Grand Opening Chaparral Museum
 

This past week-end we were fortunate to be invited to participate in the Grand Opening of the Chaparral Museum in Midland, Texas. We displayed one of our Panoz race cars and our Superformance demo car.

Our participation was secondary to the thrill and excitement of experiencing the Jim Hall legend in person, seeing all his cars on display and to meet the man himself and other racing legends.
Included in the event was a tour of the Chaparral shops and a trip around Rattlesnake Raceway!

Here are some photos of the cars and people:
This is what you see when you first enter the museum, car 2K - the "ground effects" design that won 1980 Indy with Johnny Rutherford:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_001-med.jpg
This is a replica of car 2E - the first Chaparral race car with the high movable wing. Museum attendees are allowed in this car for photos. We took advantage of that opportunity.:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_005-med.jpg
This is car 2H - advanced, integrated, composite design:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_006-med.jpg
This is car 2 - the first car designed by Jim Hall which won 22 of its 39 races:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_012-med.jpg
A shot of the real 2E:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_013-med.jpg
This is 2J - first ever ground effects car, nicknamed "sucker car":
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_015-med.jpg
The famous fans on the sucker car:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_016-med.jpg
Another shot of 2E:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_018-med.jpg
This is car 2D - built for 24 Hours of Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring:
:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_021-med.jpg
Another shot of 2D:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_008-med.jpg
This gives you a feel of the beautiful work done on the displays and the museum its self. First class!:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_023-med.jpg
This is Don trying to figure out if he should run 22" wheels on his Cobra:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_024-med.jpg
Here's a shot of the forum moderated by Pete Lyons. From right to left are: Dan Gurney, Franz Weiz, Brian Redman, Ronny Hissom, Phil Hill, Vic Elford, Robert Donner and Gil de Ferran. The stories they told were terrific.
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_030-med.jpg
Here I am with Dan Gurney:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...13DSC00216.JPG
And here's the "Gang" with Vic Elford:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...13DSC00224.JPG
And lastly, here I am with the man himself - Jim Hall.
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...al_032-med.jpg
Needless to say, it was an unbelievable experience. The museum is well worth a visit and the cars and display are just fantastic!
:3DSMILE: :3DSMILE: :3DSMILE:

WOW!!! Thanks for sharing!

WOW!!!! Am I jealous!!
 

Geez Jim,
What a shock to find this thread and the wonderful set of pictures the incredible cars that came from the fertile mind of Jim Hall! What a once in a lifetime event you were able to take part in, and to think, most people think West Texas in only full of rattlesnakes and dust storms.............I grew up in Lubock so I can say that:LOL: :LOL:
John R.

Awesome photos, Jim!! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Jim Kellogg SPF887

Thank you!

These cars were ahead of their time. Especially the "Sucker Car" it put everyone on their ear. At the old layout at Laguna it ran like it was on rails especially in the corkscrew.

Rick

Since nither you or Don B actually own a Cobra, I think that you should ask someone that does -maybe the current owners of your former cars- to represent TCC whenever you go to something like this. It must have been awsome!

Randy...........
 

That's going to change very soon as my SPF is on order! You are correct, it was an unbelievable experience!

:3DSMILE: :3DSMILE: :3DSMILE:

Just added............
 

2 more photos. One of Dan Gurney and one with Vic Elford.

:3DSMILE: :3DSMILE: :3DSMILE: