Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Tom. Consider it done BTW notice on the 69 it has door handles on both sides. Do real race cars have doors?? Maybe so maybe not. This one has door handles but no doors.
Dicks 69 car.. what can be said about this car that hasn't been said before. From my stand point it I am just proud to say I had the chance to work on it,sit in it while it was running... There is no way to describe what that feels like.
You had to be there to understand. I will be the first to admit it was no fun to pull the tranny after a run and either put the other in(we had a spare always) or pull it apart and see if anything else but the high clutches were trashed. The tranny was the best piece that there was for the era and we had been known to lose it on a burn out.
Wow it sure was fun. In Jan of 71 (yes 71) This car advertised in the AHRA paper for sale. I have a copy of the ad. I still kick myself for not buying it. Ahhh live and learn. The attached pic some will think it has been repainted but it is just the different lighting. I talked at length a few months ago with John (oop) Fensom about this car and he assured me there was no complete repaint on this car until just before Fred's prostock was painted to match it.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

More mellow, yes, but playing with Charley's snails? Sick [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Sick ??? How fast does your Es-car-go [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Someone has seen Trading Places one time too many! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ..............RatPack..................

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

This next pic is the first time I tried out my scanner It is of my personally autographed copy of the well known hand out taken at Bristol Tenn. On the back it said To "Dave Libby best wishes" signed Dick Harrell. The Lace has been added in this pic and the logo has been changed to Fred Gibb
The hand out has been destroyed by a strange sequence of events. Suffice to say I was upset,but what is done is done.
There is not much one can say about a world championship car
Its winning record speaks loud. This car will rise again
for all to see take my word for it.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

This last pic is from a magazine, Hotrod I think and this is the last configuation seen for this car. There was a repaint done after the 69 season when it became known that the 70 Camaro would be released late, so late actually it was called a 70 1/2 Dick felt that the car should be changed somewhat. Now I dont pretend to know all there is to know about the reasons for this and actually it is not really important except that there were no new cars to use to make a "buck" (a mold for fiberglass) from. The car was ran like this picture as late as may 15 1970. It was on the front of Drag World that issue as having won the Kansas state championship race in Manhatten KS with Clyde Morgan driving.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

This is the ad I mentioned where the car is for sale in Jan 1971.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

And here it is now. Pretty sickening isn't it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave, great pictures! All I can say is that I was 3 years old back in 69 so it's hard for me to relate to what was going on in racing. All the pictures in this thread are great and you can't really find this stuff anywhere else. Thanks to everyone who has posted some of this history! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Sorry for the quality of these. Dave. With your picture and this one we have 2 of the many paint jobs of 69.Note ZL1
looking very similar.I am like you I always thought the 69 Courtesy car was the pretiest. Thats the one we took to a street race in Ca..For some reason I thought Corky painted that one.I talked to Kelly last nite and he thought so also.We talked about how easy it would be if Hardy and others would have put a tag and a number or name with each car. Sure would have stopped a lot of confusion.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I gotta say,this is a very interesting topic to me.I am a Stock Chevelle man first,but very much enjoy the F/C sector of the hobby.The Funny Car pictures you are posting are incredible.THANK YOU! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]For years I have collected Chevrolet Dealership displays and like my Chevelles Day 1 stock (with Smog parts) but I could really go Bonzai with these Funny Cars.I showed My Joplin Missouri born L-78 Chevelle at VetteFest last week with friends and their Chevelles,and met Copolocater and saw his Funny Car there with his dad..WOW! Can I drive it just once??? I would like to Visit Tom and Rob down SouthWest of me here in Chicago to view their cars and collection as well someday.As much as I like to see the Camaro Funny cars,was there a Harrell or Gibb Chevelle Funny car? I'd like to see pictures if there are any,as well as any stories on it.Also in the last picture post,you show Dick Harrell posing with the two Cars with his Beautiful Trailer in the Background.Where is that Trailer today? Are these sought after by others in this Hobby as well?Regardless,DavenKC & Menmyfcs Welcome to this website as I very much appreciate both your posts.As I watch the Snow come down over here and have CredenceClear Water playing on the Radio,I too am working feverishly to invent a Time machine... SUNDAY,SUNDAY,SUNDAY, WHERE THE BIG ONES.....RUNNNN! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] Rick

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Rick, I think I can answer part of your question. From my Pro Stock racing days, most of these trailers were sold off to smaller teams as the bigger teams moved up the ladder into bigger and better trailers. The same held true for the cars. Pro Sotck cars moved on through many teams and classes. Often times when the cars and trailers were retired, the then current owners had no clue whos car or trailer they had. Sad but true in most cases.
Rick

