Harrell Super Car Capitol

[copo-2]

This article was written When Dick Harrell was located in St. Louis and teaming up with Don Yenko converting 67 Camaros with the 427 conversions. This article is somewhat distorted, but hopefully it can be fully read?

[JoeC]

This article was a great help when I was researching the 1967 Yenkos.

We knew that Harrell and Yenko were working together to build and sell the 50 Camaros needed to make them legal for AHRA Super Stock racing. We knew that Warren had found original documents from Yenko.

I knew that Yenko and Harrell sponsored a 4 car drag racing team ( 1967 only). I had heard that Harrell had cars stored at a rail yard not far from his shop in St Luis. This article confirmed a lot of the info and that Yenko had the cars drop shipped by rail from Norwood.

This article states they were working on getting a new shop at St Louis International Raceway but that did not happen. The Harrell and Yenko collaboration ended in 1967.

[copo-2]

An invoice billing to Yenko Chevrolet for the 427 Camaro conversion. N0tice the shipping date.

[Mr70]

And those prices.

[copo-2]

In a recent display of this Camaro that was prepared by Dick Harrell while in St. Louis, noticeably in the documentation, the invoice was made out on the same print as the one displayed before? This one, however, retained Sanders name at the top, not marked through?

Not being familiar with Frank Sanders and his association with Dick Harrell, doing a little research about Frank, it was quickly revealed about his association with S&S headers. Both of these men excelled heavily in the Southwest Region when the 409 was introduced.

[luzl78]

An invoice billing to Yenko Chevrolet for the 427 Camaro conversion. N0tice the shipping date.
This car was built 2 days after my l78

[JoeC]

I think the Harrell Sanders paperwork was from a business the two had before 1967.

Harrell kept using the paperwork sometimes crossing out the Sanders name.

Back in the day , you didn't toss out the old carbon paper multi copy receipts so easy. Harrell may have used the old paper work until it ran out.

Some early 1967 Camaro paper work was on Stinger receipts so Yenko did the same .

[JoeC]

here is an early Yenko ad for the AHRA legal Yenko Super Camaro 450 (hp)

[copo-2]

In the first post of this thread, it shows Jim Guthrie as working as a mechanic associated with Dick Harrell’s operation in St. Louis. While there, this is a picture of a topless funny car he campaigned.

[copo-2]

This was Harrell’s ride sponsored by Yenko while in St. Louis.

[1967 4K]

Is there a known vin list of the 67 Camaros Harrell converted?

[markjohnson]

Jim Guthrie used to have his own shop during this time in North Saint Louis. I used to have a cool receipt from his shop when my dad had him install 4.30’s in the Charger.

[JoeC]

another Jim Guthrie car

[copo-2]

Is there a known vin list of the 67 Camaros Harrell converted?
Personally, I don't have that information on Vin numbers of the 67 Camaros Harrell prepared while in St. Louis. All I have is the number given listed in the number 1 posting of this thread as being prepared and those destined to be prepared. A total number of converted Yenko 67 427 conversions is believed to be 54 according to what others have mentioned? Articles are not always accurate, but the article posted mentions a total number of 36 of those planning for 427's?

Those with more Yenko knowledge would be a greater source of expertise who may be a better source in answering your question? There was a posting several years ago by bergy on the 67 Yenko Camaros with information, but the information you ask of wasn't 't included, only the dealers & Vins as I recall?

[JoeC]

The Vince E. number for many years on the 1967 427 Yenko Camaros was 54 .

These 54 Yenko Camaro have YS-700 numbers and were SS396 to 427 conversions

Warren D. found 6 additional vins for 1967 427 Yenko Camaros with YS-601 to YS-606 numbers and are SS350 to 427 conversions

As far as I know, the production is about 60 total 1967 427 Yenko Camaros built.

Approximately 25 of the 60 were SS396 to 427 conversions by Dick Harrell

[copo-2]

An autographed handwritten picture of the Yenko sponsored fuel funny car of Harrell’s while still running injection.

[copo-2]

Another Camaro that carried the Yenko banner while in St. Louis.That being Mike Garfinkel.

[1967Z28]

Something I don't fully comprehend is you have Camaro paperwork where it shows a car sold by Yenko Chevrolet, others sold by Yenko Sports Cars, and others sold through Span. I guess a car sold by Harrell would be none of the above and would be yet a 4th option?

[JoeC]

It is a bit confusing because the cars had different paperwork depending who did the conversion, shipping, and the sales.

The 1967 Yenko Camaros were bought by Don Yenko through Yenko Chevrolet.
Some of the 427 conversions were done by Yenko.

The NCRS shipping data report shows Yenko Chevrolet.

Some of the paperwork is on a Yenko Chevrolet invoice.
Some of the paperwork is on a Yenko Sportscars invoice with the same address.

