Arlen Vanke

[68hemiss]

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