190 replies to this topic

[Risil]

That's awesome Tim!

[KBY191]

RIP Dan Gurney, Mr Versatile.

F1, sports cars, Indy cars and NASCAR.

Put the cat amongst the pigeons with his 409 powered 1961 Chevy too, upsetting the Jaguar domination and starting the trend to big V8 touring cars.

I think that this significant Chevy Impala is still resident in Australia.

 

http://dallasautodea...olet-impala-ss/

Edited by KBY191, 15 January 2018 - 10:17.

[Nick Planas]

Oh no... as others have said, not unexpected but this is the saddest news. Condolences to all his family and many friends.

 

He really was one of my childhood heroes, and even though I'm a big child of 58, nothing I've subsequently discovered about him has changed that. 

[2F-001]

I'm sure I only saw him drive once - GP at Brands, 1970; that's over 47 tears ago but he already seemed to have the status of a 'legend' even then.
What a remarkable record he has as a driver, and as a constructor, and by all accounts as a good man. Truly a rare individual.

[Tim Murray]

KBY191, on 15 Jan 2018 - 10:17, said:

Put the cat amongst the pigeons with his 409 powered 1961 Chevy too, upsetting the Jaguar domination and starting the trend to big V8 touring cars.

And (as it says in that linked article) sneakily banned after just one race, which mightily annoyed Dan. The discussion in this earlier thread may be of interest:

Gurney’s 1961 Impala

[barrykm]

Oh my..

 

RIP Dan.

[hittheapex]

To live to 86 years old, travel as much as Dan Gurney did and to be married with four children for much of that time must have been sweeter still.

 

That's before we even look at his career. Due to the specialisation of the modern era it is unlikely we will see his like again. But I don't wish that to sound like his achievements were anything less than remarkable. To win in the diverse variety of machinery and races that he did was outstanding. To then go and do the same as a team owner even more so.

 

He did not manage to win the F1 World Championship but I think he has something that from his video of the acceptance of the Motorsport Magazine Hall of Fame induction, I am confident meant even more. The love and respect of his peers and his fans. Unfortunately I never met him, but everything I have read or watched about him describes him as one of the nicest guys you could meet in racing, with time for everybody.

 

Congratulations on a life well lived Dan and thanks for the memories that will give fans and those who knew you much pleasure for a very long time.

[cpbell]

Jack-the-Lad, on 15 Jan 2018 - 00:23, said:

Profoundly saddening. He was the embodiment of the American spirit in many ways..optimistic, fair, modest, generous, friendly, courageous, and always looking forward.

Above all, and by all accounts, he was a decent and honorable man.

Rest in peace, Dan Gurney.

That's a wonderful tribute!  I was going to paste across to here the comment I made in the other forum, but your tribute and those of many others in this thread make my contribution seem rather pedestrian, so I'll just say R.I.P.

[jonpollak]

As a child of the 60's in Los Angeles I was fortunate to see Dan race at Riverside and Ontario many times.

So much so that my father used to say 'Gadzooks kid, Every race we come to is won by Dan Gurney !!'

 

Yes Dad, he was that good !

 

Thanks for the great memories Dan.

Jp

[B Squared]

Always a favorite of my entire family; glad I got to regularly see him compete at Indianapolis through the years and continue as an owner in CART. You know these moments of loss will come, but it doesn't ease the pain. Condolences to his family, friends and all who cared about him.

[backfire]

I met him many years ago, he was filming at Donington with a GP Porsche and we were struggling with a misfiring Formula Atlantic. Dan wandered across and diagnosed the problem immediately (leaky float). Great man, great driver and great engineer. Thanks Dan also for producing the greatest looking GP car of the mid engined era.

[jj2728]

Condolences to his family. Very sad news indeed.

RIP Dan

[Eric Dunsdon]

I met Dan Gurney in the paddock at Goodwood in September 1959 after the Tourist Trophy Race in which he had co-driven with Tony Brooks for Ferrari. He accepted our compliments on his driving  with great modesty and his friendly and open face reminded me of the young GI's that I had met in Dorset prior to the D.Day landings. I liked him immediately and for always.

