Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave,
here is an early picture of the 64 Chevelle with the Z-11 engine. I took this picture of a picture in Valerie's scrap book.
So you remember doing a lot of 427 conversions at the shop on Hickman Mills drive in KC on Camaros, Chevelles, and Novas?

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Joe,
Yes I have seen that pic before. Here is the pic I mentioned. That pic has the front fender obscured by reflected sun or something.

Yes originally there was 2 of us who did the conversions, myself and a fellow named Danny O'Shay. As I have mentioned I personally did all 4 of the Chevelle 427 conversions (the other red one was sold to my brother as a 396/375 and a week later recieved a 427 after the 396 spun a front main.So in reality I did all 5 of those. It is hard to put a # on the Camaros and Chevylls (68s were chevyll). But I put in 10-12 hours a day for nearly 3 years.I would do it again in a heartbeat. Early on when Dick learned of my passion for the funny cars I was allowed to learn the work side of them (not just watching them). I would not trade those times and memories for ANYTHING! Few people had the chance to do what I did and will be forever grateful to Mr.Chevrolet for that chance.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Stefano,
Aginst my better judgement I will comment on Tim's car
First and foremost I will not make any guesses on its past history, based on my observations of it at the reunion I will venture an opinion (stress opinion).
First in regard to the chassis. My first impression was it was a home made bracket racer. However Craig who I was with there observed it was very near in design to an early Tom Smith (Wolverine Chassis ) a builder of some renoun in the late 60's. He stated the slightly offset driver location and rec.tube lower frame rail being consistant with his design. Not being familiar with that I take his word for it. But that by no means is any proof of anything.
As far as the body goes I for one think it is a VERY good one considering it's age. I for one would be very happy to have it beside the 71 Camaro f/c body in my back yard. That being said the possibility of tracing a body back is at the very best marginal. There were funny cars everywhere all over the country. Unlike "real cars" there is no paperwork no serial numbers nothing only he said she said to rely on
so if I have made any point I hope you understand. My statment that I would like to have it is just that, I would like to have it. But my racing days have passed years ago and I know it so I must be satisfied to just look and reflect on what I should have done.
best wishes to you and Tim.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave,
I certainly don't know nnuch about funny cars, but I gew up down the road fronn Rick Roshto and Steve NNanhart. They ran a funny car called the Vixen. I used to hang out, with nny custonn built Shwinn chopper. I would listen to engine and watch the flannes it would through out of the headers, at dusk. you could hear the car throughout the neighborhood literally for nniles, Very fond nnennories indeed.

If there is a way to verify and validate who nnay have raced/built the car and if it does have sonne historical significance then I nnight be inclined to put a deal together with Copolocater.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

STEFANO! Get the M button fixed or postpone your next super car purchase and spend the C-Note for a new one!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I have nny priorities strait, everything and then sonne, plus a little nnore goes to sonne 'really neat cars' and a couple of 'super cars'.

Who needs nn's any way.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Funny car bodies were made by a few people at the time. The one in Chicago was Fiberglass Ltd, Ron Peligrini. There were also a few chassis builders in that area.BTW. for you Chicago guys. The Funny car hang out in the late 60s and early 70s was the Phillips motel in think was 8750 S. Ciscero.That is where most of us stayed.Also Speed sport on 111th. None of which I knew to build the kind of car Tim has. I have 5 or 6 pictures of Tim's car's previous owner, Ken Peterson, prior to the eBay auction. Ken Peterson sent Valerie the pictures and she emailed them on to me. Peterson met Richard Schroeder while he was in Boise along with Mousie Marcellus, who was the partner of Wild Wille Borsch and still owns the Winged Express. Petersen told me that Mousie & Schroeder told him it might be a Dick Harrell car. When I saw both Richard and Mousie about 3 weeks later they said "NO WAY" did they say that. When the car went up for auction on Ebay, the auction was discussed on several of the race sites (i.e., Fuel Coupes), which all posts said no way was this a DH funny. I don't believe that Tim did not receive any help. He just asked people who may not have known. Kinda like asking the guy at Home Depot in the lumber dept how to build a computer. Please don't disregard the fact that Tim's car is still a darn nice find. J&E Fiberglass and Fiberglass Trends also made this type of body. If it were me I would just keep posting on sites and researching. The best way is to trace backwards. Start with Ken Peterson. If you need his contact information either can be obtained from myself or Valerie. The body may have never been with that car till a short time ago. Again, find out where Petersen got it and trace it back. I would say the Northwest to start. Now to send something that may answer a few other questions. As you can see someone scratched out the Sanders Auto name and the address; here is a dated Dick Harrell invoice. Please note that the invoice is an authenticated Dick Harrell handwriting for one of the Yenko conversion cars. Have fun with it!

