1969 Nickey Camaro

[sixtiesmuscle]

It's understandable why you would be excited, and not want to appear TOO excited. If this story turns out to be true, you've found a real treasure. Please come back and let us know what you uncover in your research. If he "has paperwork" , you're in luck, and anything else discussed here is just guesswork.

[bkhpah]

Don't get to excited to find a build sheet, I have never found one in a Norwood Camaro. I have only seen a handfull of legit ones. Did find one in a LA Camaro once...BKH

[SuperNovaSS]

I got ahold of the original owner today. He was a Funny car racer in the 60's and 70's. He told me that he bought the car new and registered it in California. From there he went to Kansas City to pick the car up from the Dick Harrel Performance Center, Not Nickey. He said that Harrel had decammed the engine and put higher gears in the car so he could comfortably drive the car back to California. He went on to say that the car did not have the standard 427 but the cast iron version of the ZL-1(L-88). The car came with a fiberglass cowl hood that flew off on many occasions(gone now). When he got the car home he preceded to tear the engine out and port the heads and replace the cam with a ZL-1 version. He also lowered the rear gears from 3.90 to 4.56. Later he found that tire clearance was a problem and he had the rear fenders flared and the car painted by a guy named Linwood. He had a lot of other things to say too but I won't get too far into it. He also has many pictures of the car that he is going to send me. He also said he gave all the papers to the second owner who I bought the car from. I guess I need to try to get those next. Thanks everybody for all the help and I will let you know how it comes out.


Jason

[68TopStock]

Jason,

It sounds to me like you found a great car. If this is a legit Dick Harrell modified car, it is possible it originally was a Fred Gibb Chevrolet car. If you don't mind, could you send me your VIN and cowl plate data via e-mail, and I will forward the info. to the Fred Gibb Chevy historians that may be able to help you with this.

It is believed Fred Gibb sent Dick Harrell most if not all of the engines he transplanted. Fred Gibb Chevy also performed transplants for customers, and utilized Dick's shop for race mods. Fred Gibb and Dick Harrell had a close business relationship during the years 1968-1971. I own one of the Fred Gibb Chevrolet racecars.

Ken Boje

[SuperNovaSS]

I didn't know it was possible to do that. Like I said the car is not here yet. I can have a friend of mine go get the VIN and trim tag info off the car. What information can be found by doing this search?
I appreciate all the help.

Thanks,


Jason

[GMH454]

Could you share the funny car owners name with us. Also sounds like the camaro was raced, was it, and did he tell you what class it ran in.
Looks interesting can't wait for some photos.

[SuperNovaSS]

The car was raced for some time. He said it was mainly his driver so he could get the "speed bug" out of him when he was at home. His name is John Penso.
He said the car would not get traction at all and it ran consistant 12 evens. i do not know what class it was run in.

[Edited by SuperNovaSS (09-12-2001 at 07:47 PM).]