Re: Anyone know of a Fathom Blue '68 DICK HARRELL Chevelle?
supercars/bhkpah
Did Mr. Branine discuss what the connection was regarding Fred Gibb? I have several original Dick Harrell full page ads, from DragWorld, the one dated 4/12/68 lists Branine Chev. in Mulvane, another dated 7/5/68 does not. Both also list "Courtesy" in Phoenix, Arizona, San Diego, San Jose, and Thousand Oaks, CA, and Fred Gibb, Bill Allen and Burt Chevy in Engelwood, Co. A later 12/13/68 ad lists a new dealer, Riley Chev. in Jefferson City, MO. No further Branine Chev. notice.
I have an announcement article regarding Fred Gibb and Dick Harrell, came from Helen's albums),I think dated early January 1968. I will quote the beginning and other pertinent parts of the article:
"New Dealership for High Performance Cars"
"Fred Gibb, Jr., owner of the local Chevrolet dealership, has announced an expansion in the business activities of Fred Gibb Chevrolet. In association with Dick Harrell of Kansas City, Missouri they are planning the production and distribution of high performance Chevrolets through a limited number of selected Chevrolet dealers throughout the United States. The local firm will furnish the Camaros and Chevelles to the "Dick Harrell Performance Center" in Kansas City where the conversions will be made. The cars will also be sold locally....Speaking of the new business venture, Fred said, "We are quite enthused about this new business, but a lot of work lies ahead. We have been keeping the telephone lines 'hot' between here and Kansas City, Detroit, and the west coast for the past several weeks...As we will be the only dealer in this area, as well as distributor for others, I feel it will surely help business here."
Do you have further information or articles etc. to help understand these relationships?
Were these "gentlemen" agreements or specific contracts? I find the saga of Dickie Harrell and Fred Gibb quite intriguing, and would like to help other owners and those interested learn more about the racing and high performance machines they made and sold. Does anyone know about the Courtesy, Burt and Riley connections?
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