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

W J · 02-10-2010, 11:22 AM

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

HEMIDARTDAVE · 02-10-2010, 04:17 PM

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.

Dave Casey · 02-10-2010, 05:02 PM

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.

Mark Yacavone · 02-10-2010, 05:25 PM

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.

DIAPERMAN · 02-10-2010, 06:08 PM

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

W J · 02-10-2010, 08:38 PM

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

Ralph Ridgeway · 02-12-2010, 11:50 AM

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.

Mark Yacavone · 02-12-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph Ridgeway

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.

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

W J · 02-12-2010, 12:36 PM

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

Paul Ceasrine · 03-14-2010, 04:13 AM

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.)

02-10-2010, 11:22 AM	#1
W J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Paxton, Massachusetts Posts: 638 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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

02-10-2010, 04:17 PM	#2
HEMIDARTDAVE Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 260 Likes: 5 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	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.

02-10-2010, 05:02 PM	#3
Dave Casey VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hampden, MA Posts: 1,151 Likes: 198 Liked 581 Times in 127 Posts	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. __________________ Dave Casey 1330 STK

02-10-2010, 05:25 PM	#4
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,417 Likes: 2,582 Liked 4,453 Times in 1,694 Posts	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. __________________ We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for..... Will Rogers

02-10-2010, 06:08 PM	#5
DIAPERMAN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ILLINIOS Posts: 715 Likes: 2 Liked 21 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Deb's/Ralph Ridgeway '55 Chev C/MP car..... I would like some info on Ralph he must be some relation

02-10-2010, 08:38 PM	#6
W J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Paxton, Massachusetts Posts: 638 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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 Last edited by W J; 02-10-2010 at 08:47 PM. Reason: add content

02-12-2010, 11:50 AM	#7
Ralph Ridgeway Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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. Attached Thumbnails

02-12-2010, 12:36 PM	#9
W J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Paxton, Massachusetts Posts: 638 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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

03-14-2010, 04:13 AM	#10
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	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.) Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 03-14-2010 at 05:12 AM. Reason: correction