1970 NICKEY Camaro Z28 RS "Documented NICKEY Chevrolet Sold" & Numbers Matching

About The Car

Up for sale is an extremely rare & documented NICKEY Chevrolet 1970 Camaro Z28 Rally Sport with 41,140 actual miles. The car maintains its original born withLT1 350 c.i. 360 h.p. solid lifter engine,Muncie M21 close ratio4spd& 4.10 positraction rear axle.The car was builtat the Norwood Ohio plant with a build date of 07/14/70& shipped to Nickey Chevrolet at 4501 W. Irving Park Rd. Chicago.TheZ28 stayed in Illinois in the northwest & westernsuburbs of Chicago itsentire life after being sold between a circle of friends & never ventured beyond a 50 mile radius of Nickey Chevrolet where it was sold new. TheZ28 has received a complete frame on restoration to bring it to a beautiful driver quality restoration with no expense spared. The Z28 retainsmajority of its original parts as photos will show. "Everything" works on the car as it should including original clock, wiper motor & washer pump, radio and annoying key buzzer.If you are looking for a "Trailer Queen" keep looking. If you’re looking for a helluva nice car keep reading, this is it.

History & Timeline

In 1975 Scott W. 17 at the time from Lincolnshire purchased the Z28 from the original owner who lived in Lake Zurich, paying $2,800 for it. At that time the car had 20,000 miles on it. Scott drove the car during nice weather and weekends and stored the Z28 during the winter. Scott’s sewer and water business demanded most of his time so in the early 1980’s he put the Z28 away and stored it in his building with future intentions of restoring it. At that time, the Z28 had 41,000 miles on it. In 1990 Scott realized he may never have the time to restore the Z28 and instead of just letting it sit he decided to sell it.

In May of 1990 Joe W. from Wauconda, a friend of Scotts purchased the car. Joe immediately went about the task of restoring the Z28. Joe had it stripped down to a rolling shell. The rear wheel well lips had been cut out by the original owner to run larger tires, most likely slicks. Since Joe was doing a complete restoration he decided to replace both rear quarter panels. The front fenders were off the car and had surface rust on the inside so he decided to replace those as well. I spoke to Joe and he told me he purchased new GM sheet metal which back then mostly likely it was, but I cannot prove that. In today’s world of keeping original as possible, that may have been done differently. The body was re-assembled and painted but for reasons unknown that is as far as the restoration went. In 2001 Joe decided to sell the Z28.

In July of 2001 Rick K. from Sycamore, also a friend of Scotts purchased the Z28 from Joe. I had the opportunity to purchase the Z28 at that time, but passed on it due to the fact I was building a custom motorcycle at that time. Rick decided to start off by rebuilding the engine since it was out even though it only has 41,000 miles on it. The engine was in great shape, cylinders only needed honing so original pistons are still in the engine. All new bearings, rings, timing chain, gaskets and seals were installed. Cylinder heads were redone. The engine was put on a stand and that is as far as the restoration went for another 14 years. In 2015 for personal reasons and moving to Wisconsin, Rick decided to sell the Z28.

In October of 2015 I purchased the car from Rick. I have known both Rick and Scott for a long time. The engine was disassembled and inspected. Assembly lube was still in place keeping all parts lubricated. Cylinder heads went back to the machinist and checked to be safe. Cylinders were honed again and engine was reassembled using all new gaskets and seals. Even though the car was painted 26 years ago, time had taken its toll on it. The Z28 was repainted in the correct code 67 Classic Copper. After 6 months of dedicated hard work, the Z28 is back to its former glory and back on the road after 36 years as it was intended to be.

Engine Identification

Stamping # on front block pad – V0626CTB (V=Flint Michigan, 06=June, 26=26th Day of Month, CTB=Z28 350 4 speed)

VIN # Stamped in rough cast area of block above oil filter – ON577499, Casting Date – F200 (F=June, 20=20th Day of Month, 0=1970)

Block Casting # - 3970010

Transmission Identification

Stamping # on top of Trans Case – P0H08B (P=Muncie 4 Speed, 0=1970, H=August, 08=8th Day of Month, B=2.20:1 Close Ratio)

VIN # on Top of Main Case – ION577499

Extension Housing # 3857584

Main Case # 392566

Shift Fork/Gear Cover #3952648

Rear Axle

Stamping # on right forward facing axle tube – COO 0618G1E (COO=4.10, 06=June, 18=18th Day of Month, G=Detroit Gear & Axle, 1=Day Shift, E=Eaton Positraction Differential)

Other Parts

Carburetor – Holley 780 - #372121 List 4555 051 May 1st 1970 – Sent out and professionally restored.

