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Old 03-01-2020, 04:52 PM   #9
oldskool
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Default Re: Best Pontiac Powered Stockers

Well, after reading the book's coverage of the 1962 season, I'm real disappointed. Hey, it was a big year for Pontiac. The M/T A/FX Tempest won the class, at the Winter Nats & @ Indy. No mention of that. Carol Cox also won the S/SA class at both races. Since she is said to be the 1st female to win class at a nat event, looks like it would have deserved a mention.

The book mentions her name, by saying that a Chevy beat her, & that she was driving a similar car. Not even close.

"...Don Nicholson. His Chevy defeated the similarly equipped Carol Cox car..."

https://www.nhra.com/news/2018/carol...t-class-winner

But hey, I understand how a non-Pontiac guy could find it real easy to overlook or leave out Pontiac accomplishments. I understand that this is a Junior Stock book. But, for '61 & '62, the book mentions several classes that ran Top Stock. So, why leave out the A/FX car that won at both big races ?

Hey, still a good book, with lots of info. But, as I go thru it, I'm gonna add all the Pontiac info I know, about the year in question.

The book does mention that Arlen Vanke took 3 "Tin Indian" Pontiacs to the Indy race. Says he won at least one SS class, & turned the quickest SS time, of 12.65, & the fastest, @ 113.20. Well, this leaves out a lot of details. I'll do some research & see if I can fill in some of the details. Will edit & post what I find, here.

I think it's fairly safe to say that this '62 GP was one of the cars Arlen took to Indy, in '62. It has "Tin Indian" on it. I assume that means it was the 1st Anderson Pontiac Tin Indian. The car in the 3rd pic is a '63, which has "Tin Indian III" on it. So, I don't think he could have raced it at Indy in '62. Don't think they came out that early. But, I assume Pontiac may have released a few to big name Pontiac racers, in time for Indy. Anybody know ?

So far, I can't find a "Tin Indian II" car. But, I assume there was one. So, I'll keep looking.

But, maybe all 3 cars he took were NOT Tin Indian Cars. Here's a '62 ragtop called "Black Whirlwind".

Anderson also had a couple of '63 Tempests. Looks like they ran SS @ some tracks & A/FX @ some. Also assume they wouldn't have been ready for Indy '62.
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Last edited by oldskool; 03-01-2020 at 06:25 PM.
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