Like Father, Like Son – Joseph Harris Building A Diesel-Powered Compact Car to Join Dad Jessie on Drag-and-Drive Events
There are vehicles at almost any track that make you do a double-take. An unusual model, an interesting driveline combination, or in some cases, you wonder if there’s a limitation to the amount of zip ties and duct tape one vehicle can have, or if it will survive the entire event!
In the case of Joseph Harris, he’s got two of the three bases covered, and he owes his dad Jessie Harris for starting him down the drag-and-drive path.
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“My history with drag-and-drives has consisted of years of helping my dad Jessie Harris and his orange and white Cummins-powered Chevrolet C-10 pick-up,” said Joseph. “Every year, we get together and try to slam the truck together to get ready for whatever drag-and-drive event is going on that month.”
Not only did Joseph dedicate the time to get the truck ready for action, he would watch and cheer dad on from home. “I’ve watched every pass on YouTube live, hiding my phone under my desk in high school to watch my dad and other sick hot rods make passes at drag-and-drives,” Joseph admitted. “I was hoping to have my little white Chevette out there one day, and finally this year I get to go.”
Originally built as a compact economy car, some Chevrolet Chevettes took the same path as their Chevrolet Vega and Monza brother models; a lightweight car that racers would modify for bigger tires and engines in the 1970-1990s.
Joseph’s ’76 model follows this blueprint, with a full tube chassis replacing the original chassis, and a Ford 9-inch rear end packed with Strange Engineering internals, and a 4-link suspension supporting the big rear tires out back.
But instead of a typical small or big block Chevrolet engine, Joseph opted for the diesel route like his dad’s truck. A Mercedes 3-liter inline six features an 8mm injection pump from Diesel Pump UK, plus a Diesel Power Source S3 69/73-millimeter turbocharger, and is backed by a 4L80 overdrive transmission.
To complete a car like this requires a good support system, and Joseph credits wife Sydney, who will be his co-pilot on his first drag-and-drive. “She is solely responsible for this car being done,” said Joseph. “This car was put together just in time to make a burnout at my wedding last October.
We slept very little, and worked nonstop for months, but we got it close enough with wire nuts, a stock transmission, and hopes and dreams. I am currently in the process of finishing the car right (wiring, brake line work, transmission and oil cooler lines, finish welding and painting, etc.).”
Joseph had hopes of debuting the car at this year’s Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, but a lack of getting parts to complete it in time pushed the debut off to Hot Rod Drag Week as the debut spot. “It’s in Indiana this year, which is where I live,” said Joseph. “So the first one will be close to home, which is the most appealing part.”
Joseph has been detailing the build on his YouTube channel, the latest release is below:
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Joseph Harris and Sick the Magazine.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com