Many of the great muscle car innovations were born from a desire to beat the competition at the drag strip. In the early '60s, automakers were cramming the largest and most potent V8 motors they had into ordinary production models, then stripping out weight, upgrading suspension components, and installing wider tires to create specialized track cars. Such was the case for Chrysler when its engineers took a 1963 Dodge 300 and dropped a Ramcharger 426ci V8 under the hood.

The Man Behind the Legend

Dick Harrell was a drag racing pioneer and all-around good guy who made profound contributions to muscle car culture. While he was still very young, Harrell was successfully racing sprint cars across the Southwest.

By the early 1960s he was a racing champion, setting records left and right using Chevrolet cars that he had substantially modified. When GM discontinued its official racing support in the mid 60s, many racers abandoned Chevrolet in favor of alternatives from Ford and Chrysler, but Harrell continued undaunted. He had already earned many nicknames, but this commitment earned Harrell the moniker that would stick with him: "Mr. Chevrolet."

Camaro Built by "Mr Chevrolet" Dick Harrell Featured in Restoration Industry Leader's Huntington Beach Showroom.

For enthusiasts, a car's story can be more important than the car itself. Whether it’s spending memorable moments in the garage with dad, date nights and cruise-ins with that special someone, or highly-embellished tales of well-earned race victories, a car with a unique history becomes much more than mere transportation, it becomes the main character in its own story. The latest addition to the Classic Industries collection, a unique 1969 Camaro built by one of the greatest legends in drag racing, is a character with its own unique history. The story begins with John Penso, part of the Flying Dutchman funny car crew and close friend of drag racing legend “Mr. Chevrolet” Dick Harrell. When Penso wanted a fast car for the street, but couldn’t find anything fast enough, he knew Harrell was the man to see. Penso made arrangements to fly to the Dick Harrell Performance Center in Kansas City, Missouri and drive a 427-powered 1969 Camaro back to his home in California.