another loss, RIP Ron Champe
01-18-2014, 05:36 PM
#1
Drifting
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2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
another loss, RIP Ron Champe
Ron Champe has passed on, he had a very nice blue 65 coupe that was just featured in the Summit racing catalog. He was a great guy to sit and talk to, I would see him every year at Carlisle.
http://www.summitracing.com/expertad...ette-sting-ray
http://www.summitracing.com/expertad...ette-sting-ray
Last edited by midyear; 01-18-2014 at 05:39 PM.
01-18-2014, 05:49 PM
#2
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2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Sad loss indeed Denis I just can't seem to remember talking to him
01-18-2014, 08:06 PM
#5
Drifting
What sad news, I had a friend of mine call this afternoon and tell me Ron has passed 
Ron was truly one of the finer gentleman in our circle here on the forum. His passion for these cars, appreciation for other peoples work and never a bad word about anyone defined what a sincere man he was. His car is just amazing, the attention to detail and pride in his smile when you talked to him about it showed how much he loved Corvettes and those who shared in the same passion. I will really miss seeing he and his wife at GoodGuys shows and Carlisle. Fair winds and following seas my friend 
R/
Jeff
Ron was truly one of the finer gentleman in our circle here on the forum. His passion for these cars, appreciation for other peoples work and never a bad word about anyone defined what a sincere man he was. His car is just amazing, the attention to detail and pride in his smile when you talked to him about it showed how much he loved Corvettes and those who shared in the same passion. I will really miss seeing he and his wife at GoodGuys shows and Carlisle. Fair winds and following seas my friend R/
Jeff
01-18-2014, 08:34 PM
#6
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St. Jude Donor '15
Ron was a friend......I am in shock......RIP my friend, I will miss your wit, your smile and seeing you with your beautiful car
01-18-2014, 08:45 PM
#7
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St. Jude Donor '15
Here is a photo of Ron when he was getting photos of his car for Summit. He was so proud! His car was great and he was a gentleman......I will really miss him.
01-18-2014, 10:05 PM
#9
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Very nice guy, very nice car. The hobby has lost an asset! Dennis
01-18-2014, 10:11 PM
#11
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St. Jude Donor '15
When we would talk I would always ask him where he was taking his car because I didn't want to lose to him......we always got a good chuckle out of it, but I was always serious. His car was fantastic and he was a hell of a guy......
01-18-2014, 11:22 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
A great loss indeed. Ron was very supportive of the Restomod effort having reached out to me on my vetterodder facebook page. A gentleman and fellow Corvette enthusiast. RIP Ron.
Thank you for your contribution to the industry.
Respectfully,
Dan
Thank you for your contribution to the industry.
Respectfully,
Dan
01-19-2014, 04:28 AM
#13
I got to meet the man back in 08 at Carlisle, where he had his 65 displayed with other restomods. We talked in great length about his build. After that we changed emails over the years. Very nice and helpful gentleman.
RIP
RIP
Last edited by groovyjay; 01-19-2014 at 07:15 PM.
01-19-2014, 08:29 AM
#14
Race Director
Sad news indeed. I 1st met Ron at a Goodguys show also. He talked in detail about his car (great car, great colors, beautiful interior). Very friendly guy who was quick to share thoughts and help if you needed it. Those of us fortunate enough to have met him will surely miss him.RIP Ron.
01-19-2014, 03:00 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
Another friend of our just told us last evening. It was certainly unexpected and a shock.
We first met Ron and his wife Donna at a Super Chevy show in Maple Grove, Pa when he was building his coupe. He did a fantastic job on his car, it sure won it's share of major awards and was featured in magazines and the Summit catalog spread. He had shown his car at many ISCA World of Wheels shows including the Detroit Autorama. Ron's car was also part of the Vette-Rod display in Chip's Choice in Carlisle in 2008.
Each year Ron and Donna would attend one of our dinners in Carlisle and we would always park together on the Fun Field. He always had a crowd around his car and you could see his enthusiasm in answering questions and talking about his car.
Barb and I will sure miss him and his friendship.
Rich & Barb
We first met Ron and his wife Donna at a Super Chevy show in Maple Grove, Pa when he was building his coupe. He did a fantastic job on his car, it sure won it's share of major awards and was featured in magazines and the Summit catalog spread. He had shown his car at many ISCA World of Wheels shows including the Detroit Autorama. Ron's car was also part of the Vette-Rod display in Chip's Choice in Carlisle in 2008.
Each year Ron and Donna would attend one of our dinners in Carlisle and we would always park together on the Fun Field. He always had a crowd around his car and you could see his enthusiasm in answering questions and talking about his car.
Barb and I will sure miss him and his friendship.
Rich & Barb
01-19-2014, 03:15 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
The "FUN FIELD" and the Saturday night dinners @ Rillo's won't be nearly as much "FUN" without Ron. We will miss you! Sure glad we got to give you "OUR" award this year @ Carlisle!
01-19-2014, 06:58 PM
#18
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I have an iPad photo album with Ron's car in it. I have about 10 or so photos....if anyone has photos of his car or him with his car, please send them to me. The higher resolution the better.....thanks
htmiata@aol.com
htmiata@aol.com
01-20-2014, 12:39 AM
#19
Melting Slicks
Super nice guy. First met him at Detroit AutoRama in 2012, and then again later that year along with his wife at GoodGuys show in Nashville, where he beat my car out for Cool Corvette Award. He was real class act. Alway had a big smile on his face.
Last edited by Poorhousenext; 01-20-2014 at 12:43 AM.
