One of the legends from Detroit Dragway., and one of my favorite teams.
The story of the RAMCHARGERS racing team is told in books by Mike Buckel and Dave Rockwell. It all started in the 1950s with a group of Chrysler engineers who loved1 drag racing. They raced their own hotrods on weekends but soon decided to build one super car together. This car, a 1949 Plymouth named “High & Mighty,”2 broke records right away.
For ten years, the RAMCHARGERS ruled the1 drag racing world. They set records, won races, and brought new ideas to car racing. These ideas changed the game for1 Mopar performance and1 muscle cars forever.
Key Takeaways
- The RAMCHARGERS were a group of Chrysler engineers who shared a passion for drag racing and built highly competitive cars.
- The team’s first car, the “High & Mighty,” broke records at its very first outing, setting the stage for their dominance in the drag racing scene.
- The RAMCHARGERS introduced groundbreaking innovations in engine development and car modifications that shaped the future of Mopar performance and muscle car culture.
- The team’s achievements had a significant impact on Chrysler’s market share, reducing the average age of Chrysler brand car buyers.
- The RAMCHARGERS brand and legacy continue to be celebrated by enthusiasts, with the team’s iconic red candy stripes appearing on modern Mopar vehicles.
The Origins of the RAMCHARGERS
The RAMCHARGERS story started in the 1950s. A group of Chrysler engineers with a passion for drag racing came together3. They worked on their own hot rods after work and raced them on weekends3.
A Group of Chrysler Engineers with a Love for Drag Racing
They decided to build a single, competitive car together. They bought a 1949 Plymouth and named it the “High & Mighty.”3 This car broke records on its first night, starting the RAMCHARGERS’ success in NHRA and Mopar drag racing3.
The 1949 Plymouth “High & Mighty”
The “High & Mighty” 1949 Plymouth was a powerful car. It set NHRA C/Altered records with speeds of 109.75 mph and times of 12.62 seconds3. This success was the start of the RAMCHARGERS’ journey3.
The RAMCHARGERS began with a group of Chrysler engineers who loved drag racing and modifying hot rods3. Their first project, the “High & Mighty” 1949 Plymouth, marked their rise in Mopar performance and NHRA competition3.
Rise to Prominence in the 1960s
In the 1960s, the RAMCHARGERS made a big splash in drag racing. They broke records and won many races4. They teamed up with Dodge and used a 1961 Dart with a 413 engine and special long-ram intake5.
Their engine and car tweaks made them stand out. They dominated the Super Stock category and became the top team in the country4. Their cars, with bright white and red stripes, were easy to spot at races. This helped grow the Chrysler brands and attract young car fans.
Breaking Records and Winning Races
The RAMCHARGERS led the 1960s drag racing scene. They set records with Dodge vehicles powered by Max Wedge and HEMI engines4. Over 60 years, their innovations have helped drag racing advance.
In 2021, AJ Berge’s Challenger Drag Pak, with the RAMCHARGERS logo, ran in just seven seconds. This was a big leap from the 1960s4.
Innovations in Engine Development and Car Modifications
The RAMCHARGERS focused on engine and car improvements. Their 413 engine and 1962 Dodge Dart were key to their success5. The Drag Pak got updates at MR2 Performance in Lebanon, Indiana, under Mike Roth’s guidance4.
AJ Berge teamed up with Mike and Lora Wagner in 2023. They displayed the RAMCHARGERS name and Candy Stripes on his Drag Pak. This showed the brand’s lasting impact4.
The RAMCHARGERS Drag Pak got a sponsorship from Revolution Paradox. This company is known for its high-performance engines and vehicles4. Mike Wagner, a Mopar fan, bought the RAMCHARGERS trademark. He plans a big reunion and Mopar car show for the brand’s 65th anniversary4.
AJ Berge had a successful 2022 NHRA and NMCA season. But, he faced challenges like parts shortages and chassis updates. He changed his race program and joined Revolution Paradox for aftermarket parts4.
