Her presence left men speechless, and she became an unforgettable icon for America’s motor lovers.
But who was Jungle Pam Hardy, and why does her legend live on today?
Though her time in drag racing lasted just four short years, Jungle Pam’s name has remained iconic for nearly four decades.
Because Jungle Pam Hardy was more than just a pretty face in the world of 1970s drag racing. Known for her undeniable charisma and beauty, Pam brought a unique flair to the track that captivated fans just as much as the roaring engines.
In a time when drag racing was all about raw talent and heart-pounding excitement, she embodied the era’s spirit. She was there during the golden age of drag racing –when drivers actually drove their cars instead of computers. According to many, she brought beauty into drag racing in a way that has never been duplicated.
Backing up the legendary Jungle Jim’s race car in her signature shorts and tank top, Pam thrilled us as much as the cars back then.
Road to stardom
It’s impossible to talk about Jungle Pam without mentioning her legendary partner, Jim Liberman, the flamboyant drag racer known as “Jungle Jim.”
Famous for his showmanship, Liberman, who started driving cars at the age of 12, was a huge fixture on the U.S. drag racing circuit. Many still consider him the greatest showman the drag strip has ever seen.
And the story of Jungle Pam, born Pamela Hardy, begins in May 1972 — just two weeks before she graduated from high school.
Liberman spotted the striking young beauty hitch-hiking while he cruised in his yellow Corvette, and fate took over. Pam had big plans to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where she intended to major in business. But instead, she fell for Jim and quickly joined him on the road.
”I ditched the college that had accepted me, and it drove my mother nuts,” she later recalled.
Touring the country together, Jim and Pam became a dynamic duo in the drag racing world, with his showmanship and her magnetic presence. Initially, Jim Liberman wanted Pam to stage his funny car at the starting line, knowing it would capture the audience’s attention — and it certainly did.
“Well, sex sells,” Pam told Competition Plus. “You see it on the TV all the time, but back in the ’70s, Jungle and I decided together that this would be worth a shot, so that’s what we did, and it didn’t seem to hurt his reputation at all. And he had more pictures taken of his car as long as I was standing next to it than anybody else.”
Pam was not only stunning but also always braless, typically donning a tank top or a skimpy halter and zero-inch inseam jean shorts.
Most famous figure on the drag strip
In no time, she transformed from an unknown into the most famous female figure on the drag strip. Her remarkable rise even led her to grace the cover of Hot Rod Magazine, a feat no woman had achieved before. The cheers that erupted when Pam stepped onto the track often surpassed the roars of applause for the most celebrated drivers.
“I’m kind of amazed by all the notoriety,” she remarked in 1974.
But Pam was more than just a pretty face, as some would have you believe. She staged the car, inspected it for fluid leaks before each run, filled the block with water and eight quarts of 70W oil, packed parachutes after every race, and assisted Jim in repositioning his car after his burnouts.
’”We put on a good show,” Pam said. ”And that’s what it was all about. It was not about me. When you were out there doing what we were doing, it wasn’t about me. It was about us.”
Pam was described as ”a stroke of genius,” and many were impressed that Jim had transformed her into a true racing enthusiast. This helped the sport’s profile overall, particularly enhancing the reputation of Jim Liberman’s team.
In the relatively niche world of drag racing, Jim and Pam stood out. While Jim clinched several national championships, he was most renowned for his vibrant personality, warm demeanor, and, of course, his stunning girlfriend.
”Our relationship was a flash in the pan, a bolt of lightning. I just worked,” Pam told Fox Sports.
But everything changed on September 9, 1977.
Jim dies
Just three days shy of his 32nd birthday, Jim was racing his 1972 yellow Corvette at 250 mph when he collided with a bus.
The legendary drag racer died instantly, and it took responders a heartbreaking 45 minutes to extract his body from the mangled wreckage.
”It was my mother called me and told me because she didn’t want me to hear it on the news,” Pam told CompetitionPlusTV.
The tragic accident sent shockwaves through the entire motorsports community. In the aftermath, Pam made the difficult decision to step back from drag racing, vowing never to work with another driver again.
Yet, she quietly dedicated herself to preserving Jim Liberman’s memory, frequently participated in memorial events honoring her late boyfriend.
”All that showmanship was his true personality. He just didn’t turn that on at the track and then became normal like everyone else at home. He had that sort of flair even when we were just at the house or went out some place. You could always feel his presence wherever he was,” Pam says.
On a romantic level, Pam moved on. Being the racing lover that she is, 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 a fascinating journey back in time. These snapshots capture not just the roaring engines and vibrant colors of the era, but also the spirit of a community united by a shared passion for speed and excitement.
Jungle Pam broke new ground, proving that women could get respect in a male-dominated sport, all while bringing smiles and laughter to countless faces. She had a life that just doesn’t happen anymore. A woman of undeniable class, she lived life on her own terms — what more could anyone ask for?
Pam’s influence and charm made her an icon, reminding us that the joy of racing is not just about the speed, but about the connections we forge and the memories we create together.
As we revisit these vintage images, we are reminded of the joy and exhilaration that defined those races. We can almost hear the roar of the engines, smell the burnt rubber, and feel the adrenaline rush pulsing through the crowds. We call those the good ole days, and they really were. Times were fun and easier to say the least!
In a world that often feels disconnected, these glimpses into the past remind us of simpler times when excitement was palpable, and the thrill of the race brought people together.
Did Pam Hardy race a car herself?
No, Pam Hardy, known as “Jungle Pam,” didn’t race cars herself.
“Hell no, and hell no. Those things could blow up and catch fire,” as she put it herself.
Jungle Pam Hardy today
Today, at 67 years old, Pam Hardy lives a relatively quiet life, staying close to her roots in drag racing at the grassroots level. She’s just as striking and vibrant as ever— a truly good-looking woman with a timeless charm.
More than just her iconic presence in the racing world, Pam is known for being a down-to-earth, honest person. Her genuine personality continues to resonate with fans. Pam still brings smiles to those who remember her legendary days on the track and beyond.
Here’s to the incredible woman she is today — thank you for the memories, Pam!
