Nickey / Bill Thomas 1967 Autorama

[Rondonrus]

I believe that Guy Tipton was racing with Dick Harrell when this car was built and really don't think that Bill Heilsher paid Nickey to build a car that he could put together at his shop in Texas.

[Stefano]

You "believe" and you "think"?

I was not at the Dealership in 1966 and 1967, but have certainly spoken and interviewd more than a few people who were close to Dick, Bill Hielscher as well as having assisted Guy with Bill's Race car, while at the Nickey Dealership. All thier info seemed to corespond. In the spirit of accuracy, why don't you tell us what YOU know to be the facts.








The pages above are from an article about Nickey Chevroletin Chicago's 427 Camaros. If I recall, some of the Camaros have no Nickey specific badges other than the Nickey Crest on the tail panel...which all cars sold out of Nickey received.

[Stefano]

One of the other Nickey Camaros built by Dick Harrell is this Camaro.

I had been told by numerous employees that this "Yenko" Camaro was indeed a Nickey built by Dick. It wasn't 100% confirmed until I met the retired Nickey Tech, whom Dick tried to sell the car to originally. He told Dick that while he couldn't afford the car, or to race it, that he had a good friend who had done well racing Pontiacs. That good Friend was Mike Garfinkle.

Mike is one of the people who confirmed much of what had already been known. That Dick & Tipton did build Heilscher's Camaro, Garfinkle's Camaro and one more...which is still being researched at this time.

At the end of the '66 racing season, Mike finished up in his '67 Nickey. When he showed up to the track in the Spring he was surprised to see that his Camaro was now sponsored by Yenko Chevrolet.



Dick explained that Nickey was not going to sponsor him for the '67 Season and that he and Al Selig had a big blow out.



Mike was and still is to this day very loyal and appreciative of what Dick had done for him as well as their friendship and so his Nickey Camaro became a Yenko Sponsored race car....until that relationship ended.



Mike is from my home town. He also street raced that Nickey Camaro and helped create the mystique and reputation which fallowed all the future Nickey Super Cars.

[Stefano]