The Logghe Stamping Company, also known as Logghe Brothers, is a famous name in Detroit, Michigan1. Brothers Ron and Gene Logghe started it all in 19661. They were the first to make funny car chassis in series.
They built cars for stars like Don Nicholson, Jack Chrisman, and Gas Ronda. They even introduced the first coilover suspension in funny cars.
Logghe Stamping made a big mark in NHRA drag racing1. Butch Leal’s Logghe chassis Plymouth Barracuda hit 7.82 seconds at 182.16 mph1. Gas Ronda won the Orange County International Raceway Manufacturers Championship in 1969 with a Logghe chassis Mustang Mach 1 funny car1.
Don Nicholson, backed by Logghe, won eighty-six percent of his races in 1967 with a Logghe-built Top Fuel SOHC 427 Mercury Comet1.
Key Takeaways
- Logghe Brothers pioneered the production of funny car chassis in series starting in 1966.
- Logghe chassis were used by legendary racers like Don Nicholson, Jack Chrisman, and Gas Ronda.
- Logghe Brothers introduced innovations like the first coilover suspension in funny cars.
- Logghe-built cars achieved impressive performance, including a 7.82-second pass at 182.16 mph.
- Logghe Stamping’s impact helped drive the emergence of the funny car chassis-building industry.
Introduction to Logghe Stamping Company
The Logghe Stamping Company was a family business in Detroit, Michigan. It was run by brothers Ron and Gene Logghe2. Started in 1947 by their dad Morris Logghe, it first made automotive parts2. Gene joined at 17, and Ron followed a year later2.
Family-owned Business in Detroit
The brothers led the company to become a leader in funny car chassis making2. In 1964, their car, “the Giant Killer,” was the first non-supercharged car to run in the seven-second zone2. The next year, 1965, was big for Funny Cars. The Logghe Stamping Company introduced the “flip-top” body design2.
Pioneers in Funny Car Chassis Fabrication
The Logghe brothers were innovators in chassis design and built a strong customer base in drag racing2. They worked with big names like Connie Kalitta and Don Schumacher2. The racing part of the company stopped in 1975, but the Logghe Stamping Company kept going. Ron’s son Dan and Gene’s son John became Vice Presidents2.
The Logghe brothers left a big mark on the drag racing world234. Their designs and hard work helped change Funny Cars and other racing classes. They paved the way for future racers and builders.
Logghe Brothers’ Impact on Drag Racing
The Logghe brothers were true pioneers in drag racing. They made a big impact with their unique chassis designs. Their cars, with the first coilover suspension in funny cars, were highly sought after by top racers5.
First Coilover Suspension in Funny Cars
The Logghe brothers introduced coilover suspension in their funny car chassis. This innovation helped racers like Don Nicholson, Jack Chrisman, and Gas Ronda succeed. It made Logghe cars stand out, solidifying the family’s reputation as leaders in the sport5.
Building Chassis for Legendary Racers
The Logghe Stamping Company was the top choice for many legendary drag racers. They trusted the brothers to build their winning chassis. Don Nicholson, Jack Chrisman, and Gas Ronda all achieved great success with Logghe-built cars5.
The Logghe brothers’ commitment to innovation and the sport is unforgettable. Their work still inspires and influences today’s chassis builders and racers.
Logghe Stamping History With Drag Racing
The Logghe Stamping Company’s legacy is deeply tied to drag racing’s growth. As metal fabrication leaders in Detroit, the Logghe Brothers were key in shaping the sport. They built chassis for some of NHRA’s most iconic and successful drag racers6.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Logghe Stamping Company led in Funny Car chassis making. They worked with legendary racers, offering the latest tech and engineering. This helped power many of the era’s top Funny Cars7.
Logghe Stamping introduced the first coilover suspension system in Funny Cars. This innovation changed how these fast cars handled, leading to new speeds and control on the drag strip6.
