Mr. Chevrolet
 

A friend of mine recently gave me some slide photographs he took at the Toronto International Dragway when he was 16 years old. One of them was this shot that he
took on September 12th, 1971. You can tell from the slicks that the cars had just cleared the starting beams. Knowing the tragedy of what followed has left him with a sad memory that he cannot forget. I share this only for historical interest, and if anyone considers my posting to be disrespectful I invite the moderators to have it removed.

Not at all, personally I think it is another opportunity to pay Dick Harrell some proper respect.

Thanks for the pic......

Paul

Anything new that's Harrell related is an absolute treasure to the hobby. Here at CarTech we're also working on a Roland Leong book. If possible, we'd be grateful if we could use the image in the book.

Speaking of new Harrell stuff, we're excited to announce we're bringing the Harrell Chevelle to MCACN. This car was one of two 427 Chevelle's delivered to Courtesy Chevrolet. The other car I wrote about in 2019 after discovering information and sharing images of the car for the first time ever in that story.
https://www.motortrend.com/features/...olet-chevelle/

In 2000 a post was created here on Yenko.net regarding how many were thought to have been built. At the time Tom Clary had chatted with Dave Libby who believed there were 5 cars. To date, I believe I've got information on at least 6 cars.
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=69548

1. Sweezy/Suydam, appears in the SSDI article (Matador Red, vinyl top)
2. Roger Sutton (Ash Gold, vinyl top)
3. Dudley Coleman/story I wrote (Fathom Blue, vinyl top)
4. Mine (Tripoli Turquoise, no vinyl top)
5. 2nd SSDI Chevelle, track test car (color unknown, no vinyl top)
6. Bob Mains, drag car (Matador Red)

There was also talk back in 2001 here on Yenko.net of another Fathom Blue car. Possibly the 2nd SSDI Chevelle. The guy only posted in one thread and appears to have been ran off. His name is/was The_Bowtie-Gang I'd love to chat with him.
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=69903

In my research I also came across the 2nd owner of Roger's Chevelle. He provided me with an image and according to Roger, this was the earliest photo of his car he'd ever seen.

Research is continuing on the Bob Mains car. It has the right aesthetics for a Harrell Chevelle and it would seem unlikely someone would add the Harrell stripes to it. It also ran out of the west coast where Dick would have had a total of 6 Courtesy Chevrolet dealerships to sell cars into.

Ultimately, I don't believe we'll have a hard number on the Chevelle's or Camaro's unless Valerie goes public with the info. I've been in contact with Val and Dale over the years and they've been good with communication. They just don't have the interest at the moment to dig through their paperwork to find info on them. Please don't use this post as a sounding board to reignite old stuff.

So, with that, research continues on the '68 Harrell 427 Chevelles. What we do know is that based on my conversations with surviving Harrell employees/racers, former/current owners, printed material from when Harrell was alive and stories on these cars, there were certainly at least 5 created and likely more. The cool part is Harrell seemed to have made them aesthetically the same with the fiberglass hood and his own "Harrell Stripe" and the 427 engine swap.

I look forward to chatting with those attending MCACN. I love hearing anything Harrell related so please bring your stories!

I took this photo today as I wanted to put some period-correct wheels on the car. I just noticed the reflection when uploading. I'd imagine Dickie's got one of these in his garage beyond the pearly gates.

https://i.ibb.co/pXhMYxm/315003999-1...94462975-n.jpg

Photo
 

I will check with my friend but I am sure that he would be pleased to let you use the photo.

Agree, the reflection ads a great element to the photo.

A bit of context here. I just chatted with Roland Leong and he was the first to the accident scene. He left as soon as the paramedics arrived, which was right behind him.

The only thing better would be a white, puffy cloud right over the roof to reflect in the water. The slightly blurry image is surreal.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Harrell Chevelle. The overall theme I got from everyone I chatted with was just how much respect Dick has in the hobby and amazement on the rarity of '68 Harrell cars.
https://i.ibb.co/Q8LrLRk/20221119-080547.jpg