1967/1968 Dick Harrell funny cars

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Gregg, I believe there is a long thread about the Kirby car that should clear up any issues about it.

[55chevy]

Correct me if I'm wrong...but isn't this the first DH FC? The '67.

[396L35]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone know if the Kirby car was from the same mold as Dick's 68 car? If so wouldn't the most direct comparison be a side by side of these 2 cars..I beleive (might be wrong)that car still exist. Also can someone tell me why Dick would have used the Kirby car if he had 2 cars in his stable...I believe it is generally accepted he drove the Kirby car in a few races if I'm not mistaken. The 2 car hypothesis works if a back up car is needed, but why would Dick need to use someone's else's car. Also are there any dates on any of the pics?

[/ QUOTE ]
Dick's 68 car was the first car Hardy did that year and it was tagged the #1 car, Mike Burkhart's car was #2 and the Kirby car was #3. When I talked to Jim Kirby about his car he said they were all done within a few weeks of each other. In fact Kirby raced his car before Mike B did because in transport of the #2 car the body flew of and Hardy had to make another one, or at least the story goes. In 1969 the #1 car went back to Hardy's shop and was fitted with a 69 body on the 68 frame... As for Tom's car, if he says his car was the car before the 68 car then I hope somemore pictures will surface and put this discussion to an end. Im just getting tired of all this fighting between the two sites.

[Rat_Pack]

Tom, I started typing this before all of the above pictures showing car 1 and car 2 made things even more confusing. So bear with me.

First thank you for making another post. I want you to look at the photo of the original Dichk Harrell car the body up that shows the bottom of the drivers side rocker panel and the interior tin work, with someone standing next to it. This car in this above picture shows the rocker panels ending about 2-1/2" below the drivers door just like on EVERY picture that has been posted of the original Dick Harrell funny car. Your rocker panels wrap under your car and a full Camaro rocker panel like USA1 posted. To say that yours are different because of the added fiberglass and aluminum, that is an incorrect statement. Those rockers that are on your car are were made in the mold of the car and were have not been added after the fact. The picture that USA1 posted showing the passenger side rocker proves that, inside and out.

The pictures I have seen that USA1 posted of your windows and trim, you have never done any kind of major repair work around them. Those are in MINT shape, especially on the inside, and are from the original mold. Also there has never been any windows glassed in from the back side like the original car from the pictures shown. There may have been some areas slightly repaired but I cannot see them in any of his pictures shown. If there are some areas repaired on your car then post some pictures showing the repair. There is nothing wrong with repair work done to these old cars as they were fiberglass. Also I have looked at Matt’s car and observed the windows as to how they were glassed in and I do not see any signs of them pulling apart of loosening up from the years of drag racing. Now if your body is only attached to the chassis at the rear, then you have a major problem with your car. Every funny car I have seen all have pivot points at the rear (except a few Palamedes bodies) and they have latches at the front to keep the body from flying up during a run. One thing, I have never seen a chassis take off and the body stay still. That must a cartoon type of some sort, like the horse taking off so quick the rider and saddle stay still…………………….

As for the rear spoiler being added to you car, you are right, all Camaro funny cars had the spoiler added to the rear after the car was pulled from the mold. Now I have over 20+ years with mold making and design and for someone to make a mold from a car with the spoiler already molded on it would be very difficult and expensive. To keep from "locking" the plug in the mold (for novices that is the part that the mold is being pulled from is called a “plug”) you would have to have a four piece (or more) mold in the rear of the car alone. This is not cost effective as without the spoiler the mold for the entire body could be made with a 4 piece or less mold. Even the 1969 Dick Harrell funny car has the rear spoiler added to it and then "molded" or slicked in.

I have always played the middle ground between your site and others, sometimes being on your side and sometimes on theirs. You are trying to make a good case that there were two 68 funny cars used by Dick and you are right: his car plus the Jim Kirby car, but he only owned one 68 Camaro funny car. There are too many people that can back this statement up and they are not the ones involved in this argument. You need to be the leader of this site and step up and show everyone pictures of your car as you found it(no matter what kind of shape it was in nor how much repair work has been done)and some during the restoration showing why you think you have a Dick Harrell car. Also I noticed that Valerie had posted pictures of her car on her website in the “as found” condition and it looks kind of rough. I feel if you do the same it can help end the arguments on both sides and get everyone back to talking about other things, like Christmas presents, check out one of mine!!!! Thanks to Santa for that one................RatPack...............

[redeuce]

The ’68 Funny Car thread has prompted me to enter this post. I am a member of numerous boards, almost never post (I don’t like to argue) unless it is in defense of a “wronged” car. I never quite seem to fit in as a member of any of the boy’s clubs. However, I am not a novice. I have been in the hobby my whole life and in the business over 10 years. I have been involved in the sale of many high profile Classic vehicles. I have also appraised/sold/brokered/attempted to sell/ or represented numerous race cars- Red Alert Chevelle, Arnie’s Judge, Nicholson’s Super Cat, Scavo’s ’65 Impala, CC Ryder ’41 Willys, Chuck Finder’s 33 Willys Replica Darkhorse II, Just A Lil’ Trip Willys, Pulsation Mopar,. Etc. This thread has prompted me to air 4 major concerns I have regarding the state of the market and hobby in general

.EXACT SCIENCE- Many in the classic car circles are attempting to elevate the documentation of Collector Cars to some form of exact black and white configuration. Granted, there are hundreds of fully documented, positively identifiable examples. However, there are also many lesser known vehicles falsely debunked for lack of “full evidence”. Truthfully, back in the day, the factory made errors, line changes, or some vehicles just slipped through the cracks. These vehicles were produced in an era when documentation was sometimes sketchy- the builders, sellers, racers of these beauties had no idea at the time the value would be elevated to such present day figures. Henceforth, to attempt to pigeon hole every vehicle is not always possible. This leads to the second concern.

DOUBLE STANDARD- I see many sites employing 2 sets of standards concerning vehicles. Many car owners are crucified for replacement trim tags, partial rebodies, etc, yet some of the high profile vehicles out there have undergone the exact same process.

SCOPE OF WEBSITE- Most respected websites began as mother sites for a certain select type of vehicle. Yet many have now expanded into documentation sites for all vehicles, sometimes well outside of the website’s expertise. Anyone can pick out a book in their personal auto library and offer an “expert” opinion. However, unless one has hands on experience with that particular car, I believe they should remain silent. I have seen many false opinions on many boards. I have also seen reputations questioned and sales sabotaged by false information.

MARKET- As an appraiser, I have a growing concern regarding the trends in the market. More and more investment quality vehicles are flowing to a relatively smaller pool of collectors. As in the late ‘80’s, early ‘90’s, the average person is being priced out of the market. As the smaller pool gains control, they have an ability to set the market. However, at some point, when all the high dollar collectors finish trading back and forth, selling, and buying, there is an inevitable leveling of the field that will occur, followed by some type of adjustment. When this occurs, the effect on the hobby concerns me. OK- Get out your chain saws and slice me up. These are just my observations.

Randy Paddock
No Fear Motor Sports Inc.

[Kim_Howie]

Randy good answers