The Dick Harrell paperwork, that Warren has, was found at Yenko Chevrolet. I believe this was the paperwork that Harrell sent to Yenko for billing Yenko for the work. This is on about 25 1967 Yenko 427 Camaros.

Harrell was only involved with Yenko for 1967.

Span Inc. was James Spencer who sold sports cars and imported sports cars. He worked for Yenko on the dealer network (also raced a Stinger).

Span Inc paperwork was used to sell some of the converted cars to the Yenko network dealer. Spencer had a Yenko demo car he would drive to the network dealers.

Span Inc. was involved with the Yenko dealer network selling the cars from 1966 to 1970. (maybe other years)

The cars may have the NCRS shipping data report showing Yenko Chevrolet.

Some cars have GMAC lists with vin numbers

Some cars have paperwork from Howard Sober Inc. showing shipping and insurance

Some cars have paperwork from the Pittsburgh National Bank to Yenko from a dealer

Some have paperwork from the Yenko network dealers to the original owner for the final sale.

Adding to the confusion, two 1967 427 Yenko Super Camaros were purchased by Yenko Chevrolet, converted by Dick Harrell, sold to Fred Gibb Chevrolet , who sold them at his dealership. So Yenko Harrell and Gibb were involved with those two cars.

[dykstra]

It is a bit confusing because the cars had different paperwork depending who did the conversion, shipping, and the sales.

The 1967 Yenko Camaros were bought by Don Yenko through Yenko Chevrolet.
Some of the 427 conversions were done by Yenko.

The NCRS shipping data report shows Yenko Chevrolet.

Some of the paperwork is on a Yenko Chevrolet invoice.
Some of the paperwork is on a Yenko Sportscars invoice with the same address.

The Dick Harrell paperwork, that Warren has, was found at Yenko Chevrolet. I believe this was the paperwork that Harrell sent to Yenko for billing Yenko for the work. This is on about 25 1967 Yenko 427 Camaros.

Harrell was only involved with Yenko for 1967.

Span Inc. was James Spencer who sold sports cars and imported sports cars. He worked for Yenko on the dealer network (also raced a Stinger).

Span Inc paperwork was used to sell some of the converted cars to the Yenko network dealer. Spencer had a Yenko demo car he would drive to the network dealers.

Span Inc. was involved with the Yenko dealer network selling the cars from 1966 to 1970. (maybe other years)

The cars may have the NCRS shipping data report showing Yenko Chevrolet.

Some cars have GMAC lists with vin numbers

Some cars have paperwork from Howard Sober Inc. showing shipping and insurance

Some cars have paperwork from the Pittsburgh National Bank to Yenko from a dealer

Some have paperwork from the Yenko network dealers to the original owner for the final sale.

Adding to the confusion, two 1967 427 Yenko Super Camaros were purchased by Yenko Chevrolet, converted by Dick Harrell, sold to Fred Gibb Chevrolet , who sold them at his dealership. So Yenko Harrell and Gibb were involved with those two cars.
Are these two cars known to exist?:dunno:

[JoeC]

YS-715 and YS-749 were sold by Fred Gibb , both are known cars and on the list here

[copo-2]

In following the journey and his devotion to Chevrolet, both on the track & working with some active dealerships, many names appear that can be associated with “Mr. Chevrolet.”

The clipping in this thread largely involves a time, information, and names that can be associated while in St. Louis.

[JoeC]

These were the four drag cars run with the 'Yenko Super Camaro Dealers' and Dick Harrell sponsorship in 1967

including Mike Garfinkel , Jim Guthrie, and Gene Rains

[copo-2]

Having competitive cars carrying a sponsors carrying their is an effective way to advertise your hi-performance product as many fans & participants at the drag strips. Watching their performance, often the selling point for those young of heart.

[JoeC]

'Yenko Super Camaro Dealers' and Dick Harrell received a lot of exposure in 1967 when DH did a one wheel - wheel stand and it was all over the magazines and news papers including on covers.

It was also in "Drag Racing Photo Greats" as one of the top photos, back in the day

[Stefano]

[/COLOR]
Are these two cars known to exist?:dunno:

Yes, both exist and are currently in the Midwest. Very interesting history on both cars and they are technically mirror opposites of each other . One is black with red interior non RS and the other is red on black RS. Both have been featured at MCACN.

[copo-2]

Additional pictures of the Harrell funny car crash and afterward damage resulting.

[Hawkeye]

Yes, both exist and are currently in the Midwest. Very interesting history on both cars and they are technically mirror opposites of each other . One is black with red interior non RS and the other is red on black RS. Both have been featured at MCACN.

Here’s a few photos:

[JoeC]

I saved these from a FB post

good quality photos relative to most from back in the day