Jim & Hap won at Sebring in 1965 in one of the early Chaparrals in monsoon rains. Hap retired after 1965 and committed suicide at age 65 when diagnosed with cancer.
I guess that was the first really big pre-wing win for Hall and the Chaparral:
Now you're talking 'bout my favorite group of cars, the ones Ford Motor Company spent millions of dollars trying to catch. I would have paid a million dollars to see the looks on the competitors faces when they realized Jim Hall and Hap Sharp weren't shifting in those original automatic tranny Chaparrals!
By the way, Johnny, I've got two leaves to our dining room table stored in the garage if you hear of any teams that need one!
However, at the current time, I'm afraid this is as close as that team shall get to a halo or an angel:
So, when Richard Petty Motorsports finally goes back to Dodge, maybe we could resurrect this product as a sponsor for the #43??
An interesting theory, Johnny. Using the word "Hemi" and "Childress" in the same sentence sure seems awkward. Then, again, it also seemed awkward for the first time in 1969 to say "Ford" and "Petty" in the same sentence, as I'm certain our own Legend will attest.
Johnny, you are lucky to have friends in high places who have a great eye for color coordination!
Johnny, ya gotta quit writing in that disappearing ink!
