The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

"Little Hoss" Another Fred Gibb Car Is On Its Way

By Dessa Rodeffer
Quill publisher

LaHARPE  Sometimes you just have to wait to feel the effect of something you have done a long time ago, but for Herb Fox, the wait was definitely worth it. Tuesday afternoon, the UPS truck delivered a prototype from Exact Detail Replicas out of Watervliet, Michigan to Herb Fox's door of a replica of "Little Hoss" a 1967 Z/28 Super Stock Camaro, a race car he knew well. In fact it also has "Herb Fox" inscribed across the side, true to its original creation when Herb raced the car in 1967 and 1968.

Herb said not only was it the first year for the Z/28 Camaros, it was also the first year Fred Gibb owned and sponsored one in the American Hot Rod Association Stock Eliminator wars.

Working from his small town car dealership of Fred Gibb Chevrolet, Gibb's fame reached across the United States as he and his partner and well-known drag racer Dick Harrell were introduced by Herb Fox and then joined in a successful racing venture.

With the help of General Motors, Gibb and Harrell developed "Little Hoss" from an in-stock Z/28 Camaro. The story that will appear on the box says: "Capably driven by Herb Fox, a gifted racer and the top salesman at Gibb's dealership, the "Little Hoss" Camaro struck early and struck often.

The car set 11 world records in an 11 month period....including the quickest elapsed time and fastest speed with an 11.75@ 118.42 pass."

More highlights are given including it "capped the 1968 season by winning its class at the AHRA World Championships" plus details of other national titles.

The story tells of "Little Hoss" as part of a Fred Gibb/Dick Harrell four-car team.

The die-cast model is presented in its original 1967 color, Royal Plum Metallic (almost black) with vinyl roof.

Under the hood is a highly detailed single 4-barrel version of the Chevrolet 302 V8. The wheels are stock style, 14"x5" front and 15"x8" rear.

Details are very impressive such as a GM sticker on the inside of the doors, which open wide; details on backs of the car seats, which move forward, a removable floor mat inside the trunk which opens, and the specifics of the tires and rims, and a steering wheel which moves them. Details are inside and out.

The cost, Herb said, was around $90 for these extra details, but it makes it that much more precious to Herb and race car enthusiasts.

In 1968, Gibb had "Little Hoss" repainted to match Dick Harrell's funny cars.

Today, "Little Hoss" is owned by Ken Boje of Minnesota.

It is one of the features inside the tent at the Fred Gibb annual car show that will be coming this year, August 3rd. Herb said Boje is equally excited about the new collectible.