DocZilla wrote:
This wasn't his only gig claiming that "he was Kong". I found reference in the Chicago Sun-Times, Dec. 21, 1969 with Ken Roady (aka Carmen Nigro) claiming he was in the "suit" and Armstrong and Wray didn't know how much they owed him for his performance. He even had the gall at one time to sign autographs as "King Kong"! This wasn't at all part of the De Laurentiis hype machine. Just an elderly opportunist who knew his "Barnum".

Another pic here:
http://theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15634
Thanks for finding that pic Doc !  
After seeing this nice close-up of his Kong head, I REALLY feel sorry for this poor old rube!
$3500 for that crap suit ? You can see the burlap texture on the right side of the face, and the hairline is Gawd-awfull !
You can clearly see the edge of the pelt they used to fur the thing.
No wonder he says he was Kong, he probably thought people would be less likely to laugh at him for spending that much if they thought the suit was famous !