Dick Harrell - 1969 427 Camaro at Auction

[AutoInsane]

1969 Chevrolet Camaro 427

Consignment # 7011
VIN: 124379N578473



This very-rare Dick Harrell 'Super Camaro' was a 396 cubic-inch, 375 horsepower car that was ordered by Dick Harrell and Fred Gibb Chevrolet. It was then converted to a 427 short block. Only 10 of these were built with a Super Camaro package and this is one of only two in this color. These came with the biggest cam and gear packages, the rare Stinger hood option and the Kelsey-Hayes wheels.

This car was one of two in Rally Green with the full cosmetic and performance treatment. These particular Camaros are incredibly rare; the hood is unique and so are the wheels. These cars cars cannot be duplicated to make a clone. They have special badging, valve covers, emblems, traction bars and much more.

Dick Harrell was the father of the COPO and the ZL1's and also made the Yenko cars but left after a dispute with Don Yenko. He was later involved with other dealers like Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago as well as Fred Gibb who loved racing and the new Camaro models. Fred Gibb and Dick Harrell were the equivalent of 'Mr. Norm' in the Chevy world. Having been rotisserie restored back to the way it came from them, it is today considerably more than as-built originally, essentially-equivalent to a Phase III from Baldwin Motion.

http://www.russoandsteele.com/collector-car/1969-Chevrolet-Camaro-427/5610

[flyingn]

it must starve for air with that air cleaner lol

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AutoInsane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...........Only 10 of these were built........and this is one of only two in this color. </div></div>


This begs to be asked; &quot;what color are the other eight cars and where may they be?&quot;

[enio45]

I believe this is owned by a guy here in Gilbert or Chandler AZ.

I have heard about it - never seen it. Looks pretty nice!

[Ngtflyr]

The car resides in Mesa near Falcon Field, I've seen it and its a beauty. From what I was told the reserve is very reasonable, I will be shocked if it doesn't go north of the reserve.

[Kim_Howie]

The was never order by Fred Gibb or dick Harrell. Fred gibb was the father of the COPO, not Dick Harrell.
Dick never was a new car dealer. So he didn't order the car.
Since he was never a dealer he can't be the father of the COPO.
I think the car was order thru Allen Chevy.
I have never seen the car personaly but I hear it's a very nice non-converted car.

[al8apex]

http://www.russoandsteele.com/vehicle-photo/Engine-Bay-Photo-Chevrolet-Camaro-427/1238/lg.jpg

http://www.russoandsteele.com/vehicle-photo/Engine-Bay-Photo-Chevrolet-Camaro-427/1239/1239-large.jpg

http://www.russoandsteele.com/vehicle-photo/Engine-Bay-Photo-Chevrolet-Camaro-427/1248/1248-large.jpg

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Seriously.... that air cleaner is so bad it kills the engine compartment for me. Couldn't he have bought a fly eye for this car?

[PxTx]

Although those tiny air cleaners don't breath enough, they were popular back then. You would be pretty foolish to even run an air cleaner when drag racing back then. It just seemed that the filter technology isn't what it is today.

As for the looks department, that probably is correct for what was delivered. Seems like the cookie cutter thing to do is white headers, fly eye air cleaner, stinger hood, M/T or Ansen valve covers, Sun gauges, ET finned rear cover, traction bars and Torque Thrust style wheels. It dosen't bother me this has a differnt air cleaner.

[Stefano]

Since the is &quot;The&quot; Super Car site, at least we can help get some of the History correct.

DH worked with Nickey Chevrolet before he ever became aquainted with Don Yenko and/or Fred Gibb.

DH's meeting with Fred Gibb is a wonderfull story, which has been shared with many, first hand, by Herb Fox.

DH meeting Don Yenko.......is a bit more folk lore, but several Nickey employees recall Dick and Don meeting at the dealership in 1966.

[ORIGLS6]

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Kim_Howie]

THANK YOU!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[John]

What size are the tires ( Goodyear ) and what size are the rims that are on this car? Anybody know?

