Gibb Show in La Harpe - Page 2

**Xplantdad** · #11 08-06-2006, 07:19 AM

Ken...that's one totally cool Camaro 396/375

BTW, was the 427 Impala from AZ? It looks very familiar...

Thanks for all the pics...It's still too hot out here for Pavillions...at least for me.

Mr. Duece · #12 08-06-2006, 05:09 PM

As always AWESOME pictures, Ken!!

**ANDY M** · #13 08-06-2006, 06:45 PM

For as many times as I've heard the "kid dies in 'Nam, dad stores the car, etc..." story, (and I'm sure many of us have heard this tale, as the car is still stashed), to find one that is not only true but highly documented is unbelievable.

Let me rephrase that, that car is awesome!

**Zedder** · #14 08-06-2006, 07:02 PM

Actually, the story is really more tragic than it sounds. Robert Lee was stationed at Fort Bragg when the wheels were stolen from the car and the car was across the street at a Chevy dealership the night that he was killed. Earlier that day, Robert and a friend had been out at a bar when some locals began picking on a young black man who had tried to order a drink. Racial tensions were high in NC at this time and Robert stepped in and told the guys to leave the fellow alone. Late that night, Robert and his friend left the bar and decided to go across to the Chevy dealer to see if the car was finished before heading back to Fort Brag. As they walked back to their barracks, they were attacked from behind and found the next morning in the ditch by the side of the road. Robert was dead and his friend didn't see the assailants. Robert's Mom was devestated and refused to sell the car. After her death, the father did a few things to the car to get it ready for a few shows, but got sick himself and passed away before showing the car. Speaking to the family was heartbreaking as you could hear the pain in their voices...

**kwhizz** · #15 08-06-2006, 07:16 PM

Wow!!!!! Sad story.....But , It go's to show that life is sometimes not "Fair" and things can change in a moment's notice.........Could'a, Should'a, Would'a.....Life is Fragile compared to metal........

Ken

sYc · #16 08-06-2006, 07:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]

BTW, was the 427 Impala from AZ? It looks very familiar...

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep.. cool car.

**Xplantdad** · #17 08-06-2006, 07:29 PM

Thought so

The owner is a really cool guy, too!

Ken, you're so right...

"Life is SO fragile...compared to metal"

**Zedder** · #18 08-06-2006, 07:33 PM

It's actually gets worse Ken. Robert's sister Jerri, who was selling the car was telling me about how devestated her mother was at losing Robert at just 19 years old. I offered my condolences and said that it must have been devestating. She then told me how she too lost her son at 19 in a motorcycle accident...and had lost her job a few years earlier and was still unemployed!!! We must have talked for over 2 hours and I truly felt for the woman and family. Very sad indeed....

**BillD** · #19 08-06-2006, 07:47 PM

Mark, I felt bad when I first read about the 67 L78 and the circumstances surrounding its' preservation. Now that I have read your posts on the circumstances of the young owners death it is just a disaster. As you said, very sad indeed.

sYc · #20 08-06-2006, 08:06 PM

Ken, thanks for posting the pictures.

As usual, Diana and I had a great time. Hats off to Kenny, Jerry, Nancy, Bob, Nancy, Helen and all the others who make this show so much fun.

It is always fun to show the funny car at La Harpe, seems each year some one new comes up to me and adds some history to the car, through stories and/or pictures. This year it was a gentleman who worked for Gibb, but from time to time would help out on the race teams, including the funnycars.

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.