Arlen Vanke
 

Was talking to a old friend in Ohio and he mentioned 'Akron' Arlen Vanke and his 68 SS Factory Hemi Cuda. As I recall, Vanke beat Sox & Martin with it at the Spring Nationals.

I'am looking for vintage photos of the car. I can find lots of photos of his 71 Duster, but none of the Cuda during that time.

Does anyone have vintage photos of the original Cuda?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

I think the car your referring to was for sale at the 06 Russo & Steele. I looked thru their past results and it was not listed. Arlen was there and he looked good. Really got the crowd pumped. Sold for $2 mil???? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif Here is one photo I found of Vanke biting hard at launch....

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ankesHEMi2.jpg

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Thanks Sam and yes, that is the car I'am referring to. East Town Chrysler/Plymouth clearly on the side. I'am wondering why so few photos of it exist considering it was one of the few cars to beat Sox and Martin in the finals at a national event...69 Spring Nationals I think. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

Can anyone provide facts, history or photos of this car?

As always, thanks for any help Gents.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Found one from R&S auction...

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...203389-L-1.jpg

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

These are just following the recent restoration...

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...4338.JPG-1.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...3_4324.JPG.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...3_4333.JPG.jpg

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Most of the time in the old days there are not many original pictures because the guys only have those factory cars for 1 to 2 years at the most. They change hands and are relettered.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

One more... http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...vankesHEMi.jpg

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

If my memory is correct ,at the '68 nationals the factory picked Sox to lose his class SS/B race. In retaliation Ronnie redlighted by about 2 full seconds and ran about .8 seconds under the SS/B record. Arlen was seeded into the S/S eliminator and won it going away.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

[ QUOTE ]
If my memory is correct ,at the '68 nationals the factory picked Sox to lose his class SS/B race. In retaliation Ronnie redlighted by about 2 full seconds and ran about .8 seconds under the SS/B record. Arlen was seeded into the S/S eliminator and won it going away.

[/ QUOTE ]

Very interesting. Guess he showed the factory a thing or two. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Here's the Cuda at Indy in '69. Not sure who to credit for the photo.

http://shutter15.pictures.aol.com/da...q0veuD0180.jpg

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

[ QUOTE ]
If my memory is correct ,at the '68 nationals the factory picked Sox to lose his class SS/B race. In retaliation Ronnie redlighted by about 2 full seconds and ran about .8 seconds under the SS/B record. Arlen was seeded into the S/S eliminator and won it going away.

[/ QUOTE ]

After searching the NHRA archives that is indeed what happened. Seems Ronnie didn't want to take a dive for anyone no matter what the factory said. Buddy Martin was later quoted as saying, "Its a good thing they didn't weight the car. He came back to the pits, loaded the car and we left the track".

Gotta love them good 'ol days !

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

I finally came across a couple of shots of the car going across the block. Can't miss Arlen in the photos. The crowd responded... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...2/DSC03932.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...2/DSC03933.jpg

I think that is Galen to the right in the 1st photo with the black and red ball cap on.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Here is a link of the car being restored http://www.hodgerestorations.com/generic3.html
It was restored about 10 miles from my house by Le Hodge. I'm not sure how or who he restored the car for but I heard he done a lot of research on the car and it is top notch but I never seen it in person.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

That's Le in the second pic (in gray tee shirt) doing something behind the steering wheel. I've seen some of the other Mopars he has done at local cruise-in's and all of them are outstanding pieces.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

I had a chance to talk with "Akron Arlen" at the last York reunion...Very nice guy! I even had him sign a few old US Drag Team items... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

That's one of the best parts about this show...Get out there and talk with some of the best racers...Sadly,It may be your last chance.....

Steve

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

How do I go about searching the NHRA archives?

Regards,
Paul

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

[ QUOTE ]
How do I go about searching the NHRA archives?

Regards,
Paul

[/ QUOTE ]

Go to www.NHRA.com. Click on Special Sections lower left of page. Search the links there.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Anyone know if the car actually sold for $2 million?

If not Vanke, who was the owner and/or seller?

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

I reviewed my coverage from that auction and confirmed that it was a "NR sold" at $2 million. Here is the link:

