First, the crew at Harrell’s Performance Center removed the 396 big block and installed a 427/425hp big-block Chevrolet engine that had been fully balanced and blueprinted. However, prior to actually installing the engine, they re-painted the engine compartment in LeMans Blue glyptal paint to match the exterior of the car. The single 4-bbl 780cfm Holley carburetor, which came on these engines from the factory, was replaced by a pair of Carter WAFB carburetors (one of Harrell’s sponsors) as well as a Weiand 2×4 tunnel-ram intake manifold. The stock GM distributor was also modified, and a set of Jardine headers (another Harrell sponsor) and Cyclone mufflers were also added. Finally, a set of Mickey Thompson finned aluminum valve covers was added to the engine.

The suspensions on the Dick Harrell Camaros were modified with Harrell’s own special spring clamps using the original five-leaf GM rear springs, along with the substitution of Hurst Performance Dual-Duty drag shocks on all four corners. The rearend gearing was also updated to 4.88:1 Schiefer gears. The suspensions on these cars were further enhanced with the addition of Cragar S/S five-spoke 15-inch steel wheels, along with a set of M&H Racemaster tires providing the much-needed grip.

The interior of this and other Dick Harrell Camaros was modified with a Sun 601 tachometer mounted on top of the dash in plain sight, along with a trio of Stewart Warner (oil, water and amperage) gauges to mind the engine and a classic Hurst T-Handle sitting atop a Hurst Competition Plus shifter. 

The exterior of the car was upgraded with an A&A Fiberglass (another Harrell sponsor) lightweight Stinger hood and a unique black paint stripe by “Oops,” Dick Harrell’s in-house painter. Then, special “Built By Dick Harrell” badges were pop-riveted on the header panel, decklid and dash to round out the package.

Sweezey located this Camaro while attending the Chicago Chevy/Vette Fest in the summer of 2003 and purchased it from a fellow collector who was thinning out his collection. Once a deal was struck, the car was brought back to Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for a complete, no-holds barred restoration. Since Swezey is co-owner of the Super Car Workshop, he and partner Brian Henderson used the car as a two-year in-house shop project.

The first thing that the two discovered was that since the car came from New Mexico, it was almost totally devoid of the rust that is so common with late ’60s F-body cars. They entrusted the car to Roberts Auto Body, located in Fayette City, Pennsylvania, where expert body man Bernie Matway made everything better than new prior to re-painting the Camaro in PPG LeMans Blue. From there, the car was returned to the Super Car Workshop for final detail and assembly. The Camaro was then debuted at the 2004 Yenko Sportscar Club Supercar Reunion (in Collinsville, Illinois), where it received rave reviews.

With only a handful of documented Dick Harrell cars in existence, seeing one today in all its splendor is truly a rare sight, and Joe and Brian are proud to say that not only have they restored this car, but they have also revived a ’68 Fred Gibb/Dick Harrell Super Tuned Nova and maintained both a survivor ’68 Dick Harrell 427 Chevelle SS and a Jones 427 Camaro SS. With the guys at the Super Car Workshop, it’s all in a day’s work.