CAFÉ RACER 76

SEX & SPEED | “JUNGLE PAM” HARDY & “JUNGLE JIM” LIBERMAN LIGHT ‘EM UP

1973 — “Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman with his Chevy Vega Funny Car.

You’d be hard-pressed to say who was hotter back in the ’70s– “Jungle Pam” in her go-go boots, short-shorts, and titillating tops… or “Jungle Jim” Liberman’s rubber-melting burnouts, wheelstands, and screaming up and down the length of the dragstrip backwards. Liberman was arguably one of the most flamboyant and memorable showmen on the funny car circuit, who knew better than anyone what the crowd wanted– and hiring the 18 yr old tall, dark and sexy “Jungle Pam” Hardy as his sassy staging sidekick was a calculated stroke of marketing genius. But she was no lightweight– she quickly learned to turn a wrench, know here way around cars, the crowds, and the scene– the fans loved her.

“Jungle Pam” is still a legend to this day, and a true original. Sadly, Jim Liberman left us back in ’77 when his Corvette hit a bus head-on in a tragic road accident. His spirit lives through all the drivers he’s inspired, and the countless memories of his “Jungle Jim” antics and achievements during Liberman’s legendary racing career.

Drag racing legends “Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman doing what they do best.

“Jungle Pam” gets down.

“Jungle Pam” Hardy

“Jungle Jim” Liberman’s epic 1970s wheel-standing funny car. Image via

“Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman with his Chevy Funny Car.

“Jungle Jim” Liberman’s epic 1970s wheel-standing funny car. Image via

“Jungle Pam” Hardy — Photo courtesy Greg Sharp and the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsport Museum

“Jungle Pam” Hardy

Epic shot of “Jungle Pam” Hardy look-a-like (as it turns out) working the crowd, and no doubt distracting the competition. –image Jim Kelly

“Jungle Pam” Hardy

A young and fresh-faced “Jungle Pam” Hardy on her way to becoming a racetrack legend.

“Jungle Pam” Hardy– Image © Charles Gilchrist, right with racing legend “Jungle Jim” Liberman.

“Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman at work on the drag strip.

“Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman at work on the drag strip– Image © Charles Gilchrist

More Jungle Pam goodness here at H.A.M.B. and at JunglePam.com

from http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com

BMW RENNSPORT RS54

The 1956 BMW Rennsport RS54 is a great example of what the Germans can achieve when they get their heads together and decide to go racing against the Brits and the Italians.

The bike itself is an engineering marvel, the frame is entirely lug less and is made from welded oval-section tubing. The swingarm housed the driveshaft behind its 5-speed gearbox, the front forks were a remarkable design patented in 1953 by the Englishman Ernie Earles, whose design was exceedingly light and much stronger then traditional telescopic forks.

This unique BMW Rennsport RS54 has a distinctive Bartl-style ‘duckbill’ fairing, the duckbill was thought to split airflow around the fairing and improve the “slipperiness” of the bike as a whole. The DOHC engine was advanced for the day and is directly traceable as one of the forefathers of the modern, BMW boxer engines.

This Rennsport is to be placed for sale at the upcoming Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction with Bonhams on the 10th of January 2013, it’s estimated that it’ll sell for between $145,000 – 165,000 USD, which seems pretty reasonable considering how much history this bike contains between its wheels.

Check out the official lot listing here.

from SILODROME

The ABCs of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

FROM

There are many, many reasons we attend AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The bikes, the swap meet, the racing and the overall atmosphere created by motorcycle enthusiasts is an experience we don’t wanna miss. We were fortunate to have worked with the good folks at the American Motorcyclist Association to help convey the vibe of VMD (see the video at the end of the post). After going through our pics, here’s an alphabetical and photographic rundown of why we love attending this event.