.  While it is hard to tell if it has the Rally Stripes it does seem to be equipped with the larger 15" Rally Wheels.  In addition, the Rally Sport grill lacks "SS" identification.  This leads me to believe it is a Z28, although it does not seem to have the optional spoiler package or front bumper guards.

Click on the following links to see larger versions of the two photos:

1/2) https://marlborospeedway.org/?page_id=388#gallery/e247143afb500353fca08ee0ab395fca/538

3) https://marlborospeedway.org/?page_id=388#gallery/e247143afb500353fca08ee0ab395fca/541

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Trans-Am Camaros / Fantastic Color Film Footage of both the 1966 and 1967 T/A Races at Marlboro

« on: November 18, 2021, 05:47:28 PM »

Check out these fantastic color films shot during the Trans Am races held at Marlboro Park Speedway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland in both 1966 and 1967.  They were recently posted to Youtube by Brad Davis.

Marlboro Twelve Hour (August 14, 1966): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ud52MhRosA

Double 300 (August 12/13, 1967): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4ij9eaomwE

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Promotional Events and Concept Cars / WIN A NEW 1969 CAMARO! Documenting Sweepstakes Contests & Raffles from 1968/1969

« on: April 29, 2021, 02:44:16 PM »

As was done for model year 1967 and 1968 Camaros, there were several contests, sweepstakes, games and raffles that gave away model year 1969 Camaros to those that participated.  This thread will document these giveaway model year 1969 Camaros through newspaper articles, advertisements, photos and memorabilia associated with each particular contest.  Through my research I have not only been able to find a copious amount of information about these sweepstakes, contests, games and raffles but in several cases I have been able to put names and faces to those who actually won the Camaros so many decades ago.

Perhaps you may remember a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor or even yourself participating in or even winning one of these contests.  If so, please share your recollections.

Separate threads have been created for the first two 1st generation model year Camaro contests:
1967: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=19195.0
1968: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=19218.0

A good portion of the information was found at newspapers.com but I will identify the other digital newspaper repositories and other web sites where applicable.  To identify the particular newspaper, the publishing date and their location simply consult the file name under the image.

Enjoy!

40

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / WIN A NEW 1968 CAMARO! Documenting Sweepstakes Contests & Raffles from 1967/1968

« on: April 11, 2021, 03:57:08 PM »

As was done for model year 1967 Camaros, there were several contests, sweepstakes, games and raffles that gave away model year 1968 Camaros to those that participated.  This thread will document these giveaway model year 1968 Camaros through newspaper articles, advertisements, photos and memorabilia associated with each particular contest.  Through my research I have not only been able to find a copious amount of information about these sweepstakes, contests, games and raffles but in several cases I have been able to put a name and sometimes a face to those who actually won them so many decades ago. 

Perhaps you may remember a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor or even yourself participating in or even winning one of these contests.  If so, please share your recollections.

A separate thread has been created for 1967 model year Camaro contests, see it here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=19195.0
Stay tuned for a thread on 1969 model year Camaro contests.

A lot of what I will post was located at newspapers.com but I will identify the other digital newspaper repositories and other web sites where applicable.  To identify the particular newspaper, the date they were published and their location simply consult the file name under the image.

Enjoy!

41

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / WIN A NEW 1967 CAMARO! Documenting Sweepstakes Contests & Raffles from 1966/1967

« on: March 31, 2021, 07:55:16 PM »

Everyone likes to win free stuff, right?  Well, it turns out that when the Camaro was first introduced for the 1967 model year, hundreds of people won brand new 1967 Camaros via many different forms of contests, sweepstakes, games and raffles.  Not only were they given away free to keep but sometimes the prize was the ability of the winner to drive a brand new 1967 Camaro for a pre-determined amount of time.  That amount of time could have been anywhere between a couple of days all the way up to an entire year. 

Multiple different kinds of entities were giving away brand new 1967 Camaros during the Fall of 1966 on through the Winter, Spring and Summer of 1967.  A small sampling includes large national supermarket chains, oil companies and Chevrolet itself.  Smaller businesses and organizations like local Chevrolet dealers, radio stations and fund raising interests also got in on the act.  In addition to all of the print, radio, television and outdoor advertising done by Chevrolet itself, these exciting promotional tie-ins helped to keep the public interested in the newly introduced Camaro.

