Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Looking for pics and/or info on this Div.1- campaigned C/Modified Production '55 Chev Blk/White from late 60's/early '70's....Believe it was out of the Springfield (western Mass.) area....Very successful racecar....Anyone? Thanks. WJ

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

WJ,
A great place for info on this car would be at the Strokers Reunion in the spring in South Hadley, MA. Deb and Ralph were members, and there will be pics and firsthand info there. I attend and always enjoy the reunions. When I know the date for this years get- together, I can let you know.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Ralph still lives in the area and Carl Debian has moved to Florida years ago. My shop is across the street from were Deb's dynotuning and speed shop was. Ralph's 55 was just before I started racing. He had the camaro when I first met him.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Larry Davis' s book "Gasser Wars" has a couple of pics of that bad Ol' 55.
Pages 163 and page 178.
Those shots are in the dark blue and pearl white configuration, applied by the legendary "Gordon" in Newington, Ct.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

I would like some info on Ralph he must be some relation

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Thanks everyone. Yes, I'd love to get the date of that reunion...that's just a short run up the road for me, 1 hr. or less. The Deb's Dyno/Automotive car sure was a killer.....don't think I ever saw him lose a round whenever he came to Lebanon Valley, Ct. Dragway, or Orange, Ma. At one time I got a glance at a hand-fabricated sheet metal type intake manifold that was on that car for awhile.....very trick for that era....I only remember the blk/white paint scheme. Also remember Ridgeway wearing this big straw cowboy or farmer-type hat around in the pits...I have a friend (Pat Fanning) who also had a pretty stout '55 C/MP Chev that never quite could get by Ralph, and they faced off quite often back in those days....The Deb's car set the performance bar at it's highest point for that class back then. Again, thanks everyone for this info.....brings back memories of some real good times....:) WJ

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

I'm not sure where I found these.... but here goes......

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...Chevyariel.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...dgewayrcmp.jpg

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Tom, as usual.......you come thru. Much thanks! WJ:D

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Tom this is Dennis Ridgeway can you get a disc of any of these pics so I can take and have a picture made for my office I will pay for any cost thanks The Diaperman

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Dennis, ARE you related to Ralph Ridgeway?? WJ

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

WJ,
This is the blue / white configuration. Notice the rear wheel openings are moved up.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Not 100% certain, but I have always heard that Ralph Ridgeway's car had the first "working" tunnel ram intake. I remember that his '55 won a lot, back then. That intake manifold could be part of the reason...

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

WJ I am not sure but there are not that Ridgeway .Our family came from Ireland if someone has Ralphs contact info I would appreciate it

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Look close at those photo's. Are those headers hooked up to exhaust with full tailpipe's to back bumper? Doug

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Ralph Ridgway did run the first Tunnel Ram type manifold. It was a Plenum and base from an early Fuel Injection. Way ahead of it,s time for that period. Any time we saw the Deb,s car it was fast. That,s all I remember. Thanks Joe Fasano.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Bill possibly the first working small block tunnel ram.
I would say this was the first successful one though:

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicl.../photo_02.html

Also the Pontiac SD 421/405 used a form of common plenum manifold.

http://media.photobucket.com/image/S...tachment-2.jpg

Ridgeway's car was about the only C/MP at Indy in the mid 60's that wasn't using a crossram at that time, and he was always the fastest, using inline carbs.
Notice how the SS/AH cars are getting more and more that way . LOL

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

After the win @ '65 Indy Nats, Ralph marketed a high-rise box-like intake called "The Ridgerunner Ram" w/ two inline 660 cfm Holleys. Many of the Modified Production smallblock competitors switched from the crossram to the "ridgerunner". Ralph also ran a "Vertex" magneto, CJ Batten heads, and General Kinetic cam, which was considered "state of the art", back then.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Yes, that jolted my brain enough to make the memory come back....That "Ridgerunner Ram" fabricated intake is the one I got a glimpse of (in earlier post) at Lebanon Valley about 43 yrs ago, ha. :eek: EVERYONE there was trying to get a look at it that day...Thanks Roger. WJ

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Most of the blame for my 50-some year addiction to drag racing lies with Deb's & Carroll Caudle's MP '55 shoeboxes....thanks for the memories...I think

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Mark,


I thought about that "High and Mighty" intake before I posted that, but it's almost stretching the concept, with those round, super-tall runners...

