Arlen Vanke

[NCGuy68]

[ 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 !

[mockingbird812]

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...





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

[Bryan64Impala]

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.

[Bryan64Impala]

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.

[68l30]

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...

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

[Paul D]

How do I go about searching the NHRA archives?

Regards,
Paul

[NCGuy68]

[ 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.

[NCGuy68]

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

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

[mockingbird812]

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!

[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