1973 Nickey Chevrolet Big Block 454 Stage III Camaro Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 352
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- Опубліковано 28 сер 2024
- 1973 Nickey Chevrolet Big Block 454 Stage III Camaro Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 352
Factory-built 1973 Chevrolet Camaros were pretty dismal when it came to power. See the couple on the cover of the brochure? Know why they’re not smiling? Because their 175 HP 350 sucks. Nickey Chevrolet was out to fix that.
While some dealers were more interested in a hands-off approach to selling cars, meaning they’d offer what the manufacturers built and that was it… others enjoyed building their own editions with options not available from the manufacturers. Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago was one that built and sold cars far more powerful than what was offered by Chevrolet.
If you lived in Chicago, Nickey Chevrolet was the place to go for high performance bow-tie machines back in the day. This 1973 Nickey Stage III 454 big block Camaro is loaded with cool performance parts installed by the Nickey team.
It all starts with a Chevrolet LS6 454 V8 engine, rated at 450 HP. The LS6 big block was not available in the second generation Camaro, and especially not in a 1973 model. But that didn’t stop our friends at Nickey from bringing cars to life with one of the baddest big blocks Chevy ever made. Numerous performance parts were added, like a Holley carburetor on top of an aluminum intake manifold, a hotter cam, ignition, and exhaust headers. It was hooked to a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission with a heavy duty clutch, and a 10 bolt rear end took the twist and turned it into forward motion with the help of bolt-on traction bars to keep the Rocket wheels and sticky tires from hopping all over the place.
And the combination worked on this car, as there’s documentation of the first owner racing it to a 10.52 at 129 MPH in the quarter mile back in the day. It even won a championship, and held a 1974 world record in the 8th mile, clicking off an 8.12 ET on June 23 of ‘74. What’s even more fun is that this is the only known example of a 1973 Nickey Stage III Camaro of it’s kind.
Sure, power was dropping by 1973, but dealers like Nickey were happy to provide hot parts and service to keep the low-compression, emissions-compliant no-fun police at bay.
The Nickey Stage III big block 454 Camaro is still wearing nearly all it’s original sheet metal, save for a part of a quarter panel that was repaired. The hood is reminiscent of the L88 Corvette hood, but this is not a Z-28 split bumper fancy bodied car with spoilers and stripes and stuff. It was repainted at some point, but in the original Midnight Green… a very 1970s color, especially when contrasted with the “neutral” tan vinyl interior. Midnight Green is also a good, dark, street-racing color.
Most race cars lack interior features to save weight, but this Nickey Camaro boasts an interesting upgrade in the form of an 8-track stereo tape player, touted as the same used in Lear jets of the time. Well, you gotta have tunes if you’re going to cruise, right? Other than that, it’s got high-backed buckets, and some modern gauges were installed, indicating that this car still sees some occasional track action. We had fun with it, for sure.
The Brothers Collection keeps a watchful eye on a variety of dealer-built supercars, and we hope you enjoyed our time with this brutal ‘73 Nickey Stage III Camaro. Subscribing is the best way to stay in the loop with MCOTW, and we’ve got another cool show planned for you next time. Thanks for watching!
#Camaro #Nickey #MuscleCar #V8TV
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And yes, we realize it's a 10 bolt rear and not a 12 like stated, but it could sure use a 12 bolt, no?
Indeed.
MuscleCarOfTheWeek absolutely
Chicago had all the awesome dealerships they had Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge and Nickey Chevrolet and PA had Yenko
well.... 1970 was the last year for the 12 bolt in the camaro !!
Those corporate 10 bolts were a lot stronger than people think. The 8.2 gave 10 bolts a bad name
bought an LS-6 crate motor to put in my 66 SS chevelle in about 1972. i paid $795.00 . never lost a street race.
Wow . Putting that motor in that car. And all the other performance parts. What’s not to love. That thing would dominate on the street . Pure American Muscle at its finest
Something actually made me laugh today! “They weren’t smiling because 150 hp sucks”. THANKS Kevin, did I ever need to get a laugh break from this stay at home and stare at the walls existence!!
