SS/AMX #5: Automaster Motors Co.
Burlington,
Vermont
Click on the pictures below to enlarge:
Vintage:
Current configuration:
History:
In early 1969, Automasters Motors in Burlington,VT took delivery of this
SS/AMX. Originally ordered by dealership service manager John Casey, the
car sat on the showroom floor until late August of 1969 painted in it's original
red, white and blue paint scheme. Casey had intentions of racing the car
himself under the Automasters' name, but personal and financial problems kept
him from doing so. At that time a local drag racer, Nick Pappus walked
into the dealership, purchased the car, and started campaigning it in superstock/E
under the name of "Nickys' Nash". Nick raced the car all over the New
England area and in Canada eventually running times in the 10.80's and the high
120's MPH. The car achieved some limited success as a Superstocker, but
when a disagreement with AMC about the lack of replacement parts arose, Pappus
had the car converted to run in D/Altered class with the addition of a Chevy big
block powerplant. This conversion to non-AMC powerplant was expertly done
by Linblatt Chassis in northern Massachusetts.
The car was sold off in 1976 to Fred Masterson who continued to campaign the car
in the modified classes with non-AMC power and had it painted in black lacquer.
Masterson owned the car until 1979,when it was sold off again and converted it
back to AMC power and street car duty. Never leaving the state of VT, the
car was sold off several more times and remained in relative anonymity for
nearly 20 years. Today, the car still retains all the street equipment
added in the late 70's. Future plans include a restoration to it's original "as
raced" condition.
Currently located in New Jersey