PDA

View Full Version : Harrell V8 Vega


JoeC
02-12-2021, 11:40 AM
The Peterson site has about 50 photos of a 1971 Harrell Vega V8 conversion.
some nice detailed pics

looks like 350 TH350 with Hurst Auto Stick, Kelsey-Hayes Strippers, Thermo Quad carburetor. All stuff that sponsored Dick Harrell and he did ads for them

looks like the magazine guy was there when it was under construction. They did a shake down test run with open headers and no hood. A water burnout road test.

67 Nova Boy
02-12-2021, 12:10 PM
Thanks for sharing the photos...V-8 Vega is one of my favorite cars.

Dave
67 Nova Boy

JRSully
02-12-2021, 01:24 PM
Front springs look a bit "overwhelmed" V8 Vega's were an instant, albeit dangerous, way to go very fast back in the day. Remember seeing many back in the day, the kits made it a somewhat easy build

x33rs
02-12-2021, 01:54 PM
I built a bunch of these years ago, and used them as daily drivers, even in the snow back in Ohio. I used one to race in UMTR for a while.
I still have all the conversion parts to do another one including a 12 bolt rear, and some factory stuff from V-8 Monza's that I like using over the Don Hardy stuff, like the stock motor mounts, curved neck radiator, water pump, fan and pulley setup etc...that makes it all look like a factory installation.

Been hanging on to this stuff for nearly 20 years since I stripped the last car. Can't find a suitable 70-73 vega anymore that isn't priced crazy.

They are super fun to drive. Even my wife loved driving them.

jl8z28
02-12-2021, 02:45 PM
I had a 71 vega GT was going to do that to in 71 traded it in 6 months later on a 69 340 dart they were flimsy cars

markjohnson
02-12-2021, 03:27 PM
I met the original owner of the DH Vega a couple of years back. Nobody knows what happened to it but it did end up with big tires under the back of it thanks to some back-halfing.

JRSully
02-12-2021, 04:33 PM
The V8 Vega was one of the Death Blows to Motion, Gov't made it impossible to continue

PeteLeathersac
02-12-2021, 05:00 PM
'

Cool to see more pics of this car, there's others also more info in these past threads linked below.
I have a few more shots of this same Vega in one of my old computers I've been meaning to post, this thread a good reminder to dig them up/get 'em posted over the weekend.

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71379

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1406403

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=151458

:beers:
~ Pete


.

mssl72
02-12-2021, 08:10 PM
I've always wanted one. Stop showing pictures of them, yer killin' me!!!!

PeteLeathersac
02-13-2021, 01:27 AM
'

Here's one pic but I think there's at least one more?:hmmm:
:beers:
~ Pete

.

JoeC
02-13-2021, 11:03 AM
here is another pic from the drag strip

the article says it had a 400 SB not a 350

chevyman0429
02-13-2021, 12:22 PM
Is this car accounted for ?

Bill Pritchard
02-13-2021, 01:42 PM
I'm not too impressed with the trans mount.

olredalert
02-13-2021, 02:42 PM
----Me too! just bolted to the floor. Really! Mabey something stouter on the other side of the floor?.....Bill S

ORIGLS6
02-13-2021, 04:14 PM
An LT-1 (1970 version) and a four-speed in a Vega would be a really fun car! :3gears::3gears::3gears:

PeteLeathersac
02-13-2021, 05:13 PM
'

Anyone recognize/know anything of the other Vega in the Harrell Grand Opening pic w/ wide roof stripes...L88-427 Plate?:hmmm:
It'd be cool if the subject Harrel Vega exists, likely Gibb sourced as the Nova in the one linked thread if NCRS result possible?
:beers:
~ Pete

.

JRSully
02-13-2021, 05:31 PM
Motion offered a LT1 Vega I believe

X66 714
02-13-2021, 05:46 PM
Motion offered a LT1 Vega I believe

And a 454 killer Vega....Joe

rszmjt
02-13-2021, 06:35 PM
And a 454 killer Vega....Joe

Car Craft had a article on the 454 Motion Vega , it said on magazine Cover -
“ King Kong is Alive & living on Staten Island”

I have it somewhere, will try to find it

X66 714
02-13-2021, 07:17 PM
Car Craft had a article on the 454 Motion Vega , it said on magazine Cover -
“ King Kong is Alive & living on Staten Island”

I have it somewhere, will try to find it

I have that article also. I remember it saying with street tires, it would simply smoulder the tires to the carcass but when you added a small set of slicks, the car would carry the front wheels through a good portion of 1st & 2nd gear...Joe

Lee Stewart
02-13-2021, 07:54 PM
https://i.postimg.cc/kX0Y3KQ5/1d.jpg (https://postimages.cc/)

https://i.postimg.cc/7LVK2RpC/1r.png (https://postimages.cc/)

https://i.postimg.cc/D0bQBpYP/1w.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

PeteLeathersac
02-13-2021, 07:56 PM
'

Motion Vega links...

http://www.superchevy.com/features/1902-looking-back-motion-performance-big-block-vega

https://www.yenko.net/features/2000/May2000.htm

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g7oQcaIL9xI&amp%3Bfeature=related

:beers:
~ Pete


-

JoeC
02-14-2021, 02:49 PM
saw this Vega from the Car Craft Nationals 1978
Peterson Archive

JRSully
02-15-2021, 01:38 PM
I think that thing would flip upside down if you punched it. I guess somebody felt the need to slap a Z28 emblem on there, lol

69hurstSC
02-15-2021, 08:01 PM
I've gotten fairly far on tracking ownership history of the car. More to come.

John
02-16-2021, 12:39 PM
...

https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=186849&stc=1&d=1613132585

... I have a set of these Stripper Wheels ....

...:eek2:

...

Stefano
02-16-2021, 10:34 PM
saw this Vega from the Car Craft Nationals 1978
Peterson Archive

The Ribbon Vega was built and painted years ago by Randy Schmitt. It was his personal car. He is one of the Dynamic Duo, building the ultimate Vintage Style Gassers by the NicKey Gasser Shop.

Randy is an incredible fabricator and talent who works with John Tinberg to produce amazing Gassers.

Bill Pritchard
02-17-2021, 02:47 AM
I will eagerly second Stefano's assessment of Randy Schmitt's talents!

Stefano
02-22-2021, 05:29 PM
Randy was 17 years old when he built and painted that Vega. He had never seen the Peterson archive photos. The Z28 emblem was just becuase he had one lying around and thought it was Kool.

mssl72
02-22-2021, 08:07 PM
...The Z28 emblem was just becuase he had one lying around and thought it was Kool.

The front end of the car always looked like a mini Camaro to me.

Carleen
02-22-2021, 10:40 PM
Heavys

69hurstSC
05-26-2022, 01:34 PM
We've run out of steam on tracking down the Vega. One of the previous owners did share that he kept the valve covers off the car. They're not for sale.

https://i.ibb.co/YLvqt0H/IMG-2043.jpg

bugsy
06-13-2022, 12:15 AM
great information, cool car. i have a set of those kelsey hayes front wheels that are NOS.

PeteLeathersac
01-07-2024, 09:22 PM
'

Just found this Harrell Vega pic in my old confuser so thought it best landed here w/ the others.
We've had a few threads w/ this car but I don't think this shot posted yet, anyone recognize the location?
:beers:
~ Pete

.

69hurstSC
01-08-2024, 06:16 PM
It looks to be outside at DHPC