- Dan Gurney in Ford GT40, Notice how close his head to headroom.

10 Cars That Defined the Life of Dan Gurney

From backyard specials to space age endurance racer. These are the 10 cars that defined Motorsport legend, Dan Gurney.

3y ago
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1. 1959 Ferrari 250 TR

Dan Gurney driving 250 TR in 1959 Goodwood Tourist Trophy.

Dan Gurney driving 250 TR in 1959 Goodwood Tourist Trophy.

Considered as the most beautiful and valuable Ferrari race car of all time. The 250 TR, short of Testa Rossa which means Red Head, a reference of the engine’s red cam. This car dominated late 50s and early 60s sportscar championship including 3 Le Mans victory. This car also starred Dan Gurney international motorsport career.

By 1958 Dan Gurney is an aspiring young racer in the states, with victories in NASCAR and sports car racing. The legendary Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti spotted Gurney and invite him to drive 250 TR under his North American Racing Team banner, considered as second factory team of Ferrari. Gurney drive with fellow race car driver Bruce Kessier, and manage to drive the car into fifth place before Kessier takes turn and crash the TR. This impressed Enzo Ferrari that he is invited to be factory driver for Ferrari.

He drive for both F1 and sports car, while he mostly drive 246 Dino, in sports car races he drive both 250 TR and larger 375 Plus. And he quickly proved his skill as driver by taking 250 TR into first with Phil Hill, Olivier Gendebein and Chuck Daigh. A quite driving feat since the race was pouring with rain. Although in later races he is unable to finished due to various reasons, with notable fifth place in both 1000km of Nurburgring and Goodwood Tourist Trophy.

Later, despite several podiums in F1 with Ferrari, Gurney found himself disliking the political nature of how Ferrari is run, and by next year he found himself driving BRM privateer in F1 and various privateer teams ins sportscar racing. From Maserati Birdcage to Lotus 19. The outing with Ferrari proved to be one of many races that Dan Gurney would do in Europe. Moving from team to team before starting his legendary AAR outfit.

2. 1959 Balchowsky Old Yeller II

Dan Gurney inside Old Yeller II.

Dan Gurney inside Old Yeller II.

Max Balchowsky is probably the unlikeliest car builder ever, the ex military technician during WWII. Max brings the skill he gets from the Army and turns into building cars with his wife Ina. They founded Hollywood Motors in 1951 and from this humble garage he made his first race car, a mix match of junkyard called Morgenson Special. This car proved successful and to honor it’s humble origin he re-named it Old Yeller after character in DIsney movie. And it once even beat Phil Hill in Ferrari 250 TR!

Even though the Old Yeller is still competitive, In 1959 Max decided to create a brand new car, and like the first Old Yeller, the second car is mixed mash of various car parts and junkyard, with the Buick engine powering the car. The new car is imaginatively called Old Yeller II and it debuted in late 1959.

Like the predecessor, Old Yeller II proved to be a match and sometimes more than more exotic factory build car. Max campaigned it extensively and it beat Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes and more. And the car eventually driven by name such as Caroll Shelby and of course, Dan Gurney.

Gurney links to Old Yeller II is rather interesting, during 1960 Los Angeles Examiner–Herald Examiner International Sports Car Grand Prix. Dan Gurney who just return from F1 stint in Ferrari find himself without a ride, and with rather huge purse money. Max offered Gurney a drive in his Old Yeller II, and surprisingly Gurney is breaking the track record and leading by over 18 seconds from second places. Sadly engine failure caused Gurney to lose the race. After the race he was interviewed and said that Old Yeller II is very easy to drive in compare to exotic, factory build machinery from Europe.

This wouldn’t be the first time Gurney drove the Old Yeller II, on Laguna Seca- Pacific Coast Championship. He was supposed to compete in Lotus XIX but the car broke and Max arranged him to drive the Old Yeller II once again, sadly the car suffered yet again another failure and failed to finish. After that Max sold the Old Yeller II and after suffering crash in 1973, the wreck was stored in a backyard of mechanic Dave Gibb and subsequently purchased and restored by current owner dr. Ernie Nagamatsu who exhibit it around the world. Including a reunion with Gurney during 2012 Goodwood Revival. Despite that Gurney short history with Old Yeller II, the car can represent Gurney passion for enginuity and can do attitude.

