Jungle Pam Hardy: Secrets Behind the Legendary Drag Racing Beauty

Her presence left men speechless, and she became an unforgettable icon for America’s car enthusiasts.

But who was Jungle Pam Hardy, and why is her legend still alive today?

Even though her time in drag racing lasted only four years, Jungle Pam’s name has stayed famous for almost four decades.

Jungle Pam Hardy was more than just a pretty face in 1970s drag racing. Known for her beauty and charm, Pam brought a special style to the track that fans loved just as much as the roaring engines.

In a time when drag racing was about real skill and thrilling excitement, she captured the spirit of the era. She was part of the golden age of drag racing—when drivers controlled their cars, not computers. Many believe she added a level of beauty to drag racing that no one else has matched.

Backing up the famous Jungle Jim’s race car in her signature shorts and tank top, Pam excited fans as much as the cars did back then.

**Road to Stardom**
You can’t talk about Jungle Pam without mentioning her legendary partner, Jim Liberman, the daring drag racer known as “Jungle Jim.”

Liberman, who started driving at age 12, was famous for his showmanship and was a big name in U.S. drag racing. Many still say he was the best showman on the drag strip.

Pam’s story begins in May 1972—just two weeks before she was set to graduate high school.

Liberman saw the beautiful young woman hitchhiking while driving his yellow Corvette, and that’s where it all started. Pam had plans to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania to study business. But instead, she fell for Jim and joined him on the road.

“I ditched the college that had accepted me, and it drove my mother nuts,” she later recalled.

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Touring the country together, Jim and Pam became a powerful team in the drag racing world, with his bold showmanship and her magnetic presence. Jim Liberman originally wanted Pam to position his funny car at the starting line, knowing it would grab the audience’s attention — and it certainly did.

“Well, sex sells,” Pam told *Competition Plus*. “You see it on TV all the time, but back in the ’70s, Jungle and I thought it would be worth trying, so we did. It didn’t hurt his reputation at all. In fact, more pictures were taken of his car as long as I was standing next to it.”

Pam was not only stunning but often braless, usually wearing a tank top or skimpy halter with extremely short jean shorts.

**Most Famous Figure on the Drag Strip**
Before long, she went from being unknown to becoming the most famous woman on the drag strip. Her rise was so impressive that she even appeared on the cover of *Hot Rod Magazine*, the first woman ever to do so. The cheers when Pam walked onto the track often surpassed the applause for the top drivers.

“I’m kind of amazed by all the attention,” she said in 1974.

But Pam was more than just a pretty face, as some might think. She staged the car, checked it for fluid leaks before each run, filled the block with water and eight quarts of 70W oil, packed the parachutes after every race, and helped Jim position his car after burnouts.

Her presence left men speechless, and she became an unforgettable icon for America’s motor enthusiasts.

But who was Jungle Pam Hardy, and why does her legend continue today?

Even though her time in drag racing lasted only four years, Jungle Pam’s name has remained iconic for nearly four decades.

Jungle Pam Hardy was more than just a pretty face in 1970s drag racing. Known for her charisma and beauty, she brought a unique flair to the track that captivated fans as much as the roaring engines.

In an era when drag racing was all about raw talent and excitement, Pam embodied that spirit. She was there during the golden age of drag racing—when drivers controlled their cars instead of computers. Many say she brought a kind of beauty to the sport that has never been matched.

Backing up the legendary Jungle Jim’s race car in her signature shorts and tank top, Pam thrilled fans as much as the cars did.

**Road to Stardom**
You can’t talk about Jungle Pam without mentioning her famous partner, Jim Liberman, the flamboyant drag racer known as “Jungle Jim.”

Liberman, who started driving at 12, was a huge name in U.S. drag racing. Many still believe he was the greatest showman the drag strip has ever seen.

Pam’s story began in May 1972—just two weeks before she graduated high school. Liberman spotted her hitchhiking while driving his yellow Corvette, and fate took over. Pam had plans to attend West Chester University to major in business, but instead, she fell for Jim and joined him on the road.

“I ditched the college that had accepted me, and it drove my mother nuts,” she recalled.

**A Dynamic Duo**
Touring the country together, Jim and Pam became a dynamic duo in the drag racing world, with his showmanship and her magnetic presence. Jim had Pam stage his funny car at the starting line, knowing it would grab the audience’s attention — and it did.

“Well, sex sells,” Pam told *Competition Plus*. “Back in the ’70s, Jungle and I decided together that it was worth a shot. It didn’t hurt his reputation at all, and he got more pictures of his car as long as I was standing next to it.”

Pam was not only stunning but often braless, usually wearing a tank top or skimpy halter and tiny jean shorts.

**Most Famous Figure on the Drag Strip**
Pam quickly transformed from unknown to the most famous woman on the drag strip. She even appeared on the cover of *Hot Rod Magazine*, the first woman to do so. The cheers Pam received when she stepped onto the track often outdid those for the drivers.

“I’m amazed by all the attention,” she said in 1974.

But Pam wasn’t just a pretty face. She staged the car, checked it for leaks before every run, filled it with water and oil, packed parachutes after each race, and helped Jim position the car after burnouts.

“We put on a good show,” Pam said. “It wasn’t about me. It was about us.”

Pam was described as “a stroke of genius,” and many were impressed that Jim had turned her into a true racing enthusiast, helping raise the profile of the sport and Jim’s team.