I'd say the Ramchargers were pretty successful with that manifold, though; I think they won their class at the Detroit Nat'ls with that car, AND set the C/A national record with it.

How much "success" do we need??? :)

Still, Ralph Ridgeway's efforts had immense ramifications (no pun intended) throughout Modified Eliminator, a revolutionary design protocol that still has ongoing influence, today... many years later.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

I can not believe how much new interest about my racing days has been generated this past year including people wanting to build a replica of my 55 Chev, my induction into the New England Hot Rod Hall of Fame, a local TV interview and newspaper article and an ESPN radio interview. Anyone wanting more information can contact me at: rridgeway8014@charter.net. I will be happy to share information. Attached are a couple of photos from my collection. I am presently working on scanning several slides to digital so I create a DVD that can be mailed out.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Thanks for posting on this forum, Ralph.
I watched you run at CD many times. I see your arch -rival in the the other lane. Not that you didn't have him covered most of the time .

That f.i. converted tunnel ram photo is unreal.
Yes, more pics from CD, please

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Ralph, It is a pleasure to have you join this site. You've surely done many positive things for this sport, and am sure everyone here will agree. WJ

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Didn't want this thread to go away quietly,
Great start of thread by WJ, and even got Mr. Ridgeway to join.
I saw him at Lebanon Valley and Connecticut, with the beautiful
55' Chevy,,C/MP & D/MP, with the 301ci lettered on the fender. Low 12.00's at the Northeast tracks. Made it to the finals at the 67' Springnationals, in D/MP. The first time the NHRA had a Modified Production Eliminator (previously combined with Street Eliminator)
Do remember sponsored by Deb's Automotive based Hartford/Springfield, and later Norwood Chevrolet, Warwick, Rhode Island.
I liked that intake, Modified Rochester Fuel Injected casing, with dual Carter AFB's,,,NICE!!!
Yes, I was a Dover Drag Strip regular..
Atomization = to change (a liquid) into a spray of very small drops.
Paul,,,P.S. Thought you'd like the 'to atomize' (ref.)

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Peter,
Ralp Ridgeway ran the 55' Chevy in D/MP at the 67' NHRA Springnationals. He made it to the finals, where he was runner-up, to
Sam Cunningham in a 61' Corvette Roadster (open roof) in C/MSP.
The 1967 Springnationals was the first time that the NHRA had an
individual championship for Modified Production. Before that, it was
lumped in with Street Eliminator.
Sam Cunningham also made it to the Runner-up slot at the 67' Nationals.
Paul

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Hi Ralph, This is Dennis Ridgeway I live in Illinois.I own DRE engine diapers I would like your contact info if you dont mind I would like to talk to you to see if we are distant relatives thanks my # is 217-454-5289 Thanks

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Dennis, Go to post #21 on this page. Ralph has his email addy listed in his post.....Best wishes. WJ;)

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

WJ,
Mr. Ridgeway must be a very humble guy. A V.I.P. in the race history, and excellent drag racer. Ahead of his time in the 'atomization theatre'.
Since he won't mention it, I will. He also had that nice 69' Camaro in
D/MP. Another trip to the M/P Finals at the 71' GrandNationals in
Sanair Quebec, Canana. What were those cars running back then,
11.60's.
Paul

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Paul, Sanair and the Molson Nationals in Quebec was a great event to race....I'm sure there are many here that can attest to it....wish they were still running up there, about 4.5 hours up the road thru Vermont from here...nice little ride...and yes, Debs/Ralph Ridgeway M/P cars could haul the mail.... WJ

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

WJ,
Alot of us guys from Dover went up to that first NHRA Canadien Event.
Nice 8+ hour drive along the Hudson River. 71' Grandnationals.
Don't know if you remember the 69' A/MP Camaro 'MIMI' with Rich
Mirarcki driving. White w/gold tunnel ram scoop. Out of the Hudson Valley, NY area.. He made it to the M/P Finals at the 71' Gatornationals in April of that year. Had the A/MP record with a 10.19, in 1971.

