Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

menmyfcs
Yes I thought you would recognise that one :-).
I saw a pic of it as it is today. MT's daughter has it not for sale in a collection of his cars (not complete)
Never seen that car run but did look at it somewhere when it was black. I really liked that car never knew just how quick it was until now. 6:16&6:17 back to back 28 years ago?
I am very impressed.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave & Dave
Thank You.
You both answered my question,with Whip Cream on top!
It all makes sense now. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dave,
Do you remember anything about Dick and someone flying a plane thru the St. Louis Arch? You guys really missed a nice car if you never got to see Bruce Larson's 65 Chevelle. I cut high school for the NHRA Winter Nationals that year. What a pretty car as were all of his. I still get a Xmas card every year from Bruce. Talk coincidence. I got an E mail from a friend of Lyndy Thompson's with the phone number of the guy who has the Yellow Grand Am body. He also has the Pinto body and the 1 69 Mustang. He and Lindy are going to build a replica chassis under the Yellow body. NOW Back to Dick Harrell items. Valerie tells me that Mrs.Tom Jacobsen sent this, & told Valerie that it was one of Dicks Early cars.Any Ideas?

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

menmyfcs, tell me about Hank Buck from Berwyn IL. That is where I was born and raised. Where was his shop? I lived there for 21 years.

As far as Dukes goes, they are still located on 87th and Harlem. The street you are refering to as Archer is actually Harlem although Archer was a popular crusing street in Chi-town back in the day. From what I hear only lowriders frequent Dukes now. That is a shame because I have fond memories of Dukes as my father used to take me there when I was a single diget old lad in the 1980's. I have many of pictures of myself in front of various muscle cars and street rods there back then. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smirk.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Hank Buck had a place called Ogden Auto Body. He was a guy that loved racing. He was always repairing and fixing someones car.In the early 70s there were a lot of funny cars that were having fires. Hank was the guy that could fix it. He put a front end On the MT Grand Am and repainted the whole car in 73 then in 74 he chopped and re did the bodies of both the Black M/T Grand Am and the Red one as shown.He also painted the red one along with many of the Chi Town Hustlers.Hank died of a heart attack while working for Joe Pisano in 90 I think. Yes Harlem.Why Archer comes to mind I am not sure.Hey Im in my 50s now.That was a long time ago.
I hope this Dick Harrell paper clipping comes out. its pretty old. I am going to look and see if I can pinpoint the date fromthe acticles on the back. Yenko guys should like this.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

The article that would not scan very clear was from a St. Louis paper July 1967. Paper and the print are both pretty yellow.Head Line Reads
Harrell's Plan for East St Louis
"SUPER CAMARO CAPITAL OF THE WORLD"

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

menmyfcs
I have seen that car before. In the background that looks like his 63 Z-11.The black car is one I saw him match racing at the old KC strip against one of the (remember this) $ites Bro$ hemi cars. This is the car that had one of the first "new" 427 that I ever saw, (Back when it was called The Mystery engine) I think! I always wondered if this was his own car or not. I never asked him.
I dont think this is the 64. Hard to tell from the side.
YES I heard the story about the arch!!! Was that you???
HAHAHAHA what a hoot! Man thats been a long time ago.
PS
I figure for a positive id best would be Charlie T or maybe Tommy McNeeley. They go back that far with Dick. Would you send me that pic I will blow it up and see if I can make out the name above the door.

Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Neither car is a 64 in that pic...

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I am betting 63.That is whenthe Z11 was coming about (I think) I never cared for the 63. 62 was the 409 still.Just looking at the fenders makes me think 63. WT!60 something [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

That is a great article for trying to establish a time line for the Dick Harrell shops.
The article states he set up a shop in New Mexico in 1965 but gave up operation of that shop to do more racing in 1966. Then says he set up the hi po program for Nickey "last year" meaning sometime in 1966?
This article is dated July 67 and states that Dick's shop was presently in service station on St. Claire Ave. in St. Louis and ground will be broken for a new 16 car garage at St. Louis International raceway in East St. Louis with opening planed for Oct 67.
The receipt from Harrell and Sanders Automotive on 411 East Church Street
Carlsbad, New Mexico is dated 8-1-67 but has the Sanders name and the address crossed out. We know the deal with Don Yenko was in progress at this time.
Dave recalls moving to the shop on Hickman Mills drive in KC. (winter/spring 67-68)
So it appears that he may have never opened this new Super Camaro shop that is mentioned in this article at the St. Louis drag stip in Oct 67? What do the Harrell Historians think?

