Ken Arnold - Riverdale, Georgia
Ken Arnold has been an active member of the V-8 Registry for many years. This week he is elevated to Lifetime Honorary Member to join Rick Norris and Chuck Rust, the only two members with this distinction.
Ken has been on this Earth for 85 years. During that time he has accomplished a lot. After graduating from high school he attended Southern Tech, but was persuaded to join the Army where he spent 6 years. His training as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic included being named as the Outstanding Graduate in his class. After his Army
experience he landed a position with Delta Airlines around 1951 where he worked until he retired in 1982. He’s been married to Judy now for 46 years.
Ken’s interest in Corvairs is legendary. His engineering and fabrication skills are apparent when you view some of the vehicles he has built over the years. At the 2024 SpringFest in Helen, GA there were no less than 4 Forward Control Corvairs on display that were restored, resurrected or modified to go fast by Ken. His attention to detail can be observed in each one. Ken’s other claim to fame involves 2 late model Corvair coupes that sport 215/266 aluminum V-8’s with what we call Arnold Transaxles. These should not be confused with the rear conversion Corvairs built by Art Silva. The Arnold Conversion uses a special adapter plate fashioned by Ken and other features not found on Silva conversions. Jim Stukenborg owns the Arnold Conversion that Ken assisted Jim Greene with building. If you go to Jim’s Personal Page on the V-8 Registry website, you can view all the features listed by Jim for these unique Corvair Conversions. The other Arnold Conversion is currently owned by Dean Gemberling. He bought Ken’s yellow 1965 Monza several years ago after Ken retired from drag racing and decided to sell his prized Arnold Conversion.
Ken started drag racing when he was 40 and won many events in his little yellow Arnold Conversion. He entertained many drag racing spectators with his Corvair that consistently turned low quarter-mile times of 13.0 seconds. I personally remember observing Ken race about 10 years ago at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, KY. The fans in the bleachers were standing and applauding when the timing display flashed Ken’s time in his little yellow rocket. Fast Corvairs excite the fans. You are invited to contact Ken and congratulate him on his contribution to Corvair History. Thanks to people like Ken, Corvairs are as popular as ever. Ken thanks for your
contribution.
Ken has been on this Earth for 85 years. During that time he has accomplished a lot. After graduating from high school he attended Southern Tech, but was persuaded to join the Army where he spent 6 years. His training as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic included being named as the Outstanding Graduate in his class. After his Army
experience he landed a position with Delta Airlines around 1951 where he worked until he retired in 1982. He’s been married to Judy now for 46 years.
Ken’s interest in Corvairs is legendary. His engineering and fabrication skills are apparent when you view some of the vehicles he has built over the years. At the 2024 SpringFest in Helen, GA there were no less than 4 Forward Control Corvairs on display that were restored, resurrected or modified to go fast by Ken. His attention to detail can be observed in each one. Ken’s other claim to fame involves 2 late model Corvair coupes that sport 215/266 aluminum V-8’s with what we call Arnold Transaxles. These should not be confused with the rear conversion Corvairs built by Art Silva. The Arnold Conversion uses a special adapter plate fashioned by Ken and other features not found on Silva conversions. Jim Stukenborg owns the Arnold Conversion that Ken assisted Jim Greene with building. If you go to Jim’s Personal Page on the V-8 Registry website, you can view all the features listed by Jim for these unique Corvair Conversions. The other Arnold Conversion is currently owned by Dean Gemberling. He bought Ken’s yellow 1965 Monza several years ago after Ken retired from drag racing and decided to sell his prized Arnold Conversion.
Ken started drag racing when he was 40 and won many events in his little yellow Arnold Conversion. He entertained many drag racing spectators with his Corvair that consistently turned low quarter-mile times of 13.0 seconds. I personally remember observing Ken race about 10 years ago at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, KY. The fans in the bleachers were standing and applauding when the timing display flashed Ken’s time in his little yellow rocket. Fast Corvairs excite the fans. You are invited to contact Ken and congratulate him on his contribution to Corvair History. Thanks to people like Ken, Corvairs are as popular as ever. Ken thanks for your
contribution.
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