As motor racing changed over the following years I drifted away from the sport but always kept an eye out for any successes for Dan Gurney. I had the pleasure of meeting him again at Silverstone when the USAC cars came over in the late 1970's and he seemed surprised and interested when I mentioned our previous meeting a Goodwood. As we spoke a Spitfire roared above us as it flew over the pit garages and Dan was really excited as he leapt up shouting "Spitfire, Spitfire" to his crew some of whom leapt into action grabbing extinguishers as they thought he was warning of a 'Pit Fire'!. Dan rolled his eyes and we enjoyed a laugh at the situation. Dan was a model of friendly enthusiasm and a true racing enthusiast. As you grow older it becomes more difficult to regard people as heroes, but Dan Gurney was one of mine and always will be.

Fly High Eagle.

[jonpollak]

 

Jp

[retriever]

jonpollak, on 15 Jan 2018 - 16:23, said:

 

Jp

 

 

What a marvellous picture you have posted in commemoration of Dan Gurney. 

Edited by retriever, 15 January 2018 - 16:32.

[Tim Murray]

Posted on behalf of Roger Lund:

Oulton Park Gold Cup


The Impala at Silverstone

[dryden]

I will Always remember the name DAN GURNEY written half way down druids.... was there for years as I recall...

[elansprint72]

RIP, a personal hero of mine.

[Jerry Entin]

Nassau, December 4, 1959. Dan Gurney on his way to 4th overall in the prelim for the Governor's Trophy. The car is Lucky Casner's first Birdcage Maserati.

Photo: Bob Bellows

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

Edited by Jerry Entin, 15 January 2018 - 18:46.

[Jerry Entin]

Nassau, December 3, 1960. Dan and his Arciero Lotus 19/Climax lining up for the start of the Governor's Trophy. Next to him are Stirling Moss [Lotus 19] and Jim Jeffords [Harrison Tipo 61].

Photo: Flip Schulke

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

Edited by Jerry Entin, 15 January 2018 - 19:20.

[bradbury west]

Many thanks, Tim. The Oulton shot is currently on e bay and the Impala shot was on there last year, both uncredited.
For those with an Impala interest check on the new format REVS photo archive under Silverstone 1961, International Trophy and there are several good wide shots of the Impala from the inside and outer edges, plus one as the cars rush down to Stowe with DSG well in front of the Jaguars, well in front, reminiscent of Gentleman Jack Sears a couple of years later in BML9A.
It is just so unfair that such wonderful nostalgia should be at such a very sad time.
Not only did he have hassle over the Impala's eligibility, he was involved involuntarily in a similar dispute in a Galaxie at the Six Hour Saloon Race at Brands Hatch two years later.
I rejoice that I saw him looking so good as the special guest of the Revival a few years back. I know from one of the Jim Clark Museum Trustees, a former farming neighbour, that after Goodwood DSG made a personal and private visit to Duns to remember his dear friend.
I fear that we have seen the demise of a real star, a master of all of his crafts, loved and respected by his peers, fans and friends.
Roger Lund

Edit. Spl

Edited by bradbury west, 15 January 2018 - 18:53.

[D28]

Racing is an aggressive, even ruthless sport where genuine nice guys are in very short supply. Yet in 57 years of reading of his exploits, I cannot recall a single negative remark or put down by anyone. That is an indication of the esteem in which he was held. 

Farewell and good speed Dan.

Edited by D28, 15 January 2018 - 22:24.

[Doug Nye]

A great racing driver - a thoughtful and creative engineer - above all a fine man.  I first met him in 1964...I am so glad he got to see his Foreword and letters seeking career-launching advice from Phil Hill reproduced in our books.  What admirable people they really were. Unforgettable.

 

Deepest condolences to Evi and family.

 

DCN

[d j fox]

Very, very sad--the last of my real heroes.