On Mr. Ridgeway, and the 69' Camaro. He won D/MP class at
SanAir, knocked off a few people in M/P Eliminations. Was runner-up
in the M/P Championship, got beat by Paul Blevins in the G/MP Chevy, in the finals. Had to be 11.60's?

Duck,,,,Look, a 'misguided parachutist':eek:...Paul

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Peter,
Ralph Ridgeway was in the north part of the state. Dick Moroso was in
the southern part of Connecticut. Stamford area.
Dick also ran in C/MP. Had a 61' Vette with a 283ci. Big promoter of
'Sig Erson' camshafts and 'Mondello Heads'.
Had the red 'Vette' with the Ansen Mag Wheels. Had the C/MP record in 67', and also ran the car in D/MSP. Low 12.00's.
Yes, he was a regular at Dover in the mid-late 60's. Had a black
61' Vette also. When the Modified Sports Class was eliminated in 68', he went to Gas, either E/G or F/G with the 283ci.
Paul

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Peter.
Ralph Ridgeway was from the Hartford, CT/Springfield, Mass. area.
Involved with the 'Tunnel-Ram' development.
Dick Moroso was from the Stamford, Ct area. Involved first with
deep oil-pans and tall valve covers for the Chevy's.
Both Ralph and Dick were very succesful in Modified Production in the
mid-late 60's, and early 70's.
Ralph was runner-up at the 67' Nationals and also at SanAir/Grandnationals in 71'. Dick was runner-up in Street Eliminator at the 66' Nationals.
Dick first ran a 57' Vette in B/MP, then the 61' Vette in C/MP in 66'/67', and in 68'/69' he ran a 62' Vette in F/MP.
Paul

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Peter,
Ralph Ridgeway's 69' Camaro (C/MP) was featured in the
February 1970 'Super Stock & Funny Car' magazine.
And the C/MP record in 1974, got to 10.17, which was set at the
Sportsnationals at Beech Bend.
Paul

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Carroll Caudle had a tunnel ram made from a Corvette FI manifold also. As did Butch lake's M.P. '55 panel truck. Carroll also was pretty fast. He still has his Indy winning C/MP '55 BelAir hardtop sitting in the back of his shop in Amarillo.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Very cool!

I had one of your stud girdles on my C/SM Camaro in the '70s.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

I see Carroll every once and awhile in Amarillo.
It has been a year or so since I saw him last.
He was still building motors part time with his grandson in his same old shop close to down town last time I talked to him.
He says he will never part with the 55.
He has had thoughts of getting it back out but never followed up.
Several years ago he had a big block camaro at Amarillo dragway and made a few passes.
He still has the bug.
I guess we never get rid of the Drag Racing Bug once we catch it.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

I may be wrong but, I think Carrol Caudle's '55 was a four-door with the back doors welded up to make it appear as a two-door sedan.
I stand corrected...Carrol's Automotive of Amirillo, TX was in fact a Dk. Blue and white Belair hardtop, running G/MP. I found it on H.A.M.B.
The car I was thinking about was from Connelsville, PA that raced at PID and Eldora Raceway in Fairmont, WV in M/P.

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Not only was Ralph Ridgeway a great racer and innovator he was also a successful businessman, setting up the "Ridgerunner Speed Shop" franchises in the Northeast in the late 60's and early 70's. My military service got in the way of my participation in his program, but they kept it going for quite a while. I think I still have the prospectus somewhere!

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Lew,
Don't forget too, Carl DeBien, 'Deb's Automotive. Had several locations, the Dyno-shop in Springfield, Mass. and (3) in Connecticut (Hartford, Rockville and Milford).
At one time in 68'/69', Deb's Automotive sponsored Bill Flynn's' Yankee Peddler' 68' SS/B Hemi Dart, Ralph Ridgeway's 55' Chevy D/MP, 'Brainbeau Oldsmobile's 68' 442 E/S and Joseph Patelli's 68' SS/BA Hemi Dart out of Hampden, Mass. Not-A-Bad-Line-Up.
Paul

Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car.....
 

Ok Gang ...Had to jump in here...Looking for a info on Gasser that ran A Debs Decal..Photo from 1970 at Dover .Last bought from "a Kid" in Waterbury,Ct.in late 70's by Art Brissette then sold . .Oh- And Heres Ralph at New York National...from our Photo archives at the Dover Site