Legendary Chassis Builder Jerry Bickel Passes at Age 75
A man responsible for constructing and building hundreds of race cars, Melvin “Jerry” Bickel has passed at the age of 75 years-old.
Originally getting involved in racing behind the wheel in the 1960s and 1970s, Bickel went on to build cars for classes including Top Sportsman and Pro Mod, including the classic Camaro models of current PDRA Pro Nitrous champion Jim Halsey, as well as 2021 NHRA Pro Mod world champion Jose Gonzalez.
Bickel also originally built the “Pro Mod” design C7 Corvette that would be purchased, modified and successfully campaigned by Dave Schroeder.
Sick The Mag keeps its web articles ad-free thanks to merch sales and magazine subscriptions. Thank you to all of you who wear our stuff and read our books!
Bickel’s business, Jerry Bickel Race Cars, also stocked a full line of products, including build books, fabrication books and chassis tuning books.
Bickel leaves behind his wife Jennifer, children Katherine Elizabeth (Marty) Randolph and Matthew Bickel, and grandchildren Rhys Randolph and Colin Randolph.
The Bickel funeral will take place on Saturday April 15th in Saint Charles, Missouri.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Drag Illustrated.