When did Nickey close?

[JoeC]

Anyone know what date Nickey closed? I think it was 1975 or 1976 but I can't find anything on the last days.

[ChrisS]

The Nickey speedshop/service center on Milwaukee Ave. closed in the summer of 1976, but the dealership itself closed a couple of years earlier.

[copo9566aa]

I found a pictures of Nickey has the latter miles in 1974.
Nickey Performance 4201 N.Milwaukee Ave.Chicago Ill.Just a pickup in the parking.But Nickey built a conversion in 1974
a Camaro Nickey LT Package.How Many ???. Choice of engines
350-370 HP LT1/427-425 HP and 454-450 HP.

[Mr70]

I wonder where that Pick-up truck is Today?
Boy I'd like to have it. /ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif

[copo9566aa]

The pickup look very loaded /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[copo9566aa]

Nickey Chevrolet closed in November of '73 and Nickey Performance opened doors in July of '74.
Pictures of Nickey Performance conversion.a 1974 Camaro Type LT.

[JoeC]

Do you know when Nickey Performance closed?
Interesting picture- doing an engine swap outside. thanks for posting.

[copo9566aa]

The Nickey speedshop/service center on Milwaukee Ave. closed in the summer of 1976,(Chris S info).
At the Nickey Performace,The one time production figure of 375 in one year will probably never be duplicated,but boss Al Sealig expects a new yearly high of 50 to 60 units to emerge from his new shop.
At Nickey ,the LT1 350 is the popular engine .Here's one finding a new home in a Camaro.A6619 Holley and Headers provide a little extra HP and economy for the 370 HP engine.
Another pics of this 74 Camaro.

[copo9566aa]

Oups the pictures. /ubbthreads/images/icons/ooo.gif

[JChlupsa]

I would love to see how the engine was pulled and dropped back in with the hood still on. I have a hard enough time with the hood off doing it :P

[copo9566aa]

Other Info on Nickey in 1974.
After 40 year of succesful business,Nickey Chevrolet no longer exists.
Labor union problems caused its demise in '73 and a sellout to Keystone Chevrolet,
but the performance people regrouped and resurrected Nickey Performance.
The location is new but the product is just as good as ever-and now, without the burden
of corporate politics, probably better. Nickey sells high-performance parts
and acts as distributor for Pirelli and Penske .Their" Vinegarroon Bring it-to-Life
conversion kit" brings a 40% hp boost to the Vega by raising compression from 8: 1
to 11.2: 1.The kit consists of a cylinder head complete with valves, camshaft,springs
and lifters, a special waterpump hub, a degreed cam gear, acam belt tool for
adjusting tension,plus all necessary gaskets and instructions. The conversion is said
to be completely bolt-on using common hand tools, a torque wrench and less than 2 hours.
Carburetion and smog equipment is not changed, so the kit is advertised as street legal.

Sales are reported good and customers are apparently happy with the under-$200
conversion.
Nickey Chevrolet closed in November of '73 and Nickey Performance opened its doors
in July of '74. Work is resuming-but gradually. Smaller facilities have reduced
the number of cars produced; consequently, quality should remain high. The one-time
production figure of 375 in one year will probably never be duplicated, but
boss AI Sealig expects a new yearly high of 50 to 60 units to emerge from
his new shop.

As in the past, Chevys will comprise the bulk of sales and possibly a
few other GM products will be thrown in for grins. Four people will be building cars,
with extra help coming from Chicago engine builder, Ronnie "Vinegarroon" Kaplan.
Emphasis will be on the small-block, particularly the LT-1,because the special big-blocks
are just too radical to run properly on the new unleaded gas. However,
like any. other special engine, there is one drawback: Complete LT-1 's are
unavailable from Chevrolet but the pieces are In good supply and waiting for each piece
is definitely a waste ot time,
Fortunately,Sealig has planned in advance and ordered a supply
of parts in preparation for the arising need.
When AI receives payment for a new car, he purchases it from a
local dealer and then makes the engine swap. The parts that he installs
are guaranteed 90 days or 4000 miles unless there's been obvious abuse.
The rest of the car retains its usual 12,000 miles,12 mounth warranty.
However, if a warranty claim arises the car is to be returned to Nickey
(unless geographically impractical)and AI will handle the claim with
the dealer before sending the owner,This ensures good Nickey-to-dealer
relationships and reduces confusion and inconvenience for the owner.
Nicey Performance meets alI '74 emissions requirements before the car
is sold.if the engine requires an air pump or EGR, then it is installed.

Big-block installations will still be sold but probably discouraged.
The L-88 and 450-hp 454's will be aviable.InternaI modifications will
be made, but most are expected to be box-stock. Buying the big-block
for a car not normally equipped with one will pose a big insurance
problem: however, those cars with the LT-1 will be considered as a
common 350 V-8 and insurance rates will remain low,especially if it's
automatic rather than 4-speed.Al thinks that the supercar is on its way
back and for the future of Nickey Performance,we hope that he's right.



Source Hot Rod YearBook No 14 1974

[sixtiesmuscle]

Where are these quotes from? The '73-'74 referances don't jive with what I've seen & heard before, but, "supercars" can check the paperwork on his '73 L88 Nova and chime in.

[copo9566aa]

Sixtiesmuscle
in Hot Rod Yearbook no 14 1974
an article named Alive and Well:

This article speak about supercars dealers,before and after the gaz crisis.

Nickey Performance.
Briggs Chevrolet.
Motion Performance parts.
Wangers Chevrolet.
and Randall American inc.(AMC)