Viper designer becomes VP

[Tom F&L GoR]

Ralph Gilles, designer of the Gen 3 Viper, the new Dodge Ram, and others has been promoted to vice president for design. Ralph was pretty cool and just one of the guys at the last VCA vs. SRT autocross challenge. Congratulations!

Exec behind Dodge Challenger, PT Cruiser retires - MSNBC Wire Services - CNBC.com

 

[Paul Hawker]

Congratulations Ralph.

Could not go to a more talented and deserving guy.

 

[Warfang]

he did the 300 too I believe. Although I always thought some Japanese guy designed the srt.

Congrats Ralph!

 

[Dimitrios]

congrats! isnt that the guy that brought the 08 ACR at pocono and went around the track with steve in the comp coupe??

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

congrats! isnt that the guy that brought the 08 ACR at pocono and went around the track with steve in the comp coupe??

That's him. And this is good news for the Viper I would think.

 

[Kevan]

Congratulations, Ralph!!!

he did the 300 too I believe.

I think he did the entire LX platform- Man Wagon (Magnum), Charger, and 300C.
From all accounts, a very nice guy.

 

[yellowvipergts]

That's GOOD NEWS!
Congratulatoins Ralph!

 

[MoparMan]

Congratulations to Ralph. This is a well earned and well deserved promotion.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

Ralph at Pocono Zone Track day with his personal ACR, he towed in from Detroit. With Bob Carroll, our VCA National President on the left.

 

[mike & juli]

That is GREAT news for the Viper and the SRT lineup. Congrats Ralph! (LOVE the black-on-black ACR ) ~juli

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

That is GREAT news for the Viper and the SRT lineup. Congrats Ralph! (LOVE the black-on-black ACR ) ~juli

Graphite on black.

 

[mike & juli]

Graphite on black.

Even Better~! What a PERfect combo ~juli

 

[SylvanSRT]

A truly nice guy, i could not be any happier for him. Also a real car guy's, car guy! And one hell of a good driver.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Super talented guy and real force behind Automotive Design in the US. Humble guy who will go down in the annals of vehicular style in years to come, with a pedigree as strong as Gale, Shinoda, Earl, and others.

I think the correct chronology is :
1. Main Designer on the Chrysler 300 --- the most decorated car in US history.
2. Assisted with the Charger and the Magnum
3. Designed the Gen III Coupe and the 5 spoke rims.
4. Design head for Dodge Truck and Jeep, so heavily into the new, aerodynamic Ram --- wait till you see one of these in person (killer looks inside and out ).
5. Had his finely tuned hands in a myriad of other projects.

The best thing is the guy is a real Petrolhead ( borrowing my favorite term from the blokes in the Merry Olde England VCA ) who loves to race as much as design. He has run various driving events and participated in the Targa Newfoundland ---getting some great press for Chrysler Corp.

Wonderful to see a nice guy finishing up front and this bodes extremely well for future machines from the Pentastar Group!!

 

[slaughterj]

I hope he has the foresight and ability to restore the Viper design to a more curvaceous style in future, removing the less **** angles, edges, creases, etc.

 

[ACR Jim]

Bill, I think you nailed it. Well deserved promotion, down to earth very approachable and extremely talented guy that I have no doubt will continue to deliver product that the VCA faithful will appreciate!

Look forward to seeing him again next week at VOI

 

[SylvanSRT]

Just an aside Larry Shinoda was my neighbor growing up(1 block away), i used to play with his kids. It took until I was much older to figure out why there were always some very cool cars in his driveway. Some of the photos that are around show him in front of his house that was in my neighborhood. including some with the original 63 Stingray Corvettes he designed

 

[Mopar488]

Congratulations Ralph! I met you after a race on Sat. at VIR. My wife was taking a lot of pictures on the long back stretch of your ACR. We were in the silver Avenger. We were real impressed with the way you drove your ACR, so much I had a new 08 within 2 weeks after VIR.

 

[HI-NOS-Viper]

Congrats Ralph. Well deserved for all of your accomplishments. I absolutely love that ACR. The color combo is stunning.

 

[vooodoo]

Thanks everyone for the kind words and support. It's a daunting challenge but I am up for it and have never been more motivated.

It's been a great summer - I have been enjoying my ACR as you can see. "Hi" to all the great Viper owners and people I have seen or met.

Ralph

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Congrats Ralph! Thanks again for the help at the Virginia hotel when my buddy's alarm on his b/w GTS had us stranded. Also, thanks for the ride to the track Here's a pic I got of your car that weekend:

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[PaViper]

Congratulations Ralph, it was a pleasure meeting you at Pocono. A well deserved promotion to someone that truly understands the passion for these vehicles

 

[Jerz Viper]

Congratulations Buddy!

 

[Janni]

Couldn't be happier for a great and talented guy.

Congratulations, Ralph.

 

[ACR steve]

Congratulations Ralph you are a huge asset to the company and the Viper family. I look forward to seeing you guys again.

 

[ViperGTS]

Congrats from overseas...Ralph!

 

[Kenneth Krieger]

I think the design of the Gen III is fantastic.......just enough of an inspiration for the future, rather than continuing in the past.....not really any different than the design of the NEW Challenger compared with the original.....both bad ass, but newly enhanced if you will!!!