than enough power to perform its assigned duties. All of the suspension parts used in the build were magnafluxed and X-rayed to ensure they were flawless before installation. The engine was also balanced and blueprinted to ensure its reliability. Other additions performed by GM Engineering include the installation of special passenger grab handles and convertible boot snaps, rear bumper flag holders and pace car flags from the 1967 Indy 500 race, which remain with the car. A hood lock was also installed to thwart any would-be tampering. This 1967 Camaro RS/SS Pace Car Convertible was driven by three-time Indy 500 winner Mauri Rose to pace that year’s Indy 500, with Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman riding shotgun. Everything went according to plan, except for the rain. The race was red-flagged after 18 laps and resumed the next day at lap 19, again with Rose at the wheel. A.J. Foyt took the checkered flag. Nevertheless, all of the prep work paid off, as the car performed flawlessly under Rose’s experienced hand, and Chevrolet received a fantastic opportunity to introduce its all-new Camaro to a worldwide television audience. In the days before the internet, this telecast was a top-tier promotional platform. As it turned out, the rain gave Chevrolet a second day to promote its new pony car. Interestingly, this car was intended to be presented to the winner of the 1967 Indy 500, A.J. Foyt, who won the race driving a Ford-powered Coyote. As it turned out, Foyt actually declined to accept the car. The official reason was because it was not equipped with air conditioning or a power top. The more likely reason was that he didn’t want to upset his sponsor, Ford Motor Company, by accepting the new competitor to Ford’s Mustang. Jim Clark, the 1965 Indy 500 winner, driving a Ford-powered and sponsored Lotus, similarly declined the Plymouth Sport Fury convertible he was presented after his own win. After the conclusion of the race, this Camaro was repurposed and used as a USAC pace car for the 1967 season. Once the 1967 season was completed, so was this pace car’s tour of duty. After its retirement, the Camaro was sold by Chevrolet Motor Division to Dan Young Chevrolet, which was the dealership that prepared the 1967 pace cars and festival cars. At the time, the Camaro had 12,000 original miles. The car was displayed in the showroom of Dan Young Chevrolet and the Indianapolis Speedway Museum for many years. The paperwork this car has leaves no doubt as to its provenance. In addition to the Protect-O-Plate showing the original as-built L78 engine and original GM Engineering paperwork documenting the work performed on the car, including Chevrolet Build Order No. 98168, which detailed the L35/M40 conversion prior to the race, this car also comes with its original title, issued in 1967 to Chevrolet Motor Division. This car is sold on a bill of sale. This Indy Pace Car Camaro has been recognized in the collector car community numerous times, including for a red carpet invitational display of its 50th anniversary at the 2017 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, by serving as a cover image on “The Official Chevrolet Indy Pace Car Book, 1948- 1990” by D.M. Crispino and John R. Hooper, and as the subject of a five-page article in “The Complete Book of Chevrolet” and in original pictures from race day in 1967. The pace car remains in highly original, unrestored condition. It still wears its original Ermine White paint with bright blue interior and white soft top, blue nose stripe and pin striping, the original interior, door panels and Chevrolet Engineering- installed drivetrain and exhaust system. The block and heads feature non-production GM Engineering stampings. The Camaro also features Rally wheels with redline tires. With a car such as this, the buyer is purchasing not only an extremely desirable collector car, but also a well-known piece of automotive history. This is the very car that the legendary three-time Indy winner Mauri Rose drove to pace the 1967 Indianapolis 500. This is the car that the editions offered to the public were built from. This is the 1967 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Pace Car.