Two major memories of Dan—the first being the Chevrolet Impala at the 1961 International Trophy and how he nearly trounced the Jags…the second was winning the 1967 Brands Race of Champs and his huge grin as he stepped out of the Eagle. A great man in every way

RIP Dan---condolences to his family and friends

[Cavalier53]

Just last Saturday, I had a pile of "Gurney for President" bumper stickers in my hands, at Interclassics in Maastricht. I was wondering, Dan looked so fragile in his recent Youtube interview, how would he be?

I will always remember Zandvoort 1967, the most beautiful F1 car ever, his Eagle qualifying 2nd to Hill's new Lotus 49.

 

And checking the first GP I ever attended, Zandvoort in 1966, Stewart is now the only surviving driver, with a staggering 8 out of 17 starters lost in racing crashes (not counting Hulme), just 6 from natural causes.

 

Such a remarkable individual, so talented and kind by all accounts.

 

A life well lived.

[fbarrett]

Another great hero lost, but he leaves behind an amazing history. It feels as if art of our family, maybe even part of ourselves, has gone.

 

My "Dan Gurney For President" bumper sticker will go up on the wall here today. Godspeed, Dan!

 

Frank

Edited by fbarrett, 15 January 2018 - 20:52.

[Bonde]

Sad news indeed!

 

We can take some solace in the fact that Dan survived a long driving career in a very lethal era of racing, and that he remained succesful after he hung up his helmet, living to the full to the ripe old age of 86.

 

A sad goodbye to a childhood hero, but one who stood the test of time and experience and a truly inspiring individual.

 

That we named our racing cars 'Aquila' is no coincidence.

 

Thanks, for the memories, Dan - Rest In Peace.

[Richard Jenkins]

A sobering thought is that bar Nicha Cabral, every single person who started a Grand Prix in 1964, has now died.

[B Squared]

Co-winner from the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours, A.J. Foyt, with his thoughts on Dan’s passing:

"I never use the word legend but in the case of Dan, he was a true legend of our sport."

https://www.motorspo...iss-him-996163/

[E1pix]

Every time we lose one of the Greats, it feels like we've lost a little piece of our hearts with them.


Here's a letter I'd write to Dan if it could be sent:

Dear Dan:

I'm the kid who stared at you, with and without my camera, in the Formula 5000 pit lane at Pocono in 1976. Your look back was one I got often then, as being 15, and with a camera and a credential, many like you had to wonder how I got in.

You might recall that in the first F5000 race of two at Road America that year, I approached you and Vern Schuppan with a sheet of slides from Pocono. You took a look and smiled at me, saying something like "Man, for a kid these are pretty good!" I was in shock with that comment, but more so that I was in your presence and you made me feel like I belonged to be. That was life-changing for this kid, if I could sell prints to Dan Gurney, the entire world suddenly became wide-open to be respected by anyone. I saw a future.

You might also recall I approached you again at RA's second F5000 round that year, to deliver the prints if I recall correctly, and this time with a few slides from the July race. You bought maybe eight more prints that day, paying for them up front and introducing me to your PR associate Don Markland, and again to Vern. Under your leadership, Don treated me exactly like you had and my vision broadened. I put that money in the bank, Dan, saving it to finally race karts the following Spring.

I went on with new-found confidence and made a career out of things I have passion for, like you did. You taught me we can all follow our dreams and build foundations in things we love, instead of following everyone else. You taught me that we're all just people, and being successful doesn't have to be a trade for being gracious. You taught me that everyone deserves respect first, not only after we've "earned it."


All this came rushing back a bit over a year ago, when seeing a couple of your Indy Eagles, including my favorite, the Sunoco Special from 1973. I stood dumbfounded in its presence, like you were there, too. So stammered I was that I made about the dumbest video I ever have, in reality I was too speechless to come up with anything, and that's rare for me. Nothing but those memories were on tap.

Overnight I used the shop bathroom, and though the Special was again under wraps, I stared at it anyway, like a rare and blanketed statue — and recognized some of the things you've gifted to us all in racing, regardless of how we chose to be involved. It was such a powerful moment I could barely contain myself. I realized the last time I saw you was at Milwaukee in 1978, not far from where I now stood, but you were busy and I didn't want to intrude. Had I known that was to be the last time I shook your hand, I would have.

