Barbara Roufs was a legendary American drag racing trophy girl and promotional model who became the face of the sport’s “Golden Era” in the early 1970s. Born in 1944, she rose to national prominence as the premier trophy girl for the Professional Dragster Association (PDA), captivating audiences with her 60s-inspired aesthetics, towering height, and charismatic presence at Southern California’s most famous drag strips. While she is often compared to “Jungle Pam” Hardy, Roufs was a distinct trailblazer who redefined the role of women in motorsports from passive figures to central cultural icons. Despite her massive fame during the 1970s, she chose to live a largely private life in the decades following her retirement, leading to a resurgence of interest in her story in 2026 among vintage car enthusiasts and historians of Americana.
Early Life and the Path to the Pits
Barbara Roufs was born in 1944 in California, growing up during the post-war boom that birthed the American hot rod culture.
Unlike many models of her time, Roufs was already a mother of two by the time she reached the peak of her fame in the early 1970s. Her entry into the world of drag racing was not planned; she was discovered by promoters who recognized that her striking looks—characterized by her signature long hair and tall, athletic frame—fit the burgeoning “cool” aesthetic of the Nitro-fueled drag racing scene.
The PDA Years: Becoming a Legend
The Professional Dragster Association (PDA) was the stage where Barbara Roufs transformed from a local model into a national celebrity.
She was the primary trophy girl for the PDA’s major events, most notably the Lion’s Drag Strip in Wilmington, California, and Orange County International Raceway. Her presence in the winner’s circle was considered a “stamp of approval” for top drivers, and she shared the spotlight with racing titans like Don Garlits and Shirley Muldowney. Her style, often featuring bell-bottoms, crop tops, and voluminous hair, became the visual shorthand for 1970s motorsports culture.
Beyond the Spotlight: Personal Life and Family
Behind the glamour of the racetrack, Barbara Roufs was a dedicated mother and a woman who valued her privacy.
She had a daughter, Jetty Williams, who has been instrumental in the 2020s in preserving her mother’s memory. Jetty often shares stories of Barbara as a vibrant, fun-loving woman who enjoyed the excitement of the races but was equally focused on providing a stable home life. Despite the “party” image associated with 70s racing, those close to Roufs described her as grounded and professional.
The Mystery of Her Later Years
Following the closure of many iconic drag strips in the late 70s, Roufs retreated from public life. For nearly 15 years, she lived a quiet existence in California, away from the cameras. This period of her life remains a point of curiosity for fans, as she did not participate in the “nostalgia tours” that many of her contemporaries embraced in the 1980s.
The Legacy of the 1970s Drag Racing Scene
Barbara Roufs didn’t just stand by cars; she represented a specific cultural moment where motorsports became high-fashion and high-drama.
The 1970s were the “Wild West” of drag racing, filled with colorful “Funny Cars” and larger-than-life personalities. Roufs was the feminine anchor of this world, appearing on posters and in magazines that circulated globally. Historians in 2026 point to her as a key figure in the “Burnout Society”—a generation that lived for the sensory overload of burning rubber, methanol fumes, and the pursuit of the five-second quarter-mile.
Technical Impact: The “Trophy Girl” Evolution
While the term “trophy girl” is often viewed as dated in 2026, the role Barbara played was actually a precursor to modern sports marketing and brand ambassadors.
Media Coverage: Roufs was one of the first women in the sport to be systematically used in television broadcasts, specifically on early ABC Wide World of Sports segments.
Visual Identity: Her specific 1970s aesthetic influenced the “look” of motorsports for the next two decades, bridging the gap between the conservative 50s and the high-octane 80s.
Fan Engagement: She was often the primary point of contact for fans at the track, signing autographs and representing the human side of a dangerous, machine-heavy sport.
Practical Information and Finding Her History
For enthusiasts looking to explore the history of Barbara Roufs and the drag racing scene she inhabited, here are the best resources available in 2026.
Where to Find Photos: The NHRA Museum in Pomona, California, maintains an archive of original photography featuring Roufs.
Documentaries: The 2025 documentary When the Cameras Stopped provides an in-depth look at her life and the decline of the Southern California drag strip culture.
Vintage Merchandise: Original posters and programs from the early 70s PDA events are highly sought after by collectors, often fetching $200 to $500 at auction.
Social Media Memorials: The “Barbara Roufs Memorial” pages on Instagram and Facebook, managed by her family, are the most reliable sources for authentic stories and rare family photos.
FAQs
Who was Barbara Roufs?
Barbara Roufs was the most famous drag racing trophy girl of the 1970s, known for her work with the Professional Dragster Association (PDA).
When did Barbara Roufs die?
She passed away on January 16, 1991, at the age of 47.
What was the cause of Barbara Roufs’ death?
The circumstances of her death are deeply personal; however, it has been widely reported and confirmed by family members that she died by suicide after struggling with depression in her later years.
Is Barbara Roufs the same as Jungle Pam?
No, while they were contemporaries and both iconic, Jungle Pam (Pam Hardy) was primarily associated with the driver “Jungle Jim” Liberman, whereas Barbara Roufs was the face of the PDA circuit.
Did Barbara Roufs ever race?
No, she was a promotional model and trophy girl, though she was a knowledgeable enthusiast who spent nearly every weekend at the track during her peak years.
How many children did Barbara Roufs have?
She had two children, including a daughter named Jetty Williams who frequently shares memories of her mother.
How tall was Barbara Roufs?
Barbara was notably tall for a model of her era, standing approximately 5 feet 9 inches, which helped her stand out in the crowded winner’s circles.
Where can I see the famous photo of her?
The most iconic photo of Barbara Roufs, showing her in the winner’s circle with long hair and 70s attire, is widely available in vintage racing archives and on Reddit’s “Old School Cool” community.
What was the “Golden Era” of drag racing?
The Golden Era (roughly 1965–1975) was a time when Funny Cars and Top Fuel dragsters became a massive spectator sport in the U.S., characterized by extreme speed and high-profile showmanship.
Is there a movie about Barbara Roufs?
While there is no feature-length biopic, she is a central figure in several motorsports documentaries released between 2022 and 2026.
What happened to the tracks where she worked?
Most of the tracks, including Lion’s Drag Strip, were closed and bulldozed in the late 70s to make way for industrial developments or housing.
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