RIP Vinny "Vitar" Tarantolla

Sal Biondo · 04-06-2007, 10:11 PM

Vinny Tarantola, better known as Vinny "Vitar" passed away yesterday April 6th, 2007. It has been a tough week for the New York, New Jersey crowd this week already, with the passing of Adam Landolfi earlier in the week.

Vinny was a very modest man, and innovator. He was very well know for his transmissions and awesome converters.

Vinny lived less than a mile from me, but we have not seen him in the past years since he became ill.

RIP VINNY.

Sal Biondo

Ed Fernandez · 04-06-2007, 10:28 PM

Sal;
Please post any viewing arrangements if you get any info.I bet I know who was waiting at the gate when he arrived.

Ed

Real Racer · 04-06-2007, 10:38 PM

IF I EVER WOULD HAVE RUN A SLUSHBOX IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VITAR.

RIP VINNIE.

Oldtimer · 04-06-2007, 11:37 PM

Very sad to hear he has passed. He was a great person and helped many racers back in the day. He was the go to guy when it came to fixing a trans or converter problem. My prayers to his family.

bp133 Bob Pagano

Sal Biondo · 04-07-2007, 12:07 AM

Ed,

Right on about who would be waiting for him!

Viewings for Vinny will be Monday 2-4, and 7-9
at the following location.

Michaels Funeral Home
7922 Metropolitan Ave
Middle Village, NY 11379

Sal

BSA5786 · 04-07-2007, 12:37 AM

"VITAR" (Vinny) I bought my first 3 speed turbo trans, TRICK! piece 1976...Shifted NOW- B/SA 69 Chevelle 396/375 Hit the switch high gear pump shutoff - yes the ET gain was there. I was 23 years old, we talked on the phone alot. Gave me lots of of info that today has paid off. Our prayers are with your family and friends.

Steve Koppien

art leong · 04-07-2007, 08:47 AM

A great guy.
RIP Vinny

ART LEONG
SOON TO BE FRONT DRIVE SUPERSTOCKER

Alex Polewik · 04-07-2007, 12:53 PM

Great Guy..Genius with the automatics..Should be considered for some type of drag hall of fame. RIP

Alex Polewik

PS-Thanks Sal for introducing me to him

RichBiebel · 04-07-2007, 12:55 PM

My first racecar had a Vitar hydo in it and I also recall Vinnie's blown gasser from that era. I rememeber him being a good guy and am sorry to hear of his passing......

Anne Toews · 04-07-2007, 02:30 PM

We also bought our hydros from Vinnie for the sedan deliveries. He was a real nice guy. Sorry to hear he passed away. May he RIP.

L.A.W. Automotive

04-06-2007, 10:11 PM	#1
Sal Biondo Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 77 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 1 Post	RIP Vinny "Vitar" Tarantolla Vinny Tarantola, better known as Vinny "Vitar" passed away yesterday April 6th, 2007. It has been a tough week for the New York, New Jersey crowd this week already, with the passing of Adam Landolfi earlier in the week. Vinny was a very modest man, and innovator. He was very well know for his transmissions and awesome converters. Vinny lived less than a mile from me, but we have not seen him in the past years since he became ill. RIP VINNY. Sal Biondo __________________ Sal Biondo 1162 COMP, STOCK, SS Biondo Racing Products

04-06-2007, 10:28 PM	#2
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Sal; Please post any viewing arrangements if you get any info.I bet I know who was waiting at the gate when he arrived. Ed __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

04-06-2007, 11:37 PM	#4
Oldtimer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Arkansas Posts: 87 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Very sad to hear he has passed. He was a great person and helped many racers back in the day. He was the go to guy when it came to fixing a trans or converter problem. My prayers to his family. bp133 Bob Pagano __________________ Bob Pagano L88BOB@aol.com www.dyainc.org 4033 AA/SA

04-07-2007, 12:07 AM	#5
Sal Biondo Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 77 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 1 Post	Ed, Right on about who would be waiting for him! Viewings for Vinny will be Monday 2-4, and 7-9 at the following location. Michaels Funeral Home 7922 Metropolitan Ave Middle Village, NY 11379 Sal __________________ Sal Biondo 1162 COMP, STOCK, SS Biondo Racing Products

04-07-2007, 08:47 AM	#7
art leong VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Richmond Hill, Georgia Posts: 2,003 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	A great guy. RIP Vinny ART LEONG SOON TO BE FRONT DRIVE SUPERSTOCKER __________________ Art Leong 2095 SS

04-06-2007, 10:38 PM	#3
Real Racer Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 99 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	IF I EVER WOULD HAVE RUN A SLUSHBOX IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VITAR. RIP VINNIE.

04-07-2007, 12:37 AM	#6
BSA5786 Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sioux Falls Posts: 2 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	"VITAR" (Vinny) I bought my first 3 speed turbo trans, TRICK! piece 1976...Shifted NOW- B/SA 69 Chevelle 396/375 Hit the switch high gear pump shutoff - yes the ET gain was there. I was 23 years old, we talked on the phone alot. Gave me lots of of info that today has paid off. Our prayers are with your family and friends. Steve Koppien

04-07-2007, 12:53 PM	#8
Alex Polewik Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Huxley, IA Posts: 134 Likes: 22 Liked 89 Times in 18 Posts	Great Guy..Genius with the automatics..Should be considered for some type of drag hall of fame. RIP Alex Polewik PS-Thanks Sal for introducing me to him

04-07-2007, 12:55 PM	#9
RichBiebel Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NewJersey Posts: 36 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My first racecar had a Vitar hydo in it and I also recall Vinnie's blown gasser from that era. I rememeber him being a good guy and am sorry to hear of his passing......

04-07-2007, 02:30 PM	#10
Anne Toews Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 31 Likes: 39 Liked 2 Times in 1 Post	We also bought our hydros from Vinnie for the sedan deliveries. He was a real nice guy. Sorry to hear he passed away. May he RIP. L.A.W. Automotive