Chevrolet Camaro SS convertibles presented as 500 Festival Event Cars

Chevrolet Camaro SS convertibles presented as 500 Festival Event Cars

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, April 1, 2016 – A longtime Indianapolis 500 tradition was renewed today between the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Chevrolet when 33 directors of the 500 Festival received 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertibles on the IMS main straightaway.

The “Festival Event Cars” have reminded Indianapolis-area residents of the upcoming Indianapolis 500 since the 1960s, and this year’s fleet of unique Camaros will again turn heads as they are driven around Central Indiana.

“You know the Month of May is almost here when the Indianapolis 500 Festival cars are seen around the streets of Indianapolis and beyond,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “Once again, our friends at Chevrolet have delivered a fleet of beautiful Chevrolet Camaro SS convertibles that will get fans even more excited for our historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500.”

This year’s 500 Festival cars are based off the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible and are powered by the LT1 6.2L V-8, which offers 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque – making it the most powerful Camaro SS ever.

The 2016 Camaro is the only convertible in the segment to offer all of the following:

  • Fully automatic operation with latches that automatically release and secure the top
  • Capability of opening or closing at speeds up to 30 mph
  • Remote opening with the key fob
  • A hard tonneau cover that deploys automatically, providing a more refined, finished appearance when the top is lowered and stowed.

Like the Camaro coupe, the convertible benefits from a stiffer, lighter structure that helps reduce total vehicle weight by at least 200 pounds compared to the model it replaces. Consequently, the Camaro convertible retains the coupe’s sharp chassis tuning and nimble reflexes.

The Festival cars feature a Hyper Blue exterior and an Abalone white stripe accent with a black convertible top and black leather interior. The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 graphic is featured prominently on the doors and includes the iconic IMS wing and wheel on the quarter panels.

“Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is such a big part of Chevrolet’s history and we are proud to continue to have such a strong relationship with the track,” said Jeff Chew, senior manager of strategic planning and operations for Chevrolet Racing. “It is a pleasure for Chevrolet to support the efforts of the 500 Festival board members with these special Camaros, as they serve as ambassadors in their communities and generate excitement ahead of the big race.”

“As a nonprofit organization committed to enriching lives and celebrating the impact of the Indianapolis 500, our board members travel throughout Indiana in the Festival cars, participating in various community outreach programs and in our numerous events that draw in excess of 500,000 people annually,” said Bob Bryant, 500 Festival president and CEO. “We’re proud of our longstanding partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Chevrolet and look forward to using the Festival cars to further promote the community celebration leading up to the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500.”

The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil will take place on Sunday, May 29.

About Chevrolet:
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive & active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.