Berge’s Drag Pak got major upgrades for the upcoming races. He focused on electronics, chassis, and interior tweaks to boost speed and performance. Berge’s renewed commitment makes him a strong contender, inspired by the original RAMCHARGERS team4.
Drag Racing RAMCHARGERS
The RAMCHARGERS were unstoppable in drag racing in the 1960s. They dominated the Super Stock category and introduced the 426 HEMI engine3. They were the first to break the 9-second, 8-second, 7-second, and 6-second quarter-mile barriers3.
Dominating Super Stock and Unleashing the 426 HEMI
The team worked on the 426 HEMI and other high-performance engines. They also made car modifications like altered wheelbases. These efforts helped create the Funny Car category3.
The RAMCHARGERS were leaders in this evolution. They built and raced some of the first Funny Cars. These cars would change the sport forever3.
The Birth of the Funny Car
The RAMCHARGERS’ engine and car modifications were key in the Funny Car’s early days3. Their 1967 Dart was the first Funny Car with a supercharger. This innovation led to the high-powered, aerodynamic cars that followed3.
The RAMCHARGERS’ impact on drag racing is huge. From Super Stock to the Funny Car, they left a lasting mark3. Their focus on innovation and performance has shaped the sport. This includes drag racing ramchargers, super stock, 426 hemi, funny cars, mopar performance, and the NHRA3.
The Split and Continued Success
By 1967, the RAMCHARGERS had become a big name in drag racing. Some members retired to focus on their jobs at Chrysler. But a group led by Knapp, Skoglund, and Goulet kept racing in Top Fuel and Funny Car until the mid-1970s6.
This group also started Ramchargers Racing Engines. It was a shop for motors and advice for racers and fans. They kept the RAMCHARGERS’ spirit of innovation alive in Mopar performance6.
Ramchargers Racing Engines and Performance Shops
The Ramchargers Racing Engines shop was a center for ramchargers racing engines and ramchargers performance shops. It helped drag racers and muscle car fans. They were experts in engine development and car tweaks6.
The 426 HEMI engine was a big focus for the Ramchargers. They worked hard to make it better for drag racing and street use6.
| Year | Key Achievements |
|---|---|
| 1964 | The 426 HEMI engine was introduced, leading Richard Petty to secure a 1-2-3-5 finish at the Daytona 5006. |
| 1966 | The 426 HEMI engine returned to NASCAR, where Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 and David Pearson clinched the 1966 NASCAR season title6. |
| 1966 | “Big Daddy” Don Garlits pushed the 426 HEMI engine to new limits by adding more ignition lead, achieving near record times with no damage6. |
The Ramchargers team kept winning in drag racing. They also made high-performance Mopar engines. This made them leaders in the industry6.
The Legacy of the RAMCHARGERS
The RAMCHARGERS made a lasting impact on drag racing and performance cars7. They introduced the 426 HEMI and Cross-Ram intake, changing the game. These innovations were also used in Chrysler production cars7.
This shift helped Chrysler brands appeal to young performance enthusiasts7. It greatly increased Mopar’s share in the muscle car market7.
The RAMCHARGERS success helped shape the Mopar performance culture we know today7. Formed in 1959, they started with a ’49 Plymouth coupe. They soon dominated the NHRA Super Stock and Stock classes with Mopar cars7.
The RAMCHARGERS also started the Funny Car class in the mid-1960s7. They introduced the 426 Hemi engine for nitro racing7. Their red and white “candy stripe” paint scheme is still celebrated by racers like David Thomas, who raced a V-10 powered Drag Pak Challenger7.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1959 | The Ramchargers team was formed by Chrysler engineers and enthusiasts. |
| 1963 | Herm Moser secured a Stock victory at the NHRA Nationals with a Max Wedge Dart. |
| 1964 | The Ramchargers began fielding a Top Fuel car. |
| 1965 | The Ramchargers’ Top Fuel car achieved the low e.t. and top speed at the NHRA Nationals. |
| 1966 | Merek Chertkow, at age 22, replaced Don Westerdale as the Ramchargers’ Top Fuel driver. |
| 1967 | The Ramchargers’ Top Fuel car achieved the low e.t. and top speed at the NHRA Nationals. |
| 1970 | Leroy Goldstein, a Ramchargers Top Fuel driver, achieved the first six-second Funny Car pass with a 6.95 elapsed time. |
The Ramchargers brand is celebrating its 65th Anniversary this year4. Their legacy continues to influence Mopar performance culture and muscle car enthusiasts7. Through four distinct phases from 1958 to the mid-1970s3, their impact on the industry is unmatched. They shaped the future of Mopar performance and drag racing for decades.
