Wow, a Holy Grail Camaro! This is a loaded special edition pace car featuring the legendary L-78 396-375 hp engine, recently undergoing a frame-off restoration to factory specifications. While exact production numbers are unknown, this car is exceedingly rare.
EXTERIOR: The body is rust-free and straight, sporting a cowl induction hood and front and rear spoilers. It has been repainted in its original Dover White with polished Hugger Orange stripes, giving it a smooth and glossy finish. The car also features Pace Car decals on the doors. All exterior chrome and trim pieces have been replaced. The Rally Sport package, with hideaway headlights converted to electric motors, is also included. The windshield is new, and the white convertible power top has been restored. The 15×7 rally wheels have been restored and fitted with reproduction Firestone Wide Oval white letter tires.
INTERIOR: The Pace Car is unique as the only convertible to feature houndstooth upholstery in eye-catching Hugger Orange. The deluxe interior includes molded door panels and factory options like a tachometer and gauge cluster in the console, an AM/FM radio, and reproduction mats. Every element has been restored or replaced, including the dash pad, heater control panel, knobs, bezels, vents, and ashtray. The door panels, upholstery, carpet, steering wheel, seat belts, and visors are all new.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: The heart of this Camaro is the numbers-matching 396-375 horsepower L-78 motor, with casting numbers, dates, and stamp pads that all match (with photos provided for verification). The engine has been rebuilt to factory specs, featuring an L-78 cam, solid lifters, square port heads, an aluminum intake, and a dual-feed Holley carburetor with correct fuel lines. The correct distributor with reproduction, dated spark plug wires, and a complete smog system are also present. Additionally, the engine includes deep groove pulleys to prevent belt slippage at high RPMs, and reproduction belts, hoses, and clamps. The Delco battery topper comes with spring clamp battery cables. Every surface is smoothly painted, and it features power steering and new power brakes with a cadmium plated booster. Other updates include a new wiper motor and functional squirters.
TRUNK COMPARTMENT: The trunk has been refinished to factory standards, with the underside of the trunk lid and jambs painted nicely. Inside, clean metal is neatly spatter-painted, and reproduction stickers, weatherstrip, and mat are present. The trunk includes a Wide Oval tire on a painted rim and a complete jack assembly. Additionally, new wiring, a well liner, a trunk latch, and the “shaker cans” are in place.
UNDERSIDE: Every component underneath the car was removed during the restoration process. The entire front end steering and suspension system has been rebuilt, along with the rear suspension, springs, bushings, and shocks. The car retains the correct spiral shocks and re-applied factory tags. It features a new, correct dual exhaust system with a transverse muffler and a completely new fuel system, including the tank. The brake system appears to have been entirely replaced, from calipers to brake lines and the e-brake assembly. It has disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear. The engine underside is fresh Chevy Orange with the correct starter, and the dated M-20 Muncie 4-speed transmission looks pristine, including the Hurst linkage. The drive shaft has been restored, complete with assembly line paint markings, and the car has a 12-bolt posi rear. The floors are solid and freshly painted.
SERVICE: Following the restoration, a thorough inspection was conducted. The team addressed any remaining issues, tightening miscellaneous items, adjusting the reverse gear, replacing the temperature gauge, calibrating the speedometer, adjusting the brake light switch, tweaking the right rear window mechanism, repairing the top switch, aligning the convertible top frame, bleeding the brakes, and balancing the tires.
This car is where desirability meets rarity. Consider this: a ’69 Camaro convertible with RS-SS, a big block, and a 4-speed. Now add the Pace Car package and that potent 375hp engine. This car not only underwent a frame-off restoration to exacting standards but is also numbers-matching, with the trim tag verified by Jerry MacNeish. It’s truly beyond special!