3. 1962 Porsche 804

Dan Gurney in 1962 French Grand Prix, you can see how tall Gurney fit into rather diminutive Porsche.

Dan Gurney in 1962 French Grand Prix, you can see how tall Gurney fit into rather diminutive Porsche.

Dan Gurney first dips into Formula One in 1959 with after impressing the team for its 1958 Le Mans appearance, Although he is quick enough to earn 2 podiums, Ferrari strict management did not suited him and opted to drive for privateer BRM throughout 1960 with rather disappointing results.

The talent did not go waste though, Porsche who had success in F2 with their 718, decided to enter F1 with an evolution of 718. Paired with Jo Bonnier and claimed success with 3 podiums and actually positioned third in that year driver championship. For next year however, Porsche up their game with all new 804 with Flat-8 engine, despite that the car is still using steel tube chassis compared to monocoque of Lotus, and the Flat-8 engine don’t have the power or reliability of BRM or Coventry Climax.

For worse, the car did not fit tall Gurney, he has to sit upright and it disrupt the aerodynamics. And series of retirement cast a doubt to the car reliability so much that Ferry Porsche orders to skip Belgian GP in order to fix the car and they did it when the car arrived for French GP. Despite the shortcomings, Gurney qualify 6th place and during the race using his talent he crept up the grid and scores the only Porsche victory in Formula One, he even repeat the feats on non championship Solitude GP in Germany, with German crowds cheering for him.

This is however the last time Porsche compete in F1, citing costs and lack of marketing purpose. Porsche resign from F1, not for Gurney though, he drove for Brabham for 3 years to score some victories and podium. And famously paved the way for the legendary AAR Eagle-Weslake.

4. 1967 Ford GT Mk IV

Dan Gurney leading the pack in Le Mans, Is that Alpine M64 behind?

Dan Gurney leading the pack in Le Mans, Is that Alpine M64 behind?

The story of Ford GT40 birth is well known, angered by Enzo Ferrari sudden cancellations of Ferrari acquisition prompted Henry Ford II to co-operate with Lola Cars and creating GT40, with the program looks to be a disaster. Ford commissioned Caroll Shelby to re-designed the GT40 into GT 40 Mk II and even fielded 3 different team for 1966 Le Mans and succeed by taking 1-2-3 victory. But naysayers remind Ford that the car is half foreign and both Amon and Mclaren isn’t American driver.

For next year, Ford contracted Kar Kraft from US to developed a more aerodynamic version of GT40 in cooperation with British based Ford Advanced Vehicle, the result is so called J-Car and the car prove to be faster than others, despite the tragic death of Ken Miles during the testing. J-Car eventually evolved into Mk IV, sharing the 7-litre engine. But the car remained heavier than Ferrari 330 P4 and Gurney concerned that the brake would wear too much and too early that he developed strategy where he back off the throttle before corner.

For 1967 Le Mans, Ford entered 4 Mk IV 2 by Shebly and the rest by Holman & Moody. The critics and journalist pointed out that the car would broke down as it happened in Daytona. But Gurney driving with A.J Foyt surprised the naysayers by leading 90 minutes early in the race from 330 P4. And by mid-race Gurney/Foyt lead the pack by 4 whole laps and taking the second Ford GT40 win, but this time with all American car, driver and team. Record that still stands to date.

Not only that but Gurney effectively create a tradition during 1967 Le Mans celebration, Gurney saw Henry Ford II, Caroll Shelby and journalists who predict disaster for Ford. He sprayed champagne all over them and effectively created tradition that is still used in Motorsport today, and GT40 Mk IV would be retired after that. But the car shape and history is still popular to this date.

5. 1967 Eagle-Weslake T1G

Dan Gurney Skid in style on 1967 Belgian Grand Prix

Dan Gurney Skid in style on 1967 Belgian Grand Prix

After his numerous stint in F1 bring him recognition back home, inspired by the likes of Brabham and McLaren. Dan Gurney decide to made his own car, with the backing of Goodyear and Shelby among other. Work started by ex-Lotus designer Len Terry who created a monocoque beauty with a sharp front covering the radiator. For the engine, Gurney follow ex-BRM man Aubrey Woods who is working with Weslake Engineering. Funded by Shell Oil, the Weslake prototype produces amazing horsepower and Gurney commission 3,5 litre V12 from them.

