A NICKEY/THOMAS TRIBUTE: Re-creating the Best of the Best

Prepared by Nicole Ellan James

Often lifetime can toss a slow curveball that looks extra like a 95-mph fastball.

5 years back, Harold Lewis – a longtime good friend of Barrett-Jackson – knowledgeable symptoms that revealed some health and fitness problems necessitating extended remedy. Even though he has put in the previous two many years in superior overall health, a recent typical checkup confirmed indications of returning problems. Realizing the will need to absolutely focus on his well being, Lewis has reluctantly determined to portion with 1 of his prized possessions: his 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Nickey/Bill Thomas 427 Stage III re-creation, which will be offered with No Reserve at the 2023 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, January 21-29 at WestWorld.

Lewis is a grasp craftsman specializing in significant-conclude household finishes and painting. He has been a muscle-automobile enthusiast for above 45 years, and, in that time, Lewis has restored quite a few automobiles to concours specifications, often doing the job with the late renowned builder Patrick Pogrant of Patrick&#8217s Elegant Cars.

In excess of the system of his existence Lewis has gathered, restored and designed many considerable autos, including two 1969 Ford Manager 429s with back-to-back again quantities KK1455 and KK1456. His latest job vehicle is an all-unique, matching-figures 1968 Plymouth HEMI Street Runner.

Just one vehicle Lewis experienced usually dreamed of proudly owning was a 1967 Nickey/Monthly bill Thomas Camaro. Thomas rose to prominence in the 1960s when he was a study and improvement specialist for Typical Motors&#8217 racing plan. He labored on the Cheetah and the enhancement of numerous powertrain and chassis combinations for Inventory and Super Inventory racers.

Thomas was contracted by Chevrolet in late 1966 to conduct significant-block conversions for the recently released 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. With the help of Thomas, Nickey Chevrolet of Chicago, Illinois, – a single of the premier Chevrolet dealers in the U.S. – came up with a program to set up large-functionality 427 Corvette engines into the Camaro in late 1966. It is believed there have been only 14 Nickey Camaros crafted in &#821767. The unique Camaro is often challenging to locate and unobtainable for most, so Lewis did what any other qualified auto fanatic would do: he re-created one particular for himself.

The 9-year venture serves as the culmination of his a long time of working experience restoring classic autos, together with his study and accumulating of authentic areas to make the final tribute 1967 Nickey/Bill Thomas 427 Phase III Camaro. Lewis asserts that if the automobile was getting judged as original, it would stand up towards any out there: “It doesn&#8217t know it is a clone.”

Lewis has always applied the best in the business for all his vehicles when it will come to paint, overall body and engine do the job, and this auto is no exception. Underneath the hood sits a real Tri-Energy 427ci L89 motor, a person of only 14 ever developed, according to Lewis. This motor – which makes use of the primary block, heads and crank – has been balanced, blueprinted and dyno-examined with 500 horsepower.

The engine is hooked to an M22 4-velocity guide transmission comprehensive with an L88 clutch and flywheel that turns a 1967 12-bolt rear finish with 4.10 posi-traction gears. It also features sq. bar traction, a chambered exhaust, a transistorized ignition, the unique electrical power disc brakes, the first wheels with trim rings and the proper red line tires. This Nickey/Bill Thomas Camaro is concluded in Tuxedo Black paint with an Ermine White stripe and has a radio delete inside featuring a pace warning.

Harold Lewis’ re-generation has the heart of a legitimate fanatic and master craftsman under the hood, and it demonstrates in each and every piece of metallic, each and every panel and each piston. Sign-up to bid today to bring this special tribute house.