69 Copo Camaros sold new in Canada

[midyr]

Also, keep in mind that Nurse was the drop off for race stuff only because it was pretty much next door to the factory & head office in Oshawa, and race stuff couldn't go there due to GM's official policy of not participating in or supporting racing.

[Keith Tedford]

I was told, back in the day, that there were litterally tractor trailer loads of spare stuff sitting behind the south plant parts and service building when there was a big CanAm, TransAm race weekend at Mosport. Never saw this personally, just what I was told at the time. It wouldn't surprise me if it was true.

[William]

It would surprise a few well-known racers.

Smokey Yunick, Paul Van Valkenburgh and Mark Donahue each wrote books which in part covered their experiences in dealing with Chevrolet in those days. Chevrolet generally provided tech and engineering support; hard parts were another issue. During the '67 season a trailering accident did extensive damage to one of Penskes' Camaros. Donahue had to scrounge junkyards to obtain sheetmetal to repair it. When Engineering finally solved the rocker ball problem Piggins initially refused to send the parts by air claiming they couldn't afford it. When the son of a GM President needed some Corvette parts to repair his car before a race his "connections" got a GM dealer to open his doors on a Sunday and he paid for the parts. He also shopped in junkyards. By the end of the '69 Trans-Am season Penske and Chevy were not on speaking terms. All Penske did was win consecutive championships for them.

All three had the same experience: dealing with Chevrolet was a constant struggle.

Read the books. It was not what you might think.

[Keith Tedford]

Unless I've seen things for myself, I take them with a grain of salt. I was just wondering if anyone else had heard the story. Doesn't sound like it ever happened judging by these other guys.

[midyr]

I ain't sayin' nothin'.

[PeteLeathersac]

"...When the son of a GM President needed some Corvette parts to repair his car before a race his "connections" got a GM dealer to open his doors on a Sunday..."

You're no doubt referring to Tony DeLorenzo and his Owens-Corning Corvette Team...keep in mind another team member for a few rides was none other than our hero Don Yenko!.

Back to the previous subject, I wonder why Bill Nurse was chosen as the 'racing depot' w/ so many other GM dealers in the Oshawa/Whitby/Bowmanville area...some much closer to GM Head Office and/or Mosport!?
Bill Nurse's brother Bob still operates a shop here in Peterboro'...do you happen to know him very well Keith?.
I've tried to relay a few Nurse dealer questions through him before but gotten nowhere...I'll have to try him on again also inquire if anyone recalls anything on the ZL1's too..


~ Pete

[William]

Yup. They were such insiders they ran Mustangs for the '70 season. I'll bet dad was proud!!