Dan Gurney’s first Formula 1 car set up for auction
One of the most beautiful Formula 1 cars in history is set up for auction at America's Amelia Island
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Eagle Mk 1
Daniel Gurney was an American racing driver. He has an incredible stat as he is one of the first three drivers to win a race in Formula One, NASCAR and Indy Car in 1962, 1963 and 1967 respectively. He is the legend who created the podium celebration. In 1967 after winning Le Lans along with A.J Fyot, Gurney took the Champagne to the podiums and sprayed artfully. This became the custom celebration in the races thereafter.
Gurney has contributed more to the sport apart from introducing the podium celebration. He was the owner of All American Racers, he introduced a device called “Gurney flap” to increase downforce that induced a small increase in aerodynamic drag if it was designed well. This changes the airflow around the wing. This contribution has been major in Formula One.
Gurney was the first driver to use a full-face helmet in racing. He used it at the 1968 German Grand Prix and till today the drivers wear helmets that cover their full face. His contributions to the sport are immense. This legend’s blue Eagle Mk 1 race car, is going up for auction on 2nd March at Amelia Island in the US.
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Dan Gurney’s one of the most beautiful and historic cars up for auction
Gurney drove for some of the iconic teams before launching his own team, Ferrari, Porsche, and Brabham to name a few. His firm AAR built a Formula 1 car which was called Eagle and used a Coventry Climax engine of 2.7 liters. The chassis 101 was one of the four Mk 1 race cars built by the team which was bought by Tom Wheatcraft, a businessman and an avid car collector. It was later purchased by another and made quite a few rounds.
Gooding & Company is auctioning the blue Eagle Mk 1 in March at Amelia Island. The Mk 1 Eagle raced in several Grand Prix and was driven by some of the most reputed names in motorsports. This includes Dan Gurney of course.
The auction editor of Hagerty US, Andrew Newton explained that “American teams and drivers have had inconsistent success in Formula 1,” “but Dan Gurney’s Eagle is the best-known, the best-looking, and the most successful American F1 car with its win at the 1967 Belgian GP”.
This is a rare piece, as it is one of the four Eagles built. What makes it special is that it is one of a kind. Gooding & Company estimated the value of this car with a valuable and documented past to be around $4 Million approximately. The historic car is an ideal fit in a car maniac’s collection
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Gerard Crispin
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