[rich pern]

Ms. Harrell, recently there has been some insinuation on this site that whomever buys this car would have to pay that Harrell family to keep the car as is.

It is a really cool car and I was wonder if you could clarify Mr. Clary's comments for those who may be interested in possibly buying this car, just to be clear?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT




Thanks,

Rich

[Lyin Lyle]

Hi Rich. You are correct. This is a GREAT wagon and was a top contender. Original Owner, Tom Akin and his son are class people. Val is getting ready to go somewhere along with myself. I will hit this as easy and quick as I can. Years back Tom was trying to help Val out (so we thought). He had just returned from asking the Earnhart's for 25k to verify and deem the DEI (Earnhart) cars as supercars. Hmm why would THEY need his endorcement? He is in this for the love of hobby remember.

In this same time Tom had sent Val an email advising her what to charge owners of the cars for the right to use the Harrell name. He had it all broken down into catagories. The original Harrell-Gibb ZL1 race cars were to be starting at $25k for a license agreement. This is also about the same time Tom was romancing Joel Rosen and also wanting Val to give Tom a lic agreement on his so called real DH funny car. Tom explained how HE was to get a cut off the Joel Rosen GMMG cars also. When the Rosen deal had so many people getting a % off that project car, so much so that they out priced Matt and he was not able to produce. Matt had no choice but to bail on the deal & was also sued. (this part may not be 100% accurate but you will get the idea.)
After that died with Murphy being sued for money; still at this time Val had never asked anyone for a dime. After Val signed the deal with Murphy for the DH GMMG Camaro and then she announced we were going to the Forge Muscle car show what Tom had hoped for was that he could get her & all the DH team cars at his show. When the announcement came there was a show in honor of Dick put on by the Forge Show Tom went out of control. When the lawsuit hit Val, which also named me. It would have impacted all the cars sold thru GMMG, which Val was paid a small royalty. We had no choice but to fight to defend ourselves. In order to help and try to recover what it cost it was suggested by the Lawyers and 3 different Top race teams that she market products, Val needed to protect her TM rights and charge for lic agreements to keep the cars legit, maintain quality and to recoup some of what it cost to police it. And pay for what had now become a business. This would apply to RACE CARS run under contract out of Dick Harrell Performance Center. After Dick died. They were his deals and no one elses. The other part is to NOT let the cars run on the track with the Dick Harrell name. It does NOT include cars sold thru dealerships as street cars. Dealers and MFGs have the insurance built in the price. Long story short. I think that wagon cost Belk a very small price for it that allowed it to transfer to the next buyer. Or just remove the Dick Harrell name. It is also to help people buy a car that is recognized as the real deal knowing it is restored correct! Not a butternut yellow car being lime gold. If she did not have to spend all we had to defend our rights. The fee would have been next to nothing and still is less than the plane fare Tom had spent to sue us. It must be worth something, Tom used the Harrell name on his fake car for about 3 years to build his name and recognition and prompted the suit to try to have it to protect himself & other third parties who had Harrell cars. So thank Tom for this. In court Mr Hall was asked to be specific of whos cars he was protecting; Tom Clary and Steve Sandlin right out of his mouth.

Also Note. I have offerd many times to debate Tom in for of a room of our peers and press over any of his claims. Also, at 07 Vettefest Brian Henderson and Troy Criscillas
asked if I would meet in a private room with them and Tom to try to end this problem.
I said I would do my best. TOM declined. He also made it known that he thought I had a hit out on him or was there to kill him. Man. You must have known you did something REAL bad to somone to even think that. I would like to see Tom pull this stuff with John Force or Schumacher. Boy can I see the private IMs going on at the SYC now! You asked! I answered! We will be back late today. Thank you for the time. LL

[OverAnxious]

Wow - that is one nice wagon!

[motionvette]

I remember at the Forge show I talked to Val, Dale, Libby, Elaine, etc., and suggested that Valerie issue certificates of authenticity. I stated that Joel Rosen, Vince Emme, Warren Dernoshek, Ed Cuneen, Jerry MacNeish, and others charge, so why don't they? I even suggested $1500.00 to perform the service. Less cost than some of the others. I would think anyone owning a Harrell car would get one, why not? Just adds to the car and its documentation. I see absolutely nothing wrong in obtaining documentation from Valerie for a Harrell car. In fact I hope she finds something on my 67, and I will gladly pay her for it, just as I did for the Lead Sled. Talk about a fun car to take down the track! I raced it at Cedar Falls Raceway, and it hooks HARD!! That was a fun weekend. It was its home track back in the day, and I could not believe how many people remembered it. Even the wrench on the car, John Day showed up, as he still drag races. I introduced myself and he didn't answer back who he was, he just pointed at "Engine by John Day" that was painted on the front fenders. I freaked! One guy even ran home and got a picture from 1971 and gave it to me. Ironically it was at the same track, and I was parked almost in the exact same spot!

[rich pern]

Originally Posted by Lyin Lyle

I think that wagon cost Belk a very small price for it that allowed it to transfer to the next buyer.

OK,

Thanks for the History lesson

So, if I understand this correctly, if someone buys that car there are NO issues with the Harrell name on it, I guess as long as the name is kept within the established standards?

