Irving Orth?

[fredvance]

Does anyone remember Irving Orth and his tank powered lakester, late '80s or early '90s. He worked for me the last year before he died. I heard lots of stories and he had some of the pieces. I would like to know more about it and does anyone have pictures?


   Fred

[bill williams]

Fred,
I worked for Irv in 1964 in Irvington, California. I was 18, right out of school and kind of Irv's apprentice. I left in Jan 65 to become an apprentice mechanic at United Airlines and soon lost track of him. I heard he moved to Las Vegas and worked on Jags. In 1970 he entered a Champ Car race at Sears Point but failed to start. He worked for Harry Banta in Reno on Harry's road race car some time around 1968 also.
When did he work for you and as what? Mechanic probably. Got any pictures of him? And when and how did he die?
Rgards,
Bill Williams

[gearheadeh]

Yes I remember him well, Really sad to hear he has passed. He was a great character, a real think outside the box kind of guy. He brought that V12 powered rear engined lakester in 1988 and for some reason beyond any obvious thing it was not cleared to run.  Sorry no pictures. 

[RichFox]

Fred,
I worked for Irv in 1964 in Irvington, California. I was 18, right out of school and kind of Irv's apprentice. I left in Jan 65 to become an apprentice mechanic at United Airlines and soon lost track of him. I heard he moved to Las Vegas and worked on Jags. In 1970 he entered a Champ Car race at Sears Point but failed to start. He worked for Harry Banta in Reno on Harry's road race car some time around 1968 also.
When did he work for you and as what? Mechanic probably. Got any pictures of him? And when and how did he die?
Rgards,
Bill Williams

You were an apprentice at UA? I started there in March '65 as an apprentice in the machine shop. Must have seen you at CSM or something.

[jimmy six]

I believe the engine was part of the frame and may have had something to do with it's not being allowed...I remember it...JD

[jl222]

  I remember that tank engine car,they borrowed my little 12 volt compressor to blow their tires up because the inspectors said the frame flexed to much, but the crew guy thought it was just in the tires.

                        JL222

[fredvance]

I thought Irv told me they eventually got to make a run or two, maybe the next year. I think he told me it ran in the 160's.

  Fred

[DallasV]

If it is the same "Tank Powered Lakester" that I remember (I don't know how it wouldn't be) Irv must have been teamed up with Mort Strain. It wasn't allowed to run at SCTA but made a couple passes at a USFRA event. The drivers were Don Vesco and Monty Wolfe. I believe it had clutch problems. Monty is on here every now and again maybe he can elaborate more.

[mvwolfe]

I forget the year at a World of speed meet I drove the tank engine thing. Don Vesco was suppossed to drive it but got busy helping Rick on his car and Mort Strain asked me to drive it.  I was told to hold it under 125mph and it ran 124.  Broke the coupler and never ran again.  I heard Irv died in a car accident in Texas. That group knew how to have fun. 

Monte Wolfe

[Stan Back]

Pictures anyone?

[fredvance]

Yes Irv and Mort were partners. Last time I heard from Mort was right after Irv was killed in a car wreck in '97.

Fred

[Glen]

I think I have a picture but it will take a little digging. The lakester originally belonged to Les Leggitt. It was in the mid 80's when it ran.

[bill williams]

Anyone ever come up with pictures of Irv at the salt flats?
Regards,
Bill Williams

[Glen]

I have three pictures and will send to Jon to load on the web. I am having trouble trying to load. Interesting car. It was on the salt in 1988 and Don Vesco was going to drive it. Never got in a run.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Go ahead and email them to me.  Either I'll put them here directly - or will send then to Photobucket and from there to this Forum.  But I'll figger out a way to get them displayed.

Good night, all.