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[TXYenko]

I just picked up, what to me, is an unusual 1969 Camaro. It's in transit now, so I don't have much handy on it other than this. It's a 69 427 matching number motor, doesn't look like a restamp, turbo 400, 4.11 12 bolt rear, no RS, SS or Z28 options. Drum brakes all around, no PS no other options that I could find. The body is great, needs cosmetics, but price was right. Although I bought the car for a weekend/daily driver, I think this combination is atypical of an off the dealer car. Any ideas on where I should start looking at or researching this car. Lady I bought it from didn't know anything history or previous owner wise about the car. Thanks any help is appreciated.

[Charley Lillard]

Something Fishy with the car. I have never seen or heard of any Big Block Camaro with drum brakes, always at least Power front Discs. Look on the front face of the passenger side rear axle tube and tell us what you find stamped there. Also let us know the Code stamped on the engine.

[COPO]

First, welcome to the board. I think you will find many knowledgeable and helpful supercar enthusiasts frquent the site.

The front drum brakes are a very likely indication that it is probably not a factory 427 car. Power front discs were a mandatory option for factory COPO's. If you post the VIN, trim tag information and engine info then a further analysis can be made. There are also a number of other physical clues you can look for once the car arrives to help to determine how it left the factory.

[Edited by COPO (11-04-2001 at 07:05 PM).]

[68TopStock]

If other clues are present, don't let the drums fool you. Disc brake systems were the first thing removed on a serious drag car. When "Little Hoss" arrived, it had drum brakes, and no power booster. (it is easier to install a line-lock on a non-power set-up) The original (1st after Fred) owner removed them in 1970 when he got serious about winning. Many pro stockers had no front brakes. It is a fast and simple way of removing weight, like moving the battery. If reconverted to street, anything could be put back on.

[TXYenko]

Well 68Topstock...you may be on the right track, the box in the trunk, has an old master cylinder with booster, spindles and brakes...and lots of racetrack spares...plugs, points, old old fire ext., extra 5 point harness, misc tools, tech sheets, time slips...the guy was definitely a drag racer, and the garage was full of stuff from the 50's and up. The wife was not willing to part with anything but the car, she wanted to see it driven again.

[JoeC]

Best place to start is to get all the numbers and codes you can find from trim tag, engine, trans, and rear. Check interior under seats and rugs and check gas tank for any paperwork. Then start decoding.

[COPO PETE]

Wow, sounds like an interesting find! First thing I would check is the firewall tag. Usually they have a "X" series number on it. Look for a X11, or X44 and see if it has the big block heater box in it. Also, any signs of a cowl hood? Even if it's gone, is the wiring their? If all that is there, then start looking for the hard to see numbers. Good Luck.
Peter

[Edited by COPO PETE (11-05-2001 at 06:29 AM).]

[68TopStock]

BINGO!

The turbo 400 is another clue this may be a special car. Sounds like a potential COPO 427 car. Is it a column shift? The state of Texas has probably more drag racers than any other state, both past and present. The more I read about racers from there the more I am impressed. Names such as Bill Heishler (Mr. Bardahl), Don Hardy (funny car builder), Mike Barkhart, Shay Nichols (ZL1 #2) are just a few off the top of my head. At the World Finals in '68 most winners were Texans. A big AHRA state.

My car, the Fred Gibb "Little Hoss" was one of the top money winners in Texas from 1974-1977. In '74 it was "in the money" 44 times. A past track champion at Pinwell race track, near Odessa. At the time it was renamed "Mighty Mouse". I'll bet a few more cars were "imported" to Texas for racing.

Once you have the VIN there are several dealer archives that may be able to be searched to determine where it was originally ordered from. If it was a Texas dealer, more research may uncover the ordering dealer. Feel free to e-mail me, if you would like to keep this confidential.

[Mr Yenko]

68top stock,
Was the #2 Shay Nichols car ever found.I had heard that car and Malcom Durham's Strip Blazer were never found . Along with others iam sure , but i was wondering about these (2).

[68TopStock]

Yes,

The #2 Shay Nichols car has been restored back to showroom ready condition. I saw it on a web site earlier this year, it is still in Texas. Don't know much more, or what web site it was on. There was a pic of it though with the caption, as listed above. Don't know of Strip Blazer's where abouts.