Lol and the couple on the 70s photo they don't lie 😄
"Nickey, Nickey, Nickey Chevrolet....with the backwards k!" 60-year-old lifelong Chicagoan here and I can still remember the radio jingle. Legendary dealership on Irving Park Rd. between Pulaski and Cicero with a huge neon sign.
You were two "Nickey's" short on the jingle 😉
@@kimosabbe50 I absolutely know that and I truly figured that going to all four repetitions after the initial word might be a little much for those not in the know. lol
@@anthonyc1883 👍 😄
@@kimosabbe50 Chicagoan too?
@@anthonyc1883 Yep ... just a few years older than you.
Here's another throwback: "Tomczak, Tomczak, Tomczak Dodge, at 4747 South Pulaski". 😁
Because their 175hp 350 sucks, THATS WHY!! Pure gold!! Love it!!
"It's just waiting to take on all Challengers on the street"
Clever line
And when Jimmy missed 2nd gear and spun a main bearing, Jimmy took the car to a GM dealer down the street to have it repaired under warranty ..where they laughed him out of the service office..
How old are you anyway...........TEN??? Because anyone with at least a half a brain knows that dealer-prepped race cars like these did NOT come with "a factory warranty". Prime example: The legendary '64/'65 Ford Thunderbolt with the 427 & fiberglass quarter panels, plexi glass windows, NO high beam headlights ( replaced with the air intakes ), etc..........could ONLY be purchased if the buyer agreed to pick the car up right at the factory and SIGN A WAIVER OF ALL WARRANTY & LIABILITY. Guys who bought cars like these had money.........and they were into serious racing only.......they weren't spending this kind of money to try some stupid trick of "getting a different dealer to fix car under factory warranty".........so I'll ask you again: How old are you, TEN???
I'm a Mopar guy, but that is pretty sweet...Mr. Norm's was in Chicago too, right? Lots of street racing!
I also am a mopar man and chevy fan second I still have my 1969 Camaro droping in a 454 with aprox 500hp.
Thank you ! There is a guy with a dyno whit that Nickeys sign that is a really bright man.
Thank you for doing a burn out ! I understand preserving a rare classic car , but it is a fast hot rod that is meant for some Hot Roding abuse !
Damn, Kevin! That is one cool car, my favorite Camaro body style since I dad once own a '70 Z28.
I still have the trunk Camaro emblem from when I installed the rear spoiler. I. also, put on the traction bars as shown on this great example.
***sigh*** I miss that car.
Thanks for the vids, love 'em! :)
I not only lived in Chicago but when I was in high school (Oak Park River Forest High School) I worked at Nickey Chevrolet 1970 and 1971 as a lot lizard and a lube guy doing oil changes and minor work.
Not sure if lot lizard is the name you want to give yourself.
@@MrJayo73 Well after 30 years working at Ford dealerships in Denver as an ASE and Ford certified master tech lot lizard was a moniker used for the shag people as well as many others names. None of which were especially appealing. As my dad would have said "call me whatever you want, just don't call me later for dinner" (-;
Is there a better look than standing in front of a ‘70-‘73 Camaro twisting a set of Mickey Thompson N-50’s out back while the top of the front tires turning in like during the launch of the Grumpy Jenkins’ Camaro? I guess a better view would be from inside, but as a kid playing with Matchbox and Hotwheels turning every time a Hugger Orange L-88 hooded Camaro accelerated by, it fueled me for what was to come! 👍🏻 “Bitchin-Camaro” via TDP’s ...
Love it,thank you for sharing this awesome 73 Camaro.
In 1973/74 and after that muscle machine blended in its street and road environment because of its non flashy or glamorised appearance. Then its engine roared and everyone knew the beast was on the scene. A proper road car to be sure!! Good vid guys!!
Beautiful car! I grew up just a few miles from where the yenco Chevrolet dealer was, in canonsburg pa. What alot don't know is the original yenco dealership was in bentleyville pa but think that was before they built performance cars. Alot of upgraded yencos still around. This is one i never heard of. Love the 73 body style. Badass car!