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

menmyfcs,
I also am not sure who (Corky most likely) did the orig paint on the 69. I do know that opp did the lace work and when the color change (ie) the House of Kolor "kandy" (for lack of a better discription) colors appeared. Oop has many pics if I can only get them to copy. He is not in good health and I need to get over to see him soon. He only lives about 5 mi from me.I also have that pic you posted great aint it.
I am going to post a similar pic with this showing the 70 cars of Dick, (far right) Clyde Morgan's car which I am not sure if it was ran as a contract deal or partnership but it was there none the less. Plus in the pic is the 70 stocker of Harry Kalwe(sp) and Leathermans 70. Dick and James kneeling by them. The idenity of these cars was confirmed less than a month ago to me by James who is in this pic

Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

This pic is the 70 car of Dick's. Notice how the chassis is (I want to say it IS) so close in apperance to the 69. Remember the 69 was not listed for sale until 71. Exactly what went on here is not clear.But I and others remember the 69 body sitting in the back of the shop about I stress about this time frame.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

The next pic is of the Clyde morgan car on the ramp truck. It has very similar paint. This car was transported in this manner unless both cars were going to the same place. Meaning a national event or one of the many 16,32 and even once in a while the fabled 64 car show/bookings. Wow those big "shows" were something to see, Funny cars a far as the eye could see. I feel sorry for those who can only see pics and read/hear stories of those times. You just had to be there.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave, the second car from the left is the 70 pro/ss car I own and restoring, if you or anybody has info on this car please let me know. Kim Howie thanks

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Rick,
I too am a lover of the stock Chevelle. I assume you were at the reunion. If so I am the guy who was taking up a lot of time with Joe S. around his DH Chevelle. You see I personally am the guy who did the conversion on that car.
Imagine my reaction when I saw it on the cover of that mag.
Just FYI there is another of those cars undergoing resto at this time. I cannot wait to see it in person. To be honest when I first walked up to Joes car I turned away for a min.
The lump in my throat just would't let me talk just then.
The best I can describe it is like walking into a room and suddenly it is 1968.
On Dick's tractor trailer I believe it was a lend/lease deal from Quaker State oil co as part of the sponsorship
deal. That is what I believe it was. At least at the first.

Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Kim,
About the best I can do is say what James told me so that is second hand info. He told me it was Leathermans car,Rumor was it had the ZL-1 engine from his 69 in it at least at one time. I have no knowledge of this. The other car,( Harry's) he is someone I have seen/talked to within the last year I will try to look him up and see if he can lend any info.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Kim, does your car have red tinted windows in it? Somewhere I have a picture of either the P/S or the GT1(?) car at Bristol in 1971 taken by my Dad and it has red tinted windows. The front wheels are the spoked Kelsey Hayes wheels. I need to try and find that picture................RatPack.................... ....

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

All
I have several pic of the 71 cars the Camaro and the Vega am am going to post. The first is very early on of the Camaro taken at Kansas City. This may have been even the first test session/shakedown runs. Note the lack of people in the stands. Others pics will follow later today.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

The May of 1971 Rodder & Super/Stock mag shows no tinted windows. but it had a tinted back glass when i bought it.
I have a picture of it at Bristol. I know the history of the car but need history of where and when and how long it was raced. Kim

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

The next pic I wish to share with the forum is the 71 car at speed. This for those who do not know this is the Chrysler powered car, speeds were in excess of 200 mph on a regular basis.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

All
Next pic is with the chute out. Notice the down attitude as compared to the previous pic at speed. Imagine what the downward force might be during this time. Might be a little scary.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

All
Next is a pic I mentioned earlier. It is taken at the same time as the other one posted which was the centerfold pic in ss&di I believe in Jan of 72. It is Bob Plummers pic and the one I had on a t-shirt at this years reunion. If you have never seen a fire burnout suffice to say you have missed something you would never forget!
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

All
The next pic is of the Vega. This car was built with a partner involved Larry Christopherson. The details of that are not entirley clear to me and imo are not necessary the fact that the car existed is enough.In pic it is being driven by David Ray against The Chi Town Hustler Challenger
A car that has been restored and is in the NHRA Museum.
Fate of this car is cloudy, only thing I have been told is this.. It was supposed to be in someones back yard body and chassis in Missouri and washed away never to be seen again in the 1993 floods. If true how very sad.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

All
The next and last pic of the Vega is on a ramp truck with the body up. As you can see it is also Hemi powered.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

All The next attachment speaks for itself.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

All
One final pic on this subject. Mr. Chevrolet. RIP my friend
Dave Libby

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Rick
Thanks for that.I did not know you knew about F/C's too.I am selling all my stuff,and converting over to Dick H. Memorabilia....

Dave
I did not make the reunion,but I've seen the DH 1968 Chevelle in our ACES magazine from Chuck Hanson.I will see that in person someday.I envy you that you were the original wrench on that Chevelle!

