The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Rich Hensley - A Special For The Quill
The 2004 Fred Gibb Annual Car Show had another first this year. The show featured Kim Howie's 1970 Chevrolet Camaro, the very car that was raced during the 1971 season by Fred Gibb Chevrolet.
The car was originally purchased in 1970 by Rex Osteen Chevrolet in Greenville, South Carolina. It was transferred to Stott Chevrolet in North Carolina and driven by Jim Little in the A.H.R.A Super Stock competition as part of the Dick Harrell Racing Team.
In 1971 Fred Gibb purchased the car, modified it and prepared it for competition during the 1971 season.
During that year, it was featured in the May issue of Rodder & Super Stock Magazine, and competed in the A.H.R.A Super Stock class. Some of the modification made included an all aluminum 430 cubic inch engine, a fiberglass front-end and lift-off hood, painted a candy apple red with gold leaf trim, and equipped with Kelsey Hays stripper wheels.
Since that 1971 racing season, the car has changed ownership several times and was eventually purchased approximately ten years ago from Bill Porterfield by Kim Howie, owner of Insurance World in Albia, Iowa.
The car was brought back to La Harpe when Mr. Howie had Steve Comstock update the roll cage, chassis, and suspension to meet today's racing specifications.
Although the restoration isn't fully complete, Mr. Howie plans to have the car ready to compete in some exhibition races in 2005.