Chevrolet Chevelle Forums

Chevrolet Chevelle Forums (http://chevelleforum.net/index.php)
-   Chevelle Introductions (http://chevelleforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=2)
-   -   RogerD's 69 COPO/Dick Harrell Chevelle (http://chevelleforum.net/showthread.php?t=1696)

Granddad Coker 05-27-2012 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfan68 (Post 35549)
Roger and I were pretty good friends in high school and afterwards. We were most likely found head down and posterior up under the hood of some car we had stuck together. I’d built a ‘55 Chevy hardtop with the perquisite worked over 327 and had graduated to a used ’62 fuelie vette.

I lived in a typical small Midwestern town here in Missouri that at the time had a population of about 150 people. For any excitement we had to drive 25 miles south to Kansas City or the same distance north to St. Joseph. SO when Roger called me up one late afternoon and asked if I wanted to ride down to the city. I was all in. Not a word was mentioned about him getting a new car.

He showed up in the driveway in this shiny orange 69 Chevelle. As I came off the porch I noticed it was just a plain Jane Malibu, but still a beautiful car to my eyes. A few things stuck out like the funky "V8" flags on the fenders, black hood stripes, hood locks and it had an SS hood and SS wheels but no other SS markings - couldn't quite figure that out back in the day. But plain as it might have looked I’d been around enough motors in my short life to know that what was idling in my driveway had something very potent under the hood.

I climbed into the passenger’s seat and scoped the inside of the car out. The only thing that set the interior off was the required bug Sun Tack strapped to the steering column. At first I was a bit disappointed at the automatic transmission as “in the day” real hot rods had four speeds.

Roger backed out of the drive and headed up the main drag of my town ¼ of a mile to the turn that took you out to the highway. He was just idling down the street explaining that it was a car especially prepared by Dick Harrell’s shop and sold to him through the biggest Chevy dealer in K.C., Bill Allen Chevrolet. He turned left for the 2 blocks that took us out to the highway by the old tavern. He eased out to the south where the highway is looking down a ½ mile straight slightly down hill. I can remember it so clearly as he lined up on the highway and pulled the trigger. Holy Christ! The damn thing just exploded with power and pinned my young behind deep down in the upholstery. The motor wound up and it shifted well up in RPM. I thought Roger was running it manually through the gears but I looked over and it just shifted that way. I don’t know for a fact that the transmission had been worked over but it sure shifted like it had a kit from B&M or somebody in it.

What I can swear to is what it like riding in that beast. There are two memorable cars form my youth that came right out of the dealer with that kind of horsepower. My neighbor, who had been my Scoutmaster, bought a 67 Dodge station wagon with a 426 wedge and a 4 speed on the floor. The other was Roger’s DHCP Chevelle. If I can remember no other time in that car I most certainly remember quite well that first ride and can mentally picture that first walk around including the Dick Harrell sicker on it’s hind end. I was there and it was real enough that it stuck with me so vividly for 40 years.

KUDOS to Roger for tracking down and restoring his old Dick Harrell Chevelle - saw it when he brought it to the ACES event last September in Kansas City and the restoration was absolutely UNBELIEVABLE!


JFAN68

Great story that is the was it was, we lived in Illinois and had a 68 Chevelle and took the 396 out and went to KC at Harrell's shop and purchased a 427 from him and put it in. Lots of power.

coker

Ms Grumpy 05-27-2012 05:53 PM

It is so nice to hear the history on a car. Not the paper trail that people have found on the internet, but the passionate way someone felt about a car. The way that JFAN wrote about his first experience in Rogers car and the bold memories that he has because of a car is wonderful. Thank you for sharing such a great story.

shadowgray396 05-30-2012 11:51 PM

Congrats Roger, great write up.

314Chevelle 05-31-2012 09:29 PM

Welcome to the forum, nice car

flash 05-31-2012 09:39 PM

Great story behind this car and I love everything about the car ,the owner getting it back all these years later and the fact that he is sharing with us all.

MrsDickHarrell 06-13-2012 01:11 AM

As always, I try not to get too far in the middle on these issues that keep surfacing on the Dick Harrell name. Since 2009 I have read and listened to the embellishments of claims of my name, my deceased husband's name, plus my family's name to boost claims & value of this -------orange---- car. It is also important for me to mention the unnecessary, uncalled for, in addition to rude, arrogant emails and phone calls on the demands to license this car. Now I read about RogerD adding Dick Harrell's NHRA Drag Racing Hall of Fame induction to bolster his stories, which by the way it is the DON GARLITS INTERNATIONAL DRAG RACING HALL OF FAME, the most PRESTIGIOUS DRAG RACING HALL OF FAME that Drag Racing has to offer.

I was heavily involved and in charge of all paper work, conversions, repairs and any work that was performed in the DHPC the entire time it was in operation until it was closed due to Dick's death.

I had close contact with Dave & Norma Libby and Oop prior to Dave & Oop's passing. I also worked closely with them and other employee's in the shop with any and all work that was performed.

