Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Don't recall for sure the colors or if the other cars were Camaro's or Chevelles. I do believe one (if not both) were Camaros.
My eye was taken by the brilliant orange Chevelle . . . :)

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Awesome Roger! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Neat story! Can almost picture the scene 40 years ago perfectly. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

To expand a bit on a question inquiring about an 'exact' accounting as to how this Chevelle made it's way back to me, not too short but exactly as it happened:

1. I located the last Missouri owner of record in November 08 via title search with MO DMV utilizing the VIN (off my original documents)

2. I contacted the last owner of record and traced the car (utilizing a single thread of information he provided) via public tax records and published obits to a farm in Independence, MO where the car was stored for many years.

3. I traced the car from the farm to the owner of record in Illinois who posted the car for sale on Craigslist via the unknowing help of an individual (Dan Palchanes). Dan emailed me out of the blue asking "By chance was your VIN NNNNNNNNNNNNN?" - I responded to Dan but never answered or confirmed his question. He never answered back and I intensified my efforts. I concluded that if he came up with the VIN somehow, the car must be out there.

5. I was checking google, eBay and Craigslists (throughout the US) trying to find any small thread or indication of where the car was located (I had never disclosed the VIN or any portion thereof on any of my posts at this point).

4. End of July, first week of August - I located an old expired add for a "1969 Chevelle- Project Car" on a consolidator's website - completed a 15 page survey before it displayed the old, expired add - my VIN number was posted in the body of the add and so was the Illinois location.

5. It's now the second week of August, I was up every morning at 5:30 (mi wife was ready to shoot me) checking all new "1969 Chevelle" listings, emailing, calling, eliminating them one by one.

6. On Aug 12th, a new listing from Aug 11 at 4:31PM popped up in the Chicago Craigslist - it had my VIN and pictures - looks very promising.

7. I emailed the seller three times before noon that day - he called me about 3:30PM, we talked and agreed to meet the next afternoon (may be a bust, may be a hoax, may be for real, please - a little prayer about now . . . )

8. Change of plans, couldn't find a flight Thursday morning - had to leave by 7:30PM that same day - called the owner and changed the meeting time to 7:30AM meeting the next morning (Aug 13, 2009)

9. Aug `13, 2009 at 7:30AM, when he raised the storage unit door I saw a chevelle with peeling white paint, bright orange peeking out from beneath and a very old Missouri inspection sticker on the lower left part of the windshield.

10. Aug 13, 2009 at 7:40AM - I asked the seller if he had title - he pulled out a Missouri Lien release dated 2005 that showed the same owner of record to whom I had traced the car as far back as 1983 - then he presented a lien free Illinois title.

11. Aug 13, 2009 at 7:50AM - We concluded our transaction and he signed over the title along with a bill of sale. My little prayer was answered at this point!

12. Aug 13, 2009 at 10:15AM - Pushed the car out of 3005 and into 3008 storage unit (3 doors down from previous owners unit) and secured it. First thing I did was to scrap a small spot on the driver's front fender - found a small quarter sized flat spot - I put the flat spot there in November 1969 when I clipped a construction barrell on the way home.

I've left off the trip back home and return trip to pick up the car but that's another story . . .

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Great story Roger.
James

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Definitely a great story. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif
C'mon, give us the rest of it now that you started. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

The rest of the story . . .

My friend, Ken H. was great company on the trip. A very long drive each way - McD's Expresso was just the ticket to give me that extra boost.

Each time we stopped for gas on the way home, someone would always walk up and inquire about the 'white SS' and the question would come up, 'want to sell it?'.

Killer trip, GREAT trip, an abundance of memories came flooding back on the way home. Just couldn't resist contacting old friends from back in the day and family to give them the news - what a trip . . .