Vanke Barracuda Sale, R&S Auction 2006

Arlen did not own the car at the time. Hope he got a percentage! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Guys,
I have had the oppertunity to meet Arlen many times and he has been a great help to the 68 Hemi S/S Registry. The first photo where the car is blue with the fogged wheel lips was the 68 paint scheme. This was done when Arlen was away from the shop - he never liked it, the second was the 69 paint scheme. When this car was restored the 69 paint was used as a request from Arlen. Technicly the restored car is not the same one Arlen had in the previous photos. It IS one of Arlen's Barracudas (he had a number of them) the title is still in Arlen's name. The original car was sold and the second owner crashed it and it was destroyed in the ensuing fire (we do have the serial numbers for the car).Arlen won the U.S. Nationals in 68 as well as a number of other races. When Pro Stock hit in 1970 Arlen R/U at Indy to Herb McCandless in a S&M Duster and R/U to Ronnie somewhere else. But in those days the car was weighed seperatly - now they are weighed with the driver. If you have ever met Arlen - he is a big guy (football player big) and Herb and Ronnie are pretty little guys. No offense to Herb or Ronnie but Arlen probabbly spotted them 100lbs and if you think that dosen't make a difference... In 67 every one of the S/S Dodge & Plymouths had one of Arlen's modified intake manifolds on them. Every Tuesday, he would drive to Detroit Dragway from Akron and test parts for Chrysler as part of his deal. Arlen is somethimes called the "Forgoten Hero" but trust me his mechanical ability and driving skill was second to none and he was a threat to win every where he raced. As you may have surmised - I am an Arlen Vanke fan.
Thanks,
Mark Janaky

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Terrific stuff Mark. Love to hear the behind the scenes stuff. Being from the Akron area (Canfield), I am a fan of Mr. Vanke and his exploits too. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the site. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

[ QUOTE ]
In 67 every one of the S/S Dodge & Plymouths had one of Arlen's modified intake manifolds on them. Mark Janaky

[/ QUOTE ]

I've heard of the elusive "Akron Arlen" single 4-BBl Hemi intake. Seems it was cast to his own specs in answer to certain AHRA class rules and reportedly performed to within a tenth of the tunnelram dual quad manifold. Quite a achievement at the time.

Does anyone else have more info on Arlen and his exploits? Feel free to chime in please Gents...........

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

-------Craig,,,In the summer of 1965 Arlen worked the counter of a speed shop in Medina Ohio owned by a guy named Russ Ciefert(sp). Russ had some money burning a hole in his pocket and had developed a blow-proof bellhousing. The company name was R.C.Industries and the bellhousings sold fairly well. Arlen was still racing Pontiacs, I believe, and used to come into my Dads hardware store in Medina for nuts and bolts all the time. In return I would stop at the speed shop every chance I got and drool over all the stuff that was laying around. Russ was always kind of full of himself but Arlen was just a regular good guy. He would always take the time to talk to the snot-nosed kids (me) and I never saw him utter a harsh word. We all know what Arlen did later but Im not sure what Russ ended up doing. Someone at SEMA a couple of years ago told me Russ got into the wheel business, maybe American Racing, but Im not sure of that. Just a little backround for you........Bill S

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Thanks Bill. Your experience confirms the general notion that Arlen always seemed to be friendly.

I know he raced Pontiacs (Tin Indians) for a dealer in Akron.

Does anyone have insight into Arlen's years with Pontiac?

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

The dealership in Akron was Knafel Pontiac. The Glasgo family race with us at Pure Stock and their Dad (who also races) was some sort of sales manager or something at Knafel way back when. They have a fabulous stable of very low mileage, very fast Pontiacs in Pure Stock.

We'll see them in two weeks at the Pure Stock race in Stanton, I'll ask them if they can chime in over here. Nice people.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

-------I bought two vehicles from Bill Knafel. One in early 1973, a 1972 full boat, white/blue deluxe gut T/A. Bill himself told me it was his wifes demo. I ended up not liking the car much but cant remember why as it was a pretty cool ride. Maybe because it was an automatic??? The second was a 1973 GMC El Camino with the equivalent to the Chevy SS package (SC?). I bought it later in 1973 after I sold the T/A. Didnt keep the El C long either as a friend just had to have it. Knafel Pontiac was a great dealer for a young guy to do business with as just about all the salesmen were savvy musclecar guys. The thing I dont have much info on is Arlens involvement with Bill K. I wish I knew more about that myself. Maybe Mike G has some input???........Bill S

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Sorry it took so long to see this thread. Been busy. Anyway, Arlen's relationship with Knafel Pontiac was off & on for many years, but, always "stormy". Both Arlen & Bill Knafel were strong willed back then, so, they would have periodic "disagreements" that got in the way of a long term relationship. Arlen first sold cars for Knafel in the 1963 to 1966 timeframe. In '66 he became the service manager, built and drove the Knafel Tin Indian GTO to many national
event wins. That came to an end when he switched to Plymouth for his personal drag car. From '67 on he raced pretty much full time, as well as, was the official tire tester for Firestone drag tires. Then he reunited with Knafel, even though he was very successful with his Plymouths, to build the two Pontiacs Knafel campaigned in 1970, the Tin Indian RA IV Judge, and, the Tin Indian Firebird. Both of these cars were extremely successful in AHRA competition. Hope this helps.

Re: Arlen Vanke
 

Thanks for your insight Mike.

It makes sense that Arlen tested Firestone drag tires.
Its my understanding that at the time, Akron was known as the "Rubber Capital" of America.

Does anyone know if Firestone, Goodyear, etc was sponsoring Arlin along with Plymouth?