History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
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So here the deal i recently bought a 91 z28 convertible it has all the stickers for the indy race how ever i cant find any record of it susposivly it was the judges car and not the pace car its 1 of 3 cars im just wondering if by any chance some one knows the history of the car or came across it/ knows where to find the info the indy race the car appeared in was the may 27th 1990
The 1990 Indy pace car was a Beretta not a Camaro. The Beretta had a similar door sticker to what's on your car. It may be possible your car was used at the track for some other purpose. However, that race was May 27th, 1990 which would be early for a '91 Z28. What's the build date on your car?
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88 Camaro IROC Z28 Convertible
92 Camaro RS 25th Anniversary 2nd place Best Interior-'09 3rd Gen Fest 1st place Best Interior-'08 3rd Gen Fest 3rd place Camaro Modified-'08 3rd Gen Fest
Last edited by 86NiteRider; 06-12-2009 at 11:24 PM.
That was a probably a festival/track car used at Indy during the month of May. - That's my best guess. Check this video out . Pay close attention at :34 seconds. . .you'll see the front ends of 3 white Camaro's and at :36 seconds, you'll see your car. .
That's a super nice find man. Take good care of it!!!
The Camaro has been used for Festival activities for years. The Beretta was the official Pace Car for the 1990 race, but not available in convertible trim. The Camaro was used during the pre race festivities during the month of May. There are more than 3 though. More like 32. The Indy 500 always uses the next years model for the race festivities so a 1990 model will be the choice in the 1989 race. The only time this was not the case was in 2002 when there was no 2003 Camaro to use. They used a 2002 silver Z28 convertible for the 2002 race. There will be minimal information on the car as it wasn't the official pace car. There are a couple of other members here on the board that have these cars also.
The Camaro has been used for Festival activities for years. The Beretta was the official Pace Car for the 1990 race, but not available in convertible trim. The Camaro was used during the pre race festivities during the month of May. There are more than 3 though. Probably more like 50+. The Indy 500 always uses the next years model for the race festivities so a 1990 model will be the choice in the 1989 race. The only time this was not the case was in 2002 when there was no 2003 Camaro to use. They used a 2002 silver Z28 convertible for the 2002 race. There will be minimal information on the car as it wasn't the official pace car. There are a couple of other members here on the board that have these cars also.
1989 Indy Festival Car Info from Jan Larsson..........No 1990 models were used.
Thought I post the info I got many years ago from the gentleman at Indy responsible for the numbering and plating of the pace cars, parade cars and support vehicles for the 1989 event ....
This is what he sent me:
All of this information is from the 1989 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car program file. As all of you already know the Turbo Trans was the "Official Pace Car" that year with GMC being the "Official Truck"
As we do this every year all of the cars that are going to be used during the months from March until May for this event are assigned a number. All cars receive this on the front windshield down low by the VIN number with the trucks and vans to have them applied to both the front and rear glass. The plate that is issued matches this number. The basic guide is that all of the "Official Pace Cars" that are used by the Speedway are numbered 1-80. These are then broken down again and the 500 Festival Committee then gets 34 cars with the remainder to be kept and issued by the Speedway. The Press cars are then numbered 81-100 and the last are usually Administrative units.
Vehicles numbered in the high 200 are normally support units or as they have been issuing Teams vehicles and that is why you see such a high number. We do have the BMV press plates up to 300 to 350 as sometimes the manufactures usually send more in after the first group arrives and is processed.
I hope this explains how the plating process works and here are the numbers from 1989 and there assignment.
Cars plated 1, 2, 3, and then from the numbers 53-78 were used by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and these are what we call Track Cars. Cars numbered 4 through 40 were issued to the 500 Festival Committee (now it is called Indy Festivals) All of the cars from 41-51 were used for the parade and on race day for the drivers parade around the track.
Units numbered 79 through 83 were GMC Safari vans with 84 being a Bonneville SSE.
Cars then numbered 85 through 156 were replicas and some of these had press assignments. The GMC Safari vans then were numbered 157-161 for Pontiac Administrative use. Cars numbered 162-171 were Bonneville SSE models and were for Admin usages with 172-206 being Sunfire Convertibles and these were used for the parade and press and Admin and others during the month of May.
Here is the total recap of the different models that were used:
500 Festival Committee
50 Trans Am replicas
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
3 Actual Trans Am Pace Cars
28 Trans Am Replicas
5 Safari Wagons
10 Bonneville SSE
1 Bonneville LE
Support and Courtesy Vehicles
72 Trans Am Replicas
35 Sunbird Convertibles
10 Bonneville SSE
5 Safari Wagons
Total 219 units
RECAP
3 ACTUAL TRANS AM PACE CARS
150 PACE CARS REPLICAS
35 SUNBIRD CONVERTIBLES
10 SAFARI WAGONS
10 BONNEVILLE SSE
1 BONNEVILLE LE
Let's straighten one thing out before we go too far. I screwed up on the years above. The Beretta was the 1990 Pace car so the 1991 Camaro was used for it. My mind went somewhere else when typing the years above. The reason the 1991 model was used, is because of the shortened 1990 model year and the lengthened 1991 model year. The next year vehicle has been used in regards to the Brickyard, not Indy. By August, the new model year cars are being released so the Brickyard got the newest they could. Indy used the same year car as the race.
