The last Nickey goes to auction again...

[StealthBird]

It was a no-sale in Chicago last Fall for $125,000, hopefully it will bring the price this time around.



http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2015/...ction/#comments

ESTIMATE: $135,000 - $175,000

This expertly restored 1974 Nickey Camaro Stage III possesses great significance as likely the last L88 Stage III Super Car conversion performed by Nickey Chevrolet before it closed for good in December 1973. According to Nickey Chevrolet Performance Manager Don Swiatek, the car was ordered by a customer who had seen a May 1973 Hot Rod Magazine article about a Nickey L88 Nova, but wanted the Stage III conversion done to a new Camaro, which he ordered with LT trim, power steering and power front disc brakes. Because the complete L88 engine was no longer in production, Nickey ordered an L88 short block and completed the engine using all the correct components from the corporate parts bin, including iron open-chamber heads, 12.5:1 pistons and a Holley 4053 780 CFM four-barrel carburetor on a low-profile LS6 intake manifold, the latter to clear the Camaro’s hood. The Stage III conversion was completed with the installation of subframe connectors and an upgraded 3.23 Positraction 10-bolt rear end. The last known car converted by Nickey Chevrolet before closing its doors at the end of 1973, it was cared for by its original owner for 16 years.

In 1980 the car was purchased by Rocco Lucente of Highwood, Illinois, who drove it for a brief few months before deciding it needed to be made more manageable for everyday driving. He pulled the L88 engine and disassembled it, and as any experienced muscle-car enthusiast might guess, he then lost his initial enthusiasm for the project. Lucente then placed the car in storage, where it remained for the next 28 years. In 2010 it was discovered for sale on Craigslist by Nickey Chicago owner Stefano Bimbi. He arrived at a price with Lucente’s family and then sold the car to collector Mike Guarise, who immediately sent it to Muscle Car Designs in Joliet, Illinois, for a comprehensive rotisserie restoration.

Now showing a believed-correct 33,000 miles, the car is once again powered by the same L88 engine installed by Nickey Chevrolet, using the original Holley 780 CFM four-barrel and teamed with a beefed 350 Turbo automatic and a GM 10-bolt Positraction 4.56 rear end. It is finished as original with Bright Yellow paint and, with the exception of a new carpet, still retains its original and near-perfect Light Neutral interior. Bob Adams of Muscle Car Designs gave special attention to maintaining period authenticity, as evidenced in such details as Lakewood traction bars and Gabriel Hi-Jacker adjustable shocks, 15x8-inch Cragar SS wheels with Nickey center caps and vintage L60-15 Pos-A-Traction Torque Twister tires. The results are superb: the car scored 999 points at the 2013 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, receiving a Concours Gold Certification and the award for the Best Chevrolet-Modified at the show.

Featured on the cover of the February 2014 issue of Muscle Car Review Magazine as “The Last Nickey Camaro,” this milestone Super Camaro has been the subject of two MCR feature articles (including “Swan Song,” June 2011) chronicling its discovery and restoration. The car is documented by N.I.C.B. as delivered new to Nickey Chevrolet in November 17, 1973—just before the end of business in December 1973—and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity by Nickey Chicago and Don Swiatek as a genuine Nickey Chevrolet L88 conversion.
HIGHLIGHTS

- Documented with the Certificate of Authenticity by Nickey Chicago and Don Swiatek as an L88 conversion
- Documented by N.I.C.B. as delivered new to Nickey Chevrolet on 11/17/73
- Notarized affidavit from the second owner detailing the history of the car
- The last known car converted by Nickey Chevrolet before closing at the end of 1973
- The car scored 999 points at the 2013 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, receiving a Concours Gold Certification and the award for the Best Chevrolet-Modified at the show
- Showing 33,000 believed-original miles
- Rotisserie restoration retaining the original interior, except for the carpet
- Featured on the cover of Muscle Car Review
- L88 427 CI engine with Holley 4-barrel
- Iron open-chamber heads, 12.5:1 pistons
- Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 automatic
- GM 10 bolt Positraction 4.56 rear end
- Power steering and brakes, LT trim
- Gabriel Hi-Jacker air shocks with Lakewood traction bars and chrome Cragar wheels
- First owner from 1974-1980, second owner from 1980-2010 with 28 years in storage and part of the Mike Guarise Collection since 2011