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

They are both 63's....I always liked 62's look a bit better!

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Herb must have rolled into Dick's shop in July. I have seen an article about Dick being at LaHarpe for the first time in early August, 1967. He met Herb and Fred a bit earlier, they left with 2 of the "Super Camaro's", a red one and a black one. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Here is a pic of a 63, maybe it is the Z11, I also will try and scan a pic of the supposed '62 409 car. The picture of 1967 is becoming clearer. I will have to locate that corner next year, maybe a cruise will be in order.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

That 67 year is really a hard one to follow. From 67 till some time in 68 they lived in St.Louis, Grandview Mo.and
Kansas City Mo. Valerie went to 3 different schools that year. Now its become a mission to find this out.
Dave. James Zelany is on the phone now. pretty funny guy. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Menmyfcs.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Can anyone tell this St.Louis arch airplane story?

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

one of the drag racing picture sites has these two photos avaiable in 8x10

http://www.mlodeent.com/OLDDRAG/harrel1.jpg
http://www.mlodeent.com/OLDDRAG/harrel2.jpg

this is the discription for them......
THE FRIST PHOTO IS OF DICK HARRELL RIGHT IN THE TRAPS. DICK SPUN THE CAR OUT IN THE SECOND PHOTO WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER CAR THAT CROSSED THE CENTERLINE.
BOTH WERE TAKEN AT GREEN VALLEY TEXAS IN 1971 AT AN AHRA MEET.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

menmyfcs
I am VERY glad to hear James was on the phone.
I hope to see him in person in the next 2or3 months.
maybe just maybe with the 67 car to show him.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Boy did this site come to a screaching halt. I am trying to find out what should be the real story on the Arch.Several know about it but not all the details.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I'd like to hear more about the Arch flight too. Maybe the main characters are still under FAA scrutiny! I would think the statute of limitations would have expired by now.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I think there has been a lot of territory covered in this thread, that it is hard to digest several pages and the number of posts, unless being an active participant. Someone suggested starting seperate threads on each car. Maybe we can start with one of the early ones first. JoeC, menmyfcs, davenkc, Kim, care to help out? Maybe start with early pics, and race articles through the season(s) raced.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

<blockquote><font class="small">En rªponse ·:</font><hr>
Someone suggested starting seperate threads on each car.

<hr></blockquote>

I agree with this,good idea.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Ken.
That is doable. That being said I am trying to contact a fellow who dates back to 1961or62 with Dick who can answer a lot of questions about the early years will let you know if this happens.
Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

If anyone is intrested I can tell you some about how this 64 Chevelle was built and who some of the people in the picture are.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I am not sure who you are trying to get in touch with, but I went to some races with Dick in the early 60's and lived and worked with him in late 63.
If you think I might be of some help let me know.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Howdy
I think you will know who I am when you ask Val. I do not know of a black 63 that Dick had. There was a Bill Allen very prominent in his life, but he was not a Chevrolet dealer.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

This picture was taken at the 1963 AHRA Winters near Phoenix. There is an intresting story about the black wall tire and the booboo on the bottom of the fender. This was an extremely fast Z-11

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Parts131,

Welcome to the board, looks like you are having trouble posting pics, they need to be resized. Is there someone willing to do this for Parts131?

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Welcome to the site Parts131. Were you a pit crew member with Dick Harrell?
Ken, I think Parts131 is replying to pictures that you and I posted.
here is the pic with his reply.
I would like to hear more about these cars.
The 64 Chevelle had to be one of the first Chevelles to hit the drag strip and it had a 427 (W motor not a porcupine) From the Z-11 race car?


https://www.yenko.net/attachments/262...rell%20Z11.jpg

Parts131 - This picture was taken at the 1963 AHRA Winters near Phoenix. There is an interesting story about the black wall tire and the booboo on the bottom of the fender. This was an extremely fast Z-11



https://www.yenko.net/attachments/25829-harrell64c.jpg

Parts131 - If anyone is interested I can tell you some about how this 64 Chevelle was built and who some of the people in the picture are.

I am interested!