Don't know where my brain was when typing that earlier!
Hi looking at buying the same car you have is there any identifing numbers behind the license plate frame in black marker? you can email me at rich@eberhartsemb.com
As a festival car, I think there is a sticker on the lower left side of the windshield and a decal under the rear license plate. Not sure if they used the decals yet in 1990 or if they used a sharpie. I also believe there should be a plaque in the car that states what number it was in the production lineup. That plate should match the VIN. Again, not positive as I haven't seen every 1990 Festival car, but here is an inside plate of one.
It looks to be a dash plaque. I'm not sure where it is on the car and if all the cars even have one. I've seen the cars on eBay before and they didn't have this. Not sure if the original owner removed it for his own collection or if the car even came with them. This picture came from someone that recently purchased one. It was in his car and again, I'm thinking it's mounted to the dash.
Well the large one looks the same on the car i just purchased but the one which looks like its on the front fender is def different and there are decals on the rear left and right fenders large set of wings with wheel in center ill get pics when i get the car home but something just dont seem right here unless every car got different decals?
Also any suggestions on where I can get the 3rd brake light assembly i need the red lens and plastic strip with all the bulbs?
The dealer told me its a discontinued part and that you cant just replace the bulbs i must replace the whole strip ????
The decals should be the same for all cars. The rear decals may have been replaced with a set of winged wheels from another year or another car altogether. The front fender graphics should also match.
I'm not an expert on the convertible 3rd light. You might want to post a question in the convertible forum. I think you can replace just the lights, but you may need to do some solder work or locate a special bulb. I don't remember what the issue was.
I also found out that the dash plaque pictured above was created by a previous owner of the car for show purposes, so it was not on any of the other 31 cars.
This message is for andrewscamaro wondering if you still have the indy car would love to discuss any info you have leared about the car as i just purchased one and haveing tough time finding info on the car give me a call 215 639 9530
I saw one of these driving around northeast philadelphia the other day. Neat car I was wondering about the history on it was true or if someone just put beretta stickers on it. Rare find
That would of been me in the NE so far what ive found out its all ligit i hate the stickers but keeping them on in the mean time $350 will get me a certified letter etc telling the history behind the car.
I know what you mean, but leaving them on makes the value alot higher. Car looked clean, check over on epfba.org since your local. It's a slow board but we do meet monthly. Hopefully I will host another bbq in burholme park soon.
That would of been me in the NE so far what ive found out its all ligit i hate the stickers but keeping them on in the mean time $350 will get me a certified letter etc telling the history behind the car.
Hey Rich,It was nice meeting and chatting with you today.The car looks awesome.Here is the picture I took.Hope to see you at some local get togethers.Feel free to PM me if you want to talk shop or whatever
Marc
I read through the above website about the indy pacecars and I know it's off topic and maybe it has been covered somewhere on this site, but I see the 82 camaro pace car had a 250 hp 5.7 liter engine which is the 350. I know the 5.7 wasn't available until 1987 and TPI wasn't available until 1985 and the most powerful engine that ever came in a 3rd gen had 245 HP. So my question is does anyone know anything about the engine that was fitted in the actual 1982 pace car?
Really dead topic, I know, but I had to comment. Having spent substantial time with the Beretta community, I can tell you that the only two cars to run the 1990 Indy 500 were the Beretta and Corvette. The cars were either teal or yellow. Those decals come up from time to time on Ebay and it looks like someone bought them and stuck them on. As for a parade car, I have no idea, but something doesn't seem right as the Corvette would probably have been the judges car, not a Z28. I'm still confused.
Last edited by Dante93GTZ; 07-01-2010 at 11:44 AM.
What are you confused about? The Camaro has been used for many years as a support vehicle. The speedway also used Suburbans and pickups. The Camaro was used for festival duties for the entire month of May leading up to the race. The Corvettes were used for driver introduction and the Beretta was the Official Pace car. No the decals were not just put on the car. These are official track cars.
Well I called the Indy 500 Musume and the lady confirmed the car was used in 1990 as a parade/ festival car and she gave me the email address of the guy who put the decals on the cars and who has all the records vin # etc for $350 he will provide you with notorized paper work backing up the info on the car.
Well I called the Indy 500 Musume and the lady confirmed the car was used in 1990 as a parade/ festival car and she gave me the email address of the guy who put the decals on the cars and who has all the records vin # etc for $350 he will provide you with notorized paper work backing up the info on the car.
