Who built and sold the first 427 Camaros?

[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!

[1967Z28]

Tim,

No, it was not in Tach magazine. It was in the August '67 issue of Raceway magazine, a publication put out by Riverside Raceway.

-Jon

[Tim Penton]

Jon, You wouldn't know of anyone with another copy of this would you? Could you post the mag's cover? I'm on the hunt. Thanks