As the Ford Mustang did in its first year of production, the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro acted as pace car for “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” – the Indianapolis 500. The 1967 edition of the 500-mile race was the first to be televised in color by ABC’s Wide World of Sports. It was also the year that Andy Granatelli brought the first turbine-powered car to Indy.

A.J. Foyt won the race that year, but turned down the offer of one of the specially prepared pace car Camaros, because they did not have air conditioning or a power top. Reportedly, GM built two additional cars with those features, but their current status is unknown.

Chevrolet would return again two years later with the Camaro. This time the opportunity to pace the world’s best would not be squandered from a marketing perspective. For the race, two cars were built for official pace car use, powered by a 375-hp, 396-ci TurboJet V-8 engine and three-speed Turbo HydraMatic transmission. Their striking Dover White finish with broad orange stripes

The Camaro SS pace car was powered by a 375-hp, 396-ci TurboJet V-8 engine and three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. According to records, only two cars were produced with this configuration, to be used for official pace car duties. One was built for the race winner, this time with air conditioning and power top installed. Dozens of others were built for use by event officials.

For the public, Chevrolet would make a new RPO Z11 package available that, in conjunction with the mandatory RS-trim and SS-trim options, turned a white Camaro convertible into a 1969 Camaro Indy Pace Car replica. Available with a range of engine options, the largest portion of the 3675 cars built arrived with a 350cui 300hp small block V8. However, there was also a choice of four different 396 big blocks, ranging from 325 to 375 hp. As few as 34 of the big block cars may have been built and the example shown here is one of them.

All 1969 pace cars and GM-built replicas were convertibles, however, it is possible to run across a Z10-optioned coupe that sports similar dress. It was a limited-production Southwestern Regional promo car offered to a small number of GM dealers in the Southwestern Zone (TX, OK, AZ, WI, perhaps others) during the 1969 Indy season. While the exact number built is not confirmed, it is thought to be in the range of 200 to 300 units.

The 1969 race was also a special event for the winner, Mario Andretti. It was his fifth Indianapolis 500 attempt and he won in a backup car. The memories would have to do him as, despite another 24 attempts, Andretti never won another 500-mile race there. He did accept the 1969 Pace Car from Chevrolet and kept it until 1975, when he gave to to his brother.

The particular 1969 Camaro Pace Car shown here is coming up for auction, so if you’re interested, its time to break the piggy bank. If you have your heart set on a 396-cid version like this, you’d best have a big piggy bank. Similar cars have sold in the past around the quarter-million dollar mark. Set your sights for Mecum Auction’s December event in Kansas City.

You’ll have just enough time to get it shipped home for Christmas.