THE ENGINE
The
original 396/375hp short block was replaced by a high-performance 427
CE 950807 short-block dated D-11-8. Former DHPC mechanic Dave Libby
says this short-block substitution was one of the standard Dick Harrell
conversion procedures. He also remembers sending cars out with the
original factory valve covers. John Penso, the original owner, added
the Cal-Custom air cleaner and valve covers. Those are the original
headers. SLAPPER BARS AND BLUE STREET TIRES
The car is still outfitted with slapper bars and GM air shocks that were part of the Dick Harrell conversion as well. Larry Byers got the color code for the Lakewood bars and refurbished them to a better-than-new appearance. Note the set of ultra-rare Goodyear Blue Streak slicks, the last of which were made in 1970! Word is they came out of Tim Lopata’s large warehouse of vintage speed goodies and muscle car parts.
EMBLEMS
Penso says he asked Dick Harrell to put the DH badges in the glove box because he wanted the car to look like a stocker, but these chrome 427 monikers were mounted to the front fenders.
DICK HARRELL TAG
Libby says every car that received an engine conversion had to have the badges on it because the DHPC was classified as a “Small Manufacturing Company.” That classification allowed them to remove the AIR system and install a variety of aftermarket high-performance options. Zrostlik and Byers say they could not find any traces of holes being filled where the badges would have been. They were looking for traces of the Bow Tie and shield badges that had two pins on the back and held in place with PAL nuts. In conversations with Libby, Porterfield learned that that particular badge style was not used until mid-year when the COPO cars started to arrive from Chevrolet. The early cars had two rectangular emblems that read “Built by Dick Harrell” as shown. Libby tracked down the original supplier and had a pair of new emblems made for the car. The Blue Car finally has the proper emblems on the deck lid and front panel.
INTERIOR
The original black interior is still in excellent condition and the Stewart Warner gauges were added by Penso. Note the tach mounted up next to the rear view mirror. It lines up pretty well with the tree if the car is staged in the left lane.
DICK HARRELL CREW AUTOGRAPHS ON THE HOOD
Zrostlik displayed the finished car at Lopata’s 2005 Forge Muscle Car Show. John Penso was there with Joe and he recalled enough detail of the DHPC shop and the guys working on his car that he pretty well convinced the Harrell family and crew that the car was the real deal. Valerie said she would feel better if there was documented proof, but the gang was still willing to sign the hood.