I bought a 65 Chevy Impala SS convertible for $400 in 1973 from a dealer at 47th on the south side of Chicago. My insurance was about $800 a year. I was 18 and it was legal to drink then. Sent insurance rates high.
I love the L88 hood, wheels and those bias ply tires. It's a great look, and no spoilers looks great too. Pretty good sounding 454. I don't think that's the original LS6 cam. I wonder if the car had a 12 bolt in it at some time. I don't think it would have run 10's with the 8.5 10 bolt with 28 spline axles.
Nice one Kevin.
I doubt there was ANYTHING put on the street in '73 that could hold up to this. I'm also sure the 350 emblems fooled no one.
Wow. I love this car. I grew up in the 70’s. If I had a muscle car now, I would want it to look like this.
I was working in Chicago in 1973......I believe that was the year I waited 3 hours for fuel for my RoadRunner?
Great recollection and perspective! You weren't getting far in this Nickey Camaro in '73 with gas the way it was!
F'n sick!!!! Man,i love them! As a kid growing up in the 70s, muscular beautys roamed the streets like the dinosaurs of yor! As i grew up, I became aware of music that attracted me,along with cars. A neighbor had an early 70s 2nd generation white with blue stripes Z28 which I promptly fell in love with! Getting my license in 1983 left me and my friends squarely in the middle of used muscle car heaven! Everyone it seemed had a Camaro! 1st or 2nd generation were everywhere, cheap and easy to supe up!!! One buddy had a 76 black on black Z28, with a built 350 4 speed donated from a late 60's Corvette,along with some serious suspension work too. Boy did this thing screw!!! And on top of it all handled amazingly!!! Definitely having the best of both worlds!!! Although I'm firmly entrenched in the Mopar camp, I do give credit where it's due,and I certainly tip my cap to the bow tie boys for making some beautys along the way! Thanks again guys!
Do Not Forget Baldwin Motion Car's :-)
Gotta love this still has the 350 Callouts on the front fenders. Sleeper.
Very nice car; reminds me of something I might have seen in my high school parking lot or one of the local cruising spots. There were no Nickeys, but several late 60s, early 70s, Camaros, Chevelles, Mustangs, Torinos, etc., all with jacked up rear ends to fit the oversized tires, slotted mags, Keystones, Cragars and the like. I wish he had opened those cutouts so we could have really heard the beast! Everyone stay safe.
Drooling....I love how you can hear the gear drive for the cam!
My dad bought his 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air from Nickey.. Nickey with the backward K. I can still remember there name on a large chimney that could be seen from the Kennedy Expressway. The Bel Air was a 6 cylinder with powerglide. He was a conservative WW2 Vet.
That's one wicked green machine ! Love the 350 badges on the front quarter . Oh yeah , it's only got a 350 in it , wanna race .
Why the 10 bolt? Change that rear!
Also, an 8.12 in the 8th mile isn't anywhere close to mid 10s in the 1/4. I'm guessing it was a mid 12s car. Hed have to be running 6.7s to run mid 10s. Cool car tho.
Love these car stories of the good old days
I like seeing the traction bars work on that hard launch. The gas crisis started in 1973. Must've sucked waiting in line with this car. I'm glad it made it through the dark ages when musclecars either rotted out, kissed phone poles, or got scrapped for parts.
Much more what I remember muscle cars looking like back in the day. I don’t remember anybody not changing the wheels and tires adding traction bars, cam, headers etc.
I had a 70 Camaro back in high school 1978 it had an L88 hood scoop jacked up front and back like that one those were the good old days and of course some traction bars mine had a 12-bolt rear end
Wonderful rocket!!
These are the best looking Camaros ever made. It was my first US - car, in Cortez silver with Tuxedo black stripes, a 72'model!!
A real beast.
But this one is an outstanding example.
Thanks for showing and Greetings from Austria 🔝🇦🇹👍
Take care and stay safe!
