James Tapley and the Chalkboard Car

By Chelsé Craig

ENMU senior James Tapley has worked on a few cars over the years; about three years ago, he was asked to fix his friend’s late 1990s Mazda Miata that they were looking to sell. However, the fate of unused cars befell it as it never sold, and the Miata was left sitting outside.

In October 2016, nearly two years later, James rescued the Miata. “It needed a lot of cosmetic work,” he said. “The paint was ruined, the entire back shelf area was rusted through, and it needed a new top window. I had seen chalkboard paint at the store and decided that if it was going to be my fun car, why not make it fun for my five nieces and nephews as well?” James, his fiancée and his brother set to work. Two days and many patches later they had the chalkboard Miata.

While James is in class, he leaves his car and a box of chalk in front of the ENMU Art and Anthropology Building. He usually comes back to some amazing designs.