+FIRST CAR DEALER-To Build & Sale -*427* Camaro,s

[Z-11 396]

I heard people talk over the years as to Who was the First Car Dealer to << Build & Sale >> ** 427 ** Camaro,s.,, Who, and When do you think it was ?

[luzl78]

I think it was Dana

[Lee Stewart]

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/amazing-story-behind-the-first-dana-427-conversion-of-a-1967-chevrolet-camaro/

[William]

The provenance of the current DC1 car is all oral history. No docs, no real proof. The body tag shows it was built Nov 1966 and had A02 and Z21. Vintage photos of the Dodd car show it had neither. Plenty of controversy over it.

The January, 1967 issue of Tach magazine, AHRA house organ, has an extensive feature on a 427 Camaro conversion done by Nickey Chevrolet. Magazine lead time in those days was about 3 months, placing the conversion sometime during October 1966. The car converted was an early production Camaro SS350; does not have the crossed flags/350 fender emblems. I think a later issue of Car Craft also had a feature on it.

My guess, the Nickey/Tach was the first. No idea if it still exists.

[1967Z28]

To me there's no controversy, it's flat out not the real car. Wasn't delivered to Dana or even California and was originally Sierra Fawn with gold standard interior instead of Tuxedo Black with black standard. Also an automatic 327 instead of the real DC-1 being a 4-speed SS.

I've heard Bill Thomas was the first person to do development of a big block in a Camaro as early as August '66 but whether that was contract work for Chevrolet or for the Nickey/Thomas partnership is unknown.

[JoeC]

this was discussed over the years and you may be able to find old threads on it

I think Dana and Nickey/Bill Thomas were both working on 427 Camaro conversions as soon as possible and did them about at the same time.

Bill Thomas was a race car fabricator who did some work for Chevy and was well connected with Chevy Engineering

The hard part of the early 427 Camaro conversion was the headers.
The factory BB was offset forward and to the pass side to fit in the Camaro and had an offset cross member and heater box and other parts.

The SS350 to 427 Camaro conversion used the SB parts. It worked but needed headers as the exhaust manifold would hit the steering box

Bill T was making the early Camaro headers and traction bars and other parts

Dana had an early 427 Camaro drag car

attached a pic of a Yenko/Dana ad from late 1966 and an early Dana/Nickey article

[427TJ]

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/amazing-story-behind-the-first-dana-427-conversion-of-a-1967-chevrolet-camaro/

I believe Cramer and his partner bought Enoch Chevrolet and changed the name to Dana.

[1967Z28]

That is correct and they opened it as Dana in late August '66.

[PeteLeathersac]

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This discussion usually ends @ the same conclusion w/ others doing conversions early too but the Jan.'67 Tach Magazine Nickey car the first 427 Camaro ever made available to test.
Here's a few more related pics, first shot from the Tach Magazine Dual Quad article w/ Nickey on the Doors...which sure looks like the car in the next picture on the Nickey/Harrell Ramp Truck?
Note the Nickey Dealer Plate # in the rear shot w/ taped over SS Gascap is slightly different than the Plate # in Joe's pic above also the Dual Quad car in the next two Nickey/Bill Thomas booth pictures @ the first SEMA show 01/67 may be this same car again?
Last is an 11/66 LA Newspaper article mentioning Nickey 427 Camaros from Chicago coming to Lions Drag Strip...were these street or drag cars also did they show up/were any actually there in Nov. '66?:hmmm:
Anyone have the 01/67 Tach magazine article they can post?
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~ Pete

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[PeteLeathersac]

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[PeteLeathersac]

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[PeteLeathersac]

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[PeteLeathersac]

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[PeteLeathersac]

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~ Pete

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[Late BrakeU2]

To me there's no controversy, it's flat out not the real car. Wasn't delivered to Dana or even California and was originally Sierra Fawn with gold standard interior instead of Tuxedo Black with black standard. Also an automatic 327 instead of the real DC-1 being a 4-speed SS.

I've heard Bill Thomas was the first person to do development of a big block in a Camaro as early as August '66 but whether that was contract work for Chevrolet or for the Nickey/Thomas partnership is unknown.

I would go with Bill Thomas, he built the super cheetah with an L88 in 64 with clandestine backing from GM.

[EZ Nova]

I would go with Bill Thomas, he built the super cheetah with an L88 in 64 with clandestine backing from GM.

Would that not be a "Mystery Motor" and not an L88 in 64? Like the Impala's 427 Mark II I believe they were called?

[Late BrakeU2]

Would that not be a "Mystery Motor" and not an L88 in 64? Like the Impala's 427 Mark II I believe they were called?


Probably, heard it referred to as "Nascar bred"

Cool stuff!

https://billthomascheetah.com/z11-chevy-2/

[Lee Stewart]

If that Cheetah has a Chevy 427 in 1964, it would be a Z11. Punched out 409 making 430 HP. Chevy's Super Stock engine.

[Stefano]

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1964-CHEETAH-201948

[Stefano]

http://www.superchevy.com/features/1906-the-first-1967-chevrolet-camaro-fitted-with-big-block-was-too-fast

[JoeC]

In that article on the red Hot Rod Magazine Camaro they said the BB engine was installed for the 1967 Winternationals .

The NHRA Pomona Winternationals was on 2-5-1967.

Dana and Nickey were working on 427 Camaros in late 1966.

the article says the car is stilled owned by Jim McFarland but it was sold to Vic Edlebrock
in 1997 according to this article


https://www.hotrod.com/articles/edelbrock-reunites-hot-rod-with-the-67-camaro-test-car/


That red Hot Rod Magazine Camaro has an interesting history with great photos but they should write a better article on it.

attached a magazine para-shoot photo where it looks like it has a manufacturer licence plate on it