The result is called Anglo-American Racer (AAR) Eagle Mk1, with the AAR referring to team European base and British Weslake engine. Unfortunately on the start of 1966 season, the engine wasn’t ready and Gurney had to put old Coventry Climax engine with relative success. When the Weslake engine ready, Gurney put the Eagle into paces but sadly reliability wasn’t the engine strong suit and constant retire means Eagle couldn’t show its best performance.

The start of 1967 season however show improvement in reliability department and it gave Gurney the first Eagle victory in non-championships Race of Champions in Brands Hatch, and using the lightweight version of Eagle chassis. Gurney scores victory in Belgium GP, being the first American to win using American cars, a record that is stand until today.

Despite the victory, the Weslake engine proved problematic and Goodyear pull the plug in 1968. Gurney ironically bought McLaren to compete for the rest of the season and scored some points. With finally the American quit F1 in 1970, but Eagle has put its mark in history, not only being the only American car to ever won the traditionally European dominated series but also by being one of the most beautiful car ever made. (Debatable of course!) and it leads to new indy and trans am adventure for Gurney...

6. 1970 Plymouth Barracuda AAR Trans Am

Dan Gurney posed with Cuda for promotional shoot.

Dan Gurney posed with Cuda for promotional shoot.

While Gurney is busy driving in Europe, a new race has appear in America. Some even say that it was as big as NASCAR. The Sports Car Club of America Trans-American sedan road racing series, while Ford, Chevrolet and to some extent the AMC has participate since its inaugural event in 1964. Chrysler who focuses more on NASCAR with their winged warrior, finally decides to field full factory program in 1970 using their Plymouth Barracuda. Who would run the team though? Enter Gurney and cheekily renamed All-American Racer team, who at that time were preparing an Indy entry.

First of is to transform Barracuda into Trans-Am machinery and fulfill homologation requirement. The Barracuda was fitted with 340 c.i (5,5 litre) and higher suspension to fit the beefier tires. Chrysler marketing department did not waste the opportunity to put AAR logo and named the AAR ‘Cuda, and public loving it with more than 2700 units sold that year alone.

With AAR Team lacking experience in making road based racecar, Chrysler sent one of their engineer Bob Tarozzi, and problem after problem appears. Most largely due to part of Chrysler arrogance and AAR little experience in building this type of racer. Despite that many of the issues being solved, bad news come as Chrysler slashed their fund and forced Gurney to only fielding his protege Swede Savage, The car proved to be unreliable with many DNF, but when it does run it proves to be a winner with 3 poles and several podium by Swede.

Sadly Chrysler pull the plug and the team ceased competition in Trans-Am. But that wouldn’t be the last of the AAR ‘Cuda, the car has significant cult following and being associated with Gurney. Now the AAR ‘Cuda is still actively race in Historic Trans-Am championship and still being remembered as AAR finest machine.

7. 1974 AAR Indy Jorgensen Eagle

Bobby Unser in Jorgensen Eagle during 1875 Indy 500. (Surprisingly it's hard to get period picture!)

Bobby Unser in Jorgensen Eagle during 1875 Indy 500. (Surprisingly it's hard to get period picture!)

By mid 1970s, Dan Gurney has retired his race suit in favor of team owner, after the Trans-Am adventure with Chrysler, he returns to the sport that he likes. Indycar, where he already drive AAR branded car since the late 60s. And constantly in podium with his own car, a rather remarkable feat actually, but after he retires. He passed on the baton to one and only, Bobby Unser. Who won the 1968 edition driving the AAR car.

By 1975, AAR were in financial issues, longtime sponsor Ozzie Olson has pull out his support. Although later Jorgensen steel come aboard to save AAR, the team still in dire financial situation and couldn’t afford a new chassis so the 1975 car, which actually evolution of 1972 AAR Indy Olsonite Eagle, Which of course one of the fastest Indycar ever fielded. Taking the experience from previous races, the 1975 machine featured huge Gurney Flap front and end to give more downforce. By 1975 however, competition from McLaren and Foyt prove to be tough.

