Anyone know of a Fathom Blue '68 DICK HARRELL Chevelle?

[bkhpah]

The Chevelle was Bill Allen. I would think the majority of Chevelles may have been from Allens. We think the 69 427 Camaro was from Bill Allen as well. It makes a good bit of sense to get the cars from Bill Allen after the COPO Nova run, since it would be a local dealer near Dicks shop. The Camaro does not appear to have been at Gibb's. It was sold at Ed Black Chevrolet in New Mexico new. That is a fact. We visited the original owners in New Mexico when we went of a mega road trip to Harrell's shop in Los Cruses NM...BKH

[68TopStock]

the bowie gang

It seems the car you are trying to locate may either be the one in the '68 article or just another Chevelle, possibly modified by Dick Harrell. If the records show it going through the Gibb dealership, it could be the one in the article. I just spoke with Dave Libby, he worked for Dickie in '68-9.
He verified 5 Chevelles total, for 1968. The one meant to be Dick's Super Stocker apparently was never prepared for racing, just sat for awhile in the shop, until a drivetrain was put in it by Dave's brother. It was red with black vinyl top, just like Joe's. This car is the one I mentioned above, first going to the Gibb dealership.
It was totaled in 1970, per Dave. That leaves 3 others, other than Joe's. Anyone know of there whereabouts? Dave mentioned them being ugly green (2), red (2), and the blue one.

If you determine the possible build date from the VIN, it would probably be before Joe's car, if it went through Fred Gibb. This might help, but who knows. Don't give up until you find the car though, you never know how these things work out.

[SuperCars]

My Ralley Green Harrell COPO was delivered new through Bill Allen Chevrolet. I have a certified copy of the Bill Allen Chevrolet bill of sale from the State DMV. Also shows "MO" Motor ID on it. The original owner of this car is still alive and in speaking he told of buying from Bill Allen/Dick Harrell. My 68 Harrell Camaro was delivered through Branine Chevrolet. I have the same sheet and VIN's my Camaro and the Chevelle that Bowtie Gang has. (Len I responded to your email). It notes these two cars coming from Gibb. I also spoke to Mr. Branine whom is retired now, and he told the whole story. The original owner of my 68 is alive and in speaking with him; his family was friends of the Branine's at the time.

Brian, did you get my email I sent several days ago? Kevin

[69yenkoman]

the_bowtie_gang:

I live in a small town about 10 miles outside the KC area. If you give me the VIN I will do some digging and see what I can find out. I know some people that might be willing to help out. Any rare supercar that comes close to my neck of the woods excites me !!!!

[68TopStock]

supercars/bhkpah

Did Mr. Branine discuss what the connection was regarding Fred Gibb? I have several original Dick Harrell full page ads, from DragWorld, the one dated 4/12/68 lists Branine Chev. in Mulvane, another dated 7/5/68 does not. Both also list "Courtesy" in Phoenix, Arizona, San Diego, San Jose, and Thousand Oaks, CA, and Fred Gibb, Bill Allen and Burt Chevy in Engelwood, Co. A later 12/13/68 ad lists a new dealer, Riley Chev. in Jefferson City, MO. No further Branine Chev. notice.

I have an announcement article regarding Fred Gibb and Dick Harrell, came from Helen's albums),I think dated early January 1968. I will quote the beginning and other pertinent parts of the article:

"New Dealership for High Performance Cars"

"Fred Gibb, Jr., owner of the local Chevrolet dealership, has announced an expansion in the business activities of Fred Gibb Chevrolet. In association with Dick Harrell of Kansas City, Missouri they are planning the production and distribution of high performance Chevrolets through a limited number of selected Chevrolet dealers throughout the United States. The local firm will furnish the Camaros and Chevelles to the "Dick Harrell Performance Center" in Kansas City where the conversions will be made. The cars will also be sold locally....Speaking of the new business venture, Fred said, "We are quite enthused about this new business, but a lot of work lies ahead. We have been keeping the telephone lines 'hot' between here and Kansas City, Detroit, and the west coast for the past several weeks...As we will be the only dealer in this area, as well as distributor for others, I feel it will surely help business here."

Do you have further information or articles etc. to help understand these relationships?
Were these "gentlemen" agreements or specific contracts? I find the saga of Dickie Harrell and Fred Gibb quite intriguing, and would like to help other owners and those interested learn more about the racing and high performance machines they made and sold. Does anyone know about the Courtesy, Burt and Riley connections?

[the_bowtie_gang]

Yes, this is the car Kevin is speaking about.
It's not just a modified car or a "tuner" car with wannabe stickers/emblems added.

It was sold new as a "DICK HARRELL" car.

I'm the one who originally documented BOTH Kevins Camaro, and this Chevelle I'm now asking about.

I still have the 1984 newspaper clipping advertising the Camaro (Kevins car) when I could have bought it but didn't.

I was able to document it AND the Chevelle in 1984-85, were any of you owners OR personally involved with ANY Harrell cars then?

I have the original copies of all of Kevins documentation (I believe), except for the later signed statements that he obtained from Mr. Branine & Larry Gann.

...Kevin, I suppose now you'll be "pumped" for the VIN now, like I have been. I had hoped it (the VIN) wouldn't get divulged since I (like you) probably would like a shot at obtaining the car.


[Edited by the_bowtie_gang (10-10-2001 at 09:45 PM).]

[68TopStock]

the bowtie gang

Just trying to help, I have no intention on trying to "scoop" someone. I have seen others not succeed just because they gave up when they were very close. BTW, Dave Libby lives in Kansas, same place since he worked for Dickie. Maybe he could help.