Chevrolet will celebrate its 100th anniversary by pacing the 100th Indy 500 with this 2011 Camaro SS convertible, 50 copies to be auctioned off.
Usually, the cars that roll under the big tent at the annual Barrett-Jackson Auction are there to go on the block. But while the Camaro Convertible Chevy brought to Scottsdale might have commanded some big bucks, the maker wasn’t ready to auction it off.
That’s because it will be putting in a stint as the pace car for the 2011 Indianapolis 500, next Memorial Day weekend. But don’t worry, if you’re headed to the Barrett, you’ll still be able to put in your bid for one of 50 Camaro pace car replicas, officially designated the Indianapolis 500 Festival Committee cars.
The event, on Saturday night, will cap a week of major car collector action in the tony Phoenix suburb – and raise money for the David Foster Foundation, a charity that helps families with children in need of organ transplants. The foundation was created by 15-time Grammy award winner David Foster, a native of Canada.
The interior of the Camaro pace car picks up on the orange exterior accents.
The new Camaro pace car is designed to reflect the oh-so-popular 1969 Camaro Indy pace car, with a Summit White exterior accented by orange stripes and door graphics. The interior picks up the color scheme, with orange leather trim and headrests embossed with the Indy logo.
The 50 pace car replicas will be SS-trimmed Camaro convertibles, with the 400-horsepower V8 and six-speed automatic. They’ll feature Brembo brakes and the StabiliTrak system.
This is the 100th anniversary of the Brick Yard race, an even in which Chevy founder Louis Chevrolet was closely associated early on. This also marks the 100th year of his eponymous brand.
Starting in 1948, with a Fleetmaster Six leading the pack, Chevrolet has paced the Indy 500 22 times, if you include the upcoming race. The Camaro has handled pace duties seven times, though the honor has also gone to Corvette time times.