Twenty feet away in the shop were the few scrap remnants of your chassis #7209. Thank You for building strong tubs that probably saved a friend and surrogate Dad from dying on its last lap, because I can't imagine these 42 years since then having passed without him in our lives.


For all this and so much more, I will never forget you. You are my True American Hero.

RIP, Mr. Gurney.

Edited by E1pix, 16 January 2018 - 09:47.

[Gary Davies]

Two fond images, posted with great affection.

 

1. The Gurney bulge

 

2. And the other.. heaven knows how and where this came to me but I love it!

 

For some reason I can't quite focus on, I suspect it was taken Reims in 1960. 

BRM team transport?

 

Edit. Just checked Forix. RRC Walker did not ( of course!) have an entry in that race. So that's my theory out of the window.

Edited by Gary Davies, 16 January 2018 - 04:53.

[raceannouncer2003]

A couple more photos, this time from the grid of the 1963 Northwest GP at Pacific Raceways...first photo, Dan with Joe Huffaker and the Genie Mk 8.  Perennial mechanic Bill Fowler in white....second photo, Dan and Joe again, winner Lloyd Ruby in the background...

 

 

 

Photos by Ted Langton-Adams, copyright Eric Faulks.

 

Vince H.

Edited by raceannouncer2003, 16 January 2018 - 06:56.

[Giraffe]

Dan pictured by me at Goodwood on July 3rd, 2009 where he added his signature to my 1970 British GP programme, his final Grand Prix. Dan symbolised everything that I loved about Formula One from his era. RIP a hero and true legend.

[D-Type]

What can I add?

RIP and my condolences to his family.

[RogerFrench]

All good things must end, most assuredly Dan Gurney was a good thing. RIP.

[teegeefla]

he was the childhood hero I wanted to be and the type of man I aspire to be.  

[Jerry Entin]

Riverside, October 12, 1958. Seen in turn 7, an up-and-coming Dan Gurney on his way to 2nd overall in the Times Grand Prix, with only Chuck Daigh's Scarab finishing ahead of him.

Dan Gurney's car was the 4.9-liter Arciero Ferrari that had started life as Tony Parravano's 375 Plus. After Shelby crashed it at Palm Springs in 1955, Parravano had its wheelbase shortened and he hired Sutton of Los Angeles to install a new aluminum body. Frank Arciero acquired it next, with maintenance done by Dick Pruett.

Photo: Bob Tronolone

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]
 

Edited by Jerry Entin, 17 January 2018 - 01:48.

[raceannouncer2003]

Back to the 1962 Northwest GP, another Langton-Adams photo...

 

 

Ron Dykes, Maserati, Gurney, and Bonnier.  Dykes signed the print.  At Monterey in 2007, I showed Gurney and he excitedly showed it to Vic Elford.  Dan then signed it with the caption "Stand on it ! "

 

 

Vince H.

Edited by raceannouncer2003, 17 January 2018 - 06:53.

[Marc Sproule]

vern schuppan Eagle 755 F5000 car.

https://www.flickr.c....7626135973193/

Gurney Eagle HF89. IMSA

https://www.flickr.c....7623186793517/

arlene hiss Phoenix 1976, in a Gurney Eagle.

https://www.flickr.c....7623386525526/

Al Unser Jr. Eagle 83

https://www.flickr.c....7623386525526/

https://www.flickr.c....7623386525526/

Kevin Cogan in turn 4, in his Mike Curb Racing Gurney Eagle 84SB, powered by a Pontiac stock block milwaukee

https://www.flickr.c....7623386525526/

Al Unser Jr. Road America Eagle 83 Stock Block Chevy

https://www.flickr.c....15762332422745

John Morton Eagle 83 Stock Block Chevy

https://www.flickr.c....7623324227456/

[cooper997]

Sports Car Graphic ran some great covers in the 60s. Some Dan Gurney related - here's one...

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 21 April 2018 - 11:19.

