Legendary drag racing chassis builder Melvin “Jerry” Bickel has passed away at the age of 75. The owner and founder of Jerry Bickel Race Cars, in Moscow Mills, MO, Bickel leaves behind wife Jennifer Bickel; children Katherine Elizabeth (Marty) Randolph and Matthew Bickel; and grandchildren Rhys Randolph and Colin Randolph.
His legacy in the race world is undeniable. Jerry Bickel Race Cars has built chassis’ for NHRA, PDRA, and IHRA Drag Racing along with providing performance parts. The business and Bickel were also major supporters of the NHRA with a support trailer at most major events. His builds had become synonymous with high end performance across multiple types of drag racing, and the Ohio-based shop had grown and expanded into a world class facility over the last 40 years.
Bickel started his career with Troy Motors and Marquiz Motors before opening his own shop. He will be missed by everyone at RacingJunk, and within the entire drag race community. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.
RacingJunk’s Big Al Liebmann, who first met Bickel 30 years ago, had stopped by the shop not long ago for a visit: Jerry Bickel Shop Tour. “I first meet Jerry over 30 years ago while we racing funny cars then while at RacingJunk.com being able to handle his account for the past 4 years. Thanks for the memories and great stories and allowing me to get close and up front at JBRC,” says Liebmann in tribute.
ETA: The location of Jerry Bickel Race Cars was accidentally listed as Ohio. It has since been corrected to Missouri.
RIP Jerry
Troy Missouri*
Thank you for catching that typo! We will correct ASAP!
I raced with JERRY BICKEL at saint louis drag strip back in the late sixties and early seventies, jerry was a great guy
RIP MY FRIEND– HARRY KALWEI
I’m Thankful I had the privilege of standing in Jerry’s office and talking with him a few years ago. Toured his shop and talked about the “Coca-Cola” machine he had restored sitting there.
Great Guy!……
So sad all the great ones are leaving us!
I had the pleasure to meet Jerry while on a trip to St Louis and will always remember the hospitality he showed by letting me tour his shop. He gave me free run of the shop and only asked me to not take pictures, which I would never do. I have so much respect for him and his staff and only wish I could have owned one of his Great cars. Rest in peace Jerry. Dan
I too hated to hear this. He seemed like a real genuine person that loved racing and really took care of each customer individually. It was a privilege to meet a top-tiered chassis builder. One of the “Greats” in the likes of Haas, Don Ness etc….
I remember the last time I was in his office we were talking about the Coca-Cola bottle machine sitting there that he had just restored. He would talk to you like he knew you for ten years in person or on the phone.
RIP My Friend.