$350 for PAPER??!! I doubt this will increase the value of the car significantly or even at all.
I know the person that provides that "paper". He used to work for Arelco in Indy. He ordered the cars and the decals, had them applied and set up all the cool pace car photos you see online. He kept records of every car and every detail about the car while it was in his control. Arelco didn't really care about this stuff, so he kept personal folders with all of the data and pictures. If you want a unique car authenticated as true and accurate and not a clone, the price is worth it. Joel Rosen charges a couple grand to authenticate and verify a true Baldwin Motion Camaro!!
do you know anyone else who now owns one of the 1991 Camero Z 28 parade car as shown in several pictures on this wed site or who has sold one recently. I own one in perfect condition with 41,000 miles on it and am interested in selling it.
So here the deal i recently bought a 91 z28 convertible it has all the stickers for the indy race how ever i cant find any record of it susposivly it was the judges car and not the pace car its 1 of 3 cars im just wondering if by any chance some one knows the history of the car or came across it/ knows where to find the info the indy race the car appeared in was the may 27th 1990
Do you still own this car, would like to talk to you about my 1991 Z 28 Camero parade car.
If you are looking to sell it, put it in the classifieds. The fact that it's a festival car won't increase the value much. The value is placed on the fact that the car is a 1991 Z28 Convertible with low miles. The festival part is just a bonus that someone "might" pay extra for, but doubted. The cars were regular production vehicles with no special RPO codes or any special option combinations not available otherwise. If you removed the stickers, nobody would know it was once a festival car.
Well i am now in posession of the list that shows all the vin #'s and drivers assignments for all the Berettas, Corvetts, Camaros and other vehicles used in the 1990 Indy 500. I have found that the car I have was # 30 so thedoor sticker will stay, just wondering if anyone has good straight on shots of the front and back decals or any others pics of the Camaro from the race day?
I know the person that provides that "paper". He used to work for Arelco in Indy. He ordered the cars and the decals, had them applied and set up all the cool pace car photos you see online. He kept records of every car and every detail about the car while it was in his control. Arelco didn't really care about this stuff, so he kept personal folders with all of the data and pictures. If you want a unique car authenticated as true and accurate and not a clone, the price is worth it. Joel Rosen charges a couple grand to authenticate and verify a true Baldwin Motion Camaro!!
I've met this guy as well, when I went to Bowling Green in 2005 for the Camaro/Firebird Gathering. He gave a long talk on F bodies and their role at Indy. I'd happily pay $350 to get that info.
Thats a great pic do you recall why they were all lined up or what was going on at the time on the track? Wish there was more pics out there like this.
My list shows the there were 37 Camaro's used during the event. I tried to count them in the photo but they get a little blurry, lol. Thanks for the pic if you come across any others i would love to see them. Rich
I have owned one of the 91 z28 convertable's since 1992. Everything is original and teh car has about 41,000 miles on it. I was interested in selling it this past summer, but did not get any decent offers. I would like to know what the number of my car is and who rode in it. We used to know, but lost th paper. I keep thinking it was John Rutherford, but not sure.
I have owned one of the 91 z28 convertable's since 1992. Everything is original and teh car has about 41,000 miles on it. I was interested in selling it this past summer, but did not get any decent offers. I would like to know what the number of my car is and who rode in it. We used to know, but lost th paper. I keep thinking it was John Rutherford, but not sure.
Mike
Mike whats the last 6 of your vin? Also do you have any pic of your car would love to see, also are the decals still on the left & right fenders and on the back quater pannels? If so would love some up close pics I would like to have them duplicated as mine have been removed.
Rich
The vin # is 1G1FP33F1ML109748. I will get some pictures together and get them to you in next day or so with the stickers included. Yes, all of my stickers are original and in place. I just looked and I guess we bought this on 7-25-91 with 6,073 miles on it.
At indy, or at least at that time programming starts at 8AM, but the race started at 11. So they had almost 3 hours of parade laps for all kinds of stuff- Old pace cars, marching bands, they even drove the first winning indy car around the track from 1909. IIRC. they used the Camaros for parading girls around the track- Purdue cheerleaders, beauty queens, etc. When they were done, they just parked the cars in the row in the pic.
The 1990 Indy pace car was a Beretta not a Camaro. The Beretta had a similar door sticker to what's on your car. It may be possible your car was used at the track for some other purpose. However, that race was May 27th, 1990 which would be early for a '91 Z28. What's the build date on your car?
The '91 build was a long one. Feb 1990 - July 1991 so this would make sense.
Where were you able to get the list from? Would you be willing to sell me a copy for my documentation? I own one of the yellow vettes and am desperately trying to get as much info as I can about the car. Prior owner's have lost everything. Thanks
