Gibb 68 COPO Nova

[markjohnson]

I’ve heard conflicting stories on that red Nova. That it was a Gibb/Harrell car and that it wasn’t so I can’t commit 100% to its pedigree. IIRC, a broken Cragar wheel caused the crash.

[copo-2]

In going back thru old archives, I located an old picture of a 68 nova that Chevy454 had posted taken from the publication AHRA’s “Drag World” dated May of 68. It had Gene Rains name on the door, Jim Durham on back fender, and Kwik-Way Speed on the front fender, Super Camaro -Chevyll on bottom portion of door.

Going by the pictures date, guess it is possible that Harrell might have been involved here, but certainly not one of the Gibb COPO’s? Just wondering if this is the same Nova pictured in post #80 that was destroyed or was there 2?

[DEW1968NOVA396]

Hello, new to group. Been working on acquiring a specific 68 Nova for 20 years. We have come to an agreement on price. Verbal agreement sold. Car is rough, but VIN appears to be on the Fred Gibb list. If all goes well, should be homeon Friday with car. Long drive, 4 days.

Would begin the journey to restore it, and keep as close to original as can be.

[DEW1968NOVA396]

Finally Picked it up. 1968 Chevy II.
Fred Gibb Nova.

[COPO140]

Very cool and congratulations! What's the cars history? Not converted I assume?

[DEW1968NOVA396]

Originally Posted by COPO140

Very cool and congratulations! What's the cars history? Not converted I assume?

Getting history from first owners who bought it from Gibb for racing.

Has 2 sets of racing lettering under paint.
Original Grecian Green is coming thru, which leads me to believe core panels except hood are original.

I don't believe 427 emblems could be correct, should be 396.

[DEW1968NOVA396]

I didn't look too close yesterday, loading car. Today I realized it has a12bolt rear end.
Owner thought it was a 10bolt.

[DEW1968NOVA396]

How do you search this SC forum. I'd like to locate partial VINS on the panels.

[DEW1968NOVA396]

Fender Emblems

[1stGenFan]

Could be a Harrell or Gibb Chevrolet 427 conversion. The old COPO Connection list of Gibb Chevy II's list 3 of the Grecian Green cars with a notation of Harrell involvement. A fourth went to Branine, who sold several Harrell 1968 Camaro and Chevelle conversion cars. Do you have the name of the original owner? The list indicates 28 of the cars with the original owner's names.

I recently spoke with one of the former Gibb employees who indicated he thought around half a dozen of the Chevy II COPO's were converted to 427 at the dealership. The original engines were kept for warranty replacements.

I wouldn't throw away the 427 emblems. Any metal badges on the left front corner of the hood or console, or traces of filled holes indicating where they were originally rivetted when sold new? Ray Morrisons COPO has red 427 emblems, the black emblems may also have been used?

Attached is a picture of Ray's Dick Harrell 427 conversion COPO.