Can't keep Secret much longer...

[CamarosRus]

On a side note.....my 70 Z-28 wheels(back side) and bumper jack parts are painted the same (appearing) gray as the spare tire/wheel in above picture.....can anybody here provide a CODE for that color or do all the different restoration people just come up with there own close....Chuck

[Charley Lillard]

No mention of a small block. Was supposed first built with a L78, 4 speed and then switched to a 325 hp, auto. Has a SS350 Trim tag code, and a 325 hp tach. In the glove box was a Protecto plate no longer attached to a Warranty book that has the L78, 4 speed Codes. They didn't even know they had a Protecto plate until after I owned it and they looked through the glove box

[68TopStock]

Charlie,

Do you have a copy of Crispino and Hoopers' Chevrolet Indy Pace Car Book, 1948-1990? Printed in 1992. Your car has its own chapter, #8. There is a mention of a special 360hp/350 motor, with a special A3-7N163613 service block installed for the race. Maybe they published the story incorrectly, and it should have been 325hp/396 motor. But then again, you confirmed the 4P on the cowl tag. Is there more sleuthing needed? They also published your cowl tag and VIN data.

[Charley Lillard]

Yes I have that book. They are mistaken about the smallblock. What they were supposed to say was that the Engineering work order called for a 325 hp 396 The book says the vin is 194500, it is really 194600. There is a work order # stamped on the block that says 98168 A. I have a Letter from Vince Piggins where he says that is the engineering build order # and he sent the sheets that are mentioned on page 23 of Hoopers book. The book points out that the rear plate # is 142. Al Young says that the 142 plate is something the track gave him later when he needed a rear plate and that it wasn't there from the start.

[Edited by Charley Lillard (12-08-2001 at 07:55 PM).]

[Charley Lillard]

Here is another Cool part of the spare tire. It is stamped Xray on the back side. Did Firestone Racing Division Xray these tires ? Has anyone ever seen something like this ?

[Warren Malkin]

Hey Charley, is that the optional wrinkle wall tire used in drag racing, that GM offered? Anyway, can't say I have ever seen "xray" stamped on any tire. It doesnt surprise me though! I would think a car that is going to pace an event with a large viewing audience, couldn't risk being taken off the track on the hook, or crashing into a wall due to a tire failure.
A local friend of mine who owns a 67 B/B conv., still has a spare like yours only it is a white wall, and has Firestone in raised letters on his wheel weight. Also on that car, with the hood up and looking down at the lower valance panel it says in black crayon, SS 396. This Camaro is also a one owner, original paint car.
Charley, I've got an ad proof of the 67 pace car. In the lower right hand corner it tells where this ad is going to be placed. It says Indianapolis 500 Race Program...May 30, and, Indianapolis 500 Festival Program...May 30. Below that it says "Prepared by" Campbell-Ewald Co. It also has their logo on it. I've had it about 20 years now. Would it be anything you would be interested in??? Lets make a deal!!

[Chevy454]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="">quote:</font><HR>Also on that car, with the hood up and looking down at the lower valance panel it says in black crayon, SS 396.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This is a semi-unrelated note, but on Dad's Camaro it had "427" written on
each front fender extension, upside down.

Warren:

Welcome to the board! Based on what I have read just in the past day, it seems you have been at this game a long time, and I hope you find this board accomodating. Plus, any friend of Lillard's is, well....I feel sorry for you!