HUCKLEBERRY HOUND

[raywolff]

I remember Huckleberry Hound quite well. This 1969 Camaro SS was bought at Wallace Chevrolet in Linden, NJ. In fact, 2 cars were purchased at the same time - a 1969 Nova SS (396) and the subject car. The original owners were Frankie Johansson and Andy Zimmerman. I had an interest in the car but my primary interest was the cousin Nova. By the way, both were all black when new. Rogers Speed shop in Garwood, NJ did most of the engine work - at lesast provided the facilities, and Andy was the brains behind the actuall mechanics. Andy died in the mid to late 1970's and Frankie is somewhere. He was a professional painter (offices, etc.) and probably inhaled too many fumes.

The Nova ran Pure Stock - B auto and consistantly ran in the low 12's. The Camaro ran in B SS Auto and, when right, ran below the class record.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Nicely done Ray!!

After reading what you typed, I can decipher more names on the car in this picture. 'Chief Mech. Andy Z' is on the lower front fenders. 'Driver Frank Johanssen' is above the door glass on the roof roll. The pit crew members are on the rear quarters behind the rear wheel, but I can't make out the names. The seller told me this pic was taken at Cecil County dragway. Car is very dark in this b/w photo, so black it is. I don't see any SS markings on it, which is why I suspected that it might be a COPO car from NJ or a Yenko car from PA, as well as the class on the window of SS/DA. There is a big 'Duffys' decal on the front fender, is that a parts place? It's a very cool picture!

Now that you mention Wallace Chev. my conversation with Dan P. is coming back to me. Dan was trying to document one of his '68 Novas that has indications of Motion conversion possibilities, this Nova was out of Wallace in Linden, NJ. Dan had tracked down some people that had told him about these cars, and the possibility that there might be a Wallace/Motion connection much like the Baldwin/Motion deal. Dan had conversed with guys who told him about the H.Hound car. When I first saw a HH pic at the show, (it was a smaller pic with the HH car in the other lane, I didn't buy it) I was surprised because I had thought that the HH car was indeed a Nova, possibly Dan's '68 Nova. I guess not unless there were two HH cars - one Camaro and one Nova? Was the Wallace Nova lettered up?

Awesome pic, the more I study it the more I like it. Would be fun to find it, and put it back as the Huckleberry Hound!

Greg, thanks for the tip on the Chevelle. After reading what you typed I can decipher the lettering on the front fender which does appear to be Musser Bros. I could make out the Bros. part but not the 'Mu' portion. Neat car, has a holeshot on the Camaro, both are seriously wrinkling the slicks!

Thanks again, keep the info flowin!

[Mr70]

Marlin,You must have a HorseShoe up your A**!
Way to go Ray. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[Jeff H]

We wanna see the picture! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I gotta figure out how to scan the darn thing! I'm not sure how to do it here at work using the fax machine, can't seem to get the file over to my computer - without someone seeing what I'm doing!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

The info is flowing in, amazing what an old pic can bring out of the woodwork! The car appears to still be around, will post more when I get the pieces put together. Some records show that Andy Zimmerman passed on in 1976.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Found another pic of the Huckleberry Hound, but it's a '66 or '67 GTX! Same names on the car.

Still diggin for info on the '69 Camaro lettered as the HH car, it is indeed a COPO - and is alive!

[Musclecarkid]

What was the name of the guy selling those photos at York? Was he at the FCR in E-town? I would like to get some good old local drag photos. Thanks, Kevin

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Short update on the HH car;

The original owner of this car confirms that it was a Tuxedo Black, X11 Copo that was purchased from Wallace Chevrolet in Linden, NJ. The owner removed the VIN (616462)and Trim Tag many years ago, and junked the car. The owner retained the bill of sale, dash bezel, the doors, a fender and possibly the transmission. The owner told each of us the same story, that there was no body and it was junked 20 years ago in northern NJ. These items were for sale, however, approx. 6 people passed on the deal because there was no firewall - much less an entire car. One person considered buying the items as memorabilia, and to prevent a rebody, but the price was prohibitive for that purpose.

About a month ago, I received word that somebody in NY claimed to have bought these items from the orig owner. Additionally, the claim is that the original body was found and pulled from a junk yard after 20+ years even though the orig owner did not remember where the body went. The plan is to restore the car, not sure if it will be done as the HH or factory.

Take it for what it's worth, but beware