Nobody thought that AAR Jorgensen would be serious Indy 500 contender, many expect A.J Foyt with his own car or Johnny Rutherford in McLaren and after Foyt put out pole position. He lead the race until having mechanical problem that allows Rutherford to take the lead while Unser is trailing behind him, as the weather turns bad. Unser takes the lead from Rutherford and continue to lead the race until weather took turns for the worse and make visibility close to zero. After red flag is dropped, decision was taken to discontinue the race and announced the winner. With Unser taking his second Indy 500 victory so far.

With Gurney celebrating, next racing season proves to be rather hard season. As the rise of other rival such as Penske, Foyt and McLaren manage to beat him. He goes on to running indycar and it led to probably one of the most controversial Indycar of them all, The Pepsi Challenger.

8. 1981 AAR Eagle Pepsi Challenger

Mike Mosley in his amazing Milwaukee stint using the iconic Pepsi Challenger.

Mike Mosley in his amazing Milwaukee stint using the iconic Pepsi Challenger.

By 1980s AAR is still a force to be reckon with, but competition has been more tough than ever. And to combat Penske and McLaren, AAR turns into a rather unconventional looking racer called Boundary Layer Adhesion Technology or BLAT for short. Unlike other indycar of that era, the BLAT instead channeling air into twin vortex that lead to the leading rear end and create downforce. This in effect, create an extreme downforce that stick the car to the ground. And unlike other teams who uses turbocharged Cosworth DFX, AAR choose naturally aspirated Chevrolet engine that produce less horsepower than the Cosworth. But that doesn’t make the car slower than the rest of the pack.

By 1981, AAR is ready with the new BLAT-Chevy, now renamed AAR Eagle Pepsi Challenger with Mike Mosley behind the wheel, Mosley who humbly comes from dirt ovals and sprint cars managed to qualify second in that year Indy 500. Other teams start to complained the legality of Pepsi Challenger and much to their delight, the car retired after 16 laps due to oil leak and next race the car developed engine problem that make Mosley miss the qualification and had to start from the 23rd place in the back. As the green flag waves, Mosley with ease passed over cars after cars and eventually win the race. Gurney remember that day full of pride and credited Mosley excellent drive on oval track. But other outing prove to be disappointment due to car technical issue.

With the season ending, team such as Penske start developing cars like Pepsi Challenger, this prompted CART to banned Pepsi Challenger and Naturally Aspirated engine in favor of unified specifications, primarily for cost reasons. And this put Gurney into disappointment, especially since he saw indycar blocking creativity. But the legacy of Pepsi Challenger isn’t over, Gurney credited this car as the finest car he ever build and his favorite of all time. It represent what AAR are, as innovative racer-builder.The AAR tale isn’t over, as they move to IMSA GTP and creating a car that dominate IMSA so much that it considered killed the series.

9. 1981 AAR-Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP

Both AAR-Toyota in 1982 Season posed for the camera.

Both AAR-Toyota in 1982 Season posed for the camera.

With banning of innovative Pepsi Challenger, AAR was forced to run March chassis for a time being, and with Indycar heading towards spec series and commonality. Gurney needs a way to channel the creative ideas and minds of his and AAR and the answer to that comes from unlikely place of them all.

Toyota needed booster for their Celica and choose to run IMSA GTU and contracted AAR to build and run their Celica. Success follows and it prompts Toyota to move Celica into more competitive IMSA GTO class. By 1987, Toyota won the constructor championship for GTO class and that convinces Toyota in Japan to approved GTP program, mainly to respond Nissan IMSA GTP effort. And this mark the beginning of the dominant AAR-Toyota Eagle.

The first effort, the HF89 proved to be a disaster in the first year with the car cooling problem and lacking of downforce hampered victory. The updated HF90/Mk II remedied some of the problem and achieve podium but AAR now that they need a brand new design in order to win and the Mk III discard aluminium chassis for carbon fiber tub. The teething cooling issues were solved by novel aerodynamic solution that not only provide more than enough cooling but also large downforce. TRD in Japan also contribute by creating an ultimate evolution of 3S-GTM engine that date back to Celica IMSA GTU days, with 750bhp. The engine rumored to have destroyed 4 dynamometers.

