The names still ring out: Yenko, Nickey, Royal, Grand-Spauldling...these were a few of the new car dealerships that fronted for the factories in the glory days of 60's and early 70s racing. Yenko and Nickey ("Home of the Backwards K") for Chevy, the Royal "Bobcats" for Pontiac and Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding for Dodge. They provided cover for the factories and sources for the factory hot rod specials that could magically appear through a bit of conjuring with a special order form. While all these dealerships sold these great factory rides, a few specialized even more, with high-performance parts straight from the backdoors of some secret factory skunkworks back in Detroit.
For Bow-Tie fans, one of the most legendary of these factory parts outlets was Berger Chevrolet in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A "by Berger" sticker on the back of a Chevelle, Malibu or Camaro was an immediate tip off that this was probably no ordinary ride. Unfortunately, that little "by Berger" chrome label was always on the back of the car, a view you were more than likely to see if you ran up against one of these secret flamethrowers.
That's the story behind a great find at Benchmark Classics, the Hot Rod, Custom, Specialty and Muscle Car playground in Madison, Wisconsin. They've found a numbers-matching '69 Camaro Z28..."by Berger!" And true to its "by Berger" roots, there on the top of that hi-po 302, sits something few have ever seen: A big chromed oval air cleaner topping a cross-ram intake, proudly emblazoned with one of those tell-tale labels, "Prescribed Power by Berger Chevrolet, Grand Rapids, Michigan." Oh, the sound that small block banshee must make at full tilt!
The Rallye Green Z came off the Norwood, Ohio Chevy line in January of '69, equipped with and Ivory w/Black interior. And since that time, over 40 years ago, this Z28 screamin' machine has traveled just 31, 212 miles. Probably very few of them at low speed!
That's the story. If you have always wanted a real '69 Z28 to go to battle in, here's a Green Machine you're just gonna have to check out. This is the proverbial "Real Deal"; a numbers matching, low mileage, Lifesaver green '69 Camaro Z28...by Berger. It's just waiting to show off again, so call the neighbors and tell them to clear the streets! |
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