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Howdy
I did not try and post pictures, but was responding to the pics posted of the 63 Z11 &amp; 64 Chevelle.
I first met DH in the 50's when he worked for my dad. In the early 60's I went to a lot of races with him and worked for him in 63. The Z11 pic was taken at the 63 AHRA winters.
There have been some stories written that this White car was towed to this race on a chain. NOT TRUE!!! The black wall tire is on this car (as memory serves) becaue of a blow out while being towed with a tow bar, behind a 63 Impalla SS that was his street car. The blow out caused the fender to get bent a little out of shape. DH liked his cars to look good and was embarassed by the black wall tire. But the car still Won the race.
The 64 car was bought as a V8 4 speed and I drove it to work for a couple of weeks to make sure it ran ok as the drive train was sold and DH wanted every thing to be ok.
The Fender, doors, Trunk Lid and bumpers were sent to some fiberglass co in the SE part of the country to be used as molds for replacement, light weight parts. Most of the rest of the work was done in a small 1 1/2 car garage in a "secret" location in Carlsbad, NM. (too many curious people) The 3 people in pic are DH of course and I think Bryan Teal (63 owner at that time) and in the back ground is Ray Brooks with crew cut. Ray did all the welding as well as fabrication for this and other cars. This pic was in the AHRA Tach magazine after the Jan or Feb races in 64.
The engine started out as a 430HP Z-11 engine built from parts that DH had access to due to his relationship with the right people at GM.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Parts131, thanks for posting the "inside info" on DH. From what I read, things got tight for the Chevy guys in early 1963 when Chevy announced they will support the ban on factory racing. The Z-11 and 427 Mystery engine were squeezed out before the ban but then Chevy went underground with racing support. Do you remember any contact with Vinnce Piggins who was Chevy engineer that was helping the racers?
Even Grumpy Jenkins ran the new Hemi in 64 but DH stayed with Chevy and ran the Z-11 Chevelle against the Hemi and T bolts. Do you know what year the picture below was taken?
When did DH began using the Nova bodies?

http://members.aol.com/yenkochevelle...ellwhelie2.jpg

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Dick had several contacts at Chevrolet, but I do not remember the names. The way we got Z-11 parts after the ban was on a special order form that had to have his name, address, dealer ship name, and serial number of Z-11 car. He had to sign orders. We could order one, or one set of anything that was avaliable. Ie one set of heads, one cam and lifters. Once those were recieved, then we could order more. I worked at the local Chevy dealer and one of my "jobs" was to keep on top of the thing DH needed. He would tell me at night what to order and the next day I would order. Remember, no UPS, no e-mails. It took time to get these items, so reorder was very important.
I think the pic you posted was taken in 65. I think this is the first Chevy II he had. The Chevelle, along with its twin had been sold, his to some guy in Pa. and the other one went to some people in the south. I believe there were 2 Novas of this body style, then the 66 Red car he built and Bill Thomas Race Cars.
He had the opportunity to race a T-Bolt, but his heart was not in it. Chevy was his love.

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

Parts,
I have gotten several e-mails bounced I have sent you and it seems your phone is busy when I try to call. Thats fine though getting you on this forum was what I wanted to talk to you about. These people here have a thirst for knowledge that I am sure you can satisfy.Glad to see you here.
To all,
This man does indeed have a vast knowledge of the early years with Dick and in particular days in NM, as well as
having a lot experience as a racer himself. ask away

Dave

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

I have been trying to establish a time line for the Dick Harrell shops. It is something like this but there are some questions.

New Mexico in 1965
1966-67 Worked with Bill Thomas in CA.?
1966 set up the hi po program for Nickey Chevrolet in IL?
1967 Work with Don Yenko on 427 Camaro and run FC with Yenko sponsoship
1967 in service station on St. Claire Ave. in St. Louis ?
1967 working on new 16 car garage at St. Louis International raceway in East St. Louis with opening planed for Oct 67. Was it ever opened?
There are receipts for 427 Yenko Camaro conversion from Harrell and Sanders Automotive on 411 East Church Street Carlsbad, New Mexico is dated 8-1-67 but has the Sanders name and the address crossed out. We know the deal with Don Yenko was in progress at this time.
Dave recalls moving to the shop on Hickman Mills drive in KC. (winter/spring 67-68)
So it appears that he may have never opened this new Super Camaro shop that is mentioned in this article at the St. Louis drag stip in Oct 67?
Did DH have a shop in MO doing Yenko conversions at same time as shop in NM?
thanks

Re: Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)
 

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif[/img]68TopStock is correct. Boemler Chevrolet is located south of St. Louis in Arnold MO. and is still in business today. The phone # is 636-464-5353. I live right down the road from them, and now I plan on stopping by and try to get some info about this car and other cars that they might have sponsored. I also know that one of Boemler sons had a fathom green 396 L89 camaro that was delivered to their lot, but he had to get rid of it cause his father didn't like the fact that his son got so many tickets with it. It was sold to a guy I know in 1970 or 1971 from their lot. I will post anything that I find out about this dealer. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif[/img]