Just trying to be clear as a few people I know can actually afford this car. I and they have heard that due to statements that whomever bought this car would be sued or have to pay royalties as insinuated by Mr. Clary here, were saying that they were NOT going to consider the car.

It is a cool piece of history!

Thanks again,

Rich

[RSSSfanatic]

That's a cool old wagon. I recall seeing a similarly equipped Kingswood wagon at the Floyd Garrett Museum down near Gatlinburg, TN, about 10 years ago. That car also had the L/72 and Turbo 400, but it also had the vinyl "woody" paneling down the sides and if I racall correctly, a luggage rack on top. A true wolf in "Family Truckster" clothing! Clark Griswold would love it!

Edit - There is a virtual tour on the Floyd Garrett website that clearly shows the car. http://musclecarmuseum.com/vts/muscl...east/index.htm

[motionvette]

Check out www.1969chevy.com/Leadsled.htm Nice article on it. Top left pic is me racing it. I even wore Tom Akins old evel kneivel red/white/blue helmet. Dave

[rich pern]

Dave, that is one COOL article!



What does/did she run with you at the wheel?

" The second owner managed to find a 1972 LS5 with a Turbo 400 tranny that amazingly, was also built by John Day, the same builder of Lead Sled’s original L72 and dropped it in between the fenders."

Is this ^ the current driveline in the wagon now?

Rich

[motionvette]

Rich, yes it is. The track had just been flooded, so they were only running 1/8 mile. I think I ran somewhere between 8-9 seconds. I can't remember exactly. Pretty cool feeling when you nail it and the front just lifts up so easily. He put 6 cylinder springs up front to help with the weight transfer. It lifted evenly also due to the motor being chained for torque/twist. In its day I think it ran a best of 12.22 in the 1/4. Not bad for a 4600# car!

[Valerie Harrell]

Guys,

The Lead Sled is a 1969 time capsule of a car that I would love to own. Dave & Clint did an awesome job of finding Tom Akin and this car. It's unbelievable the 40 year old original documents that Tom Akin saved. And the fantastic condition the car was in. Wasn't it still stored in the garage?

Funny, in dad's estate records I found my Dad's notes he had written as to what race team jacket sizes to order for Akin & his crew. Dale smiled and ask when we found the notes, "I wonder if those guys still wear the same size?"

It is a beautiful car. Do you guys ever drive it around town (once in a while) as just a grocery getter?

[motionvette]

I drove that thing everywhere! I picked up a roll of carpet in it, used it to drive off my niece and her new husband on their wedding day, went to the drive in, my son took 4 couples to homecoming in it, etc. Clint gets all the credit for finding it. He told me that morning at 8 a.m. he was going to find it, and at noon called and said we were going to go look at it the following morning. Talk about fun. We had NO IDEA what we were about to see. We asked him if he had docs, and the response was no. I opened the glove compartment, and the protectoplate was right there!! Clint found Tom Akin, and the paperwork he retained was absolutely unbelievable. You actually got tired of looking at it all believe it or not!

[Valerie Harrell]

Wow! How neat is that! If that piece was sitting here at my home it would be like dangling candy in front of a baby.

HA!!! Pulde would blister my a$$ if that thing was here and he found out I drove it to the post office or grocery store. All I can say is what a lucky man you are. You sent me copies of those documents & we never get tired of looking at them...but the two of us are weird in that kind of way.

Like I have the 02 Dick Harrell tribute Camaro here & my son was visiting us one summer from KC. Michael & I were sitting in it in the driveway, and Michael asked me if I would be able to take him for a ride. Of course I was on strict military command from DP to NOT drive the thing. How cruel is that?

Anyway Dave, I have this impulsiveness issue that ALWAYS gets me in trouble. I believe it is that dreaded competitive edge I have inherited from Dad.... (I have a letter that Dad wrote to his parents when he was still in the army I think every one will enjoy. I found humor in that it reflects his love for drag racing when he was in his late teens.)

Well, I fired the thing up & boy that deep growl warmed up fast and I put it in reverse, backed out of the drive only to see the front door swing wide open & DP's face pressed against the glass storm door with an unbelievable scowl and off we went. (LOL...I love these smilies)

I knew I was in deep sh*t when I got back home. But I didn't care. Heck, I did not know when the next time I would see my boy again, and it might be the one & only time I was able to give him a spin. It was worth every minute of the a$$ chewing I got when we returned home. And brother....was it the worst blistering I had ever had by him ..... I got my ear bent on how some illegal could have run light & totaled the car and that was our only collateral to recover any money we were out for the lawsuit. Not chewed out just one time, but I heard it for weeks after. I have to say DP was right. But so was I.

All I can say is that I sure wish you could bring that car to the Forge Show & give me a ride.

[Valerie Harrell]

Actually, that would also make an awesome tow vehicle for Dad's 69 F/C.

[SPARKY69]

Very interesting post going on here!! Cool history on team camaro!!

[JOE58]

Originally Posted by Valerie Harrell

Actually, that would also make an awesome tow vehicle for Dad's 69 F/C.

Val, I like the way you think

some pictures from the Harrell site