Were there any Famous 1968-72 Chevelle Funny Cars?

The obit you posted on Dick H.is very Sad.I had no idea he was only 26....The last two lines in his obit are sure an understatement Today.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Rick
Thank you. I assure you I am proud to have been involved. Joe's Chevelle is a great example of our work. And it is original that is the best part. When I saw it at the reunion it looked the same as it did when I last saw it 30 years ago.
As far as well known Chevelle f/c there were a couple that come to mind but were what I call second generation cars being 66-67 I think Bobby Wood and Malcom Durham had them a few others but names dont come to mind just now. Best example I know of in the post 68 Chevell class car was a 73 or 74 Pontiac Grand Am built by Micky Thompson. With the front end stretch it was a good looking car.
Think you read the obit wrong Dick was 36 not 26

Dave.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave,
I too am a big fan of Joe's car. I had a brief opportunity to see the car and talk with Joe at this year's Reunion. Also got to chat with he and Brian on Friday eve. at VetteFest. I wish I'd had more time at the Reunion so I could have met you but we had to leave early for a wedding. Maybe next year.
Thank you for the fantastic photos and stories. It brings back fond memories of one of Chevy's greatest champions. Please take good care of those photos.
Dennis

Rick, how bout we convert your car to a FC? It's already the right color and I don't think we'd have to cut it up too bad [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] . Maybe we could establish a new class: SB/FC (Stock Bodied Fuel Coupe!) [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave,
Great info and pictures thanks for posting. What year did you begin to work with Dick Harrell?
Do you know anything about a shop called Harrell and Sanders Automotive on 411 East Church Street
Carlsbad, New Mexico Phone TU 5-3532.
They did some of the 427 conversions on the Yenko Camaros in 1967.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Hey Dave I found some documentation that does exist.The Quaker State Transporter was leased to Dick Harrell Performance dated Jan.2 1970 for $1.00 with all expences picked up by Quaker State. Dick was 39 when he died Birthdate Oct.4 1932. Dick and Clyde Morgan were partners in the 701/2 Camaro.The Christopherson Vega was also owned by Dick Harrell Performance on a joint venture of some kind.I have also found pictures of the 69 painted 3 different ways.Last of all tonite I just found another piece that you may not see from most other racers. It is a letter of Dicks sending back a contingency check because he didnt really use there brand of filter. Most would have kept it. MenMyFcs

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave,

Thank you very much for the posting, these pictures are fantastic. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

ps: are the Leatherman's still around?

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

JoeC
I have no personal knowledge of the shop other than it existed.
The Sanders in the name of that shop is I believe the first name is right Frank Sanders. He was responsible for S&S headers, I remember the mention of that name as the builder of many sets for Dick for his racecars. I have a picture many have seen it is on many web sites of Dick's 64 Chevelle (427 Z11 power) racing a Ford Thunderbolt.
On the front fender is clearly seen "S&S Headers"
One other thing to answer another question I "officially" went to work for Dick when we started moving into the shop on Hickman Mills drive in KC. (winter/spring 67-68) One of the things Dick had brought with him was several sets of headers for Camaros with a 427, Guess what they were... S&S. This leads me to believe that the header equipped Early (stress on the early) Yenko cars had S&S headers. How does that prove out?

Dave
ps I can post the pic of the 64 Chevelle if you have never seen it.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Menmyfcs
Bingo. Thank you for confirmining.I remember that transporter when it first appeared it looked like any other Quaker State truck.
Makes me feel good to be that close to accurate after all these years. Great you posted the pic of the 69 on that rollback very glad to see both pieces at the same place,same time once more.
That letter you mention about the oil filters says a lot about the integrety of the man. As you say most would have just kept it.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

The information and participation on this thread has been phenomenal but I would like to get back to the issue at hand.

Since many have stated (certainly not to my satisfaction) that which Tim/COPO Locater does not have, then someone please tell me just what he does have.

As an independent bystander I am more confused than ever [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Who, what, where and when, built/raced the Funny Car which he has?

Copo Locater where are you??????

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Ken,
My pleasure. My only intention in doing so is to set the record as best it can be. A real bonus has been Menmyfcs to confirm much of what I said. A great guy many here will meet when the time is right.

I have not heard anything of the Leatherman bros since the 70's
Dave
ps Still have not been able to positive id on Sam's car but not giving up.(not seen it)

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Stefano please don't pull me back into this issue.I originally ask for help and received none.Now all this info is pouring out of the woodwork.Thats all I ask for from the beginning.The car is for sale like it was before this happened.It's just a 69 funnycar body with an updated chassis.I just want to get rid of the albatross.It's become a thorn in my side.You will see that I will not make other posts.But to reinterate Stefano I don't care.Thanks anyhow the more my name pops up the more people pressure me to respond.I don't need it anymore