Rarity claims are sometimes challenging to confirm, and such is the case with the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car Replica. Various sources suggest that the production tally could be anywhere between 100 and 300 vehicles, but after extensive research, I have been unable to determine an exact figure. However, the relative rarity might be reflected by the fact that this is only the second example we have seen at Barn Finds. It requires a total restoration, and there are a few further mysteries to unravel. The seller has listed the Camaro here on eBay in Newington, Connecticut, with a BIN of $27,500.
The 1967 model year not only marked the release of the First Generation Camaro, but the first of nine occasions that the badge was selected as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. The company released replicas to celebrate the occasion, based on the Camaro RS/SS Convertible variant. Each featured Ermine White paint, Blue stripes, and a White soft-top. The seller claims that our featured classic is one of those cars, but it requires a total restoration. It is missing the stripes and top, and rolls on the wrong wheels. The front bumper is AWOL, but most of the remaining trim and the grille are intact. The biggest concern will always be rust, and this Camaro hasn’t escaped scot-free. There is a visible hole near the dash, making me wonder whether there might be further problems hiding in the cowl. The remaining images aren’t definitive, but it appears that while the usual prone areas carry heavy surface corrosion, there might be little to no steel penetration.
My information indicates that every Pace Car Replica featured Blue Deluxe interior trim, and this Camaro ticks that box. It also scores a console, a factory tachometer, and a pushbutton radio. The interior is complete, but requires a complete retrim to recapture its former good looks. Kits are readily available, so a factory-fresh state is a realistic goal. This image also provides a decent look at the floors, revealing the corrosion mentioned earlier. However, the gaping hole in the console brings us to our final mystery.
The seller confirms that this Camaro left the factory with a four-speed manual transmission, a 12-bolt 3.31 Posi rear end, and power disc brakes. I believe the car originally featured the 350ci V8, although with nothing visible in the listing images, I suspect that this SS might be a roller missing the motor and transmission. If so, that will undermine its potential future value, because it can never be numbers-matching. Potential buyers must hope that the seller is approachable and can clarify the question, because sourcing replacement mechanical components will also add significantly to the restoration costs.
I have been a classic car enthusiast for longer than I would care to admit, and I try to absorb as much information as possible. However, I am not a walking encyclopedia and freely acknowledge that there are gaps to be filled. The story of the 1967 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car Replica is one area that requires work, because I would love to find a definitive answer to the question of its production numbers. This is where I rely on you, because our readers are an almost infinite source of knowledge. So, it’s over to you for comments and, hopefully, clarification. Thank you in advance.
Where’s the engine!???