Author Topic: Oswego Speedway: 1968 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car for Supermodifieds 1968  (Read 2494 times)

SMKZ28

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A white 1968 Camaro RS/SS 350 convertible was used as the pace car for the 12th annual International Classic held at Oswego Speedway in Oswego, New York on Sunday, September 1, 1968.  This event was a prestigious 200 lap race for cars known as Supermodifieds or Outlaws.  The track was a 0.625 mile paved oval.  Nolan Swift won the race.     

This color picture shows the pace car with its top up sitting in the paddock next to a pickup truck.  It has writing on the doors but it is illegible in this picture.  Since there are not too many cars or people in the paddock I'm thinking the photo was taken on one of the first days the competitors were allowed into the track for practice, probably a Thursday or Friday.  The second picture is a cropped version.

It came from the archives of the Ronald D. Nielsen family.  I found it years ago at www.retrorockets.org
« Last Edit: September 08, 2022, 02:23:09 PM 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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Re: Oswego Speedway: 1968 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car for Supermodifieds
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2019, 09:59:40 PM »
Here you can see the Camaro in front of the field during the pace lap.  You can see that the car is wearing a set of wheel covers.

The picture appeared in the 1969 Gater Racing News Yearbook which chronicled the prior years events.  It was posted on the Oswego Speedway's Glory Days Facebook page.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2019, 10:22:24 PM 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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Re: Oswego Speedway: 1968 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car for Supermodifieds
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2019, 10:09:37 PM »
Footage of the event can be seen on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECvjxZt_jqI

It originally aired as a featured segment in one of the episodes of the TV series "Car & Track" during the 1968 season.  The Camaro pace car appears in several shots during the show, including pre-race infield and grid, pace laps and caution laps.  I took several photos of the car while watching the footage.
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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Re: Oswego Speedway: 1968 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car for Supermodifieds
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2019, 10:11:22 PM »
More pics from Youtube footage.
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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Re: Oswego Speedway: 1968 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car for Supermodifieds
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2019, 10:14:25 PM »
The first picture shows the front cover for the event souvenir program while the second picture shows an advertisement for the events held at the track during the 1968 race season.

1) www.worthpoint.com
2) Facebook
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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Found this great image and write up for the 1968 Camaro RS/SS 350 provided by R. M. Burritt Chevrolet and used as the pace car at Oswego Speedway in 1968.  It probably appeared in every event program for the 1968 season.  Notice that the car has a "four speed transmission and special suspension."  Also notice that it states that the car, "will be for sale at the end of the season." 

Does anyone have a light colored, presumably white, 4-speed 1968 Camaro RS/SS 350 convertible from R. M. Burritt Chevrolet?  It could possibly be this pace car.

Interestingly, Burritt Chevrolet still exists today.  It is located in Oswego, New York and is now known as Burritt Motors Chevrolet Buick.

It came from the Oswego Speedway's Glory Days Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710693368986615/media
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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Found one more image of the 1968 Camaro RS/SS 350 convertible used as the pace car.  You can see it parked behind the racecar between the Jeep and the Cadillac ambulance. 

It came from the Oswego Speedway's Glory Days Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710693368986615/media
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