Open the hood of any 2002 Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition Camaro, and alongside high-performance upgrades, you’ll find another defining feature: an array of signatures. Scattered across both strut tower braces, these autographs have left many enthusiasts wondering—who were these individuals, and what was their connection to the cars, Chevrolet Performance, and the legacy of Dick Harrell?
In the summer of 2004, key figures gathered for a historic signing event that marked the official launch of the Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition Camaro program. Held on May 27, 2004, at the GMMG shop in Marietta, Georgia, the event brought together representatives from Berger Chevrolet of Grand Rapids, Michigan—the dealership that commissioned and sold the run—and GMMG, Inc., the shop responsible for the modifications.
Also present were individuals connected to Dick Harrell’s legacy, including family members and those who had worked alongside him at his performance shop in Kansas City, Missouri, making their presence at the kickoff event all the more special.
Honoring the Legacy
While the Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition Camaro (DEC) was inspired by the GM Woodward Dream Cruise show car, which itself paid homage to the 1969 Sunoco/Penske Camaro race efforts, the team at Berger and GMMG chose to honor another legend in Camaro history: Dick Harrell. Known as "Mr. Chevrolet" with multiple racing accomplishments and innovative 427 modifications to the first-gen Camaro, Harrell was the perfect figure to focus on for this special edition.
To ensure that Harrell’s legacy was represented in this special edition, the team incorporated as much of his spirit as possible. Surviving members of Dick’s shop and race crew, along with his wife Elaine Harrell, daughter Valerie, and grandson James Skivers, were invited to participate in the event, alongside other owners of 1960s classic muscle cars modified by Dick himself.
The Event
The signing took place on Friday evening before the F-Body Gathering 8, a major Camaro and Firebird event held from May 28-30, 2004, in Atlanta, Georgia. That weekend also featured the "Reunion of Dick Harrell Performance Center Employees and Friends," where car PR-2—the second prototype of the run—was publicly unveiled for the first time.
To commemorate the launch, GMMG hosted the Dick Harrell Performance Center Reunion members at their facility to sign the engine bays of the 30 cars in the planned production run. A restored 1969 Dick Harrell Camaro flip-top drag car was also displayed in the shop during the event, brought out by Bill Porterfield.
Matt Murphy Walk-Around
In the video below, watch Matt Murphy as he takes you on a walk-around of DH12 at the 2007 All-GM Show at Berger Chevrolet. He not only highlights the unique features of the vehicles but also shares the significance behind the signatures and why he and the team made sure to include them in the Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition Camaro program.
The Signature Process
The signatures were applied using black or silver permanent markers, depending on the engine bay paint color, with some cars, like #04, featuring both colors. The strut towers were the designated spots for signatures, ensuring uniformity across the lineup. Participants wore embroidered black polo shirts bearing the GMMG logo on the front, with the well-known GMMG tagline, "When Fast Just Isn’t Fast Enough," on the back.
To mark the occasion, a group photo featuring eight of the signers and Valerie Harrell with car PR-2 was taken and later used in promotional materials.
Who Signed?
Fifteen individuals participated in the official signing, including former technicians from Harrell's speed shop, team racers that competed for him, and Dick Harrell’s own family members—each adding their mark to honor his legacy. Their signing location is consistent across the numbered run.
Zone 1: Passenger-Side (Left Strut Tower)
On the left strut tower brace you’ll find the signatures of:
NAME | ROLE/ID |
|---|---|
Dave Libby | Dick Harrell Performance Center mechanic |
Matt Berger | GM, Berger Chevorolet |
James Zeleny | Dick Harrell Performance Center mechanic |
Glenn Powell | --- |
Larry Leatherman | Original owner & racer of a 1969 Camaro ZL1; owner of DEC 01 |
Matt Murphy | Owner, GMMG |
Zone 2: Driver-Side (Right Strut Tower)
On the right strut tower brace you’ll find the signatures of:
NAME | ROLE/ID |
|---|---|
Ro McGonegal | Hot Rod Magazine writer |
Brad Melvin | Dick Harrell Performance Center mechanic |
Ray Sullivan | Original owner of a 1968 Gibb COPO Nova |
Dale Paldee | Drag racer from the 1960s and ’70s |
Valerie Harrell | Daughter of Dick Harrell |
Harry Kalwei | Team driver for Dick Harrell (Nova) |
Elaine Harrell | Wife of Dick Harrell |
James Skivers | Son of Valerie Harrell |
Scott Settlemire | Camaro Brand Manager - General Motors |
Other Notable Signers
Other signatures can be seen on select vehicles from the run and include:
Dick Jacques – Key Berger Chevrolet sales staff responsible for DEC sales
Chris Lee (Hollifield) – Paint & body technician for multiple DEC cars (PR2)
GMMG Technicians: Billy T. Lawler, Mike Carnahan, and Ron Mowen
Lee Hamilton - Speed Shop Owner, Quincy, Illinois - 1960s
It's unclear if these were added at the 2004 signing event or in subsequent years.
Media Coverage & Lasting Impact
The signing event and the launch of the DEC were covered in the September 2004 issue of Chevy Rumble Magazine, which included a photo of car PR-2 from the event. This signature moment, along with the accompanying documentation, was instrumental in cementing the DEC's legacy as one of the most ambitious and impactful fourth-generation Camaro dealer programs ever created.
Beyond the Signing: Additional Signatures
As time passed and the Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition Camaros were delivered to their owners, more influential figures in the automotive world left their mark on the cars. As the vehicles began to appear at events and in the hands of passionate collectors, additional signatures were added by individuals with direct ties to Dick Harrell, GMMG staff, tuning experts, and renowned automotive personalities.
These signatures not only enhance the cars' history but also further solidify their connection to the legacy of high-performance innovation and the broader car enthusiast community.
Name | Role | Car(s) |
|---|---|---|
Ron Mowen | GMMG Tech | DC, 05 |
Linda Vaughn | ‘Miss Hurst’ Personality | |
Chip Foose | Car customizer, ‘Overhaulin’ TV Show Personality | DC |
Dick Jacques | Sales Staff, Berger Chevrolet | |
Buddy Rice | 2004 Indy 500 Winner | |
Joseph Dubree | Painter | DC |
Mike Kanush | --- | DC |
Keith Lanning | --- | DC |
Bill Kummer | Member of the 1960s ‘Chevy Boys’ racing team & close friend of Dick Harrell, Original Owner 25 | PR2, 25 |
Chris Lee Hollified | Painter | PR2, 25 |
Larry Christensen | Original owner - Car 08, signed 9-15-08 |
NOTES: 'Drag Car’ – also commonly referred to as the ‘Clay car’ or ‘Pilot Car’
Final Thoughts
While many performance Camaro programs have been offered over the years, few have incorporated as much heritage as the Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition. Matt Berger, Matt Murphy and the teams at Berger Chevrolet and GMMG didn’t just build a car with impressive street performance and bold looks—they went above and beyond in honoring the legacy of Dick Harrell, the Camaro model, and Chevrolet’s storied racing history.
The signatures from the signing event, with direct ties to Harrell and others involved, provide a unique finishing touch that further connects these cars to their rich history and storied legacy.
Editor’s Note Research is on-going and we’re eager to continue gathering more details, photos, and stories related to the Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition Camaro program. If you have any additional information, images, or insight into the people who signed these cars, we encourage you to get in touch. Your contributions will help keep the legacy of these iconic cars alive.
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