Jim Jeffords SCCA Hall of Fame
Get to know Jim Jeffords, SCCA 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
The picture above is the restored 1959 “Purple People Eater” Corvette, which won the SCCA B/Production National Championship that year with Jim Jeffords driving. Jeffords’ autograph is on the left side of the white roundel, next to the number 1.
A Milwaukee-area racer, Jim Jeffords began his racing career in Jaguars, where he reportedly won 14 of his first 17 races. His run in the 1956 June Sprints got the attention of General Motors’ Ed Cole, who told him after the race, “That’s the last time you drive against us.” That started the era of the Purple People Eater Corvette, the 1958 and ’59 B Production National Championship winning car made famous by both its color and Jim’s success behind the wheel.
Jim went on to help start the AMC Javelin racing team that ran in SCCA Trans Am competition. He also served on Road America’s Board of Directors until his passing in 2014. He is a member of the Corvette Hall of Fame, the Legends of Riverside, and the Road Racing Driver’s Club. He also earned Road America’s Governor’s Cup.
Jim’s son, Patrick Jeffords, spoke on behalf of his father during the SCCA Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He noted many of his father’s accomplishments, including the fact that Jim was the first editor of Milwaukee Region’s newsletter.
“His driving ability alone … would’ve got him into the SCCA Hall of Fame,” Patrick said of his father. “But he was also on the Board of Directors at Road America … for 56 years. He rose to be vice president, and was instrumental in the track expanding.”
“I know he’d be very, very proud of his selection to the SCCA Hall of Fame, and I thank you very much,” Patrick said to close his presentation.
