68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Ok Tom....it is showable and in the trailer....so show them the pictures.......before I leave for Bowling Green [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Yes,Yes.
Pictures Please Tom?

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

I'm not Tom, but I guess I'll have to do...

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

<font color="red">Then...</font>

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/43493-dhfc1.JPG

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

<font color="red">Now...</font>

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/43494-tcdhfc4.jpg

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

#1

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/43496-tcdhfc1.jpg

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

#2

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/43498-tcdhfc2.jpg

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#3

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/43499-tcdhfc3.jpg

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#4

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/43500-tcdhfc5.jpg

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#5

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/43502-tcdhfc6.jpg

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Those should give you guys something to chew on for a while...[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

WOW! very nice [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Car looks sweet! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] Dare to ask if it will see some track time? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]I hope it's a yes... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I can't wait for the reunion now!

Steve [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

How soon the track time will be will depend on how long it takes me to get it running. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] We were kind of under the gun to get it showable to take this weekend to the hot rod reunion in Bowling Green Ky. So if all goes well it should be doing burnouts at SCR 6. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

NOW THAT IS A RACE CAR. IT LOOKS "BEUTIFULL" CONGRATULATIONS KIM

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Wow, that is a great looking car! just curious, why does a '68 car have '67 tail lights?
-Sam

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Sam, Until recently, I considered it a '68, and the altered car the only '67. But, within the last few weeks, I have come up with quite a bit more information, which has helped clear up a few things, at least I think so.

First of all, the car now has the same tail lights that were in it when I got the car. Not for sure if that means anything, but decided to do that for now.

As per the year, here is what I have been able to put together. The body was one of the first one piece bodies ever molded, and was molded off of a real car. This was in mid to late '67 and it appears the car was not compaigned until early in '68. At about this time, according to SS&amp;DI magazine, the fiberglass companies released new bodies for '68, which consisted of a few minor details. The bigger names switched to the new body, while lesser teams stayed with the '67, after all they were very similar. According to an article in SS&amp;DI, Dick had two flip top cars in '68, which are both pictured in the article. One, our car, which is pictured on the lift with Dave Libby underneath, the other the newer body. This other car may be Jim Kirby's? One thing that makes it difficult is Dick used at least 4 different paint schemes in '68. Red/black, all red, tri-color burgundy and red w/lace (like the '69), and changed parts he was using, thus sponser decals quite often. This makes it hard to sort things out.

Now, to your question, I think it is actually a '67, but was raced during the early part of the '68 season as a '68. So, 1967 or 1968 ??? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Tom,
Congratulations on a beautiful job. Looking forward to seeing her in person tomorrow in Bowling Green.

Dennis

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Wow it looks great! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Tom,

I am floored! That is excellent! Can you tell I am excited? I can't wait! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

That will be cool at York US 30 show too..Can't wait to see it. The people at York will go nutz...BKH [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Tom
You did a really nice job on the resto. How about some "before" pics. Always neat to see what you started with.
Are you looking for a set of the magnesium rear wheels that were slotted like in the original pic? I know a guy that has a set but they are 16" which was very popular back then. Not sure what size your car originally ran. I don't think you can get tires for them anymore though so would have to find a nice used set for display only.
Dave

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

We've got some before pics here somewhere, but they're really not much to look at. Just a fiberglass body in primer, and a dirty frame.

As for the wheels/tires, I believe he has been hunting a set of 16" magnesium wheels! The wheels on it now (I think?) are 16" American Racing wheels, and he was *supposed* to be getting some vintage (ie. correct) tires mounted on them, but for some reason they haven't made it in from Cali. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img] I think he was gonna try and shoot you a PM before he left for Bowling Green where Mo and the car are waiting. Mo said it's getting LOTS of looks/compliments[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img].

Watching the guy hand letter the car was friggin' AMAZING... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Nothing like real hand lettered cars with brush strokes. I almost gaged at Ford Carlisle when I looked at a premo restored T-Bolt and the car had vinyl graphics. Step up and do it right...BKH

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Chevy454,
Call me crazy!---but I could swear I saw that car smiling!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
NICE!!!!!!!--- [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

You are crazy..that is the reflection of everyone looking at this car!

