Nickey-The Birth of the 427 Camaro

[Stefano]

Very interesting and Historical Article.

I'll note some interesting tidbits for the "new" guys interested in Super Car History.

A) Note the main picture, Palm Trees. This pic of an early NicKey Camaro was taken in California.

B) The car has NicKey emblems, NicKey Center Cap, NicKey crest on the tail panel as well as a 1966 Illinois dealer plate with dealer #4501 Which was NicKey Chevrolet as well as the address for the dealership at that time 4501 Irving Park Road.

C) Bill Thomas / Bill Thomas Race Cars did not hold a car dealer licence / Franchise agreement with GM. The Nickey Cars he built in Anaheim came from Chicago but mostly from California dealers.

D) According to Don Swiatek, the One and Only NicKey Hi-Performance Manager, the car in this article was built in Chicago and sent to Bill / Thomas, Anaheim to be fitted with his headers and to be used to promote the NicKey Camaros out west. Time slips in the 11.40s @ 130 mph were very quick in 1966/67, especially for a Street Car with a Stock Engine with bolt ons.

E) Rare picture of a Young Bill Thomas Sr. with the headers he designed and produced for the first gen Camaros. They were available as an option and sold out of the NicKey Performance Catalogue.

F) Bill Thomas' relationship with NicKey started with the 1958 NicKey "Purple People Eater" Championship B-Production , winning Corvette, driven by Hall Of Famer, Jim Jeffords.