Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)

[davenkc]

Mike
Good question I will try to explain why my view is as it is.
The car in question (the 68 kirby car) was built by Don Hardy for Jim Kirby (of ST.Louis MO) and delivered in what form I have no idea maybe complete maybe a roller with body mounted but none the less to him.. hence his car.
As I memtioned a deal was made for Dick to use the car for a period of time for no fee. In exchange for this Dick
or to be absolutly correct we (his shop) would change it over to a blown combination. Even then this was no small expense. After the agreed time was up the car returned to Jim as it was (blown)and he ran it I believe on the UDRA mostly. I have heard that after Dick died Jim sanded the Harrell paint job off of it and it was last seen in primer
in an undisclosed location in St.Louis area.
Again this is my opinion but thanks for the question.

Dave.

[mc25t190]

its all over now baby blue, quote "grateful dead", former bob dylan tune.
mike,
i must agree! see attachment!

[copolocater]

I apologize. Now, answer this question and I'm done. Is the 69 F/C Valerie has an extended nose 125" wheel base or is it a 118" stock bodied wheel base? Simple question!

[sYc]

Mike, you can make light of the subject if you want, that is your business. I agree, we have had numerous heated discussions on this board, but none that involved as many innoocent people as this. Folks who until a couple days ago did not even know this sight existed. This one was more then JUST about cars. People's integrity, including mine, were questioned. That bothers me. Especially when it is, as you say, monetary motivated. Tom

[mc25t190]

see attachment

[sYc]

Dave, about 5 years ago I spoke with Jim Kirby on the phone about his car. He still had it, parked in either his or his dad's basement, I do not remember which. He told me it was complete, ready to race. He stated that it no longer carried the DH paint scheme. It was changed after Dick's death. At the time of our visit, the car was for sale, as Jim was into Harleys. No one seems to know if he still has it. Tom

[davenkc]

Tim
Look at the attachment on my post I did earlier today of the "Kirby car". This is the fabled 68 back up car it is a near twin to Tom's car including the w/b 118 inches. Not 110 as a real 68 camaro. for a point of reference look at the distance from the door line to the front wheel also the position of the rear wheel in relation to the sail panel and I can assure you this car is 118 inch wheel base.
I reality I had occasion to actually measure the wheel base of the 69 car and it was 120 on the left side and 118 on the right side. Understand this was done to give the car more "roll out" in the starting beams. If it is must know info as to how/why I did such a thing I can explain but it is a long story involving suspension tricks and not relevant
to the matter at hand.
The true fate of Dick's 69 car is known to me however I will not disclose that is is only for Valerie to do so if she desires and I dont think she needs to do that.
I also have pics of the 69 car w/date on them taken in summer 2000 but will not post them without her permission.
Its location was known to me as late as summer 2001.

Dave

[davenkc]

Tom
I remember our conversation. I was only trying to be somewhat vague about where/what happend with that car
because as you say nobody seems to be able find out if he still has it or not.I am firm in the belief that although Dick & Charlie drove it it is still not a Dick Harrell car
because I believe you have the one and only true Dick Harrell 68 f/c.
best to you
Dave

[68TopStock]

davenkc, menmyfcs, Tom, Tim, and all board members,

I am glad to see this open, honest discussion, and hope friendships endure and we all understand this is
only about cars. They are material items, and just that.

I sincerely hope Nancy and Helen are not hurt by what has gone on in this post, as I cherish their friendship. I also respect the knowledge and heritage new members such as menmyfcs and davenkc bring to this forum.

Ken Boje

ps: davenkc, SuperJohn really was super! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[menmyfcs]

This forum is now getting down to a discussion that sounds worth sticking with. As for the wheelbase on the 69, this was verified today by a person that made a dolly under the car to help transport it to to a safe location. It is as I said and as Dave states, 118 and 120 a standard practice still today for more roll out on the lights. The builder just moves the body to try and get all the wheel wells to match. As of late, the bodies are made with the wheel well staggered. Maybe the 125 inch cars Dick had were some of the door cars. You can tell them real easy. They almost look bent in the middle.
This is normally what my take has been on what makes the car a ligit Harrell car. Was it built for him? No. Jim Kirby has a Don Hardy built car made for and owned by Jim Kirby, not a Dick Harrell owned car. Just a car he borrowed. Again, Dave is correct-Charlie Therwanger drove it most of the time as a fill in. Also, what is a back up car? In most cases it is a car to run if the other is crashed or being repainted. There was not one in 69 according to shop and crew personel. If Kenny Bernstein borrowed a car from John Force for a few races, and won one of them. It would just be the car Kenny won that race in and still be a John Force car. Not a Kenny Bernstein car! I hope this all makes sense.
Menmyfcs