Nickey / Bill Thomas 1967 Autorama

[Stefano]

I have been in contact with Mr. Ogilvi.

He has recently spoken with Guy Tipton and has told me that Guy completely built Bill Hielscher's Camaro at a dealership other than Nickey Chevrolet. Contarty to what we have been told by others, who were there.

He said that Guy states the Bill Hielscher Camaro had NOTHING to do with Nickey.

[Geoff Smith]

Great post guys , just looking at this now and none of the pics can be seen.....

Anyone know what happened to them?

[Stefano]

I wonder what happened to all of the pictures, as well. Interesting history. Mr. Ogilvi has since passed. May he R.I.P. He was involved with Bill Thomas Race Cars in Anaheim California during the NicKey / Bill Thomas alliance.

[Stefano]

At MCACN 2025 we once again had an opportunity to discuss NicKey History with Mr. Al Gartzman, former NicKey employee and friend of Dick Harrell, now retired to Scottsdale, Arizona.

I respectfully nick-named AL "The Last Mohican". One because he is one of the last surviving NicKey employees who worked directly with Dick Harrell @ NicKey Chevrolet and two, because he raced a Pontiac Super Duty.

He is one of the guys who was there back in the day and has first hand experience. I was not there, but do spend the time listening to these guys and learn about the history directly from them.

Al introduced Mike Garfinkle to Dick Harrell in order to sell him one of the NicKey Camaros that they had recently completed. Here is a picture of Al and Mike with said NicKey 427 Super Camaro, which was later sponsored by Yenko (you can make out the YENKO Crest in pic). This photo is from the Al Gartman collection.

Mike Garfinkle of Highland Park, Illinois was also at previous MCACN events sharing stories about Dick and Mike's own 427 Camaro, but so you all know he is no longer with us.


On the left is Mike Garfinkle (also a pic in prior post with him, Harrell and Hielscher in tac magazine). On the right is a Al Gartzman.

[Stefano]

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[Xplantdad]

Thanks for sharing, Stefano. I have had the pleasure to talk with Al and his wife many times at Pavilons when it was still going.


He's a really nice guy with a ton of info and cool history

[bashton]

Incredible history!

Great to see the connections that were able to happen at the MCACN show. Now that is what it's all about.

Bashton

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

Slightly better version of Stefano’s picture posted above w/ Garfinkel & Gartzman…

~ Pete

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