In 1993, General Motors chose the new generation Camaro to take part in the race, capitalizing on its global visibility. The fourth generation Camaro, designed by John Cafaro and Chuck Jordan, was considered the less charismatic, with a softer design that didn’t match what was expected of a muscle car.
Even so, the model brought innovations such as composite panels, which reduced weight and made maintenance easier, as well as an updated front suspension which improved dynamic behaviour. The Camaro was available with V6 and V8 engines, with the Z/28 version being the most desirable, equipped with a 5.7-litre V8, 275hp and 441Nm, combined with a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.
To capitalise on its presence at the 500 Miles, GM once again produced a commemorative version called the ‘Pace Car Edition’, limited to 645 units. It was undoubtedly the most extrovert of all the Camaros of this generation: as well as being painted in black and white, the body was adorned with stripes in ‘neon’ colours, very much in the style of the 90s, a theme that extended to the upholstery. Three units of the model were prepared for the 1993 test, equipped with all the essential devices for the job and all with automatic gearboxes.
This time, the personality invited to drive the Pace Car on the opening laps was Jim Perkins, Director of General Motors, while the driver assigned to emergency interventions was once again Don Bailey. As in 1989, Emerson’s victory was rewarded with one of the Pace Cars. The driver lovingly keeps this unit in his collection, which, however, is one of the 645 sold to the public.