The company also built for some of NHRA’s most celebrated legends. They achieved the first 200 mph pass in a Funny Car. Logghe’s focus on innovation and engineering made them a key partner to top teams and drivers8.
Today, the Logghe name is a symbol of Funny Car racing’s golden era. It shows the company’s pioneering spirit and lasting impact on the sport. Their story highlights how Detroit’s metal fabrication pioneers shaped drag racing history678.
Innovations and Milestones
The Logghe Stamping Company was a leader in drag racing innovation. They helped create the Top Fuel dragster chassis design, still used today9. Also, a Logghe-chassised car, driven by Gene Snow, hit the first 200 mph in a funny car. This was a big moment in the sport9.
Development of Top Fuel Dragster Chassis
Logghe Stamping was key in making the Top Fuel dragster chassis. Their work in chassis fabrication and innovation was crucial. The Logghe-designed chassis is now the standard for the fastest drag racing cars9.
First 200 mph Pass in a Funny Car
A Logghe-chassised car, driven by Gene Snow, made history by hitting 200 mph. This achievement showed Logghe Stamping’s impact on drag racing technology and performance9.
Legacy and Influence
The Logghe Stamping Company’s impact on drag racing is huge10. The Logghe Brothers were the first to make funny car chassis. This led to a big industry of chassis-building, with others joining in10. Their hard work and new ideas changed drag racing forever.
Paving the Way for Chassis-Building Industry
The Logghe Stamping Company made a big difference in drag racing10. They were experts in making funny car chassis. This helped the chassis-building industry grow a lot10. Famous racers and teams used their work, making the Logghe Brothers famous in the field.
Their work changed how drag racing chassis are made and built10. The Logghe Brothers’ new ideas and focus on details led others to follow. This helped the sport grow even more10. Their legacy in making drag racing chassis is still important today.
The Logghe Stamping Company’s influence on the chassis building industry shows their dedication10. Many race teams and drivers have benefited from their knowledge. This makes the company a key part of drag racing’s history10.
Conclusion
The Logghe Stamping Company’s impact on drag racing is huge11. Brothers Ron and Gene Logghe started something special. They made the company famous for its funny car chassis.
Their work led to the first coilover suspension in funny cars. They also built chassis for famous racers. This helped start the thriving chassis-building industry we see today12.
The Logghe Stamping Company left a mark on drag racing that’s hard to ignore11. They always pushed for better performance. Their support for top drivers made them true industry leaders.
Today, their legacy inspires new metal fabrication innovators12. These innovators aim to build on what the Logghe brothers started.
As we look back on the Logghe Stamping Company’s history, it’s clear their impact will last11. Their legacy shows the power of innovation and hard work in the sport they loved12.
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Source Links
- Logghe Stamping Company – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logghe_Stamping_Company
- Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame – https://www.mmshof.org/index.php/inductees/inductees/251-logghe-brothers
- Drag Racing Story of the Day – https://www.draglist.com/stories/SOD-Mar-2003/SOD-031403.htm
- The Serious Business of the Funny Car Engine Wars – Hagerty Media – https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/the-serious-business-of-the-funny-car-engine-wars/
- Racing Genetics – The Procks – https://wediditforlove.com/Procks.html
- RON PELLIGRINI PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN DRAG RACING’S FORMATIVE YEARS – https://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/ron-pelligrini-played-a-major-role-in-drag-racings-formative-years
- Bought my dad’s old Buick Funny Car… – https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/61499-Bought-my-dad-s-old-Buick-Funny-Car
- Old Funny Cars – Page 3 – Dover Drag Strip – https://doverdragstrip.com/forums/topic/old-funny-cars/page/3/
- Blog Posts – https://www.gyronautx1.com/live-updates/previous/3
- Double the exposure, double the fun – https://www.nhra.com/news/2013/double-exposure-double-fun
- Neither wind, nor snow … – https://www.nhra.com/news/2014/neither-wind-nor-snow
- DRAGSTERS – http://georgeklass.net/dragsters.html
