OT: R.I.P. Dan Gurney

[72gmc]

The Eagle is such a great looking car.

[Mr. Pink]

Yeah, really. Pretty.

[Mr. Pink]

Originally Posted by PacNW2Ford

The Spa-winning Eagle was known as the “titanium” car as it used more titanium and magnesium parts. For the sixties, this was quite exotic and reflected the proximity to So Cal’s aerospace industry. For me he epitomized California hot rodding at he highest levels. This was also true of the world-beating Toyota GTP car.

Just read a bio of him, and, yeah, he started by building rods. Cheap, fast Hot Rods, California style.

[bthornt]

Catching a ride on the GT40 on the way to victory lane, 1967 Le Mans, A.J. Foyt behind the wheel.

[bikinchris]

Originally Posted by bicycletricycle

Was he the guy they had to put a bump on the roof of the gt40 for?

Yes, he was so tall they put the so called Gurney bubble in his car.

He also designed the Shelby Daytona Coupe which was faster and more stable in testing 5han the GT40. But Ford wanted the GT40 program, so the Daytona program was scrapped.

[PacNW2Ford]

Originally Posted by bikinchris

Yes, he was so tall they put the so called Gurney bubble in his car.

He also designed the Shelby Daytona Coupe which was faster and more stable in testing 5han the GT40. But Ford wanted the GT40 program, so the Daytona program was scrapped.

The Cobra Daytona was designed by "Pete Brock"

[Bruce K]

And it raced vs the GTs for (I believe) 2 seasons.

BK

[oldpotatoe]

One of the first to try this..big, adjustable wings..now ubiquitous

[tv_vt]

Those McLarens were so cool. You sure Gurney was involved with them? Thought they were British.

[Mr. Pink]

He just drove. Bruce McClaren's greatest creation. He was a New Zealand native, but, may have enlisted British expertise in the process.

[tjs555]

If rating great American racers, you must include A.J. Foyt. Also worthy of note are Tommy Milton and Jimmy Murphy, the latter of which won the 1921 French Grand Prix in a (American) Duesenberg. In Europe, Tazio Nuvolari was exceptional.

[Mr. Pink]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

One of the first to try this..big, adjustable wings..now ubiquitous

No, not any longer. That was actually a brief period for rear wings, in the early days of aerodynamic designs. They were incredibly dangerous, and caused a few devastating accidents, when they broke and collapsed at speed, instantly reducing downforce when it was most needed. Graham Hill was almost killed in one incident in an F1 car. They were made illegal in all forms of racing, and all moved to fixed wings and bodywork, which, is now, as you say, ubiquitous.

[Mr. Pink]

A good bio.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ituary-feature

[bthornt]

One of the pioneers of aerodynamics and wings in racing was Jim Hall and his chaparral cars.

[Birddog]

Originally Posted by bthornt

One of the pioneers of aerodynamics and wings in racing was Jim Hall and his chaparral cars.

Didn't he also originate the "peanut butter" transmission?