Car Search Info

[COPO PETE]

Wow, sounds like an interesting find! First thing I would check is the firewall tag. Usually they have a "X" series number on it. Look for a X11, or X44 and see if it has the big block heater box in it. Also, any signs of a cowl hood? Even if it's gone, is the wiring their? If all that is there, then start looking for the hard to see numbers. Good Luck.
Peter

[Edited by COPO PETE (11-05-2001 at 06:29 AM).]

[68TopStock]

BINGO!

The turbo 400 is another clue this may be a special car. Sounds like a potential COPO 427 car. Is it a column shift? The state of Texas has probably more drag racers than any other state, both past and present. The more I read about racers from there the more I am impressed. Names such as Bill Heishler (Mr. Bardahl), Don Hardy (funny car builder), Mike Barkhart, Shay Nichols (ZL1 #2) are just a few off the top of my head. At the World Finals in '68 most winners were Texans. A big AHRA state.

My car, the Fred Gibb "Little Hoss" was one of the top money winners in Texas from 1974-1977. In '74 it was "in the money" 44 times. A past track champion at Pinwell race track, near Odessa. At the time it was renamed "Mighty Mouse". I'll bet a few more cars were "imported" to Texas for racing.

Once you have the VIN there are several dealer archives that may be able to be searched to determine where it was originally ordered from. If it was a Texas dealer, more research may uncover the ordering dealer. Feel free to e-mail me, if you would like to keep this confidential.

[Mr Yenko]

68top stock,
Was the #2 Shay Nichols car ever found.I had heard that car and Malcom Durham's Strip Blazer were never found . Along with others iam sure , but i was wondering about these (2).

[68TopStock]

Yes,

The #2 Shay Nichols car has been restored back to showroom ready condition. I saw it on a web site earlier this year, it is still in Texas. Don't know much more, or what web site it was on. There was a pic of it though with the caption, as listed above. Don't know of Strip Blazer's where abouts.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

According to Cunneen's book, Malcolm's Strip Blazer has not been found - but the engine has??
M

[JoeC]

The Shay Nichols ZL1 was raced with a wild looking multi colored paint job and white interior. The article said it even took a first place trophy at a custom car show. It did pop up on the net at a Corvette store a wile ago. I emailed them about it and they said it was not for sale and that they had documentation that it was ZL1 #2.

[bowtie3168]

I ate dinner with Malcolm and his son on the friday of "The NHRA Division 1 Points Meet" last year. I asked him about his ZL1 and it had not been found. Malcolm is a great guy and is very friendly. I recommend caution while contacting him about info (on the ZL1) because some collectors (I think) tried to get some info out of him while trying to purchase the car (for themselves). Mr. Durham is a very bright and smart gentleman, and might think that you are pumping him for info.I would not want anyone to have a negative reaction to him because he might think that someone is trying to get info out of him on the car. He is great to talk to. If you get the opportunity to chat with him at a show I highly recommend it. He has always been a helpful to me with historical facts. He would like to have the car for his collection. If anybody wishes to share some info as to the car's current location I would be happy to put you in contact with him.

Andrew