I try to always do what is right and strongly know the following statements are true and a fact:
"This orange-----car was never at DHPC and I have never talked to RogerD on the phone, nor have I seen RogerD in person & never have seen this orange car. There was never an invoice typed at DHPC on this orange car. I made no work order or conversion order for this car."

These statements are made by me for another reason - to be in fairness to those people that have purchased a genuine Dick Harrell car.

A MUST READ:
See Claimed Harrell Vehicles: Undocumented: Certifictes Not Issued:
http://forum.dickharrell.com/showthr...?t=1228&page=4

I was there and I lived it and I am still living it!
__________________
Elaine Harrell "Mrs. Chevrolet"

RogerD 06-13-2012 08:30 AM

I was also there, lived it and am still living it . . .
 
With all due respect to "Mrs Chevrolet" and her associates . . .
Quote:

"I was heavily involved and in charge of all paper work, conversions, repairs and any work that was performed in the DHPC the entire time it was in
operation until it was closed due to Dick's death."

"This orange-----car was never at DHPC and I have never talked to RogerD on the phone, nor have I seen RogerD in person & never have seen this orange car.
There was never an invoice typed at DHPC on this orange car. I made no work order or conversion order for this car."
BULLSH*%!!

My circa '69 docs & details therein quietly convey what happened in 1969 without any need for further explanation.

RogerD <><


http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Ch...elle-jan4a.jpg

MrsDickHarrell 06-17-2012 03:20 PM

You have been really great at twisting my comments as well as others who have tried to help you with this process.

Your photo shop quote of Aug. 26, 2009:
"The paperwork is verified (thru her mother who actually typed up the window sticker)"

1. I DID NOT SAY I TYPED THE WINDOW STICKER FOR YOUR CAR!

2. Tim Lopata IS A CREDIBLE SOURCE, HOWEVER, HE DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY CONCERNING OUR Dick Harrell Verification Certification process.


You should re-read the forum thread where the subject of your car is posted!

http://forum.dickharrell.com/

CLAIMED HARRELL VEHICLES: UNDOCUMENTED: CERTIFICATES NOT ISSUED
Ms. Harrell has both common law trademark, federally registered trademarks, & the rights of publicity associated with Dick Harrell®.

Warning: Anyone purchasing cars purporting to be an authentic "Dick Harrell" car should ensure that the seller/owner has clear evidence of the right to use the Dick Harrell name. Suggestions for potential purchasers including a warning that anyone purporting to sell an authentic "Dick Harrell" car should have a certificate or letter of authenticity to prove that the car is authentic and can retain any Dick Harrell trademarks, etc.


And Here:
http://forum.dickharrell.com/showthread.php?t=1228

FlintTony 06-17-2012 06:07 PM

Are you saying the paper-work that Roger has from DH is no good?

RogerD 06-17-2012 09:56 PM

My quotes = exactly what Tim and Valerie posted on line for the world to see.
Tim's post and email to me were almost 3 years ago, you were in the loop!

No twist, exactly as Tim and Val posted. . .

From: "Tim Lopata" <[email protected]>
To: "Roger Day"
Date : Aug 24, 2009: Tim Lopota
"The paperwork is fine the vin and trim look good . . .
Both of us have gone over documents font types,invoice numbers dates etc.
She even called her mother . . .”


Aug 26, 2009: Tim Lopota "The paperwork is verified (thru her mother who actually typed up the window sticker) . . . This is a Harrell car . . .".

Ye
Aug 31, 2009: Valerie Harrell "I can guarantee Elaine Harrell and "Copoloco" Tim Lopata are trusted and valuable sources!

The "certificate" I saved dates back to 1969 . . .
They are original, authentic and legitimate . . .
Bill Allen Chevrolet was not in the business of selling "clone" Harrell cars with fake Harrell "certificates" (MSRP's) and Harrell badges . . .

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...hevelle_05.jpg

RogerD 09-06-2012 07:54 AM

5 Attachment(s)
Good morning gang:

Nedless to say, Karen and I are very pleased about the Chevelle World articles . . .

http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....1&d=1604854426

http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....1&d=1605191460

http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....1&d=1604854586


AND this HMM article . . .
http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....1&d=1605191939

AND this Super Chevy article . . .
http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....1&d=1604854660

flash 09-06-2012 04:26 PM

Its great to see your car in print ,you should be very proud .

Ms Grumpy 09-06-2012 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerD (Post 38143)
Good morning gang:

Nedless to say, Karen and I are very pleased about a couple of recent articles . . .

http://northshoreclub.net/_assetts/2...June_cover.jpg http://northshoreclub.net/_assetts/2...-Oct_cover.jpg

So Cool Roger. You have to be so proud ! Congratulations.

70SS454 09-29-2012 08:19 AM

Beautiful car!

Ms Grumpy 09-29-2012 08:31 PM

Just curious, did you buy more than a few copies of the magazine ?

flash 09-30-2012 08:47 AM

I love this car and its owners are great people to boot .This is one of those cars you really need to see in person to really appreciate the rarity and the quality of the restoration ,its just beautiful and I love the color .

RogerD 10-01-2012 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms Grumpy (Post 38725)
Just curious, did you buy more than a few copies of the magazine ?