This Nickey Camaro truly is an amazing machine. I've watched a majority of the video's from Muscle Car of the Week and as much as I love the Hemi's, rare big block Fords and high horsepower GM's, this street/strip Nickey Camaro takes the cake.Sounds awesome, looks killer and having the LS-6 puts it into a league of its own. I think this Camaro is way cooler than the other early 70's one of a kind big block Camaro you already featured even though that one had 4.88 drag gears.If there is an early 70's Baldwin / Motion Camaro in the collection, please do a video on it.Thank you for all the great video's of these super ultra rare muscle cars and the information provided with them. You bring to life what most of us can only dream about.Hat's off to the owner of the collection. None of us would know how these amazing machines sound, drive or the wild burn-outs they do without his generous support of these Video's or the usage of his cars.Thank you!JC
One sweet camaro kevin ! Love that big block rumble ! I remember hearing the ads on the "big" 89 - WLS in Chicago back in the day ! ( as well as the radio spot for " Sunday, Sunday at the beautiful US 30 drag strip - WHERE THE GREAT ONES RUN "
thanks for another great episode..that is my favorite body style from second gen camaro!
Damn I want this thing, And I’m a Ford man !
That looks like it's a handful when ya stomp on the fun pedal :)
Sorry but at 2:31 isn't that a 10 bolt rear end ?? and the face plate of the 8 track is on upside down ....Crazy !!!
That’s one bad azz Camaro! Thanks for sharing it! Stay safe! 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Thank goodness they did not put those "70s era" sidepipes on it. Looks a whole lot better without such.
In 1979, one of these were for sale near me. It was a '70, Black on Black with White stripes, and they wanted $3500.00 for it. I regret to this day i didn't buy it...
Baldwin-Motion Performance, Dana and Nickey and a bunch others got sued or fined by fun police (EPA) in 74 if I remember correctly. I believed they all settled out of court for a small fine and a promice to quit making performance cars. but they were allowed to export them. I remember seeing a picture of a 1975 Motion Phase 3 Camaro in Iran several years ago.
Mustang Cobra R in the background, sweet.
I have a 73 withe same interior but mine is light green. Love the slots and mickeys on it! Mine was an original 6 cyl. car so I understand the disappointment.
Mike Townsel - 6 cylinder? How sad. It is a Cool car otherwise.
@@rickintexas1584 yes sir...little less than 3000 made with the 250 straight six. Long gone when I acquired the car.
Sounds like a great car dealership.
Another Fantastic video. Ty so much Kevin keep them coming!!
Thanks, will do!
That has lots of balls.
Love those 2nd gen Camaro's. The unique color combo and plain exterior (minus the spoilers etc...) are all the better, and of course the Nickey additives. The engine idle sound is like a mean dog curling it's lip....beware there is about to be trouble.
would give a large stack of money for this car. its amazing
Really cool!!!
You should do a feature on the GMMG 4th gen camaro / firebird (Phase 1, 2 ,3)
Phase 3 came with a blueprinted C5R 427 @ 600 hp. I'm sure the brothers have a couple stashed away.
the good old days all fun all muscle
My bad. Just saw where MuscleCarOfTheWeek responded to the 10-bolt issue. On a more intelligent note on my part, since the 10-bolt is a post-1971 piece, to would be the stronger 8.5" ring gear vs. 8.2"?!
Never knew these existed but of course the Brothers own one.
One MONSTROUS 454 under the hood too!!
Simply beautiful ....
I can hear the muncie whine in my mind and just feel the raw acceleration in 1st and 2nd gears must be phenomenal
The car has a great sound. But it almost sounds like a supercharger is on it. There is a hiss. I’m guessing it is the sound of air going through the air filter.
It has timing gears instead of a timing chain or belt, that’s the whine you hear.
That is one badass car.
LOVE the look of that car!
I am not a big fan of Camaros. They are cool and I respect them but I am more of a midsize car guy. But, Lord have mercy this thing is Bad! Once you said LS6 with a four speed I immediately fell in love. Keep up the great work.