This thread will document these giveaway model year 1967 Camaros through newspaper articles, advertisements, photos and memorabilia associated with each particular contest.  Through my research I have not only been able to find a copious amount of information about these sweepstakes, contests, games and raffles but in several cases I have been able to put a name and sometimes a face to those who actually won them so many decades ago.

Perhaps you may remember a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor or even yourself participating in or even winning one of these contests.  If so, please share your recollections.

Separate threads will also be created for 1968 and 1969 model year Camaro contests.  Stay tuned.

A lot of what I will post was located at newspapers.com but I will identify the other digital newspaper repositories and other web sites where applicable.   To identify the particular newspaper, date they were published and where they were each located simply consult the file name under the image.

Enjoy!

42

Promotional Events and Concept Cars / 1967 Indy 500 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car Promotional Material from 1967

« on: March 20, 2021, 05:41:37 PM »

This thread will feature material put out by Chevrolet and/or Chevrolet dealerships promoting the fact that a white with blue interior 1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible was chosen as the pace car for the 51st running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.  It was held over two days, Tuesday May 30th and Wednesday May 31, 1967.  The race was red flagged on lap 19 due to rain and was continued the next day.  The Camaro actually "paced" the Indy 500 twice in 1967.  According to Wikipedia, "two unscored warm-up laps were run behind the pace car, and the field of now 32 cars took the green flag to restart single-file."  Thirty-three cars originally started the event but Lloyd Ruby could not restart the race because he dropped out the first day due to mechanical problems.  A.J. Foyt won the race in his Ford powered Coyote.  Coincidentally, Foyt joined the ranks of three time Indy 500 winners with Mauri Rose, who drove the 1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible pace car on the pace laps.

The two-page, color advertisement showcasing the Camaro pace car appeared in both the 1967 Indianapolis 500 Festival Program as well as the souvenir program for the Indianapolis 500.

1 & 2) https://www.ulib.iupui.edu/collections/
3) worthpoint

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Promotional Events and Concept Cars / 1967 Newspaper Articles featuring 1967 Camaro RS/SS Conv Indy 500 Pace Cars

« on: March 20, 2021, 02:27:09 AM »

Here are a few articles and photos with captions featuring 1967 Camaro RS/SS convertible Indy 500 pace cars.  These appeared in newspapers across the country leading up to and following the 1967 Indianapolis 500.

I found most of these items at newspapers.com but I will identify the other digital newspaper repositories where applicable.   To identify the particular newspaper, publishing date and location simply consult the file name under the image.

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Promotional Events and Concept Cars / 1969 Newspaper Articles featuring 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 Conv Indy 500 Pace Car

« on: March 17, 2021, 03:18:37 PM »

Here are several articles and photos with captions featuring the 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 convertible Indy 500 pace car.  These appeared in newspapers across the country leading up to and following the 1969 Indianapolis 500. 

Most of what will be posted I found at newspapers.com but I will identify the other digital newspaper repositories where applicable.   To identify the particular newspaper, publishing date and location simply consult the file name under the image.

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Promotional Events and Concept Cars / Ellis Speedway: 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 Conv Pace Car NASCAR GT Race 1969

« on: March 15, 2021, 03:09:43 PM »

A 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 convertible was used on the pace lap of the Blue Grass 300 NASCAR Grand Touring event held at Ellis Speedway located 12 miles west of Owensboro, Kentucky on Sunday, April 20, 1969.  I'm not sure if it was used in any caution periods during the race because the photo shows a 1969 Chevrolet at the head of the field on the pace lap.  Perhaps this car was the actual pace car for the event.  I'm not sure.

The track was a 1/4 mile paved oval.  Charlie Blanton won the race in his yellow 1968 Camaro.  In fact, the first 5 finishers were in 1968 Camaros.  This was the home track of Darrell Waltrip in his early years, and this was the first time he raced in the NASCAR Grand Touring division.  I have read conflicting accounts on what Waltrip drove to his 15th place finish.  One said he drove a 1968 Mustang and another said it was a 1968 Camaro. 

The article and photo with caption came from the April 21, 1969 edition of the Messenger Inquirer, Owensboro, Kentucky.

newspapers.com