The car debuted at Leguna Seca driven by veteran from previous AAR-Toyota GTP effort. Juan Manuel Fangio II, he drive the car so fast that people thought he would win it until mistake in pitstop caused him to lose the victory. But in Portland Fangio II take the victory and the team feeling confident for 1992 season. Joined by P.J Jones, Fangio II. The Mk III GTP won 9 out of 13 races. With Fangio II and the team become the overall champions. In 1993 however, Mk III GTP receives more restrictions in formed of extra ballast, bigger restrictor and steel brakes instead of carbon from previous season. But this prove futile as the team won all races bar one and both Fangio II and the team were crowned the champion again.

In 1994 however, IMSA choose to run WSC prototype and ended AAR-Toyota Eagle Mk III, but the car will remained legendary thanks to high win percentage and the fact that it still holds lap record in some circuit. Truly the car that dominate IMSA.

10. 2012 DeltaWing

The AAR team posed with DeltaWing, if only they know what lies in future for DeltaWing.

The AAR team posed with DeltaWing, if only they know what lies in future for DeltaWing.

After highly successful AAR-Toyota Eagle, both Gurney and Toyota focus on Indycar comeback which is rather unsuccessful, when Toyota resigned. Gurney is almost 70 years old and rather taking a break from competitive racing and spell the end of AAR as racing team. But AAR still maintained design and manufacturing facility for racing cars.

In other side, a young expatriate engineer from Britain called Ben Bowlby is working as an engineer for Indycar team, Chip Ganassi Racing. But beyond that he envision something else, a modern futuristic version of indycar with front wheel that is narrower than the back. Plus triangle delta shaped body. By 2010 he had proposed it as future indycar design, but when Indycar refused. He began to investigating DeltaWing concept to other races. Enter Don Panoz, ALMS founder and owner of Panoz Auto Development who developed race car that even won the 24h of Le Mans.

With Don Panoz backing, Bowlby began to ask for support. Both Dan Gurney and Duncan Dayton quickly on board, Gurney remember the concept with high enthusiasm. As he is no strange to innovative design and quickly offered technical assistant while Duncan Dayton who run professional Highcroft Racing Team as the running team. Even at that time, all parties aware that there are no engine supplier yet.

With the veteran AAR team in charge, the 3D design, model and prototype are quickly build and it even attracts sponsor such as Michelin for tyres and Nissan for engine. The project is followed closely by ACO as the organizer of 24h of Le Mans. Impressed by AAR quality job on DeltaWing, ACO invite DeltaWing in Garage 56 for experimental vehicle.

With 2012 24h of Le Mans approaching, AAR team working around the clock to finish the prototype as they are waiting for various parts. The shakedown and exhibition run is conducted in Sebring while the car is shipped to France for the upcoming race. During the race the car can keep up with LMP2 speed and the results are satisfactory. There are even encouragement to produce DeltaWing concept. Sadly after this, things are a bit sketchy. Bowlby move to Nissan and producing similar concept called ZEOD RC and falling out with original back Dan Panoz who famously sued Nissan. Panoz take over the production and development from AAR and ending the co-operation. The team tried to race it in ALMS and United SportsCar Championship with relative success and lack of fund means the DeltaWing is retired by 2017 and offered for sale.

While Gurney involvement in DeltaWing ended after Le Mans appearance, this car epitomize what Gurney and AAR for. Innovation and can-do attitude, and as one of the last car to bear AAR logo. DeltaWing is a fitting tribute to the life of Gurney that is full of spirit and idea.

2018 (C) Ifan Ramadhana.

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Comments (12)

  • great tribute, I've shared this on the D_TRB USA facebook page, cheers! ^Joachim

      3 years ago
  • Race In Peace. Awesome driver who drove very special cars.

      3 years ago
    • Totally agree, he is driver, team leader and constructor. He has contribute not just to American Motorsport but in fact the whole world.

        3 years ago
  • Great article.

      3 years ago
  • What a fantastic read. He really had one of the most diversified careers ever. Thanks for posting, promoted to Best of Classics!

      3 years ago
    • Thank you so much, I had to agree. Dan Gurney has one of the most chequered motorsport history. And I hope I can produce more article like this.

        3 years ago
  • One of the best articles I've seen in a while Ifan! I'm going to promote this out. Cheers

      3 years ago
    • Thank you so much, for your kind words! Cheers mate.

        3 years ago
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