The Revival of the Brand
After the RAMCHARGERS’ retail stores closed in the mid-2000s, the brand was bought by a Michigan enthusiast8. However, in 2022, Mike and Lora Wagner, local racers and Mopar collectors, bought the brand. They aimed to bring it back to its former glory8.
New Owners and a Renewed Passion for Racing
The Wagners have a team of volunteers who love the RAMCHARGERS’ legacy8. They work hard to revive the brand. They’ve made deals for toys, models, and merchandise. They also partnered with AJ Berge and his NHRA and NMCA team8.
The Wagners have big plans for the future8. Their dedication to the ramchargers brand revival and racing passion will inspire many. They aim to excite a new generation of Mopar fans and NHRA and NMCA enthusiasts8.
The new owners of RAMCHARGERS want to honor its history and embrace new Mopar performance tech8. Their love for racing and commitment to the brand’s legacy will inspire many8.
Conclusion
The RAMCHARGERS racing team’s legacy shows the power of passion, innovation, and striving for the best. Starting as a group of Chrysler engineers9, they became a force in drag racing. Their impact on Mopar performance and muscle car culture9 is huge.
Their achievements, like the “Leaning Tower of Power” Slant Six engine9 and the 426 HEMI dragster10, are unforgettable. This dragster ran in the 7s at 190 mph. Their work has inspired many to explore engine development and car modifications.
Today, the RAMCHARGERS brand lives on thanks to a new team of owners11. Their legacy continues to motivate and guide Mopar performance’s future. The RAMCHARGERS have left a lasting mark on Chrysler brands, the NHRA, and the performance car world.
FAQ
Who were the RAMCHARGERS?
What was the “High & Mighty” car?
How did the RAMCHARGERS dominate the drag racing scene in the 1960s?
What were some of the RAMCHARGERS’ key innovations?
What happened to the RAMCHARGERS team after the 1960s?
How did the RAMCHARGERS impact the Chrysler brands and the performance car industry?
What is the current status of the RAMCHARGERS brand?
Source Links
- History – https://www.ramchargers.com/index.php/history
- THE RAMCHARGERS – DRAG RACING INNOVATORS 1960’s STYLE – https://www.nmcadigital.com/blog/the-ramchargers-drag-racing-innovators-1960s-style/2184
- The Ramchargers – https://www.nhra.com/news/2014/ramchargers
- The Ramchargers Ride Again! – https://www.dodgegarage.com/news/article/racing/2023/02/the-ramchargers-ride-again.html
- Dodge Ramchargers racing team – https://www.allpar.com/threads/dodge-ramchargers-racing-team.229190/
- The Elephant in the Room – https://www.dodgegarage.com/news/article/racing/2019/01/the-elephant-in-the-room.html
- David Thomas honors the Ramcharger legacy in powerful way – https://www.nhra.com/news/2019/david-thomas-honors-ramcharger-legacy-powerful-way
- 2024 Nitro Revival Honorees – https://nitrorevival.com/2024-Inductees.html
- Racing with the Ramchargers – Engine Builder Magazine – https://www.enginebuildermag.com/2014/09/racing-ramchargers/
- The First Late-Model Hemi Dragster: Recollections of a… – https://www.allpar.com/threads/the-first-late-model-hemi-dragster-recollections-of-a-ramcharger-12.229243/
- Current Events – https://www.ramchargers.com/index.php?option=com_sppagebuilder&view=page&id=66