[Nancy Gibb]

THANKS Kim for setting the record straight! Many people do not know or understand that Dick Harrell was NEVER A CHEVROLET DEALER, therefore he could not have ordered COPO's or ZL1's. He did NOT have any connections at CHEVROLET, but my Dad was good friends with VINCE PIGGINS and ED COLE. Not trying to be disrespectful in any way, but when people are trying to sell cars, the people buying them should know the REAL story. THANKS again KIM. n.g.

[ORIGLS6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: John</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What size are the tires ( Goodyear ) and what size are the rims that are on this car? Anybody know? </div></div>

Kelsey Hayes Strippers; pretty good chance they're 15&quot;, ...... maybe 6&quot; or 7&quot; wide. Tires look to be F70s. Just a guess.

[volspeed1970]

Is this the same car that was for sale on the Phoenix Craigslist back in December for $145k? At that time I heard the car was a clone with no documentation to back up the sellers claims. Is that still the amount the seller wants today? If so then it seems a little low for a true Dick Harrell converted car as I don't think it could be restored for that amount could it?

[firstgenaddict]

&quot;If so then it seems a little low for a true Dick Harrell converted car as I don't think it could be restored for that amount could it?&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kim_Howie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
<span style="font-weight: bold"> I have never seen the car personally but I hear it's a very nice non-converted car.</span> </div></div>

[sYc]

I do not think people give Fred Gibb and Don Yenko enough credit for what they did.

While most dealers and other performance shops were doing conversions in house, one or two at a time, to improve the process, and make it more profitable, to get the COPO ball rolling, Fred and Don had to agree to buy 50 like cars, basically risking their business’ in a belief that hi-performance cars could be sold in volume.

At a time when GM was “out of racing”, the COPO cars allowed racers, such as Grumpy, DH, Hedrick, The Rat Pack, who were loyal to GM, to field a competitive car.

Just think how different the musclecar hobby would be today if they had not talked GM into allowing them to use the COPO system for hi-performance, and then, willing to take the risk.

Fred-Don…. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

[61 vert]

I agree with that. A buddy and I are getting the stuff together to replicate the 1969 Ford sponsered drag team. A 69 Torino, mustang and ford cabover hauler with trailer.I repeat FORD SPONSERED DRAG TEAM.There were 2 such teams roaming the country promoting high performance parts at the dealers during the day, and racing their Cobrajets at the track at night.
Its going to take a while, but I am exited to get the cars to the track.We are going to run stroked 460s instead of the cobrajets. Cheaper to build and more power.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o83/69tdega/1969dragteam_thumb.jpg
Ck out this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEBaCqgcQfE


Gives me goose bumps!

[al8apex]

^^^^^


awesome video!!!!!

[firstgenaddict]

Great Idea... that's too cool!

[mockingbird812]

Cool project. Great video!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[al8apex]

Here is an interesting truck that was at the Scottsdale Pavilions weekly car show in the fall of 2007:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/JimRohn/pavilions/cobratrd.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/JimRohn/pavilions/cobratrf.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/JimRohn/pavilions/cobratre.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/JimRohn/pavilions/cobratrb.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/JimRohn/pavilions/cobratrend.jpg

[Kim_Howie]

When your at that U-Tube LOOK AT THE 1971 nhra summer nats. Check out the red 69 camaro. I didn't figure out the car until they said his name.

[PeteLeathersac]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 61 vert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree with that. A buddy and I are getting the stuff together to replicate the 1969 Ford sponsered drag team. A 69 Torino, mustang and ford cabover hauler with trailer.I repeat FORD SPONSERED DRAG TEAM.There were 2 such teams roaming the country promoting high performance parts at the dealers during the day, and racing their Cobrajets at the track at night.
Its going to take a while, but I am exited to get the cars to the track.We are going to run stroked 460s instead of the cobrajets. Cheaper to build and more power.

