Nickey backward K Sebring 1962

[TimG]

I grew up in Chicago and remember passing the tall smoke stack by their dealership with its backward K. I was to young to know what was brewing there, unfortunately. I vividly remember this landmark from 1963 when we moved there until well into the mid 70's when I bought Goodyear tires for my 442 from them. Jim Jeffords and the Purple Eater Corvette raced under their banner in the late 50's. I can not remember if they used this marketing idea on his car.

[ChrisS]

Joe, was the race review in a magazine article? If so, which one? Is the car shown the #149 car that was toured in 63-64 as well? I have a source for old magazines for that period but unfortunately nothing on the 1962 Sebring race.
Tim, I've seen old 8mm film footage that is now owned by Jack Knab (NCRS member) with his car as well as the Purple People Eater, a very young Roger Penke and others. A must see if you ever get the opportunity.
I also grew up within a short bicycle ride from Nickey in the 60's and remember the liquidation sale at the building on Milwaukee Ave. in 1976 but unfortunately at 16 didn't have the cash to buy anything worth mentioning.

[Edited by ChrisS (12-23-2001 at 11:00 AM).]

[JoeC]

The magazine is TODAYS MOTOR SPORTS June 1962 and the Nickey Nouse wore the number "6." There are many simalarities between Yenko and Nickey. Both did a lot of road racing starting in the late 50s. It appears they both got into sponsoring drag racing for advertising of the 427 1967 Camaro transplant cars and hi po parts. They both seemed to have good connections with Chevy and they both had owned/raced a SR2 experimental Corvette of which only 3 were made and one was a show car. Both also had high performance parts businesses with mail order catalogs.

[Stefano]

There is even more of a link between them as well as many of the other Super Car Dealers.

The link was Dick Harrell. Any one of you oldtimers want to chime in?

[68TopStock]

Stefano,

You are correct regarding Dick Harrell, he was behind several well known dealers. Here is a pic of Dick Harrell with Fred Gibb and Herb Fox. Seems Dick liked the Camaro quite a bit. Taken at Beardstown Dragstrip September 1967.

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

I have been told that the backward "K" was not on any dealer paperwork just an advertising Logo thing that they did,you will see it in adds,on race cars,signs but no dealer paperwork,contracts,sales receipts etc.But I was told this and have no reason to doubt this person.

Bobby