Arlen Vanke

[NCGuy68]

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.

[mockingbird812]

Found one from R&S auction...

[mockingbird812]

These are just following the recent restoration...

[Salvatore]

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.

[mockingbird812]

One more...

[bwag]

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.

[mockingbird812]

[ 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.

[Z28fan]

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

[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