A special-edition Chevrolet Camaro convertible will be the official pace car of the 2011 Indianapolis 500.
And according to a General Motors news release, Chevrolet will produce 500 matching replicas of this special Indianapolis 500 pace car so that enthusiasts can purchase their own piece of history.
The 2011 Camaro convertible is the 22nd Chevrolet and the seventh Camaro chosen to pace what is known as “the greatest spectacle in racing.” Adding to that rich heritage, 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of both Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500.
“This is a great opportunity for us to build on Camaro’s strong momentum, pay tribute to its history and celebrate the ongoing launch of the new Camaro convertible,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing.
“It is fitting in this 100th year for both brands that we reinforce that relationship through this year’s Camaro pace car, which resembles what many argue is the most famous pace car in IMS history, the 1969 Camaro. We are looking forward to seeing this car on the track, pacing the greatest 33 drivers in the world on May 29,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Jeff Belskus.
All the Indy Pace Car convertibles will be Camaro SS models equipped with the 6.2L V-8 engine, and either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Replica details
The power-folding top retracts in about 20 seconds. It is built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette convertible top, and operates in a similar manner.
The regular-production versions of the 2011 Camaro convertible begin arriving in Chevrolet dealerships this month, opening a new chapter in the Camaro’s ongoing 21st century rebirth. Even before the introduction of a convertible model, Camaro was the sales leader in its class in the United States in 2010 – for the first time since 1985.
About Chevrolet
Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries.
The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse.
Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range.
Source: General Motors