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

OTTAWA ? ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?
just my luck ! awhile back my old company was building a walmart store on rt23 and i80. some local guy saw the chevy emblem i have tattooed on my leg and asked if i was into old cars. i said yes and he then asked if i was interested in a white 69 SS chevelle that his buddy was thinking about selling. he said its in storage now and has been sitting for a long time. i said that i already have a chevelle, maybe in a couple years when my kids get old enough i'll start looking for something. this has to be the same car. that was probably the only time i will ever come close to owning such a rare and cool car. just my luck. i guess if that happens again, it just may be worth looking into.

congrats on finding your old car !!! an awesome story and by far the coolest car to be found in some time !!!!

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Could have been the very same car but . . .

My '69 would most likely never have been anything other than a misidentified SS396 car to anyone other than me. My original Dick Harrell 'MSRP' and Bill Allen 'Customer Invoice' prove my car was a KAN COPO and that Dick Harrell modified it while 'new' in 1969 from a COPO to a "Dick Harrell Chevelle".

The new DHPC org checked their archives from the original Dick Harrell org but found nothing on my specific car. Apparently, there are gaps in the document archives or their search failed to find the corresponding documents. At least they gave it a try and I do appreciate their efforts . . .
My guess is that documents will be found some day but perhaps not in my lifetime. . .

The new DHPC org (along with former employees of the original Dick Harrell org) have stated publicly on several occasions 'no 69 Dick Harrell Chevelles' for several years. The documents I have along with my found '69 COPO/DH Chevelle proves otherwise.

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

[ QUOTE ]
My guess is that documents will be found some day but perhaps not in my lifetime.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your DOCs are the only ones needed to prove what you have, why bother with asking someone else to see if they have anything when yours Show without a doubt what the car is

Neat story on how you got the car back by the way, congrats https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Here is a trim tag from a 69 Chevelle code 72 built one week before your car.

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

This car has org. paint and was SS 396 325 or 350 Hp car.

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Kim:

Missed the Cowl Tag - was it attached?

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Roger it's the one above my last post. Hit the red attached area Kim https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Kim, what's the code to the right of the date code?

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

I don't know. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif Johnny D owns the car. I asked him the other day if could have got a worse picture of the tag, he said it's hard to get picture with the hood on the car. I will call him and find out. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Fisher body internal tracking number.Meaningless once it left the assembly line.

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

What a great story! It sure looks like there were some Kansas built COPO Chevelles. GM record keeping really turns out to be pretty lousy. Doesn't the GM of Canada documentation on the COPO Camaros mention the L78 being part of the order process before being substituted by the COPO number? Maybe the Kansas plant saw the L78 for the COPO Chevelle and stamped the 'L' on the trim tag because that would normally denote an SS. It's pretty cool to find the history on some of these cars 40+ years later!

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe the Kansas plant saw the L78 for the COPO Chevelle and stamped the 'L' on the trim tag because that would normally denote an SS .

[/ QUOTE ]
Curious, any real proof of the "L" being an SS, if so would you be kind enough to provide a link to that definitive information, thanks. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Picked up a '69 Malibu 'donor car' a couple of weeks ago. Lots of good parts, many of which I won't need. It was a vinyl top car - vinyl is gone along with most of the exterior OEM paint but the metal is pretty good . . .

It was mfg in June '69, same plant (KAN) as my car which was mfg Jul '69 - parts I need should be a perfect fit. Parchment bench seat (good frame), OEM GM button radio (it's a little rough but you never know). Good auto shift column, really good original deck lid (shiny OEM paint inside & the jack sticker still in place) - lots of stuff I need . . .

Still need to locate an NOS passenger quarter before the body work starts . . . :)

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Maybe the Kansas plant saw the L78 for the COPO Chevelle and stamped the 'L' on the trim tag because that would normally denote an SS .

[/ QUOTE ]
Curious, any real proof of the "L" being an SS, if so would you be kind enough to provide a link to that definitive information, thanks. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I have no idea if that's true, I'm not a Chevelle guy but I think some other people mentioned it.

