60's World-Class, Gran Turismo=Ramco

[Alfa02]

Ok, gentlemen as promised, here is one of the cars Brent (EM-0785) and I will have ready (Fingers crossed) by June.
First just a touch of history, we'll get into it more as we learn more.
This was one man's dream, to build a world class GT, for driving in the US, Modified the (Austin Healey) classis, he hand built the All-Fiberglass body, and to make it a true GT (High Speed) installed a Corvette drivetrain!!! first a 283, now a 70 LT-1 with a "Moon-Eyes" side draft manifold and 4-45 DCOE Webers, with wide ratio 4-speed.
Remember this project was started in 1961, before the first Cobra was built.
We also got in the purchase price, the son of org. owner, Robert Jr. (60yo) who is not only a car guy, but it helps that he is also a wonderful person to deal with.
The name Ramco came from the one & only owner "Robert A. May Sr.", when you add in Company, you get Ramco
Let me TRY to add a few pictures with this first post, the site not in tune to adding pictures
I know LOTS of questions are coming, I will answer them as we learn more.
Ramco was never seen by very many people (Family & few friends) so this is its second life and coming out party.
Big plans are in the near future, which will include magazines, you-tube videos, Jay Leno & Niclole Johnson "Detour" are both looking to doing a spot with Ramco. Our plan is to show it to the world.
Only one was every built, and this it!!!! More to come guys, as always Cheers TommyRot.

[KarlzEE Bebout]

TommyRot, I notice what looks like the old Chevy ignition switch that could be operated without the key, if the engine had been turned off in that position. Also, what is the lever on the dash, directly behind the steering wheel? That's a terrible location for a turn signal, but otherwise, I don't have a clue.

[Alfa02]

Good Eye Karlos, 57 chevy ign. switch. And yes, that's the turn signal lever on the dash, not the best, but it is what it is We are refreshing Ramco, not restoring, body & interior will not be touched other than the seats will be reformed. The paint is Org. and 60+years old. The Nardi wheel is the exact one the 62-65 Ferrari 250 GTE, Lusso used. Brent will post pictures of the engine tonight. All org. S/W gauges, this car has 40+K most done @ 100+mph. Cheers Karlos. Tommyrot.

[EM-0785]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

Brent will post pictures of the engine tonight. Tommyrot.

Ok, here you go Tommy and friends, enjoy! Brent

[Alfa02]

Thank you so much Healey Rick, he had a wonderful surprise for us He have been put in charge of doing a full feature story in the National Healey Magazine, WOW so cool
What a great start of Ramco's second life. Interesting story, after the org. 283 was worn out, the second edition of Ramco life was started in the 70's. A 1970 LT-1 was found, and with that extra power, came addition of 3/4" fender flares to fit the "One off" 15X6.5" Borrani wire wheels (these 4 are only ones built to Robert Sr. specs.), the Moon Eyes intake (Only 9-were every full polished, out of less than 100 built) and the Weber carbs. for high-speed touring. Thrust Side pipes were added to keep heat from the bottom of the car. More to Come. Hope you guys like the story so far. Cheers .

[EM-0785]

Here’s a photo from pickup day...homeward bound.

Also, a photo of the cursive inscribed ‘Ramco’ on the Borrani wheels, as with the steering wheel, and most everything marked specifically for the car.

[tkb289]

TommyRot and Brent,

Amazing find and what an interesting and unique automobile, truly one of one. Great way to introduce the Ramco to the automotive enthusiast community and best of luck with the up coming outings for the car.

Thanks of sharing, please keep us posted on how the car is being received.

- Tim

[HealeyRick]

Great talking to you last night, Tom. This will be a fun article to write. One really has to admire someone who wanted a car for high-speed travel, designed it, and built it and it came out great.

[tkb289]

Tom,

On the far side of the dash, there is a silver knob with tag ‘ML’ above it, what is that for ? Choke cable, Dash vent cable, ???

