69 Indy pace car

[Nova Pete]

Hello everyone

My uncle has a 69 Indy pace car that he has owned for the last 42 years. I remember driving in it many years ago. Unfortunately it needs a complete resto but none the less it starts and drives. This car is a L-48 with a automatic.

Well now he’s interested in selling it. He has many NOS GM body parts for the car. New quarters, front fenders, hood ect.. many more parts.

Here is the trim tag from it. Now from what I understand Chevrolet produced a special batch of 50 cars for the Indy 500. They also produced reproduction Indy 500 cars. My uncle says his car is a true Indy pace car.

It appears to me to be a fairly early car but I’m not sure.

[KevinW]

Here is a bunch of reading for you and your uncle

http://www.camaros.org/69pacer.shtml

Check the VIN against this list for 55 Festival cars in that report

[fortim]

Any additional pics?

[William]

The 'special batch' of Pace Cars you refer to are most likely the 130 Z11s present at the Speedway. Known in the hobby as 'Festival Cars', they were provided to speedway and USAC Officials, celebrities, etc, used for parades and other media events during May 1969. Approximately 65 of the VINs are known. They were produced March 3-12 [02D body tag date] VIN range N607xxx-N612xxx and have body numbers beginning with 268.

The only "true" Indy Pace Cars are the two used to pace the '500' N607587 and N608347. Both survive and are well known. Festival cars and all others are correctly referred to as replicas, not reproductions. Your Uncle's Z11 is one of the replicas, not a festival car.

Interesting, one of the Festival Z11s has the lowest VIN.

Pace Cars are very popular in the hobby, always seem to be a few at major auctions. Your Uncle's car may make for a nice restoration project. Its value will be in direct proportion to how rusted it is, particularly the trunk floor, cowl and rear frame rails. Hope it has its original drive train.

IMHO, I would separate the car and the NOS parts. Two separate deals. Make a list and get someone knowledgeable to establish the value of the parts.

[Mr70]

Is that a March 5th week cowl tag date?

[William]

Yes, but only a few 03E cars were built in March.

[Nova Pete]

Thank you all for the help.
William, that’s fantastic information. The car is completely original with all original parts. Motor and tranny have never been removed.

But being a L-48 auto is less exciting than a L78 4 speed IMO.

The car has always been kept inside so the frame rails, floor, trunk ect is not rotted. Interior is rough as well as rag top and other body parts.

He bought for $800 in 1978

[William]

Maybe true but the laws of supply and demand come into play. Data suggests that most [58%] Z11s were L48 auto. Auction average is about $58,000.

Having seen plenty of them at auction, they typically aren't as meticulously restored as the 396 cars. Applying the same level of detail can pay off. A beautiful L48 auto hammered for $97,500 at Mecum Indy this year.

Don't sell it short. Well worth restoring.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0520-43...e-car-edition/

[Nova Pete]

Originally Posted by William

Maybe true but the laws of supply and demand come into play. Data suggests that most [58%] Z11s were L48 auto. Auction average is about $58,000.

Having seen plenty of them at auction, they typically aren't as meticulously restored as the 396 cars. Applying the same level of detail can pay off. A beautiful L48 auto hammered for $97,500 at Mecum Indy this year.

Don't sell it short. Well worth restoring.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0520-43...e-car-edition/

Thank you
The amount he wants is a bit steep imo. But I may be wrong.

[Charley Lillard]

We need pics....