Pam Hardy & Jungle Jim: Tenderness in 1973

In an enthusiastic 1973 photograph, Pam Hardy beams beside an open truck bonnet, decked in shorts and a long-sleeved top. Peek a bit, and there’s a hint of American drag racing legend Jim “Jungle Jim” Liberman, distinguishable by his characteristic head and hands.

Known affectionately as “Jungle Pam,” Hardy was more than just a face by the race truck; she was Liberman’s trusted backup starter, famed for her theatrical on-track performances. Their partnership, both professional and personal, revved up the drag racing scene. Their magnetic bond, filled with a shared passion for the sport, was tragically cut short when Liberman passed away in 1977.