Even though he passed away, his company still puts out awesome cars. Like this twin-turboed masterpiece. Check out how the torque just pulls the car when he shifts... crazy. http://www.lingenfelter.com/Kordis6spdtt.mpg
Lingenfelter is the only tuner I would ever trust to modify a Corvette. Everything I have ever read about his cars is consistent in that they are reliable, and bloody fast!
I knew John pretty well. He was a super individual. His daughter and former GM are running the business now and still doing very well. I've had the chance to drive one of his 950hp street legal (!) Vettes and it was an experience beyond belief. Factory warranty, too!
I thought of him the other day. Thinking of ordering a package for the Trans Am. Good to hear they kept the doors open!
Yeah, pretty sad death. My cousin worked for LPE and said that he met John one day and that he was a real nice, funny guy. Ive always wanted to drive one of those powerhouses, automatic of course.
My favorite John Lingenfelter story. His company bought product from my company but we had never met. We were going to our industry's major trade show and I hoped to borrow/rent a static display engine from him. I called him up and invited myself over. I pitched my request and he said "who attends this show?" I told him business owners, plant managers, machinists, etc. He said "Those are my customers, do you want a whole car?" Naturally I said yes. He then proceeded to give me a tour of the place, take me for a ride (at over 150mph) in one of his cars including full burnout start and let me drive the car. One of the twin turbo 427 Vettes with complete body kit was provided at no charge as the centerpiece of our show booth. He was a great person. His death (caused by reaction to anasthesia) was a tragedy.
He was in a racing accident at Pomona in 2002. He was badly hurt. After he was out of danger and recovering he was transferred to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis (where Terry Trammell works) for continuing recovery. He was having a lot of discomfort in his neck and the doctors decided to operate on his neck to either relieve a nerve or remove bone (I cannot remember this detail). He was prepped for surgery on the day after Thanksgiving, 2002. When he was given anaesthesia his heart stopped. The doctors could not get his heart started until they opened his chest and applied direct heart massage. Unfortunately, he was deprived of oxygen for too long and his brain was damaged. In December of 2002 he was moved to a hospital in Ft. Wayne where he remained (not exactly comatose, he could recognize his wife) until his death on Christmas day 2003. An exceedingly sad death.
