I have located 4x owners of the car back to the Speed Shop.
All within 60mi of each other. Car was in Peoria area 50+ years.

Rick Gehrt owned it. Maybe the first owner

From Facebook

Dave and Denny, owners of D&D Speed Shop were the best people. I bought a lot of high performance and racing equipment from them and they sponsored my race car, Chevy II Much, back in the late 60s.

I raced at Peoria, Havana, Beardstown and Springfield race tracks.

Rick Gehrt
I bought one of those 427 Novas from Fred Gibbs Chevrolet In LaHarp and it was a beast!

You need to speak to Rick Gerth and show him the car he bought in July 1968.

I've got your car Eugene.

Ironically, this Nova was owned by 4 different Caterpillar Employees. Top that....

CHEVY II. much

He graduated high school in 1967 and bought that monster 427 nova in 1968 at age 18!

How bout this site. Barn find bought Thursday, located all 4x owners in 4 days.

Did you get that rear end code?

Tomorrow, was in yard, warmed up a little.

Thanks for your willingness to share information about your car. Research is hard work sometimes, but with the help of others with similar interests, it becomes easier. Congratulations on your persistence after 20 years, that shows your patience required sometimes to own a car of this pedigree.

Your car is one of the few Fred Gibb Chevrolet ordered cars, built specifically for the racetrack. To have been touched by Dick Harrell makes it even more special. I understand as many as 23 of the Gibb COPO Novas went through the Dick Harrell Performance Center for additional tuning, upgrades, and some, but not all, with short block transplant to 427 status.

I have a particular interest in the Gibb COPO Chevy II's, being the steward for a time of the Fred Gibb Chevrolet "Little Hoss" 1967 Z28. Helen Gibb was gracious and shared all her information she had for the car when I was restoring it. I learned as much as I could about the dealerships racing activities from 1967 through 1971 when Fred left drag racing at the top. My friendship with Bill Porterfield, Dennis Hartwig, Jerry Burford, Kim Howie and Ray Morrison helped me learn about the COPO Nova program, and I always admired them for their passion for these cars.

Have fun with your research and restoration. There are a number of Chevy II/Nova experts on this site to help you. Feel free to contact me anytime if you need.

Ken Boje

You definitely need to bring this thing to MCACN, I'm sure they would make room for you. I'll help you push it into it's spot - would love to see it in person!

That's a guy with his priorities in order!:worship:

Ken, amazing info. .... thanks. Were trying to see if MCACN 2025 is possible.
In the 80s, I had a 68 Camaro, with a hood like little Hoss. Hood bolted to Springs and latched. Didn't know what the car was then, possibly an SS, a lot of trim missing. I do remember it was a Norwood, BB, 4spd, 3.73, with power disc, and power steering. Original engines and trans was long gone. In the trunk was an Oval Port Holley Flanged GM Winters intake.
Hood was made in ADA Ohio, I think it was ACE? But forget.

Great site, the experts here make quick work of find history.

One Note: 4x of the owners of this Nova, Worked for Caterpillar, car never got further than 50mi from Peoria. When I worked there, the Tech Center was full of gear heads.

Thinking, it should make MCACN, not sure how to get in that event, car does not run yet, might by then, logistics around area are unknown to me. We might if attending, have 5x people with knowledge of this car

I live right outside of Peoria. I would imagine Jerry Huffman(RIP) would have known about this car.
Jerry owned a Chevrolet dealership in Farmington, IL.

Very cool that this car resided in Peoria, IL all these years.

Congratulations on such a significant car.

Dave Dykstra

If you live close to me, please let me know if I can help in any way.

We might need help. Might be a few local people knowledgeable, that want to go to MCACN show.
Might be a great gathering. Bet there is photos from all the Illinois tracks to be found.

Doug

PM sent

Dew1968,
Thanks for posting all the info on this extremely special car. I'm sure you have had many offers, advice, etc. but what is your plan for the car? Cleaning it up and getting it running in it's current state would be cool. Whatever you do, take your time as it's only original once.

I went through a bunch of Dennis Hartweg's records last night. Unfortunately I did not locate the dealer prep sheet on this particular car for some reason but will keep looking. I did find several other COPO Nova sheets however. What I did find were notes that Dennis wrote down, I presume in the late 90's or very early 2000's. What I found was, 369684, probable 427 conversion, C/H or G/H (no idea what that means), HH for Grecian Green, "Ed Cuneen (misspelled) knows where", Harrell Stinger Hood, Original owner Eugene Gehrt (which likely means he had the dealer prep sheet at one time) and original purchase date of 4/25/68.

Sorry to come up empty but Ann and I will keep looking.
Rick and Ann

Maybe Harrell site could find info?

Looking for who makes best interior seat upholstery?

original rear? i think the rears lasted longer with auto trans?

Going out right now to check.

PO drove it to work, 6yr, gear change would not surprise me with 327.
Getting as delivered gear set from Tuner, as it arrived from Gibb.

would be good if housing is original ive seen a few 4:10 ring and pinion for sale dated may june for your 7a car build

Would be cool if the car could be added to MCACN barn finds, you'd be at the show with the largest concentration of knowledgeable people.

Not to mention one of it's past owners might walk into MCACN and notice it too.
Pic & sign the dashboard please. :)

Original first owner, calling me tonight.
4x Owners total. Full history found.


Doug

Did verify, rear end was changed. No luck, it happens.

12 bolt open, guy used it as a work car for 6yr.
Deep gear would not have been a problem as a work car.

Doug

Did get trunk open. Found some cool parts, I was worried about.
Super Sport fender bottom emblems.
Super Sport Grille,black, red painted SS matches paint job.
Cowl Vent.. painted red-white-blue,
Windshield stainless.
Front bumper turn signals.
Hurst Shifter cover. 69-71 era raced. Not sure Hurst design date, when produced. Have complete shifter.
Kick panels, nice shape.
Door threshold stainless.
Chevy II hood trim.
Hood Hinges.
Looks like car had a roll bar in it. Talking to original owner tonight.

Car might be well out of my wheel house. 396 I was feeling confident on a nice redo, 427 roots is a whole other level. It might be a Museum type build, not where I play. It probably belongs into the hands of a Top Level Curator... my observation.

I’m more excited than you are!

Found Grille, that had me worried.

Trunk Parts

It’s great they saved all the original parts.