Ralph Eckler R.I.P.
04-26-2016, 06:18 PM
#2
Race Director
Back in the 90s when I was restoring my car I used Ecklers quite a bit with good success. Used some of their How-To fiberglass repair guides for my body work - liked their bonding agent and gel coat. RIP Ralph. 
04-26-2016, 06:59 PM
#4
Drifting
Remember how he used his 66 coupe as a showcase for his glass' panels...kind of an tangerine color with flares and spoliers and scooped hood....
Yikes, the ground is falling away from our youth.
RIP Ralph!
Yikes, the ground is falling away from our youth.
RIP Ralph!
04-26-2016, 09:01 PM
#6
Advanced
I first met Ralph back in the early '70s at his shop on Airport Rd, in Milan Il. I got to know most of his employees as well. I was disappointed when he moved his business to Florida. I had been a loyal customer for years, until the last few years. RIP Ralph....
04-26-2016, 10:36 PM
#7
Race Director
Member Since: Jan 2002
Location: Close to DC
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C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
His company sure helped many of us get and keep our cars on the road. RIP Ralph. :sad angel: Dennis
04-27-2016, 12:44 PM
#9
Supporting Lifetime
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Syracuse NY
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2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
There are still a couple of Eckler Corvette station wagon conversions running around town. RIP, Mr. Eckler, and thanks.
04-27-2016, 09:53 PM
#12
Race Director
Sadly we loose another name that has been part of the Corvette world for years.
RIP
RIP
04-27-2016, 09:57 PM
#13
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Canada's capital
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
God speed Ralph......I spent many afternoons wandering around his Titusville plant, back when you could go into the warehouse and check everything out first hand.
04-28-2016, 11:52 AM
#14
Drifting
A bud put one together and it made one of the vette mags. blue with a blower and 'street is neat' plates and logo. Long since gone and recently found and recovered from someplace in Kentucky back to NJ. It now sits idle and modified from the blue beauty it once was.
04-28-2016, 12:46 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
Those station wagon kits he sold must have been nicely constructed. I have people come up to me to this day that swear GM made a corvette station wagon!
Gary
04-28-2016, 02:42 PM
#17
Team Owner
Member Since: May 2005
Location: Madison - just west of Huntsville AL
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Ralph Eckler definitely saw many changes to the hobby over the years as we went from hot rod Corvettes to all original Corvettes to resto-mod Corvettes.
What a ride.
I wonder if Ralph ever collected on his $27.5 million dollar judgement back in 2008?
What a ride.
I wonder if Ralph ever collected on his $27.5 million dollar judgement back in 2008?
04-29-2016, 08:51 AM
#18
Safety Car
Another legend gone.
Richard Newton
Richard Newton