Mecum to Sell 1967 Nickey 427 Camaro at Auction October 4, 2008
In 1967 Nickey Chevrolet of Chicago was the biggest, most successful Chevrolet dealer in the world. Owners Jack and Ed Stephani were successful racers and marketing geniuses; their distinctive Nickey logo with its backward-facing "K" was an American musclecar icon in motor sports, where it appeared on everything from drag cars to Can-Am racers until the early 1970s. Nickey teamed with some of the best talent in American racing, including such names as A.J. Foyt, Skip Hudson, Jerry Grant and Dan Blocker of TV’s “Bonanza” fame.
Nickey was the first dealer to offer a 427 big-block conversion for Chevrolet’s exciting new 1967 Camaro. Working with legendary Chevy racer Bill Thomas in California, Nickey began installing the potent 427 Corvette engine into the Camaro beginning in late 1966, with Thomas converting cars to be sold in the west and local drag superstar Dick “Mr. Chevrolet” Harrell doing conversions and managing sales in Chicago. The 427-powered Camaros were shocking performers that could be purchased fresh from the showroom floor.
Mecum Auction CEO Dana Mecum, a Chicago -area native, recalls the cars’ impact on the local drag racing scene: “All the Nickey-prepared cars were hard runners, but the 427 Camaros were instantly unbeatable. They were in a league of their own, and this car, with the Tri-Power setup, is a cornerstone example of a Nickey conversion. We’re very pleased to offer what is essentially 'The' 1967 Nickey 427 Camaro at our Mecum St. Charles, Illinois Auction.”
The 1967 Nickey 427 Camaro to be auctioned this year at St. Charles is widely considered to be the best known and most desirable in existence (See the full listing on the Mecum website). An original RS/SS 4-speed, it is a stunning example of American Muscle that will markedly enhance any collection. One of an estimated fourteen built, it is one of three to receive the Corvette 427/435HP L89 aluminum-head Tri-Power engine, and the only one finished in Tahoe Turquoise. It is well known as the subject of numerous magazine features and has been showcased by noted automotive photographer David Newhardt in several books, including Chevy SS: 50 Years of Super Sport; Camaro, Forty Years and the recently released American Muscle Supercars.
The 1967 Nickey 427 Camaro is the Mecum Main Attraction of an estimated 800 collectible classics that will attract a crowd of thousands to the 13th Annual Mecum St. Charles, Illinois Auction, October 3 - 5, 2008 at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL. The car is will be sold Saturday, October 4 as lot number S97. The general public is welcome, with tickets available at the door for $10. For complete information about this auction, visit www.Mecum.com.
About Mecum
The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars, muscle cars and Corvettes for over twenty years. In spring 2008, the Company sold its fifty-thousandth car. Consignment, Bidder, event and accommodation information is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling (815) 568-8888.
