Dick Harrell drag car (new thread) - Page 14

copolocater · #**131** 12-01-2002, 05:15 AM

One final thought moparts stick to taking pictures and parking cars thats what your qualified to do.I will consider all statements and will respond calmly.

sYc · #**132** 12-01-2002, 05:49 AM

"Sorry to say I will no longer associate or be a part of this site.For those who need to get ahold of me you have my phone # and adress.This will be my last post." Copolocater

I guess we are just too much fun to be around. Could not stay away. Tom

**bkhpah** · #**133** 12-01-2002, 01:00 PM

On a lighter note, Darwin Doll has contacted me and has invited the Supercar Registry to again be part of this great east coast show. Last year was great and we won the Largest Group Participation Award. All involved had a great time. An all indoor show makes it perfect and a large cruise area outside has new cars coming and going all day. The dates are July 11-12 2003. You can visit www.yorkus30.com for additional information. I once again will help out with the set up for the Supercar area. Email [email protected] for registration info. Think spring!!!...BKH

davenkc · #**134** 12-01-2002, 06:39 PM

Tom and all
To you first Tom what you describe is not unexpected by me as always with any restoration the attention to detail is the primary consideration. With a funny car maybe paramount is a better word. I know you guys will do the best you can remember do not hesitate to ask if you are not sure. There are many who will help. You know who I mean.

There is another car of Dick's that is under restoration at this time it is his 67. Thought I might share with you what I know of it's past and present.
The 67 was the second of 2 like it built by Don Hardy. Kelly Chadwick's being first. Actually Dick ran it in early 67 before his was finished to honor a race date. This is about his not kelly's so...
The history of this car is well documented. It was built from a new "rear clip" of a real camaro (new never a completed car) with an extended fiberglass front end,glass doors ,trunk lid. Chassis is rectangular tubing ant the normal for the era roll cage. w/b is 115 inches with the rear wheel opening moved up approx 8 in and the front end was approx 12 in extended. It first saw service as an injected only (on nitro) and its many antics (giant wheelies) have been featured many times in/on many publications. I have attached a photo taken early at Green Valley raceway against Mike Burkhart in a similar car.Sorry it is b&w more to follow
Dave

davenkc · #**135** 12-01-2002, 06:47 PM

Cont-
The 67 car was equipped with a blower about I stress about mid year minor chassis mods were made at this time (ie) engine set back a few gussets...the car ran the rest of the season this way and was very sucessful winning an amazing percentage of its match races. In this time this was the bread and butter of the touring funny car.
Attched is a well known pic of the car w/ blower at Orange County Raceway. more....

davenkc · #**136** 12-01-2002, 07:01 PM

cont...
After the season and when the new car (the one Tom Clary has now) was ready to go the 67 was conditionally sold to a party who shall not named, My term used here will be obvious in a min. The car was taken to AMT (the model people) and repainted by them. The reason was as I understand they were going to make a model in it's image but that never happened.Reason being Dick was never paid for the car and he repossed it.When it came back to the shop I personally thought it was beautiful (attached pic)
We (shop) built a new engine and put it back in service. The plan was to use it as a "fill in" car for match racing when the other car was busy elsewhere. Remember this car was somewhat heaver than the all glass body fliptop cars.
(app 2400 lbs) but was still competitve. more

davenkc · #**137** 12-01-2002, 07:18 PM

The car was relettered and that pic is attached here.
nearing mid year of 68 this car was again sold to a fellow named Bruce Neff who match raced it for several years. When he took possession of it, it was painted an orange color and named The Stroker. Making a longer story shorter He eventually sold it to a party who is unknown to me. It was then aquired by the present owner who I was with at the reunion this year. He has owned it for close to 20 years and fairly recently discovered it's true history. This has been documented and verified by several persons including the builder, Mr. Neff and myself.Plans at this time are to restore it to it's original configuration. Red/black,inj.
It is hoped to be done at least to the point of being able to show it at the reunion next year. So there is another genuine Dick Harrell car. This is a true piece of history and I for one am very glad it is being preserved.
Thank you all for this forum and a place to share my memories.
Dave Libby

davenkc · #**138** 12-01-2002, 07:22 PM

All
If there interested parties I have similar accounts of the 69 car, the 70 cars and the 71???
Dave

sYc · #**139** 12-01-2002, 07:44 PM

Dave; Being both a Yenko and a Harrell addict, I can not wait to see this car. Tom

Chevy454 · #**140** 12-01-2002, 07:51 PM

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>
The 67 was the second of 2 like it built by Don Hardy. Kelly Chadwick's being first. Actually Dick ran it in early 67 before his was finished to honor a race date.

<hr></blockquote>

I've got a picture or two around here of Chadwick's car with what looks like a piece of posterboard on the side with "Dick Harrell" or something to that effect written on it. Your statement explains that picture!

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