1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

I would like to start a new thread on this car,being that it was in the wrong place to begin with.I would first like to say thanks to Ron Bentz for locating the car.About the finders fee,as rick stated, I had every intention of paying ron for services rendered. I had brought the money with me in cash,when we were picking up the car. It was my understanding ron was to be there.The owner even thought so because he had wondered were he was because ron had stopped by the previous saturday and said he would be there to help load the car. Rick N. had told me before the purchase that ron was to be paid the finders fee which i had no promblem with.When he was not there i figured we would catch up later. I did not want to mail cash,Anyway to make a long story short,the check is in the mail,I apologize to ron, as there was never any intent to screw anyone out of a finders fee, i do not think the friendship between rick and ron should end over a car! Now with that being said a little info on the car, 1970 Dick harrell ls6 camaro,green w/grn interior,5800 original miles,original paint,car was sitting since 1974,started on a regular basis,no rust,beautiful underneath shows all red oxide primer,still talking with previous owners on all relevant info. I would also like to thank Rick N. for researching the car and finding out more about it.Now,i will let Rick post pics of car and more info. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

sounds like a cool car. Is it an L78 trim tag? Is it a 4sp? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Chad,

My personal congratulations to you and Rick, as well as my thanks for all the work to bring this car back in the public's eye. Rick sent me a couple of pictures this morning and the car is in amazing condition. I'm really looking forward to seeing her up close and personal later this month. If there's anything we can do, please let us know.

Dennis

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Thanks for the many kind words via e-mails and PM's that I have received today. We are very excited about the car to say the least. I had heard about this car several years ago both in rumor and also when the original newspaper add was posted on site. I let it lie for some time and then started tracking it again over a year ago. When Ron joined sYc, he was asking several restoration questions which I took the time to answer both on and off line. After several months, I felt as though I could confide in Ron and see if he knew about the car. He remebered as a kid and after making a few inquiries, he was able to locate the original owner.

It took nine months of phone calls, e-mails and kissing some major butt to determine that this in fact was the real deal. The car was sold new at Van's Chevrolet. It has gone through a total of 4 owners up to now. The car was raced for the first two years and when purchased in 1973 by the last owner, it was relinquished to see street duty. The owner then went to Viet Nam. Upon his return, the car was never driven on the street again and was located in the garage where it had sat for 30 plus years. The owner took very good care of the car and started it frequently. Outside of a major bath, tune-up and buffing, the car needed very little and retained most of it's original parts.

Dennis Hartweg was instrumental in providing me with contacts and information prior to his untimely passing. Since then Annie has graciously and tirelessly taken over from there. Thanks also to Ken Boje for his help. Others have unknowingly helped as well but I was not able to disclose my reasons for asking the questions at the time.

I will provide some photos to show how the car was found. The Pro Stock hood has now been replaced with the stock hood which is painted like the nose. This hood has been wrapped up for 30 plus years in blankets. With the purchase of the car, we were also given several original dated photographs showing the car. We are being told that more are being obtained from other owners as well. I am now in the process of contacting all the previous owners.

The car will be on display at the reunion this year and am looking forward to displaying it with other Harrell cars. We hope people enjoy it as much as we do and we also hope this car can partake in the continuing research into Dick Harrell's life and his cars. This example is an unrestored 5800 mile car so most all original decals, emblems, inspection marks, etc are all visible.
Rick

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Body shots

Joe, the car started life as an SS350. It was then converted to an LS6 with a CY coded Turbo 400. So far, it appears as though it was delivered with a 3:08 rear though those gear were replaced with steeper gears later on.
Rick

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

another body shot

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

where the excitement started. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

where it continued.....

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro *DELETED*
 

Post deleted by Chevy454

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

rear markings.........

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

and lastly the rear view.

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Chad & Rick,

What an outstanding find [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Congratulations to both of you and all others involved in the 'resurrection' of this car [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif[/img]

Love those slotted chrome wheels!!

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Awesome Rick. Congrats!!

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Congrats! This car really looks sweet! I can't wait to see it..... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Steve

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Just Amazing--I've got a grin from ear to ear,--so you must be doing back-flips----JoeG [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Chad/Rick
What kind of aftermarket gauges were installed? Is the original hood a stock flat one or was an aftermarket scoop of some sort added?
Dave

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Wow [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Dave,the car came with no aftermarket gauges as far as i know.The hood is a stock flat one,Chad

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

It's Beautiful,just Beautiful.
This car alone would be worth the trip to Collinsville.
Now multiply that X 40!
I think I'm going to Cry....