- Tim

[Alfa02]

Thank you all, From Brent & myself Your comments mean a lot, and you guys understand what we are trying to do to preserve a truly unique car.
Brent & I were talking the other night about Ramco and why we like it so much.
For me, I can remember in the 60's, traveling every summer from WA.to MI. to see relatives, in my dad's beloved 62 Volvo P-1800, my little sister and & I in what is laughing called jump seats in the back, me driving my Matchbox cars on the back shelf, my little sister with her coloring book, and mom up front sewing or knitting, with dad at the helm, as the world passed by @ anywhere from 75-100MPH.
Ramco brings this all home again.
Little Tommy Lesh @ 10yo behind dad's P-1800
Tim, that is the cold air vent pull for the passenger side.
Brent/Glen help with photo ???
Sorry its upside that for Glen

[Blue66]

so cool

[HealeyRick]

To say TommyRot is over the moon over his new find would be an understatement and he's asked me to add some background over what we in the Austin-Healey community call "Nasty Boys". The name refers to Healeys with an American V8 and supposedly came from a Brit who heard one rumping through the pits at a race and asked his friend, "Isn't that a Nasty Boy?"
They've been called "Poor Man's Cobras" as many used Healeys were treated to the backyard engineering treatment of hot rodders over the years. Truth is, Cobras should probably be called "Rich Man's Healeys" as Shel probably got some of his ideas for the Cobra from his years racing Healeys. In fact, before the Cobra was born, Shel approached Donald Healey and Chevrolet with the intent to turn that combination into his sports car. Both Healey and Chevy turned him down. Healey was building plenty of cars on his own and British Motor Cars wasn't keen on selling any of their production capacity. Meanwhile, Chevy didn't want the competition for the Corvette from a lighter and more powerful foreign car.
If you want to do a deep dive into the subject, you can take a look at an article on Nasty Boy history I wrote for the Austin-Healey Magazine a few years back:https://bighealey.org/NastyBoy/Issue_8_2016.pdf

[HealeyRick]

To say TommyRot is over the moon over his new find would be an understatement and he's asked me to add some background over what we in the Austin-Healey community call "Nasty Boys". The name refers to Healeys with an American V8 and supposedly came from a Brit who heard one rumping through the pits at a race and asked his friend, "Isn't that a Nasty Boy?"
They've been called "Poor Man's Cobras" as many used Healeys were treated to the backyard engineering treatment of hot rodders over the years. Truth is, Cobras should probably be called "Rich Man's Healeys" as Shel probably got some of his ideas for the Cobra from his years racing Healeys. In fact, before the Cobra was born, Shel approached Donald Healey and Chevrolet with the intent to turn that combination into his sports car. Both Healey and Chevy turned him down. Healey was building plenty of cars on his own and British Motor Cars wasn't keen on selling any of their production capacity. Meanwhile, Chevy didn't want the competition for the Corvette from a lighter and more powerful foreign car.
If you want to do a deep dive into the subject, you can take a look at an article on Nasty Boy history I wrote for the Austin-Healey Magazine a few years back:https://bighealey.org/NastyBoy/Issue_8_2016.pdf

[EM-0785]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

Ramco brings this all home again.
Little Tommy Lesh @ 10yo behind dad's P-1800
Tim, that is the cold air vent pull for the passenger side.
Brent/Glen help with photo ???
Sorry its upside that for Glen

Tom, here’s your photo right side up! Brent

[PDUB]

It's a really interesting auto! Thanks for sharing.

[mrmustang]

Good looking car, can't wait to see it on the road.


Bill S.

[Alfa02]

First off, thank you so much Rick for the 'Nasty Boy' write-up. It's nice when a Club accepts a one-off. I remember a few V-8 powered Healey back in the 60's racing days, the term is just so right.
I was concerned our club would call me out, for putting a Chevy V-8 hot-rod on here, a big thank you all for not doing so, as said it fit so right with Brent & I's little collection.
A fun story: When looking for a Jaguar XJS for my wife, I found a nice one here in Seattle, price was right, exc. cond. So, thinking I would end up joining the local Jaguar club, called the president thinking he could get me to the XJS expert's there. Everything was going great till he asked about mileage on the V-12, when I told him, it now had 400cu. in. Chevy in it, I was left with a "Dial Tone" No goodbyes, nothing.

[dblbarrel]

As a member of the Seattle Jaguar club I saw an XJS at a club event in 2022.
Arlington air show the club is not exclusionary. I have been a member for 8 years. There are all kinds of cars and people.

[Alfa02]

Hi dblarrel, it's been a long time since we've heard from you, glad to see you still kicking around We have a few tours lined up for this year, if you would like, PM me, and I'll add you to the list.
I believe you meant say a XJS with Chevy in it. That very well may be (In 2022) We're talking 1991 when I was looking for the wife's Jag. We did find a beautiful 1984 1-owner Cobalt Blue with Fawn interior.
A lot of things (Rules) have changed since then, "Sovern" our vintage race club when I joined (1993) the cutoff date for production cars was 1969, and Formula/Sportracing 1972, now it's 'run what you brung' Cheers Tom.