RogerD's 1969 Dick Harrell Chevelle

[RogerD]

I was working a few blocks down the street from Bill Allen Chevrolet - passed by the dealership to and from work each day. My trusty old '66 SS396 Chevelle was getting tired (105,000 miles) and I had the itch for a new car in late July early August '69. As I drove by that Tuesday morning (Aug 19, 1969) an in your face orange "Dick Harrell" Chevelle along with two other "Dick Harrell" stickered cars had just been rolled out for display. I just couldn't resist pulling in to take a quick look before going on to work that morning. A couple of hours later, I drove away in it - on to work.

I knew of Dick Harrell and his active role in the drag racing scene of the time. When I saw the DHPC 'Dealer to whom delivered' document with the car that morning, I was floored and I was hooked - A 427CI/450HP chevelle! I had been recently contemplating replacing my tired 396/325 with a 427 but the orange DH Chevelle changed my mind on the spot that Aug 19th morning!!! My old '66 was paid for, I had a good job with Whittaker Cable as manager of their automotive cost engineering division (they made wiring harness assemblies for GM, FOMOCO, Chrysler and AMC) and my credit with GMAC was good so . . .

None of the locals in my farming community (about 50 miles NE of Kansas City) knew the pedigree of my Chevelle but quickly found out that it was unbeatable in the typical late evening 'flats' racing events that occurred on a fairly regular basis.

Can't wait until I have it up and running again!!!