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Now to send something that may answer a few other questions. As you can see someone scratched out the Sanders Auto name and the address; here is a dated Dick Harrell invoice. Please note that the invoice is an authenticated Dick Harrell handwriting for one of the Yenko conversion cars. Have fun with it!

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I believe that receipt is for Kevin's 67 Yenko Camaro #YS710. I have one very similar to that for my 67 Yenko Camaro #YS738. The second line reads "tuned headers Doug" maybe this is Doug Thorley Headers? The third line is hard to read but I think is "Dist Package" which may be for springs and weights to re-curve the distributor?
You guys think that is Dick Harrell's own handwriting? That would be great and make the receipts extra special to me.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Joe, that looks like it says "Inst Package" maybe for extra gauges. Great piece of documentation.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

thanks Jeff I think you are correct.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

C'mon Joe,

Will you post yours so we can print a copy for our files? Do you have a pic of #38. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/ooo.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Sir if you knew me you would know thatI wouldn't go to Vw to inquire about a RollsRoyce.Yes weve been on the funnycar sites and I haven't seen any where that people denied this was a Dick Harrell car but they haven't said it was either.99% of the people we have talked to couldn't either way, but what most have said is that the sheetmetal work looks like it was out of Don Hardys stable.This is the last time this needs to be mentioned it is an updated chassis not a Hardy chassis.I just hope when this car is sold it remains just a 69 funnycar and thats it just a 69 nobody knows whos funnycar it was.We will be sanding the paint to see whats underneath just for my curiosity.Then its down the road. We will inform the new owner of all that has transpired and tell him everything we know so this situation does not happen again.Thanks but the issue of my car should be put to rest.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

All,
Earlier in this thread I posted a b&w pic of Dicks 71 car and said It may be the first shakedown runs. I found a pic last night I have never seen before. Pic is of the same car unlettered on the cover of a mag. (attached) Amazed that this existed and I never ran on to it. Just wanted to correct an assumtion. Scan credit to Dennis Doubleday
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Thanks
for the pics and great info.
I,m not familar with Funny Car world.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

You are not going to like this and I have left it alone on purpose.I am wondering why anyone thinks this was ever even a real funny car other than the body? The Chassis is far from an up dated car.I havent seen lower rail like this since about 68.and then only a few.99.9% of all the cars built after about mid 70 had the headers outside the rails, The roll cages were dragster type with a much narrower frame. What you have is a Comp. Eliminator car or also refered to as a bracket car.The more I look at pictures of this car,I doubt if they would have let it run as a funny car past the year of 1970.Funny cars had blown or injected Nitro engines.Also your car would have had to have a SEMA approved tag welded on the roll bar or a stamp on it as of 1970 As far as the tin goes. Don Hardy used to work for Logghe that also built the same type of car and tin work.I would have gladly dropped this had I not recieved calls from others who are not on this site.The car was on Fuel coupes and Nitronic Research while on Ebay.I am sure lots of people can say what to look for on these cars. what they cant tell you is what the past 5 owners changed to make it the way they wanted.I have seen 4 of my old race cars and only could recognize 1 of them.I am over this subject!
Good Luck sanding.
Yes that is Dicks hand writting on that document. Authenticated by Valerie J Harrell.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Well well well.This is just the kind of dialoge I had hoped for from the beginning.The info you have just provided can be of great assistance as to an area as to where to start.You are correct the chassis is not certified for running in an injected class.But you have provided info on it could possibly be pre 70.As to why you would assume I would be upset ,I don't know, you have just provided a wealth of info.Remember we were not trying to prove it was Dicks body just that it wasn't.Do you realize how stupid I would look if unknowingly sold a piece of history without knowing I did so .I'm copolocater I'm supposed to know .That pertinant info will be provided to the next owner.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I am very glad you see it that way.I would not only make you look stupid,It is not good for your future credibilty
in your business. I have no idea why it never dawned on me in the 1st place as it just never hit me that it was being called a funny car,I guess I was fixated on the body.Kinda like seeing a great looking woman,until she talks all you see is that look. Best to You MenMyfcs

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I am very glad you see it that way.I would not only make you look stupid,It is not good for your future credibilty.
I have no idea why it never dawned on me in the 1st place as it just never hit me that it was being called a funny car,I guess I was fixated on the body.Kinda like seeing a great looking woman,until she talks all you see is that look.
On another note. I have been trying to send a few pictures.only like 560 bytes and they come back as file to large anybody have any clues? Only on black and white.
Best to You MenMyfcs

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

not sure where this photo is from but looks like after a FC fire

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

TIM 1st I would like to correct A typo on my last post. Saying I would make you look stupid. It should read IT would make you look stupid.Sorry! Trying to Dyno and map FI programs and play at the same time.From my typing you can imagine how my Dyno day went.
That last Picture was at New York Dragway Long Island,1967
From a wheelstand losing a wheel as it came down and catching fire. Pretty tired to nite but have 3 sequence shots I will try to share of it. Nite All

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Thanks

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

The Yahoo Fuel Coupes site was pretty helpful back when i was trying to find out info on the Gray Ghost 66 GTO funny car....hell I got some nice pictures of the car from some of the guys there...talked to pellegrini and even the chassis builder as well as finally finding Larry Swiatek the original owner ! Great site.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

belair is that the the one with the chimalawall chassis by cookie....

