Drag racing has a rich history of vintage cars.
Unfortunately, memories of most of those dragsters and Funny Cars are relegated to photographs, home movies and old TV footage.
That’s not the case for the Jim Kirby/Dick Harrell 1968 Camaro AA/Funny Car. This car, which was last raced in 1972, is still available for the racing world to see in its original glory. The car is now owned by Bill Porterfield.
“I was match racing the Gibb/Harrell ZL-1 in 1990 and heard about this Kirby car,” Porterfield said. “I talked to Jim (Kirby) a couple of times and he gave me a price, but I could not handle it. Matt Murphy acquired the car in 2003. He restored the chassis, but left the original paint and I bought it from him in 2009.”
Drag racing has a rich history of vintage cars.
Unfortunately, memories of most of those dragsters and Funny Cars are relegated to photographs, home movies and old TV footage.
That’s not the case for the Jim Kirby/Dick Harrell 1968 Camaro AA/Funny Car. This car, which was last raced in 1972, is still available for the racing world to see in its original glory. The car is now owned by Bill Porterfield.
“I was match racing the Gibb/Harrell ZL-1 in 1990 and heard about this Kirby car,” Porterfield said. “I talked to Jim (Kirby) a couple of times and he gave me a price, but I could not handle it. Matt Murphy acquired the car in 2003. He restored the chassis, but left the original paint and I bought it from him in 2009.”
The Funny Car, which is based in Williamston, Mich., 10 miles east of Lansing, has a decorated history.
Don Hardy Race Cars built the car for Kirby in early 1968 and the car was painted a bright gold. Kirby drove the Funny Car on the AHRA circuit with an injected 427-cubic inch Chevrolet engine through August, winning several major events.
Dick Harrell was in need of a second Funny Car to accommodate his AHRA and match race schedule. So, this Funny Car driven by Kirby became a Dick Harrell Performance Center team car. Kirby’s Funny Car was equipped with a Dick Harrell-built supercharged 427-cubic inch Chevrolet engine and a Cadillac Firemist plum paint job. Harrell’s Funny Car, meanwhile, was painted red. Both cars appeared at a handful of events in ’68.
Following the ’68 season, Harrell updated the body of his Funny Car to a 1969 Camaro. The new-look car also received a candy apple red and gold lace paint job. In February of 1969, Kirby’s ‘68 Funny Car was repainted to look identical to Harrell’s. Both cars ran a full 1969 schedule.
Harrell and Kirby parted ways in 1970 and Kirby added his “Super Rat,” graphics. Kirby ran the Funny Car in select match races until finally putting the car in storage in 1972. Kirby’s Funny Car stayed in storage until 2003 and in 2006, the chassis was restored and the engine was rebuilt. The lettering and graphics also were refreshed, but the original Dick Harrell candy apple red paint and gold lace panels were left untouched.
According to Porterfield, this is the lone surviving Harrell team car that still retains its original Dick Harrell Performance Center team colors.
“The car still has plenty of nicks and scratches from its short, but hard life from 1968 to 1972,” Porterfield said. “We are respectful of the car and are as careful as we can be, but if we happen to nick it or scratch it that just adds to the patina, the beauty of an unrestored car (body & paint).”
These days, the vintage Funny Car has a much-less demanding schedule.
“I cruised the car down main street at the show in Frankenmuth, Mich., behind a long line of old diggers, along with Al Bergler and the Logghe cars. I also crackled down the KCIR (Kansas City International Raceway) track along with Bruce Larson’s 1968 Camaro. That was pretty cool. The last time (Jim) Kirby sent the car down the track was in 1972. (Matt) Murphy crackled the car once at the Forge Show. We finished up a few things and changed a few things, which always happens when you buy a used race car. In 2010, we took the car to eight Michigan events and also the Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green and the Muscle Car Reunion at KCIR. We have 10 events scheduled in 2011. We now have the engine up on 95 percent and we will try stepping it up to 98 percent late in the year.”
Porterfield said finding tracks to make laps isn’t as easy as it may seem.
“Most tracks don’t want a chassis that old to make a pass unless the chassis has been updated,” Porterfield said. “That virtually destroys a piece of history in my mind. This particular car has a significant history and should not be subjected to unnecessary risk. I ran gassers and an altered in the 1960s and flogged the Gibb/Harrell ZL-1 for 18 years, but I always wanted to wheel a fuel Funny Car. Now I have one and shouldn’t do anything but start it up and wick the throttle a few times.”
When Porterfield does arrive at shows, his Funny Car receives a good response from fans.
“When we are the only fuel car at a show, it draws a huge crowd,” Porterfield said. “When we are in a group of cackle cars they are usually diggers so we still stand out a little bit more. 95 percent and a good tuneup make this car sound pretty good no matter where it is. This is one of a handful of cars that has the original body on the original chassis. Most of the cars are either restored to better than new condition or are clones or tribute cars. This car is the real deal. A big block Chevrolet-powered car stands out in a group of Hemi-powered cars.”
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