Oh Ralph, Knafel Pontiac in Akron Ohio was a real player in the stock eliminator wars of the 60's. Their cars were named "Tin Indians" and Arlen Vanke was one of Knafl's well known drivers.

My uncle Joe Marino was a painted in their autobody shop and did paint work on some of their race cars. There were many Catalinas, GTO's and a couple of Firebirds. I got to sit in some of the racecars when I used to visit my uncle. I wish I had pictures.

I like the way the add tells you the current record, and how it's a no brainer by buying one of the two ponchos you will write yourself into the record books.

that ebay goat is about 20 minutes from me.

its funny, the 74 is a rare GTO, yet in my little town of croton falls, ny there were 3 of them, one gut had a green one which is now in a museum in michigan, and the other two are both red and owned by a gas station owner.
one of his he bought new! he still has em, one 4 speed and one automatic.

Scotty may remember the Getty station just off exit 8 of 684 / corner of feilds lane...the guy had it parked out front alot.

chris is right they wernt very ballsy but could be

Hal that is really pretty cool! Must have made quite an impression on a kid.
It sure would be cool if you had pics. Does any of your family any old pics of the Knafel cars or shop sitting in a box somewhere?

Jeremy, I don't recall any photo's that my Dad might have taken when we visited my uncle at work in Akron. My uncle passed away many years ago. My aunt now lives in Florida. I might ask one of my cousins about photos from Knafel but none of them are car guys or girls.

Here's something else I remember. My uncle Joe always had Bonnevilles. I think he bought a new one every couple of years. We would drive out to Ohio every year and my uncle would drive out here about the same. I remember he had a 58 Bonneville that he brought out here one summer. I found out that he and my dad raced and my dad's 57 Belair powerpack beat him. Then he came out here with I think a 1960 with tri-power. That car was really fast. He had a 63, 65, and a couple of other ones all were really sharp 2 door hardtops. He also had a mid 60's Grand Prix mixed in there. I know that he and my Dad used to race each other almost every year, one of my Dads Chevys against whatever new Pontiac he might have.

Anyway I sat in a couple of those "Tin Indians" and one was the 66 Ram Air GTO.

Great stories Hal!

Did you know the '66 actually lives out this way now? It was even at the Marcus Dairy cruise a few times.

thanks for adding great content.

pixs are awesome

, we just don't know. (Someone Does) What does suck is when the sanctioning body doesn't stop a rumor or clearify what racers saw and heard. You need to stand behind your racers especially those that do it right .

You're right Jay's car is heavy and very quick. I think a Gen 1 Bird or a GTO like the one Chris is looking at would turn some heads. I have followed Jim Mino from the MuscleCar Review / SuperCar ShowDown days. Jim has always proven to run at the top in his Pontiacs. So we know it can be done.

I never heard about that particular dealership.[/quote

I have always liked the color of Jim's Firebird, it especially looks good with the black steel wheels. I think he told me that the paint is a one year only color. Sharp!!!

Mike

Jim has raced for so many years in the original Pure Stock Drags hosted by Musclecar Review. "SuperCar ShowDown" I have watched his old Gold Firebird beat up on many Hemis, Fords and GM's. I Hope he joins us in 2010. I would love to have Jim at our events.

Mike,

I think that GTO is almost neat enough to switch teams but just can't get past those bumpers.

I know of a car you could play with for a little while- just to get you warmed up to the Pontiac way of life.

So if you build a pontiac 350, and its really a 455, would that make for a small block record?

Bumpers! Whats wrong with the bumpers they're C : L! and crash ready!! I think they're made of Aluminum that year 1974 Mopar bumpers are




BIG BLOCK!

This was sent to me in an E-mail today. Posted on the F.A.S.T. event hystory page.

"** Scott Tieman/Mahoney Pennsylvania 1968 Pontiac Firebird, 400 RAII (White) Automatic **
NOTE:
**The white 1968 Pontiac Firebird (F.A.S.T. entry) run by Scott Tieman and Rick Mahoney was disqualified due to a rule infraction regarding the engine block and refusal of further tech inspection. All runs made by this car at this event are not F.A.S.T. legal."