In the world of drag racing, Jim and Pam stood out. While Jim won several championships, he was best known for his vibrant personality and, of course, his stunning girlfriend.

“Our relationship was a flash in the pan, a bolt of lightning. It just worked,” Pam told *Fox Sports*.

But everything changed on September 9, 1977.

**Jim Dies**
Three days before his 32nd birthday, Jim was racing his 1972 yellow Corvette at 250 mph when he crashed into a bus.

He died instantly, and it took rescuers 45 minutes to remove his body from the wreck.

“It was my mother who called me because she didn’t want me to hear it on the news,” Pam told *CompetitionPlusTV*.

The tragic accident shook the motorsports community. Afterward, Pam made the hard decision to leave drag racing, vowing never to work with another driver again

Yet, Pam quietly dedicated herself to keeping Jim Liberman’s memory alive. She often participated in memorial events honoring her late boyfriend.

“All that showmanship was his real personality,” Pam said. “He didn’t just turn it on at the track and become normal at home. He had that flair even when we were just at the house or out somewhere. You could always feel his presence wherever he was.”

On a personal level, Pam moved on. Being a racing lover, she later married Funny Car owner Fred Frey. After their divorce, she married Bill Hodgson, who tunes George Reidnauer’s Excalibur Corvette Nostalgia Funny Car.

**The Truth Behind the Photos**
Looking through old drag racing photos from the 1970s is like stepping back in time. These pictures capture not just the loud engines and bright colors of the era but also the spirit of a community united by a passion for speed and excitement.

Jungle Pam broke new ground, showing that women could earn respect in a male-dominated sport while bringing smiles and joy to many. She had a life that just doesn’t happen anymore—a woman of undeniable class, living life on her own terms. What more could anyone ask for?

Mom straps baby in carseat and tosses her out second-story window just seconds before taking her final breaths. Full story in the comments 

Nothing really beats mother’s love, don’t you think so? When a woman gives birth, her whole life changes and all that matters is the well-being of her bundle of joy. There is literally nothing a mom wouldn’t do for her child, and this sad and heartwarming story is just another proof of that.

Shelby Ann Carter, a 21-year-old woman from Wyoming, Ill, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in January 2017. She and her boyfriend couldn’t be happier with the new addition to their family. Things just felt perfect for these new parents.

But you know what they say. Things don’t always turn out the way we want and expect. Sadly, the life of this loving family turned upside down as a result of a devastating tragedy.

On January 30, the mom and her baby were staying at Shelby’s mother’s house where they lived when suddenly the place caught fire.

The flames were spreading so quickly that the whole house got filled with heavy smoke and there was no way out.

Firefighters came at the scene as quickly as they could and did all in their power to put the flames under control, but unfortunately, it was already way too late for Shelby to be saved. She died due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

In the midst of the panic, Shelby tried to save her baby girl and everyone was left stunned when they realized what this mother did before she lost her life.

Firefighters came at the scene as quickly as they could and did all in their power to put the flames under control, but unfortunately, it was already way too late for Shelby to be saved. She died due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

In the midst of the panic, Shelby tried to save her baby girl and everyone was left stunned when they realized what this mother did before she lost her life.

Once she realized it was impossible for them to get out of the house, Shelby put the baby into the carseat, made sure she was secured with the belts, and then dropped her from the second-floor window. This woman didn’t care for her own life as long as her daughter would survive. This is sort of sacrifice only a mother can make.

The moment the firefighters spotted the little soul, they rushed her to the hospital, praying she didn’t suffer any serious injuries from the fall. Luckily, baby Keana was completely unscathed thanks to her mommy’s love and quick-thinking.

“It’s just incredible that she was able to pull her thoughts together to save her baby… I’d say it’s nothing short of a miracle the way it ended up”, Chief of the Wyoming-Speer Fire Protection District Ed Foglesonger told The Washington Post.

The loss of the young mother was a real tragedy that left the residents of Wyoming grieving. A baby was left without her mommy, and a family was broken forever.

Members of the community gathered to express their condolences and were willing to help Shelby’s family rebuild their house. After the word about the tragic and heartbreaking event spread, kind-hearted people helped raise almost $40,000 in just a few weeks.

We are deeply sorry for the loss and we feel sad Keana will never get the chance to meet her heroic mother who saved her life.

Once she realized it was impossible for them to get out of the house, Shelby put the baby into the carseat, made sure she was secured with the belts, and then dropped her from the second-floor window. This woman didn’t care for her own life as long as her daughter would survive. This is sort of sacrifice only a mother can make.

The moment the firefighters spotted the little soul, they rushed her to the hospital, praying she didn’t suffer any serious injuries from the fall. Luckily, baby Keana was completely unscathed thanks to her mommy’s love and quick-thinking.

“It’s just incredible that she was able to pull her thoughts together to save her baby… I’d say it’s nothing short of a miracle the way it ended up”, Chief of the Wyoming-Speer Fire Protection District Ed Foglesonger told The Washington Post.

The loss of the young mother was a real tragedy that left the residents of Wyoming grieving. A baby was left without her mommy, and a family was broken forever.

Members of the community gathered to express their condolences and were willing to help Shelby’s family rebuild their house. After the word about the tragic and heartbreaking event spread, kind-hearted people helped raise almost $40,000 in just a few weeks.

We are deeply sorry for the loss and we feel sad Keana will never get the chance to meet her heroic mother who saved her life.

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