Not a big fan of camaros … but here you are😂😂
Were there any ford dealers that in 1973 building a mustang compareable to this camaro?? Was the 351 cj the only pony car competition left? Were the 340 and 360 e bodys from mopar all that was available or did you have special models avalible. Had Taska ford and Grand Spaulding Dodge and the others thrown in the towel?
Brothers you need to have an open day....Would be in first thing and out last😍😍😍
Theres one of these 20 miles from my house in Salem Oregon right now. Im wondering if this is the car?
Sweet but needs more Nickey stickers
thats an impressive machine for any time period, but for 1973 it's a damned miracle
It's absolutely fantastic seeing that car driven like it was meant to be, instead of in a bubble at some rich weirdos collection.
😍😍😍😍 there's those beeeuutiiful
wide valve covers I love soo much.👍👍✌✌👊
Damn! That is one sweet Camaro. Great episode!
Question is, can Nickey build a road car that handles the curves. Don't care about the drag stuff. I need one that moves fast in the corners and on the straights.
Love the stance of this car
awesome car !!
One badass ride
Fun car to own👍
The front bumper isn't from a 73, but that might have also been a dealer mod. I hated the rubber bumperettes on my lowly 73 back in the day. How was it legally possible for a dealer to stuff a LS6 in a car in 1973? This was hardly emission compliant.
Some how Camaro did not get the big stupid bumpers until 1974, I think it had to do with a strike at the factory in 1972. You are also right about swapping engines as this was a EPA violation and other dealers such as Baldwin/ Motion had to cease doing this around 1970/71 due to violations adding up to $50,000 per car sold. Maybe this car slipped through the cracks because it was race only????
The front bumper is 1973..... It's the standard front bumper. Not RS. Both options carried through from '70 thru'73. 74 is when it changed.
@Mark G, Hillery Clifford: No guys, I owned a 73, therefore I "know": The front bumper (not the RS version) got 2 rubber vertical bumperettes, which were not on 70-72 models. Just take a look at pictures of a 73 with the regular bumpers compared to a 70-72 and you will know what I mean.
@@Yankeededandy62 Those bumper guards were a simple bolt on to the standard front bumper to make them more crash compliant.If you didn't like them you could have removed them as a lot of people did. But no matter, the standard front bumper was still 70-73. Chevy was not going to the time or the expense to redesign a bumper for 73. Think about it.
@@hilleryclifford2367 you're right
One of my favorites for sure. Badass!
Very cool!
Ioved to have that car!!
That amazing car has to be valued at well over seven figures .
Don't forget Baldwin Motion Chevrolet Phase 3 Camaros!!🤟😁🤟😁
wow ......thats a friggin beast
Anyone else noticed the upside down faceplate on the radio?
One RARE Camaro!!
This thing has ONE MEAN STANCE!!
We’re have all the good cars gone I remember when you could buy these muscle cars used for around $1,500 up to $2,500 now they cost a small fortune. But still well worth the cost
Owned one , great car to drive and hang out to brag about
A guy I used to know had a 1987 Yenko Camaro
That radio face plate needs to be rotated 180 degrees. See the close-up at 4:41.
Never heard of it. Interesting.
Really? Then you should also look up Baldwin-Motion and Dana Camaro's.
Do these come in automatics?
One sweet ride
Was that an exhaust cut out at 2:46?
On every single one of these cars on this channel, there always at least one stupid thing wrong. (to be expected with old restored cars I guess) But an upside-down radio bezel is a first I think.
👾Hey...uhh... somebody grabbed your 12 bolt rear end when you weren't looking.
WHEN WILL YPU GUY'S DO a Myrtle motors 428 firebird?
Why you hangin on a Chevy channel bro, stay in your lane
Great camaro😍😍😍🏁🏁🏁🏁🇨🇦
Why are the couple on the cover of the brochure not smiling? Because their 175 hp Camaro sucks! Too funny!
Daniel Lee Yeah, I got a tickle from that too. Kevin has a cool sense of humor!
AWESOME!!
Thanks!!