[Glengavel]

Richard Jenkins, on 15 Jan 2018 - 22:59, said:

A sobering thought is that bar Nicha Cabral, every single person who started a Grand Prix in 1964, has now died.

 

Yes, besides Cabral, Richard Attwood and Jean-Calude Rudaz are still around but they failed to start their races.

 

Out of curiosity I did some further research and I think the 1966 French Grand Prix is the most recent with no surviving participants. JYS was absent, recovering from his Spa accident.

[B Squared]

Tony Brooks pays tribute:

https://www.motorspo...-friend-996184/

[Lemnpiper]

Cavalier53, on 15 Jan 2018 - 20:26, said:

Just last Saturday, I had a pile of "Gurney for President" bumper stickers in my hands, at Interclassics in Maastricht. I was wondering, Dan looked so fragile in his recent Youtube interview, how would he be?

I will always remember Zandvoort 1967, the most beautiful F1 car ever, his Eagle qualifying 2nd to Hill's new Lotus 49.

 

And checking the first GP I ever attended, Zandvoort in 1966, Stewart is now the only surviving driver, with a staggering 8 out of 17 starters lost in racing crashes (not counting Hulme), just 6 from natural causes.

 

Such a remarkable individual, so talented and kind by all accounts.

 

A life well lived.

 Dan Gurney showed just what made a great racer great . no matter the discipline he worked to be the best at it. He will indeed be remembered fondly by all he met in his  life.

 

 

   Noting  Cavalier's post above ,  Just how many F1 races now is Sir Jackie Stewart now the last survivor of?    The 1966 Season look amazingly low of surviving racers now.

 

   Paul

Edited by Lemnpiper, 17 January 2018 - 16:37.

[Charlieman]

Thanks for the Gurney historical photos. 

 

He really was good.

[Glengavel]

Lemnpiper, on 17 Jan 2018 - 16:37, said:

 Dan Gurney showed just what made a great racer great . no matter the discipline he worked to be the best at it. He will indeed be remembered fondly by all he met in his  life.

 

 

   Noting  Cavalier's post above ,  Just how many F1 races now is Sir Jackie Stewart now the last survivor of?    The 1966 Season look amazingly low of surviving racers now.

 

   Paul

 

Looking at the list of 1966 participants, I make it Stewart, Chris Irwin and Bob Bondurant, and if you throw in the German GP F2 entrants, Hans Herrmann, Hubert Hahne, Alan Rees, Kurt Ahrens Jr. and Jacky Ickx.

[Jerry Entin]

Sebring, March 1960. A dapper Graham Hill and Dan Gurney, still with crew cut. While BRM team members in Formula One, at Sebring they were in opposite camps: Porsche and Maserati. Based on his overalls, it looks as though Dan had just done some mechanical work.

Photo: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

 

Edited by Jerry Entin, 17 January 2018 - 23:07.

[Jerry Entin]

Sebring, March 1960. Dan Gurney, Maserati chief mechanic Guerrino Bertocchi and Nassau journalist Norman Solomon look on as  Gurney's co-driver Stirling Moss arranges his seat padding in their CAMORADI Birdcage Tipo 61.

Photo: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

Edited by Jerry Entin, 17 January 2018 - 23:14.

[Seppi_0_917PA]

Right now, I really wish I had a Michael Argetsinger biography on Gurney to read. Sigh.

[raceannouncer2003]

1966 Eagle debut...photos courtesy Larry Webb.  I believe that's Larry in yellow jacket, Bill Fowler in checked shirt...others ???

 

 

 

Vince H.

Edited by raceannouncer2003, 18 January 2018 - 06:49.

[E1pix]

Jerry Entin, on 17 Jan 2018 - 23:05, said:

 

Sebring, March 1960. A dapper Graham Hill and Dan Gurney, still with crew cut. While BRM team members in Formula One, at Sebring they were in opposite camps: Porsche and Maserati. Based on his overalls, it looks as though Dan had just done some mechanical work.

Photo: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

 

A bit shocking to realize that Dan outlived Graham by well over 42 years.