Distributor - #1112019 OF25 June 25th 1970 – Distributor was professionally rebuilt and new vacuum advance.

Starter - #1108418 OE28 May 28th 1970 – Starter was rebuilt.

Alternator - #110837 OF3, June 3rd 1970 – Alternator was rebuilt.

Flywheel - #397S456N – Flywheel was refinished.

Crankshaft Pulley - #3956668 CG

Water Pump Pulley - #3976060 AP

Master Cylinder - #5470409

General Information

Fuel System – New fuel tank, fuel tank cap, fuel tank sending unit, stainless still fuel line, fuel hoses, fuel filters, AC Delco fuel pump, PCV valve, A232CW air filter, Holley carburetor professionally rebuilt and restored.

Exhaust – Exhaust system is all new, manifolds, heat riser, correct style muffler hangars, original tail pipe hangars, complete OE style extension pipes, muffler & tail pipes.

Ignition System – New all AC Delco spark plugs, distributor cap & rotor, points and condenser, ignition coil, proper date coded spark plug wire set, new TCS solenoid.

Cooling System – New correct radiator and heater hoses, thermostat, correct tower style hose clamps, radiator cap, original Harrison radiator checked out by radiator shop, original Eaton fan clutch, period correct style stamped fan belt, water pump is new original was not saved.

Brakes – New stainless steel brake lines, front and rear brake hoses, calipers, brake pads, wheel cylinders, original master cylinder rebuilt, Dot 3 synthetic brake fluid, new brake booster, original rotors and brake drums refinished, complete new rear brake hardware and both rear emergency brake cables, appears rear brake shoes are original. Saved original brake booster and rear wheel cylinders.

Interior – Front seats were reupholstered with new seat covers and foam (originals were in nice shape but Ricks Dachshund chewed a hole in the driver’s seat). New carpet, sound deadening insulation and floor mats, armrests, lock knobs, rear view mirror, glove box liner and shift knob. The lone speaker in the dashboard is new, original gave out after 46 years. Headliner, rear seats and door panels are original. Windshield, rear window and door glass are all new.

Steering/Suspension – New front stabilizer bar links, front and rear shock absorbers, and new rear leaf springs. The rest of the front end parts, steering linkage, tie rods, ball joints, bushings and rear stabilizer bar are all original with no play.

Tires & Wheels – 5 Original wheels were sandblasted and painted shadow gray. One original Goodyear Polyglas tire was mounted for the spare but has a tube in it due to a slice in the tread. 4 new BF Goodrich Radial T/A’s P235/60/R15.

Drivetrain – New complete clutch, universal joints. Shift linkage is tight & no play, shifter was neutral indexed. Transmission was inspected prior to installation, internal gears showed no sign of wear. New seals & gear lube. Rear axle was inspected, no wear in ring gear. New seals, gear lube & limited slip additive. Transmission and rear axle perform like day one, quiet and no noises.

Body – Front fenders and rear quarters were replaced as stated earlier. As far as the rest of the body doors, hood, truck, floors, rockers are solid with no rust ever. The very lower rear inside edge of the driver’s door had some work on it. My guess would be the door was opened into a curb as happened to Camaro’s since they sit so low. All chrome, bumpers, front marker/turn signals, rear tail lights are original and are in great shape.

Overview

The only missing parts are the original air (smog) pump, diverter valve, air injection tubes & exhaust manifolds. While Scott had the car headers were on it and a Mallory dual point distributor. Scott had saved the original parts but somewhere in the change of hands the air pump & exhaust manifolds were misplaced. Joe said he never got them when he took possession of the Z28. Scott looked again for them and could not find them. I purchased GM restoration exhaust manifolds with the air tube holds in case someone wants the air pump installed.

Whoever purchases the car will be able to contact and talk to all of the prior owners mentioned at the beginning.

Bid with confidence, this is not a “Trailer Queen” it was restored to be driven, but “It’s a Helluva Nice Car!”