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Grand Opening:

 

CHAPARRAL GALLERY

 

at the Petroleum Museum

Midland,Texas

 

April 15 -17 , 2004

 

 

 

In April 2004, I had the great pleasure of attending the Grand Opening of the new Chaparral Gallery at the Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas. The Museum honored home town hero Jim Hall with 3 days of celebrations to officially open the new multi million dollar facility which will permanently house the legendary and revolutionary Chaparral race cars of the 60's, 70's and 80's which were built and developed just a few miles away.

Here are a few photos taken during my short visit. Hope you enjoy them!

- Paul Zimmermann

 

The dramatic entrance of the Chaparral Gallery features an elevated Chaparral 2K, illustrating the ground effects tunnels featured on the 1980 Indianapolis 500 winner. The wall on the left features a portfolio of Chaparral watercolors by noted motor racing artist Bill Neale, AFAS.

As you enter the main hall, you're met by a some of Jim Hall's most innovative machines. Trophy cases and giant photographs decorate the perimeter.

But the cars are the stars. Here are some 'good shots:

The main Hall features the Chaparral 2, 2E, 2H and 2J.

The 2F would join the group after the official opening - as you'll see later in this photo set.

A replica garage has been constructed on the side of the display and is where you'll find the Nurburgring winning Chaparral 2D.

 

The Chaparral Gallery also contains several interactive displays to teach future engineers the principles behind Jim Hall's revolutionary winged and ground effects racing cars.

The display above shows the principles behind the 2J 'Sucker' car.

The Chaparral Gallery provides that once in a lifetime experience of sitting in a replica Chaparral 2E by yourself or with your son or daughter.

Everyone is welcome, even if you're not 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner (and former Hall driver) Gil de Ferran.

 

We were quite impressed with the Chaparral Gallery. It's one of the finest tributes to a marque that we've seen.

Continue on for photos taken during the rest of the week's activities, including the Gala banquet, the Legends panel discussion and a tour of Chaparral Cars and Rattlesnake Raceway.

 

Back to Chaparral Gallery Opening: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4

 

 

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