Knafel Tin Indian 1966 GTO vs. Running Bear 1963 Tempest Launch

This is at The Pontiac Nationals in Norwalk OH on August 8, 2010. Both these cars were originally built/prepped and driven by "Akron" Arlen Vanke. Arlen is riding in the Red Running Bear Car. The cars launch and go through first gear. Both are the ACTUAL cars not clones. The '66 GTO is built to stock specs with a .060 389 Tripower 4 spd and 4.33 gears. Running bear is set up to do more aggressive track duty with a worked 455. Back in the day Running Bear ran a Super Duty 421 to low 11's in the A/FX factory experimental class. The Tin Indian DOMINATED B and C stock running consistent mid 12's and to Arlen's recollection a best time of 12.22 at 112mph. The GTO won Stock Eliminator at the Nascar Winter Nationals in Daytona and followed that up by going 27 rounds and winning the Spring Nationals in Bristol, TN. The '66 GTO never lost a race in it's class. Norm "Sonny" Tanner is riding shotgun in the GTO. Tanner drove for Knafel Pontiac in the late 60's and early 70's. Running Bear is now owned and driven by Tim Benko. The Tin Indian is now owned by Merle Green and his son Mike Green is driving in the video.

[Andrew-DX]

Wow, thanks for posting. Bill Knafel was my grandpa.

[RamenEater-syot]

That is Tim Benko's car from Elyria, Ohio and it is Arlen's original 63 tempest SD421. I watched this car being restored as a child, from when Tim found the car in a trailer park here in Elyria.. and purchased it for a rumored $2500. I know some of, but not all of the aluminum lightweight panels were still on it.. no engine or trans.. and he knew the car was special because he was plowing snow and seen the big pontiac rearend underneath.. upon closer inspection, he seen the access panel for the original "quickchange" rearend that was in it when Arlen campained the car in 63'.. also the heater and radio delete was still present. Tim made an offer on the car and they accepted! Tim was a friend of my dad's.. my dad passed in 2012, and I haven't seen or heard about Tim Benko -OR_ the 1963 SD421 ANDERSON PONTIAC Tempest. Not even sure if he still owns it, but i've looked many times throughout the years on the internet for info and see if he was doing anything with the car.. and this video is all I have ever been able to find of it. Anyone have any updated info on Tim or the car?

[michaelostervich]

Bought my 66 GTO in June 1966 from Bill Abraham at Kanafel Pontiac loved that car wish i still had it. I drive a 2013 Dodge Challenger Hemi now

[AAuto]

@Slingudwig You are correct. Merle went and visited Marv at M&H in Gardner MA. Marv remembered the tires, went pulled the molds out and made up a bunch of sets. They are M&H Racemasters 800/8.5-14. The tread patch is a shade under 7 inches wide. If you look in the June 2011 High Performance Pontiac at 12 psi they wrinkle up and grab nicely! Marv passed away in 2009. Be nice if the company that bought M&H would re-issue the racemasters.

[Slingudwig]

@1aauto Thanks for the response. Im sorry to hear about Marv. Im up on their site now and I think they are making them again. Are these the ones??

8.00/8.50-14 Vintage NEW TIRE!

# Tread Width: 7.0"
# Section Width: 9.8"
# Diameter: 28.0"
# Circumference: 88.0"
# Rim Size: 6.5"
# Code: MVD-006
# Compound Type: #704

[Slingudwig]

Also, I thought those Hurst wheels were too heavy to drag race with?? They actually slow the car down from what Ive read.

[Slingudwig]

Do you know the size of the slicks on the Tin Indian?? I too have a 66' GTO.
I understand Marv from M&H still had the molds when the car was being restored, and made them for Merle.
Thanks

[AAuto]

@JusticeYouWant2010 Did you see the car when it was run back in the day?

[mothertree]

If people would take the time to learn about the history of all the manufacturers and the cars, engines and people that campaigned then there would a lot less fussing and a lot more cheering.