Ex Bryan Thompson 1968 Improved Production L88 427 Camaro.
The ultimate weapon.
One of only a handful of the "Big Hitter" Improved Production cars.
In excellent restored condition.
Extremely rapid.
Current Group N and original CAMS logbook.
4 owners from new, current owner since 1970's.
$POA
Status: InventoryLooking stunning in its unique Alfa Romeo ‘Yellow Ochre’ with tough Camaro spec black stripes and wearing its trademark number ‘17’, Thommo’s old L88 Camaro goes as hard as it looks and can be aptly described as one of Australia’s most desirable muscle cars, from its most iconic era.
Back in 1968, ‘Pete’ Geoghegan and Bob Jane had their all conquering Mustangs, but it was the new Camaro’s raced by Terry Allan and Norm Beechey that captured the imagination of Shepparton truck dealer and part-time racing driver Bryan Thomson, who was looking to replace the now outdated Norm Beechey Mustang, he had campaigned in Australia and the UK over the previous two seasons. Fortunately for Thommo, fellow ‘Sheppartonian’ Drag Racer Neville Thompson, had his potent 396 SS Camaro drag car up for sale. A deal was done and Thommo had his “Ultimate Weapon”. To get the Camaro on the track, Thomson asked touring car racer and mechanic Graham ‘Tubby’ Ritter and his wife to work in Shepparton, where Graham race prepped the Camaro and worked as Service Manager in Thommo’s Alfa Romeo (That’s where the unique colour comes from!) and Volvo dealership (That’s where nothing came from!).
Thommo made the desirable decision to get copious more power and torque than the factory 396 could provide, so an L88 spec’ motor (427 Rat Chev with aluminium heads.) was sourced from the USA. The Camaro was now ready, the engine developed about 600hp, she had 4 wheel disc brakes and the chassis was optimised to handle by Tubby Ritter’s expertise. It was gearbox’s that were the cars Achilles heel. After blowing a box on every outing, Peter Hollinger, of Hollinger gearbox fame, custom crafted a Muncie M22 “Rockcrusher” that could handle the 600+HP of the L88 (Oh, for some Redline Shockproof hey guys!?)
After a season and a bit, Thommo was a bit light on for time and money, and sold the potent Camaro to Tasmanian businessman Don Elliot, who employed local driver Robin Pare to campaign the car with considerable success over a three-year period, setting lap records at Symmons Plains and Baskerville.
The Camaro was then sold to Peter McKinley, who campaigned the car before it was in turn sold to the current owner in early 1975. After a couple of seasons as a sports sedan, the car was retired, until a chance meeting with Bryan Thompson, and discovering Thommo still had all the original owners books and import papers for the Camaro, he felt inspired to restore her to her former glory. The meticulous and expert restoration was completed in December 2007. Amazingly for a racer of this glorious era, the original 427 L88 Camaro is still in the car, as are the 10-inch wide US Racing magnesium wheels, which should make great coffee tables and the like.
The current owner has had her since 1975 (33 years!) raced it in the period and now again, and has decided its time to let this amazing Camaro go to a new home, where hopefully we will see her terrorising the race tracks again!
Please call Chris for further details:
+61 (0) 438 269938.
Or email on chris@ecurieinvestments.com.au