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Very cool Rick/Chad! Congrats [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick THATS what you were refering to in our offline conversations!!! Man you Lucky Dog!!! I am going to DEFINATELY try and get fired from my job now for sure so I can make the reunion!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Rick could you post the "as found" pics? How about the vintage pics?

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Frank, due to poor lighting, these are the only two "as found" photos I took. Keep in mind, he kept the car cleaned up and covered, he just never drove it.

Chad has the vintage photos and will have to post them if he can access a scanner. They are of the car pulling a wheel stand. Very neat even though they appear to be staged.
Rick

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

The other.........

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Sometimes a little brightness adjustment does wonders.

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

The other one.

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Bigger and brighter:

http://www.corvettes-musclecars.com/...70Motion-1.jpg

http://www.corvettes-musclecars.com/...70Motion-2.jpg

Is it just me, or is that dude on the left wearing a plaid jacket? Was he found in the car too?

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

I LOVE THE ONE PIECE BUMPER!!!! SCREW THE RS CARS!!!! (sorry RS owners it slipped)

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Cool...Cool...and Cool [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]


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

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

The harrell stripe looks cool and very similar to the Harrell stripes in the 1970 race cars. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

What is the production on 2nd generation Harrell Camaros?

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Neat pictures!

Are those pics of when you found/looked at the car for the first time?

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Allen,
Those pictures were taken the day the car was picked up. The first time I looked at the car it was in that same garage with a car cover on it and just freshly washed.

As far as production numbers go, I had heard rumors for years that there were 3 1970 DH street Camaros and 3 DH Race Camaros built. I however have no idea and that is what Chad and I are currently researching to find out. I have spoken to many knowledgable Harrell people but could not come up with any definitive answers before Chad bought the car.

Thank you bbdon and Denis for redoing those photos. Amazing how much you can see.

Chad was not wearing a plaid coat but rather a flannel shirt as it was raining quite heavily and unfortunately for me, he did come with the car. If you think that was funny, I came unprepared and was wearing Chads hooded sweatshirt. (Chad 285 lbs, Rick 155 lbs), you get the picture. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img]
Rick

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Chad, congratulations a very rare find. Love to see it at the reunion.Kim [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

My hat goes off to the last owner ,for taking such good care of this car-------Did the last owner have any intentions of getting in back into shape or was he just sitting on it??

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Congratulations Rick and Chad.

Kim, I think we have found a couple of more buddies to hang with. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

A work of art, created by a true master of his craft. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Joe,
I must also give the last owner credit. Based on the garage it was stored in and considering it was the lowest part of his yard, I expected the car to be a rust bucket even with only 5800 miles. The owner claims that he started the car monthly and kept it clean the whole time he owned it. He did however emphasize that the car had not seen the street since 1973-74. He told me that once he returned from Nam, he lost interest in the car. He was not holding out, just never got around to try and sell it.

You won't believe the undercarriage of this car. I have never seen Red Oxide primer with green overspray that is this well preserved.
Rick

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Did he have a moisture barrier down on the floor?
I see in that picture a cement floor,just higher then the puddle outside,were any of the bare metal parts top rusted,or oxidized too?
Is the paint faded in certain areas from those windows in the garage?After 30 years that can add up.
How about rubber parts or tires dry rotted,or critter damage.
If this was it's home since 1973 is why I ask this.
I am not demeaning the car in ayway,I am just in awe of its current pictures,and then to see it's storage facility.
Again incredible! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Rick,
I never saw any moisture barrier or any protection what so ever other than a car cover. There was evidence of mice but they had only accumulated about a fist full of padding. No other damage. There was slight surface rust on bare steel parts such as the driveshaft, rear axle, spindles, bolt heads, etc and some oxidation on the fuel/brake lines and the grey phosphated parts. He did make a statement to me that because of all the attention the car recently got that if someone did not buy it that he would move it to another storage area. I almost want to believe that is where he had been keeping the car all along anyway but NO ONE I talked to had EVER seen this car on the streets in the last 30 years. We found little signs of paint fading and only a couple of spider cracked areas. Very little tire damage to the 70's vintage tires either. Go figure? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
Rick

Re: 1970 Dick Harrell camaro
 

Wow. Rick have you driven it yet. Is there still life in the old girl yet?