Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)

[sYc]

Dave; thanks for the tips. I can see that Mo and I have our work cut out for us, just getting the car square. We did a short walk around the car this evening, and both the front and rear ends are not square with the chassis or each other. I guess next time we will need to do more then just eyeball everything. Looks like the first pass needs to be in a big, wide open area. I would suggest standing behind the car, way behind. Tom

[davenkc]

Tom and all
To you first Tom what you describe is not unexpected by me as always with any restoration the attention to detail is the primary consideration. With a funny car maybe paramount is a better word. I know you guys will do the best you can remember do not hesitate to ask if you are not sure. There are many who will help. You know who I mean.

There is another car of Dick's that is under restoration at this time it is his 67. Thought I might share with you what I know of it's past and present.
The 67 was the second of 2 like it built by Don Hardy. Kelly Chadwick's being first. Actually Dick ran it in early 67 before his was finished to honor a race date. This is about his not kelly's so...
The history of this car is well documented. It was built from a new "rear clip" of a real camaro (new never a completed car) with an extended fiberglass front end,glass doors ,trunk lid. Chassis is rectangular tubing ant the normal for the era roll cage. w/b is 115 inches with the rear wheel opening moved up approx 8 in and the front end was approx 12 in extended. It first saw service as an injected only (on nitro) and its many antics (giant wheelies) have been featured many times in/on many publications. I have attached a photo taken early at Green Valley raceway against Mike Burkhart in a similar car.Sorry it is b&w more to follow
Dave

[davenkc]

Cont-
The 67 car was equipped with a blower about I stress about mid year minor chassis mods were made at this time (ie) engine set back a few gussets...the car ran the rest of the season this way and was very sucessful winning an amazing percentage of its match races. In this time this was the bread and butter of the touring funny car.
Attched is a well known pic of the car w/ blower at Orange County Raceway. more....

[davenkc]

cont...
After the season and when the new car (the one Tom Clary has now) was ready to go the 67 was conditionally sold to a party who shall not named, My term used here will be obvious in a min. The car was taken to AMT (the model people) and repainted by them. The reason was as I understand they were going to make a model in it's image but that never happened.Reason being Dick was never paid for the car and he repossed it.When it came back to the shop I personally thought it was beautiful (attached pic)
We (shop) built a new engine and put it back in service. The plan was to use it as a "fill in" car for match racing when the other car was busy elsewhere. Remember this car was somewhat heaver than the all glass body fliptop cars.
(app 2400 lbs) but was still competitve. more

[davenkc]

The car was relettered and that pic is attached here.
nearing mid year of 68 this car was again sold to a fellow named Bruce Neff who match raced it for several years. When he took possession of it, it was painted an orange color and named The Stroker. Making a longer story shorter He eventually sold it to a party who is unknown to me. It was then aquired by the present owner who I was with at the reunion this year. He has owned it for close to 20 years and fairly recently discovered it's true history. This has been documented and verified by several persons including the builder, Mr. Neff and myself.Plans at this time are to restore it to it's original configuration. Red/black,inj.
It is hoped to be done at least to the point of being able to show it at the reunion next year. So there is another genuine Dick Harrell car. This is a true piece of history and I for one am very glad it is being preserved.
Thank you all for this forum and a place to share my memories.
Dave Libby

[davenkc]

All
If there interested parties I have similar accounts of the 69 car, the 70 cars and the 71???
Dave

[sYc]

Dave; Being both a Yenko and a Harrell addict, I can not wait to see this car. Tom

[Chevy454]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>
The 67 was the second of 2 like it built by Don Hardy. Kelly Chadwick's being first. Actually Dick ran it in early 67 before his was finished to honor a race date.

<hr></blockquote>

I've got a picture or two around here of Chadwick's car with what looks like a piece of posterboard on the side with "Dick Harrell" or something to that effect written on it. Your statement explains that picture!

[davenkc]

Tom
I talk to Craig quite frequently and progress is moving along but as with yours who can tell. I found a better pic of your car.. maybe you have seen it but it shows the last "tricolor" pretty good. The unique thing about it was it looked different in different light. In the pits sitting next to the Car Shop Camaro out of Lousiana I think it was Henry Garcia drove it.

[Seattle Sam]

Dave,
Thanks for that great history of the '67 car. History remembered by the people who were there and helped make that history is always fascinating to read. Accounts like yours are a big reason why this board is great! I, for one, would definitely like to read the stories of the 69, the 70's, and the 71 car.

Thanks again for sharing your memories with us!
-Sam