Dan Gurney

[THE PILGRIM]

Speaking of Dan Gurney-
He was one of a kind who was a competitive driver in just about every kind of car.
Then he built cars and won races in cars with his name on them.
The only time I ever saw him up close was up near Indianapolis.
Not at the Speedway, it was at that track about 20 miles West of there.
Back when USAC was still sanctioning Indy racing, they had some Road Races.
Basically Indy cars set up to go left and right.
And Dan won the race that I saw.
When they handed him the bottle of milk, he refused to drink any.
He held it up and smiled for the camera.
I was standing about 50 feet away, did get a picture.
That track is now called the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, best know for Drag Racing.

 

[James K]

Mr. Gurney lived in Newport Beach, CA. I've been a good friend of Dan Gurney Jr. for many years. Used to ride motorcycles with the 2 Dans plus brother Alex. Dan Sr. would ride his Alligator and beat everyone to the top of Ortega Highway no matter what we rode. Such a great person and very friendly. RIP

 

[Bullet Bob]

One of my favorite Dan Gurney quotes was when asked why his cars looked as good as they ran:

“If you have the chance to make something beautiful, and you don’t, well, what does that say about you?”

I often think about this when I see some of the new firearms for sale. I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But I not be holding some of those things.

 

[M29since14]

Well said, Bullet Bob! My sentiments exactly.

 

[SS336]

Dan Gurney at Spa

 

[Jolly11X]

I first saw him racing a Brabham F-1 @ the Glen in 1964. He was speed with grace.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Didn't he also race off-road , like the Baja ? I remember seeing a highly modified early Bronco with his name on it .

 

[Abbynormal]

Parnelli Jones (a close friend of Dan's ran the Bronco's off road.

Dan's nick name was the "Big Eagle" due to higth of over 6'