Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)

[davenkc]

This next pic is the first time I tried out my scanner It is of my personally autographed copy of the well known hand out taken at Bristol Tenn. On the back it said To "Dave Libby best wishes" signed Dick Harrell. The Lace has been added in this pic and the logo has been changed to Fred Gibb
The hand out has been destroyed by a strange sequence of events. Suffice to say I was upset,but what is done is done.
There is not much one can say about a world championship car
Its winning record speaks loud. This car will rise again
for all to see take my word for it.
Dave

[davenkc]

This last pic is from a magazine, Hotrod I think and this is the last configuation seen for this car. There was a repaint done after the 69 season when it became known that the 70 Camaro would be released late, so late actually it was called a 70 1/2 Dick felt that the car should be changed somewhat. Now I dont pretend to know all there is to know about the reasons for this and actually it is not really important except that there were no new cars to use to make a "buck" (a mold for fiberglass) from. The car was ran like this picture as late as may 15 1970. It was on the front of Drag World that issue as having won the Kansas state championship race in Manhatten KS with Clyde Morgan driving.

[davenkc]

This is the ad I mentioned where the car is for sale in Jan 1971.

[menmyfcs]

And here it is now. Pretty sickening isn't it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

[menmyfcs]

Sorry for the quality of these. Dave. With your picture and this one we have 2 of the many paint jobs of 69.Note ZL1
looking very similar.I am like you I always thought the 69 Courtesy car was the pretiest. Thats the one we took to a street race in Ca..For some reason I thought Corky painted that one.I talked to Kelly last nite and he thought so also.We talked about how easy it would be if Hardy and others would have put a tag and a number or name with each car. Sure would have stopped a lot of confusion.

[Mr70]

I gotta say,this is a very interesting topic to me.I am a Stock Chevelle man first,but very much enjoy the F/C sector of the hobby.The Funny Car pictures you are posting are incredible.THANK YOU! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]For years I have collected Chevrolet Dealership displays and like my Chevelles Day 1 stock (with Smog parts) but I could really go Bonzai with these Funny Cars.I showed My Joplin Missouri born L-78 Chevelle at VetteFest last week with friends and their Chevelles,and met Copolocater and saw his Funny Car there with his dad..WOW! Can I drive it just once??? I would like to Visit Tom and Rob down SouthWest of me here in Chicago to view their cars and collection as well someday.As much as I like to see the Camaro Funny cars,was there a Harrell or Gibb Chevelle Funny car? I'd like to see pictures if there are any,as well as any stories on it.Also in the last picture post,you show Dick Harrell posing with the two Cars with his Beautiful Trailer in the Background.Where is that Trailer today? Are these sought after by others in this Hobby as well?Regardless,DavenKC & Menmyfcs Welcome to this website as I very much appreciate both your posts.As I watch the Snow come down over here and have CredenceClear Water playing on the Radio,I too am working feverishly to invent a Time machine... SUNDAY,SUNDAY,SUNDAY, WHERE THE BIG ONES.....RUNNNN! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] Rick

[SS427]

Rick, I think I can answer part of your question. From my Pro Stock racing days, most of these trailers were sold off to smaller teams as the bigger teams moved up the ladder into bigger and better trailers. The same held true for the cars. Pro Sotck cars moved on through many teams and classes. Often times when the cars and trailers were retired, the then current owners had no clue whos car or trailer they had. Sad but true in most cases.
Rick

[davenkc]

Rick,
I too am a lover of the stock Chevelle. I assume you were at the reunion. If so I am the guy who was taking up a lot of time with Joe S. around his DH Chevelle. You see I personally am the guy who did the conversion on that car.
Imagine my reaction when I saw it on the cover of that mag.
Just FYI there is another of those cars undergoing resto at this time. I cannot wait to see it in person. To be honest when I first walked up to Joes car I turned away for a min.
The lump in my throat just would't let me talk just then.
The best I can describe it is like walking into a room and suddenly it is 1968.
On Dick's tractor trailer I believe it was a lend/lease deal from Quaker State oil co as part of the sponsorship
deal. That is what I believe it was. At least at the first.

Dave

[davenkc]

menmyfcs,
I also am not sure who (Corky most likely) did the orig paint on the 69. I do know that opp did the lace work and when the color change (ie) the House of Kolor "kandy" (for lack of a better discription) colors appeared. Oop has many pics if I can only get them to copy. He is not in good health and I need to get over to see him soon. He only lives about 5 mi from me.I also have that pic you posted great aint it.
I am going to post a similar pic with this showing the 70 cars of Dick, (far right) Clyde Morgan's car which I am not sure if it was ran as a contract deal or partnership but it was there none the less. Plus in the pic is the 70 stocker of Harry Kalwe(sp) and Leathermans 70. Dick and James kneeling by them. The idenity of these cars was confirmed less than a month ago to me by James who is in this pic

Dave

[davenkc]

This pic is the 70 car of Dick's. Notice how the chassis is (I want to say it IS) so close in apperance to the 69. Remember the 69 was not listed for sale until 71. Exactly what went on here is not clear.But I and others remember the 69 body sitting in the back of the shop about I stress about this time frame.
Dave