Robert (Bob) Stange
Robert Stange learned welding in high school and went to work as a professional welder upon graduating. While working as a welder Bob began working with the company machinist and soon mastered the trade as well. At the same time, Bob began competing at nearby Union Grove Raceway in a 1950 Ford coupe gradually modifying it as time and money permitted. While he loved competing at the races it wasn’t long before the friends, he made at the racetrack had him working on their cars. While still working days at his welding job, Bob turned his home garage into a small welding/machine/repair shop. This was okay for short time but business was good so he soon moved into his first “official” business, Stange Machine and Engineering, located in a 2000 square-foot building close to home.
In the beginning, word of mouth was enough to keep him busy but he also realized that in order to grow he would have to expand his advertising efforts into the more traditional forms so he decided to put together a series of print ads. Thinking Stange Machine and Engineering was a spelling mistake; a copy editor at the printers changed the name to Strange Machine and Engineering (later shortened to Strange Engineering) which has stayed with the company throughout the years.
By the late 1960s Bob had pioneered such products as custom-built axles capable of delivering the power level of that day to the wheels without breaking. He also introduced the C-Clip Eliminator that eliminated the c-clips used to hold the axles of GM products in place. These were the beginning of a steady flow of new, unique, and superior products from Strange Engineering over the years. At the 1973 NHRA Winternationals, 14 of the 16 funny car qualifiers were equipped with Strange parts.
By the late 1970s, the power being produced by the fuel-burning cars were destroying the rear and assemblies of most of the cars so Bob developed his Top Loader Live Axle rear end assembly, which is the standard of the industry today. Bob has not confined his expertise to just fuel-burning race cars and drag racing but supplies equipment for sportsmen racers, circle track racers, LSR cars, off-road racers, and street vehicles.
Bob has also been very generous to the racers over the years providing free parts to some racers, sponsorship money to others, and contingency money for various classes over the years. He has also maintained a hospitality area at many of the races were competitors and others have the opportunity to grab a bite to eat or something to drink and relax for a while.
Bob and his company have also been recognized over the years by the news media for both its abilities and innovations and the outstanding products the company produces. The company has been selected as Manufacturer of the Year several times by various publications, Bob was the recipient of the Car Craft Magazine Ollie Award, given to the person who has contributed significantly to the sport of drag racing throughout their career, and was selected as Car Craft Magazine Hi-Riser in 1973. Bob is still very actively involved with his company and the sport, producing new parts and pieces, appearing at the races and shows with his hospitality bus and one of the contributors helping The Golden Greek, Chris Karamesines continue racing completely at 80+ years old.