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Do any of you Chi town guys know if Dukes is still in business. Best Italian beff sandwiches I ever had.Austin Coil lived right down the street. I thought it was 79th and Archer.
Lets see if I can send this with out a screw up.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

No Dyno that was a chassis built by R&B in Kenosha and painted by Scully...

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Here is the last of the wheelstand shot.
R&b. B was John Buttera who built some of the most famous funny cars of the 70s.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Nice try menmyfcs ! Never had a beff sandwich ! I know Dukes son ran the place and it may still be there but home to those guys with big stereos! Not positive.Didn't know Austin Coyle lived around there.Gary Dyers place is still close by...

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I will try to post this. It may show why you find more people that loved Dick Harrell for more than just the cars.
He would have been way ahead of the teams out there today just because of his personality and charm.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

You think my spelling is bad wait till you try to read that last attachment. Is Dyers still by the toll way? Coil lived in the Apartments at 95th and Archer.May have been 87th dont recall exact.I have an old polariod of the Motel with the lot full of ramp trucks and funny cars.Try the beff its as good as the beef.Man I gotta crash now. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Garys shop is still at the same place. He was also at vettefest. Kim Howie

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

The Same John Buttera now "Califorina" Street Rod Builder?

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Yes that is the same one..............RatPack................

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

John has been into so many different areas. Street rods to custom Harleys and now does design an one off things for Harley factory.Very talented.He built the Schumacher cars of the 70s the Mickey Thompson Maverick and 2 Grand ams.
Barry Setzer cars and the list goes on.You could buy a complete car with and ED PINK blown fuel engine and a top of the line Buttera car and know it would run good just like you could a street car.Then it was up to you after that unless you hired Ed Pink or others to do all the rest.
Like a Fred Gibb car Yenko or others. you knew it had all the right parts.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Belair62
Maybe I can kill 2 birds here with one stone.

A few posts back on the subject of known Chevelle f/c I mention a couple. Also mentioned "3rd gen" Bodies like the 68-72-74 Chevelles were almost non existant but there was a Poniac or 2 Like the M/T. As luck would have it I ran across a pic of it last night. thought you might like to see it. After seeing your interest in the Grey Ghost.
Dave
scan by Dennis Doubleday
Built by " Lil' John " Right menmyfcs?

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Bruce Larson ran a cool looking 66 or 67 USA-1 Chevelle with those crazy looking forward bent injectors.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Any idea as to why the 64-67 Chevelles had Funny Cars formed and the 74 did,but not the A-body 1968-72 Chevelle?

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

mr 70
Not 100% sure about this but this answer is probably pretty close. Weight & Size. Unlike the Super Stock ranks which were broken out by class, the F/C class in the '68-'72 time period I believe just ran by a minimum weight requirement(I'll say 1800 lbs for argument sake)) so why disadvantage yourself by running a heavy 2200 lb '70 chevelle barge when you can run a small Vega or sleek Camaro weighing 1800 lbs and still be legal? Also the earlier Chevelles while called F/C were that in name only-still looked stock bodied in a way. They were very unlike the later flip top Funnies.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

You hit on one of my best subjects. In reality. John built the 1st one that burnt up at Gainesville 73 then the next one that was also Yellow Which became the Black car that was crashed at Union Grove 4th July 74. then it went to Romeos shop on Pulaski and 103rd?and got the front frame from the firewall forward replaced then ran the rest of the year as the red car to become the Marines blue car for 75.I have some good pics of those.
Yes the bodies for the later Chevelles became to big.
Body for that Grand am was by Pelligrini then modified by Hank Buck in Berwyn Ill. Red car also painted by Hank.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Good answer, Exactly why the "flip top" all fiberglass body came into being displacing the "door cars" (ie)Cars like Dick's 67. Steel or "real cars" rear clip with glass components front end doors etc. The weight and as is said today aero. The older cars could still be made to compete but more hp created the problem with available traction.
The evolution of the funny car had begun.
Yes Bruce Larson is another who had a 66-67 Chevelle. And with more thought I am not sure if it was Bobby Wood as I said or Jim Maybeck. Malcom Durham early on I believe to.
But I never saw a 68-72 Chevelle f/c.
enough for now
Dave