</div></div>

Sorry to sideways this thread further into the Ford subject but have you seen the 69/70 era Ford of Canada Drag Team pics w/ Harry Sherry Custom paint on the cars and hauler etc?.
Copo Keith has posted them here before...is there more or better pics than these three Keith?.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2376328100101686729tigOmX

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2102822840101686729GPkWOx

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2835074130101686729lPqSXw

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[volspeed1970]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kim_Howie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
<span style="font-weight: bold"> I have never seen the car personally but I hear it's a very nice non-converted car.</span> </div></div>

Okay now I am confused. If this Camaro was not ordered by Fred Gibb or Dick Harrell, and as Kim_Howie states that it is a nice non-converted car, then what is it? How can it be a Dick Harrell Super Camaro if it wasn't ordered by either person above, or even converted by Dick Harrell? The way I am reading this is what is <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">not</span></span></span> being said here is this car is a fake or clone car, right? I am sorry if this is someones car here on this board, but I am new to this game of supercars and just want to learn what makes or doesn't make this car a Dick Harrell or Fred Gibb car. I have only ever seen one real Dick Harrell car in person and that was another Rallye Green one with a white interior. The car was all original and I believe it was a Copo. The car was for sale at Corvette Expo up in Knoxville back in 1991 by a dealer named Horace Slay I think. I may have a picture of that car somewhere as I thought at first it was something made up, but when I spoke to Jake at Milt's he said it was real. Don't know whatever happened to it after that show. Is it still around, maybe it is the other one this seller is referring to? Thanks for all the info!!!

[olredalert]

----Horace and his son, Scotty have had a number of very rare cars over the years so it wouldnt surprize me that they would have that Camaro.......Bill S

[Kim_Howie]

The Car has no history with Fred Gibb. Dick Harrell worked on it according to Rick Lenane. Rick found the the car in 1994.
Bought it and sold it. I don't think the 427 was put in by Harrell. The letter I have dated &amp; signed by Rick it's dated 10-2-02 states the car was a 1969 SS Camaro Org Ralley Green X66 car. The camaro vin# 124379n578473 was purchased by me in 1994 after a long search,it is a fully prepared Harrell performance camaro. That's all it says. That doesn't make it a 427 car.

[61 vert]

Ck. this out. Look around the site if you have time. Many great pics of factory ford stuff.

http://dearbornflashback.com/70dragclinic.asp

[Kim_Howie]

I just found out there was a 2nd letter by Rick L. stating that the car was converted to a 427 by Harrell before it was sold new.
Yah learn something new everyday.

[61 vert]

Are these letters adequate documentation to verify that this is indeed a supercar?

[Kim_Howie]

It all depends who did the docs.

[volspeed1970]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 61 vert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are these letters adequate documentation to verify that this is indeed a supercar? </div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kim_Howie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It all depends who did the docs. </div></div> Is Rick L. a representative that can document this car? Guys I know that heat down here in Hotlanta can get to me sometimes, but it sounds like this guy is trying to pass off a bogus car. If there is not any Dick Harrell documentation to prove this car was originally tuned by him then <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">61 vert</span></span> has a good question, can these letters from Rick L. be considered documentation? Is there anyone out there that has Dick Harrell documentation stashed away like that guy in PA had for documenting some of the 67 Yenko's? Are there any relatives of Dick Harrell still alive that could probably be of some assistance like those of Fred Gibb? I get frustrated each time I see the history behind a bogus car get muddied over the years to where you don't know if the car is real or not because of all the different stories told each time the car comes up for sale. I don't mean to offend anyone here, but I am looking at buying a real musclecar/supercar in the next year and I want to weed out anything that isn't real that I may be interested in. This car here had my interest peaked but I am thinking about passing.

Julian

[Kim_Howie]

Far as I can see the ONLY Super cars with true docs are the Gibb cars. The 68 Novas &amp; the Zl-1 all have dealer delivery sheets.
This shows the protecto plate info and the vin#
I sure you would agree with this.

[sYc]

The majority of the Yenko built/sold cars have docs as well, including factory paper. Berger, and many other COPOs do as well.

Harrell and Motion cars seem to be the hardest to pin down.