:D Yes I did . . . Sent copies to the 'boys', Jeff & Darrin at Premier Body and Paint LC in Buffalo, MO (they did such an outstanding job on the old Chevelle), copies to several relatives and a few friends that rode in the car back in the day . . . :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash (Post 38732)
I love this car and its owners are great people to boot .This is one of those cars you really need to see in person to really appreciate the rarity and the quality of the restoration ,its just beautiful and I love the color .

Karen and I have been blessed by many new friends in the ACES org and from many who have followed our story on the web - their support has carried us through some overwhelming times . . . Simply could not have done it without them . . . Waving

FYI in case you missed the magazine . . .
Super Chevy Oct 2012 feature article . . .

Super Chevy exclusive photos . . .

carpoor 10-11-2012 06:54 PM

Roger, trying to settle a disagreement amongst friends...

What cylinder heads are on your car? 3919840's? Or 3964291's? I say the 840 castings are more correct for 67'-68' cars, and the 291's are more correct for a 69'.

TIA

70SS454 10-13-2012 11:21 AM

That is beautiful! There is one just like your being restored at a shop up here in Allen, Tx. I pass by it every day. It always make me want to go home and pull mine out of the garage!

flash 10-13-2012 02:43 PM

Guys ,if you ever have the opportunity you need to see this car in person and meet its people as they dont come any better .Its a great piece of history with a great story behind it and well worth seeing when you get a chance . This is one of my all time favorite cars .

RogerD 10-13-2012 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpoor (Post 39090)
Roger, trying to settle a disagreement amongst friends...

What cylinder heads are on your car? 3919840's? Or 3964291's? I say the 840 castings are more correct for 67'-68' cars, and the 291's are more correct for a 69'.

TIA

840's on my heads and at least two other COPO 69 Chevelle motors - one an original owner car.

RogerD

RogerD 10-13-2012 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70SS454 (Post 39155)
That is beautiful! There is one just like your being restored at a shop up here in Allen, Tx. I pass by it every day. It always make me want to go home and pull mine out of the garage!

Would be a treat to hook up with other Chevelle owners in North TX - I live in the Lewisville area.

RogerD

carpoor 10-15-2012 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerD (Post 39183)
840's on my heads and at least two other COPO 69 Chevelle motors - one an original owner car.

RogerD

Thanks Roger, looks like I stand corrected. Now my next question... is it true that the 840's had small exhaust valves? (1.725" vs. 1.88's)

70SS454 10-15-2012 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerD (Post 39184)
Would be a treat to hook up with other Chevelle owners in North TX - I live in the Lewisville area.

RogerD

Roger,
We are always looking to do the same. My wife and I have several friends with classics and we try to get them out of the garage and go somewhere often. I think we will be out at the waters crossing car show in Allen next Sunday (oct 21st) it starts at 1pm and there is more information on hotrodhappenings.com.
If we ever meet up, promise me you will not park right next to mine! Your car will make mine look bad!!
Dan

RogerD 10-30-2012 03:49 PM

Hi Gang:

A bunch of nice Chevies in the SuperChevy/Amsoil . . .

"Best of the Best"

flash 10-30-2012 04:06 PM

Nice cars ,but I still like yours best .

RogerD 11-01-2012 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash (Post 39587)
Nice cars ,but I still like yours best .

Hopeful that you voted for the one you like best :D
Best of the Best

http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....1&d=1605207925

flash 11-01-2012 04:25 PM

Yes I did .

RogerD 11-20-2012 09:54 AM

Congrats to Doug Cole and his beautiful '67 El Camino -
AMSOIL 2012 Best of the Best . .

flash 11-20-2012 11:02 AM

Very nice Elky ,congrats .

RogerD 02-18-2015 11:47 AM

NOCC 2013 . . .
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0802_nocc2.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...ler_nocc_1.jpg

Carlisle GM Nationals 2014 . . .
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...hevelle_01.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...hevelle_04.jpg

MCC Regionals 2014 . . .
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/atta...1&d=1404403786
"COPO Dick Harrell Chevelle"

shadowgray396 02-18-2015 11:24 PM

Some very nice Chevelles

RogerD 10-30-2015 09:15 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Pics from the Spring MO "Street Machines Shootout" in September . . .
http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....1&d=1604330821

shadowgray396 10-31-2015 08:09 PM

Very nice.

RogerD 04-05-2019 12:06 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Bob Allen (Bill Allen's son) remembers . . .
http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....0&d=1604329528

RogerD 04-05-2019 12:21 PM

1 Attachment(s)
"COPO Camaro, Chevelle & Nova", book by Matt Avery . . .
Mmmm, the Chevelle looks familiar :)

http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....1&d=1604330036

RogerD 11-08-2020 11:05 AM

1 Attachment(s)
Karen and I celebrate our 50 year anniversary this weekend - picture is from June 2011 AND YES, we still have the car!!

Photo credit: Geoff Stunkard
Event: Chevellabration 2011, Goodlettsville TN


http://chevelleforum.org/attachment....1&d=1604855074


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:38 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Audiokarma.org