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
You are crazy..that is the reflection of everyone looking at this car!

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]-------------- [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img][SHHHHHHH! it's a secret]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Back to work after a long weekend. Talked to alot of people about the car, and there were lots of smiling faces. I would like to have a nickle for every picture that was taken of the car. Now to get it running for the next show.

Maurice

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Mo,

Good to meet you face-to-face on Friday and see the car. I agree (as we discussed) hand lettering is the only way to do these cars. WAY too many of the nostalgia Super Stockers at Bowling Green had vinyl lettering. Yeah, it's quicker and easier, and no doubt cheaper but the cars deserve to be treated to 'period correct' details. I have done my share of lettering on race cars and can testify to the quality of work on this car. Whoever did it should be commended. Tom/Rob, you made the right choice!

BTW, nothing but positive comments on the car from the group I was with. Thanks for bringing her back!

Dennis

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Glad everyone enjoyed the car. The crowd reaction was unreal. Had numerous pro photographers, both freelance and magazine, interested in the car. But, the best part was visting with "the old timers" who remebered the car, and of course Dick. Got to meet Bruce Larsen and see his gorgeous '68 Camaro fc, USA-1 make a side ways pass down the track, watched Arnie "the Farmer" make a couple of passes, saw Grumpy's Toy ? (the pro-stock Vega), just to name a few. All in all, a great weekend. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

I heard Bruce pulled the chute at just the right time. Congratulations Tom and Maurice, hope to see you soon. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

The decision to have it hand lettered was made at the last minute. I had debated for weeks which way to go. I knew it had been done by hand in '68, but did not know how/if I could get it done today. But, Mo ran into a guy who not only did lettering, but was a big fan of Dick Harrell and other funny car racers. About ten minutes after he began lettering, I knew I had made the right decision. As good as the car looked before, the hand lettering set it off. I think that is one of the things impressed the crowd at BG, as most of the other cars were vinyl.

Another interesting note about the car. Mo and I had not had time to build a set of headers, but Saturday morning Bob Gibson and Donny Reeves helped us out. We were able to install a set taken off of Dick's '69 World Championship FC that Bob had removed several years ago. not for sure if we will leave them on the car (getting thin) or if we will install a new set. The '69 headers may go into my Supercar Museum.

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Tom,

I noticed the headers were thin but assumed they might be original to the car. Why not just delete the previous posting and let everyone else think the same??????? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

Any info to lead you to think the '69 headers may differ from the ones original to your car? At the very least, you have a pattern!

Dennis

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

The only bad thing about the 69 headers is they are going to be hard on the new paint job, due to the angle that they turn up on the end. We are considering making some new ones that will exit a little further past the body. The origional one's, the best we can tell, tapered towards the back and didn't come out as far from under the body. If we only fired the engine with the body up we would be ok. So is it new headers or no burnouts? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

UPDATE!!!
Starting system installed......shifter installed......waiting on more parts

Mo

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Don't the FC's run double wall tubing to lower the surface temp of the headers? Maybe you can get a set made up to look like the originals but use double wall tubing. just a thought [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

That is probally right. Our problem is with these the exhaust flames will be directed at the paint.

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

Tom,
As I have said before you will never hear from me "that is not right" concerning your 68 DH f/c and that still is true. The very fact that it is still alive and now "out there" where people can see it is great! I am pleased beyond how I can express in words! Congratulations to you and Mo on a restoration way beyond what was expected.
I am trying to work out a way to attend the FCR in E-town next month and will let you know per our phone conversation.
I can't wait to see it in person.
Again thanks very much for bringing it back.

Dave Libby [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Dick Harrell Funny Car
 

UPDATE 2 !!!!!!!!

Fired it off last night.....ears still ringing.....Note to self "don't fire funny car inside shop again".....dust is still falling out of the roof...... and I think I have all the ceiling pannels put back in place......wife thought we had blew the shop up.....suggested I tell her next time before starting it........ [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]