Hoping for info. on Vega pro stock record holder.

Post descriptions or photos of old cars, friends, or family members you are trying to locate.
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Sir Woosh
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Hoping for info. on Vega pro stock record holder.

Postby Sir Woosh » Fri May 29, 2009 5:22 pm

A friend of mine located a 1976 Vega pro stock record holder called "the Great American Dream" It was built in Chicago by Kaplan Engineering. The current owner was going to part it out, but I'm hoping to preserve it in one piece. Any history or photo's anyone can offer may help keep it whole and have it rebuilt. Thanks!!!!!!!!

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draglist
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Postby draglist » Fri May 29, 2009 6:26 pm

Welcome to the board. First of all, congrats on about the coolest board name I've seen in a long time!

Now the bad news. Your car does not ring any bells as a pro stock record holder. In fact I don't remember that car in drag history.

Now it is likely that we have the driver or owner listed under their name and just never saw the car name. But the record part throws me.

It could be that the racer held a track record or the record of a small regional circuit. Or the car could be a multi purpose car that ran in pro stock on occasion but set a record in one of the sportsman classes.

Do you have any other info? Driver or owner name? Comp number?

This will be a fun detective case. BP
Last edited by draglist on Fri May 29, 2009 11:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Sir Woosh
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Thanks for replying.

Postby Sir Woosh » Fri May 29, 2009 7:05 pm

This is the first place I've posted trying to find out more about this race car. Figured it would also be the best source of information. It's dismantled right now or I'd send pics. I barely remember seeing the car in it's day. Caught my eye because as you can imagine, the name took up the whole side of the car. I will dig deeper for more facts that may help turn up it's history. It's fate now rests on if it really had any notable history. If not, it will be spread out in boxes to whoever can make use of the parts. It's not my car, but I'm a sucker for trying to save and return recognition to cars that once achieved fame. Hate to seem them forgotten. LOVE new speed, but care about the cars that got us this far too. Thanks again! ! ! ! ![/b]

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draglist
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Postby draglist » Fri May 29, 2009 11:22 pm

It may have been one of the Super Pro Stock circuit that ran at Gary and other tracks. Where did you see it? We have a lot of guys from that area who probably know the car's history. bp
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jim sanders
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Postby jim sanders » Sun May 31, 2009 2:29 pm

8) i love these detective deals.... looking foward to more info
GOOD TO GO !!
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Sir Woosh
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My information source should be back after the weekend.

Postby Sir Woosh » Sun May 31, 2009 3:11 pm

Thanks for the support. The current owner and a friend are going to have it at the Lead Sled East event in Maryland next weekend June 12 thru 14th. Main event is the nostalgic drags planned all weekend. Not everybody's thing I know, but I sure am looking forward to it. You'll get the information ahead of the group that will see it physically. Would be cool to come in with some history. Got the car you see a part of in the avatar out on the road for the first time today after a few years of building. Pushing to have it ready for the old car drags....... Thanks again!

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Sir Woosh
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More information.

Postby Sir Woosh » Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:07 pm

The racer is actually a 74 Vega with a Pro Stock class record set in 76. Drivers name was Bill Cukla. It was built and sponsored by Kaplan engineering in Chicago. Bored 427 with an Olds rear. White hatchback with patriotic flag work on the rear quarters. Great American Dream Machine running nose to tail just down from the top of the fenders. Blue frame. Gold anodized interior sheet metal and seats. Corporate seat is still with the car............ Took pics today and didn't realize I had my camera still set on video mode from the weekend. Driver broke his neck plus other injuries when the chute whipped and flipped the car. Car is complete and repairs have been made, but the driver was out of commision. These clues help? Thanks again. I'll be going down to get the pics again.[/b]

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Sir Woosh
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PS........

Postby Sir Woosh » Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:09 pm

Car still needs to be assembled and is in the process. Thanks again....[/b]

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Postby draglist » Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:36 pm

Hi Sir Woosh. Thanks for the details. We don't have this car listed, but will do so now. The 427 rat motor in a Vega was unusual and indicated that the car probably ran in match races or a match race circuit. We do not list this driver or any name similar (unless you consider Bill Kuhlmann, who did run Pro Stock early on). Sorry we don't have more info. bp
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Sir Woosh
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Thanks again!

Postby Sir Woosh » Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:15 am

I went back down to the shop and took some pics, but don't see how to load them on this forum. Is there another part of Draglist that I should post them to? In any case, reassembly is planned to put this racer back in service. Just trying to keep a dream alive............


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