The 4th Annual Forge Invitational Musclecar Show again provided a venue for 100 terrific musclecars. Held in the Chattanooga Convention Center with an estimated $20 million worth of rare factory iron on display for two days (Oct. 20-21), the show has become the premier mixed-make event for musclecar enthusiasts. Many of the cars shown here are not publicly visible any other time of the year, and the atmosphere is friendly since there is no judging or vehicle sales involved in the event.
 Memories of the Super Stock era returned at the Forge Invitational Musclecar Show in Chattanooga. This is Don Nicholson’s 1965 Comet, now owned by Kayo Erwin and one of three drag cars he brought from his collection to the event. |
Promoter Tim Lopata, together with his father George, have now put the invitation-only indoor show on for four years. The cars are chosen carefully, and the owners themselves pay a nominal fee per vehicle to help defray the expenses associated with the Convention Center. In return, they enjoy a chance to meet other collectors and enthusiasts plus see some of the latest restorations and rare finds being unveiled for the first time (several restorations were completed just days before the event occurred). Sponsored by FUZE Beverages, National Parts Depot, and Musclecar Enthusiast magazine, the public is invited to attend during the show’s open hours on Friday and Saturday.
Once again, a nice variety of drag cars were on hand for the Forge Invitational Musclecar Show. This event has become sort of a Dick Harrell reunion over the last two years, with Valerie Harrell giving awards out each year to former crew members and influential people, including chassis builder Don Hardy and driver Dale Pulde, along with Fred Gibb’s daughter Connie, all who were in attendance this year. Fuel cars included both the original Dick Harrell funny car from 1969 (backed by Fred Gibb) and a 1968 car, owned by Matt Murphy, that has just been cosmetically relettered (the original lace paint from 1969
remains intact on this body) by John OOP Fensum, Dick Harrell’s original painter. The 1969 car, owned by daughter Valerie Harrell, has also received fresh paint and bodywork thanks to Troy Criscillis, Trevor Denton (Stone Hollow Customs), Don Johnston, Scott Abbott, Richie Young, Larry Beyers, Paul Rhyne and Camaro Central. Other cars included a tribute by former Harrell crew member Harry Kelwei and the first ZL1 Camaro (owned by Fred Gibb and campaigned by Dick Harrell) now owned by Bill Porterfield, which was part of the larger ZL1 display at the event.
Three other drag cars came in courtesy of Todd Warner, including this 1971 Dodge Challenger that Dick Landy drove in Pro Stock during 1971. Eric Lindberg did the restoration.