Author Topic: Darlington Raceway 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396 Convertible Pace Car NASCAR Rebel 400  (Read 2057 times)

SMKZ28

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A white 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible was used as the pace car for the Rebel 400 NASCAR Grand National event held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina on Saturday, May 11, 1968.  David Pearson won the race in his 1968 Holman-Moody Ford Torino.

While it is too hard to tell definitively, it looks like it probably says "CAMARO" & "OFFICIAL PACE CAR" on the door and possibly "DARLINGTON RACEWAY" on the front fender.  If it's like several of the other NASCAR Camaro pace cars then it might say "REBEL 400" and/or "MAY 11th" on the rear quarter panels.

I took pictures of the Camaro pace car while watching the television show Glory Road on NBC Sports Network.  This show featured vintage footage of the race.

The first two pictures show the car sitting at the end of pit lane waiting to go into action during a caution period.
The last two pictures show the Camaro going back to it's end of pit lane position after the conclusion of a caution period.  Notice that the drivers side brake light bulb seems to be not working.  Perhaps it had its turn signal illuminated??
« Last Edit: January 28, 2022, 04:17:36 AM by SMKZ28 »
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

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Souvenir program cover and ticket stub pictures are from worthpoint.com
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

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Also in attendance at Darlington Raceway was the Charlotte Motor Speedway 1968 Camaro RS/SS convertible pace car that would be used at the 1968 World 600 in just a few short weeks.  It must have been at Darlington in a backup/promotional role.

This Camaro clearly has "CHARLOTTE" & "WORLD 600" written on the passenger side door and "MOTOR SPEEDWAY" written on passenger side front fender.

In the footage shown in the Glory Days television show the Charlotte pace car is shown driving into pit lane right behind a interview being conducted after the conclusion of the race.
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd