Gibb 68 COPO Nova

[copo-2]

Mark,
Thanks for posting the ad about the 68 Nova. Very interesting! Whatever it was, I believe it to be pretty rare?

With all there is to think about, it mentions the 396 with the automatic? There was 2 different options available in the 68 Novas, that being the L-34 or the L-78?

It appears in the picture to have stainless window & lower body trim, which none of the Gibb Nova’s had? In thinking about it the possibility of it being a 396-350 (L-34) it would be a rare breed, also? Only 234 of those built with only 48 being automatics.

Mark, since you are knowledgeable about the many activities surrounding the St. Louis area, I have a picture of a Nova that Gene Rains crashed I have wondered about? Of course Gene & Dick Harrell can be associated closely, however the door appears to have the name Rich Thomas on it?

[Mr70]

^That truck isn't coming from the Factory.
I'm guessing that photo was taken right after they were modified & converted with 427cid.engines from another jobber offsite,like Dick Harrel,then shipped back to Fred in LaHarpe,is why they now have Cragars.
After visiting Freds old Dealership in LaHarpe about 25 years ago,I saw how small their lot really was.Helen told me they didn't have much room for holding a large amount of anything,so Fred would sometimes ship vehicles to another area briefly,before quickly finding buyers.
Even 50 1969 ZL-1 camaros.

[markjohnson]

I’ve heard conflicting stories on that red Nova. That it was a Gibb/Harrell car and that it wasn’t so I can’t commit 100% to its pedigree. IIRC, a broken Cragar wheel caused the crash.

[copo-2]

In going back thru old archives, I located an old picture of a 68 nova that Chevy454 had posted taken from the publication AHRA’s “Drag World” dated May of 68. It had Gene Rains name on the door, Jim Durham on back fender, and Kwik-Way Speed on the front fender, Super Camaro -Chevyll on bottom portion of door.

Going by the pictures date, guess it is possible that Harrell might have been involved here, but certainly not one of the Gibb COPO’s? Just wondering if this is the same Nova pictured in post #80 that was destroyed or was there 2?

[Steve Shauger]

Here is link to a dedicated thread for Doug's Gibb COPO Nova

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=183923

[DEW1968NOVA396]

Thx

[copo-2]

Thanks Steve!

Always good to echo the sentiments of a newly found Nova that reflects upon the legacy of Gibb & Harrell in deserving of its own space for discussion?

[markjohnson]

Originally Posted by copo-2

In going back thru old archives, I located an old picture of a 68 nova that Chevy454 had posted taken from the publication AHRA’s “Drag World” dated May of 68. It had Gene Rains name on the door, Jim Durham on back fender, and Kwik-Way Speed on the front fender, Super Camaro -Chevyll on bottom portion of door.

Going by the pictures date, guess it is possible that Harrell might have been involved here, but certainly not one of the Gibb COPO’s? Just wondering if this is the same Nova pictured in post #80 that was destroyed or was there 2?

Kwik-Way was a machine shop on the north side of Saint Louis. About a dozen years ago it was actually still a machine shop under a different name but last time I checked it was closed up. That fact, along with Gene Rains name on the side leads me to believe it was a local STL car.

[JoeC]

here is an interesting photo with the Gene Rains Rich Thomas Chevy II in the back ground.

[DEW1968NOVA396]

Originally Posted by JoeC

here is an interesting photo with the Gene Rains Rich Thomas Chevy II in the back ground.

Big Olds rear center section. I wonder if they had a team car, Gasser or Pro Stock.