Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave,
Thanks for that great history of the '67 car. History remembered by the people who were there and helped make that history is always fascinating to read. Accounts like yours are a big reason why this board is great! I, for one, would definitely like to read the stories of the 69, the 70's, and the 71 car.

Thanks again for sharing your memories with us!
-Sam

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Tom
I talk to Craig quite frequently and progress is moving along but as with yours who can tell. I found a better pic of your car.. maybe you have seen it but it shows the last "tricolor" pretty good. The unique thing about it was it looked different in different light. In the pits sitting next to the Car Shop Camaro out of Lousiana I think it was Henry Garcia drove it.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave; Thanks for the great pictures. With them you have solved question I had. In fact, I had just asked Bob about it yesterday. When I got the car, it had a door handle on the driver's side, but the passenger side had the indention, but had been filled in. I have numerous pictures of the car, but none of the passenger side. Glad to see no handle on the passenger side, as I did not remove the filler. As per the tri-color paint job, I believe I will stick with the rerd/black look. Of course I am sure it looked better in real life, verus pictures.Tom

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Some great info in there fellas! I do have a small "request", though. If possible, could we start a new thread(s) dealing with each of Dick's race cars, possibly a thread per car (year), as Bob and Dave seem to have quite a bit of info, and I'm sure other members would like to contribute as well. Just a suggestion, which would make it easier to find on down the road.

But, on a final note, check out this picture I found while cruising some old SS&DI mags, which I feel helps explain a little bit of the passion behind these cars:

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/25440-DH_FIRE.jpg

Caption reads:

"Dick Harrell was a funny car builder, an excellent driver, and one of the drag racing sport's very best ambassadors to the outside world. He won countless match races and major events, and was cited over and over again by the racing associations and the drag racing media for deeds on and off the drag strip. During his career, he built hundereds and hundreds of Chevrolet engines for customers at his Kansas City shop, and managed to create a full range of specially equipped and very exciting Chevrolet street cars when no one else would, because he believed in high performance cars for their own sake. His talent, creativity, and energy were legendary, and he will be remembered."

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Now THAT'S a funny car !!!! I always liked that type of wheel on these cars.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I think most, if not all of us here agree that Dick Harrell did as much, or maybe even more, for the sport of drag racing, then almost any other person. Well, yesterday I was told that he IS NOT in the drag racing Hall of Fame. We are talking about a AHRA World champion, who was at the top of the sport when he lost his life. 30+ years later his influence can still be seen, on and off the track. I am not for sure how, but I feel that we need to do something to see that this is corrected. Tom

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Tom, I would say that while Drag racing may have been Dick's Primary avocation that it its ridiculous he is not in the its Hall of fame, based on his accomplishments and contributions to the sport. IMO he is directly responsible to one degree or another for the whole "Super Car" Culture which exists today ,as well.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Tom and all,
This is a true statment Dick is NOT in the dragracing Hall of Fame! I personally have written to several of the people in charge of nominations more than once. I know Bob Gibson has also with no responce. Plain and simple he has been shunned by the powers that be. I once thought it was due to
his loyalty to AHRA. This proves out to be wrong as Jim Tice (the founder and president of AHRA until his death) is in the HOF. After Tice passed even Don Garlits was involved in the admin. of AHRA for a while. I think that voices should be heard in order to make this happen. The DRHOF is located near Garlits famous display of cars in FL. There is no reason Dick should not be honored with membership on this
list of Dragracing heros. One person on the board of nominations is Steve Gibbs another Shirley Muldowney just to mention 2. Mentioning to Garlits surely would not hurt.
what say you?

Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave. When I see these pictures of the 68 car and Henry Garcias in the back ground it almost brings tears to my eyes.That year I raced several times with those guys, Being the young kid on the block those guys looked out for me.Took me places in New York I never imagined existed.Between Dick and Charlie I never knew who had the biggest grin but they both had it.After being around that 68 car I wanted a Don Hardy car so bad.We were in the staging lanes at NY national when Charlie pulled in next to Kelly. Kelly still had his Door car and was soon to get his flip top.as soon as it stopped he jumped in the 68 just to see how it felt.was all smiles knowing his was next.It was not a deep candy red but a very bright with the gold base showing on the right angles.
Dont get me going on that Hall of Fame. I have talked to Garlits,Steve Gibbs,Shirley Muldowney and others on the board.Its pretty dissapopinting of who has gotten in and not Dick.I would not hurt for any of you to send letters to them about it. I am the 1st to say after the last few years its political.Far be it from me to sugar coat it.
MenMyFcs

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Rob.
I have another picture taken at the same time (by Bob Plummer) from a slightly different angle. Perhaps you saw it on a t-shirt I had on at the reunion. My opinion of this shot is... Here is a perfect example of Dick Harrell in his finest hour.... Putting on a show for the people.
BTW this was taken.. Sat night Sept 11 1971. Dick died on the 12th.
Dave