Who built and sold the first 427 Camaros?

[427TJ]

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Is it possible the 350 engine ID was removed and the paint touched up in that area?

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Yes Jon, early 427 Camaro conversions were performed on small-block cars. In the case of the first Dana conversion, the 350 emblems were removed and '67 Impala SS 427 V-flags and 427 numerals were added in their place. Note the small-block fan shroud and heater hose connections on the firewall in this engine bay shot of the first Dana.



And here's a Nickey/Bill Thomas Camaro, possibly the same car from your article that Bruce posted, showing a big-block shroud but it has small-block heater hose connections ont he firewall.



Last is a photo of the first Nickey Chicago 427 Camaro conversion (overseen by Dick Harrell), performed on an SS 350. Note the small-block fan shroud and iron exhaust manifolds. I suppose the large air cleaner housing is also noteworthy. Note also that all three cars have manual brakes.

[1967Z28]

Kasey, glad you enjoyed the posting of that article and it was useful to you.

Bill, thanks for posting those pics of the engine compartments. Looks like Dana generally preferred the Edelbrock valve covers and Nickey liked to stick with the stock chrome ones (most likely some exceptions for either case).

-Jon

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Bill, thanks for posting those pics of the engine compartments. Looks like Dana generally preferred the Edelbrock valve covers and Nickey liked to stick with the stock chrome ones (most likely some exceptions for either case).

-Jon

On the very first 396-427 transplants, I can't say for sure on such things as valve covers, wheels, headers, & etc., but after the programs got rolling, the customer could order the car built with most anything he was willing to pay for. Too, very interesting article about the Dana and Nickey-Thomas Camaro performance.

What has always been a little deceptive on the 427 Camaro is the fact we all know that Bill Thomas and Nickey Chevrolet were associated. This is true with Dick Harrell and Nickey joining forces in January of 1966. Now, Dick Harrell & Bill Thomas can be traced back to 1965, but when did Thomas become associated with Nickey Chevrolet? Would Thomas have been associated with Nickey when the 67 Camaro became available?

Thanks Bruce and Pete for your input into establishing a date of the release of the Camaro, in which you agree on the latter part of September, 1966. We now know that the BB Camaro was in the planning stages or had already been built prior to Oct. 9, 1966 at Nickey Chevrolet, which would be no more than 2 weeks after availability to the general public? My thoughts are that these were already built before this date or Harrell would not have approached AHRA with this thought in mind? I do not have a date as to when Harrell contacted Tice, but feel that it would have been at least a few days prior to this date? Then as mentioned before, who actually built the first, still may be questionable? Ray

[Stefano]

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Now, Dick Harrell & Bill Thomas can be traced back to 1965, but when did Thomas become associated with Nickey Chevrolet? Would Thomas have been associated with Nickey when the 67 Camaro became available?


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Ray,
The Nickey/Thomas marketing/sales alliance was created to market the 'Nickey' Camaro as well as GM Hi-Po Parts some time in early 1966.

I have not been able to get an exact date, but we know that Bill Thomas was involved with Nickey's road race program, in some aspect, prior to 1967.

Ronnie Kaplan/RKE, via Nickey Chevrolet had direct access to a dyno cell at the Detroit Tech Center. He was one of the "insiders".

He and Bill Thomas were sharing info,parts and technology long before the Camaro was introduced.

Ronnie shared a story with me, about when he visited Bill's shop in Fullerton California, prior to him moving, to the Anaheim location.

[copo-2]

Stephano,

Good information about Bill Thomas Enterprises and his relationship with Nickey Chevrolet, prior to the release of the Camaro. I knew that the red 66 Nickey Nova Dick Harrell campaigned was a Bill Thomas engineered car, but was not sure if he was actually with Nickey yet?

Now, in an earlier post in a document from AHRA where it is stated by Jim Tice that the 396-427 Camaro would be eligible for stock eliminator classes only from Nickey Chevrolet or it's agent? Could the word "AGENT" be a Bill Thomas prepared car possibly being invoiced or with some sort of paperwork being done by Nickey??? Since Dick Harrell was working with Nickey in Chicago at the time, I wouldn't think the agent would be a reference too him?

It is no secret that Dick Harrell carried a lot of clout with AHRA. He could draw a lot of people to the track by his winning record and devotion to Chevrolets. Bruce Young wrote many articles about Dick Harrell. He was a PR man for the AHRA and was the author of the earlier mentioned detailed article of Tach Magazine (Jan. 67). In AHRA's weekly publication called "Drag World," he also did an article dated October 14, 1966, about the 67 Nickey 427 Camaro as a street or strip version ready for delivery from Nickey Chevrolet. Production was at least underway for the Nickey 427 Camaro at this time frame. Ray

[Stefano]

I don't have an employment agreement to back it up, but Dick was an employee of Nickey. I also agree and do not think he would be considered an agent, for the purpose of selling Nickey Camaros.

Bill Thomas was not a licensed Chevrolet dealer and certainly would have been considered an agent, of Nickey Chevrolet,for the purposes,of their alliance,IMO.

[Tim Penton]

Jon, The 4 pg. article that you posted on the '67 Nickey and Dana 427 Camaros, was that from Tach magazine Jan. 1967? Ray, Could you please post the article from Drag world 10-14-66 about the '67 Nickey 427 Camaros? Thanks guys, great reading!