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

My car has the "L" in the cowl tag but was not an SS car (as previously stated) - no SS trappings . . .
Just the 'Malibu' emblems above the glove box and on the door panels . . .

My 'donor car' has the A/C dash bezel so I'm still looking for a non A/C dash bezel for my '69 project. My car didn't have a map light - still has what appears to be the original RV Mirror so I'll most likely stay with that . . .

I've spotted EX Manifolds with the AIR ports 3909879 (LH) and 3916178 (RH) but so far, none with the correct date codes (Mar or Feb '69) . . . :(

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Maybe the Kansas plant saw the L78 for the COPO Chevelle and stamped the 'L' on the trim tag because that would normally denote an SS .

[/ QUOTE ]
Curious, any real proof of the "L" being an SS, if so would you be kind enough to provide a link to that definitive information, thanks. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I have no idea if that's true, I'm not a Chevelle guy but I think some other people mentioned it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's a link to a thread at Team Chevelle of page 4 of several pages talking about the "L" on the KC built Chevelles trim tags.
I lean toward believing it had to do with the body prep relating to no side mouldings.
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/show...g+l&page=4

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Interesting read, thanks for the link Rick. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Any updates on the project? Great story

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Seasons Greetings:

It's been pretty quiet on the homefront - still trying to track down a few elusive parts that are required before the body work can start.
Once they are found, the next step will be shop selection. There are a few shops in my area to whom I have spoken - nothing in concrete yet . . .

Have a GREAT holiday season!!

RogerD

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

What parts are yah missing?

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Roger, you need to hook up with Rick, "TXSS" ,and use his guy they know how to do Orange paint https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif.

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

[ QUOTE ]
Roger, you need to hook up with Rick, "TXSS" ,and use his guy they know how to do Orange paint https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's for damn sure! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Be happy to talk to him - do you have contact details?

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

I have the key stuff after a 1,980 mile round trip parts run Friday and Saturday. Still looking for trim and motor stuff but I can now start the body work. . .

Needed Interior stuff:
2 spoke Chevelle/GM Black Steering wheel w/Malibu center piece
Non-AC Instrument Bezel
Good condition GM Dash (Black)
GM/Delco push button radio
Clear GM window cranks (front X2 and back X2)

Engine/Power Train stuff:
4 X 5 spoke Chevelle YA Wheels, trim rings and center caps
Big Block drive shaft for TH400
3933164 - HOLLY CARB #4346 (Model 4150??)
1111499 – DISTRIBUTOR
1100837 - Alternator
3909879 - Exhaust (LH) ( Mar or late Feb ’69 date code)
3916178 - Exhaust (RH) Mar or late Feb ’69 date code)

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

look up TXSS in the member list and shoot him a PM.


[ QUOTE ]
Be happy to talk to him - do you have contact details?

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Roger...click HERE

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

An LTL shipment (a couple of required NOS GM body parts) arrived yesterday from Chester, SC:biggthumpup: A local restoration shop owner will look at my '69 DH/COPO and the '69 donor (if weather permits) this Saturday for a sanity check:beers:

And then . . .

RogerD

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Roger, there's a 499 distributor on eBay at the moment.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Cama...sQ5fAccessories


Also, alternator...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/69-CAMARO...sQ5fAccessories

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Merry Christmas gang :)

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Happy New Year gang!

The NOS GM QPanels I located and bought were stamped and even had an original receipt from July 1987 with them . . .

I may not need them -mine are not rotted - just a bit of rust on the lower section by the bumper and rust around the lip of the wheel well from having been cut for slicks back in the mid '80's. I did not want to take a chance and start the project with having them on hand.

Best wishes for a GREAT 2010 :beers:

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Awesome, I cant wait to see this one done!

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Ive been sleeping too long... this is just cool https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle
 

Picked up an NOS vintage SST-802 for my project yesterday . . .
The shift pointer is off a bit but with a small adjustment . . .


Things are starting to come together - hopeful to begin the metal and paint work soon!!