[68TopStock]

I'm pretty sure the Mr. Bardahl II is the same car as the wild mod paint job which was for the 1968 season. I think Bill called it II as it was his second racecar, the first being his 1965 Corvette, which he was quite successful with.

I think he ran the factory color for the 1967 season, not sure what it was, as I only have black and whites photos.

I have been told by a reliable source that Dick Harrell first met Bill Thomas in Texas at a meet, in 1963. Dick
walked up to Bill and commented, "suppose your my competition this weekend", Bill apparently had not heard of Dick. Dick showed Bill a peek of his engine, as he had a multicarb set up, which Bill knew was not legal. Dick showed him some paperwork, later that weekend commented to Bill that he was just yanking his chain, and ran a legal setup. I know Grady Bryant has offered a similar story, but not with Bill Thomas connected to it. I know that Bill Hielscher and Dick Harrell were well aquainted in the early 1960's, as Dick was in Texas quite a bit, and had numerous racing friends from the area, Don Hardy, Kelly Chadwick, Bill Heilscher, Grady Bryant. Dick apparently showed up at Bill Thomas's shop in 1964 and asked Bill to build him an engine, to beat some SOB he was waiting to get back at, and Bill did. I am not sure which car this motor went into, either the '64 Chevelle or his first Chevy II, Retribution II.

Hope this story is not to far off the first post. Kevin, you sure know how to set up a great post!