Shay Nichols #5 ZL-1 Camaro...

[CamarosRus]

The #27 ZL-1 was delivered NEW to Alan Green Chevrolet in Seattle area. Dick Tutino was the Service Manager. Not sure if he or the dealership owned the car intially, but eventually I bought the Camaro from Dick. Odometer only had 50 miles on it before being disconnected. This car was raced from almost Day 1. With the M-40 trans I believe it fit in NHRA'a SS/BA class. From 67-70 I was in the Army and away from the Seattle racing scene. I bought the car in 1975, as best I can remember....this was 30 years ago!!!!
I cant tell you about the cars S/Stock racing life, but dont think it was very winning for whatever misc reasons.
The car was converted over to Modified Production in ??? year. M-40 and 12 Bolt were removed and replaced by Mopar 4 spd and Dana 60 diff. I never learned the internals of the engine. It did have an Edelbrock Tunnel Ram with Holly 4500's. Chassis wise this car was very stock. No frame connectors, No roll bar let alone cage, I dont even remember traction bars....... I do rememeber the left rear qtr panel often getting distorted/buckled from the torque. I would open the trunk and using my hand pop out the sheetmetal.
I had drag raced before with my 70 Z-28, but had ZERO experience with anything this fast. I participated in NHRA's Div 6 racing around the Northwest. I cant remember the Nat'l record or the index at that time. I never came close to winning anything.
One interesting little story about this car, was that Dick Tutino had leased or rented the car to the BOEING (airplane) Company. (dont know the time frame) This had something to do with needing a fast accelerating vechicle to run along side and chase the 747 Airplane during its testing days.
.......I also remember receiving boxes of removed parts from car to lighten as race car. I STILL have the back seat, heater box and sway bar.
Other than Seattle locals who know the truth, including NHRA's Jerry Valentine, I CANT PROVE any of this. I dont have ONE picture of Vin Tag, Engine, My Title, etc etc, NOTHING.......

Chuck "who"