Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

The "Ragamuffin" 409 is way before my time, but I would always hear stories about the car and how revered it was on the local Midwest Tracks, Da Grove, US 30, Byron, Lake Geneva, Cordova etc.

I get a call from the brother of the original owner who died in 1967 and he says that he purchased a new Camaro and that he wanted to hop it up. So we set an appointment for him to stop by the shop. He brought some vintage pics with him and let me know that not only was the '09 purchased new at NicKey Chevrolet, but that NicKey was able to get an aluminum front end and some Z11 parts for them to run. Just thought it was a Kool part of the NicKey Chevrolet heritage.




https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...gamuffin_4.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...gamuffin_9.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...amuffin_10.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...amuffin_11.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...gamuffin_2.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...gamuffin_5.jpg

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...amuffin_12.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...gamuffin_1.jpg

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...gamuffin_6.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...gamuffin_7.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...gamuffin_8.jpg

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...ragamuffin.jpg

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

Awesome pics! Where is the "Ragamuffin" today? Very cool.

Dan

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

Did you notice the Mars Oldsmobile emblem on the car towing the trailer. There's a name out of the past

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesome pics! Where is the &quot;Ragamuffin&quot; today? Very cool.

Dan </div></div>

Here is a thread over at the 348/409 site that Gags was part of about a year or so ago that ends up talking about Ragamuffin.

Ragamuffin

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

Thanks Jake [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Dan

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

I just checked that address for clements speed shop listed on the door of that 409, there is a building still there that looks to likely be original (I grew up there and I can tell what was original (but refaced) and what is new). It was only 3 blocks from my old house. I remember the street racing on archer, I imagine these guys were in the thick of it, testing out their engines. I only knew of the speed shop next to a tool rental shop on the other side of the street, 2 blocks down, but never heard of this one, til now. The owner of the other shop may still be around so I have heard, but hard to get ahold of.

There was a clorox factory right down the street from that clements speedshop location (another 4 blocks north), PLENTY of room to try out a car without getting caught. Nobody would call, because it was all industry back there. We used to ride our 20&quot; bikes back there as kids, and you would see plenty of tire marks from racing.

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

Priceless photos! Thanks for sharing.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

That Oct ’64 picture shows the orchid 1964 Illinois plate on the car.

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

The information in the article is incorrect. The original owner of the Ragamuffin is alive and well.Also the vehicle was NOT purchased at Nickey Chevrolet but was purchased new at Fencil-Bogan Chevrolet on Madison St.in Oak Park,Illinois. The owner is my best friend and has been since 1962.

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

Great pics of the car and I will be sure to share them with him when I see him this week end. Thanks again for the pics. I'm sure he will enjoy them.

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheRunaway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The information in the article is incorrect. The original owner of the Ragamuffin is alive and well.Also the vehicle was NOT purchased at Nickey Chevrolet but was purchased new at Fencil-Bogan Chevrolet on Madison St.in Oak Park,Illinois. The owner is my best friend and has been since 1962. </div></div>

I wasn't there and appreciate your post, but the pics and info are from

&quot;the brother of the original owner who died in 1967&quot; ??

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

Pretty cool, Clement Speed Shop was a couple of blocks away from our old house in Chicago. It must have been long gone by the early 80s.

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stefano</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheRunaway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The information in the article is incorrect. The original owner of the Ragamuffin is alive and well.Also the vehicle was NOT purchased at Nickey Chevrolet but was purchased new at Fencil-Bogan Chevrolet on Madison St.in Oak Park,Illinois. The owner is my best friend and has been since 1962. </div></div>

I wasn't there and appreciate your post, but the pics and info are from

&quot;the brother of the original owner who died in 1967&quot; ?? </div></div>

If you look at this thread over at the 348/409 site it appears there may have been 2 ragamuffin cars - perhaps that is the confusion....?


Ragamuffin thread 349/409 site [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

Re: Ragamuffin 1963 409 ci 425 hp
 

Great pics and history also cool 348/409 site thread!
Below Ragamuffin in action pic found online if it works.
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7297-image.jpg