The few interviews I've seen of him, the only thing greater than his achievements, was his humility. Great, great man. Race in peace Dan.
W O W !! RIP Dan. My first little shop was right next to his AAR (All American Racers) in Santa Ana Californis. 1 of the most humble and kind hearted men I ever met. He'd come over to my shop @ times just to see what I was doin and chat with me . Gods speed Dan
In 1950, Gurney drove Skip Hudson’s ‘29 Roadster (with a Ramon Torres built flathead) at Bonneville: August 1950 - Leaving Riverside for Bonneville Left to Right: Ted Bear, Ray Torres, Dan Gurney (greasy T-shirt), & Skip Hudson ... with Hudson's #549 C roadster and Gurney's '35 Ford "Bonneville Express"sedan. Gurney on the salt in Hudson's roadster Gurney's timing tag
I met him recently at Amelia Island, and he was very gracious. I mentioned that the first time I saw him race was when he ran his Eagle at the German GP at Nurburgring back in '68 - I was stationed in Germany at the time. He was delighted to know I was there, along with a zillion others, who just loved him and would wave and bob their umbrellas every time he came around the old south curve. The race was one of the wettest and foggiest, if not the most dangerous, GPs ever held. Dan got a flat early on, limped back to the pits, and then had a spirited run back to 9th before the end - one place ahead of his qualifying position. Gary Web pix. Link http://f1.wikia.com/wiki/1968_German_Grand_Prix
A couple years ago I interviewed Dan for an article about the late Jerry Magnuson. Here's what he had to say about hot rodding...
I was first inspired by him when I was racing midgets dreaming of being like him. -Mario Andretti on Dan Gurney
As mentioned above, folks often don't know he started as a genuine hot rodder. One of the best. Godspeed.
Even though speed shops were a lot more common in the mid '70s they still were slowly passing away. When I bought items from "Dan Gurney's Checkpoint America" I liked to think I was contributing to keeping his racing efforts alive.
Thanks Ryan for putting into words what I thought when I heard Dan Gurney had passed away. He was the consummate hot rodder/car guy but it wasn't commonly known because of his humility. A class act if there ever was one. R.I.P. to one of the greatest.
Great stories and pics shared - Thanks. the biggest Thanks goes out to Dan Gurney for being the man/the racer that he was. Sincere Sympathy goes out to his Family, friends and fans
He wasn't just one hell of a driver either. Even in the latest years he was heavily involved in engine design. Less than three years ago he was granted US patent 9103277 for a “moment-canceling four-stroke engine." Intended initially for use on one of his Alligator design motorcycles, it was a big twin, 110 cubic inches putting out 280 HP at 9000 RPM. Liquid cooled, 5" X 2.8" bore and stroke, with hydraulic cam phasing for RPM dependent cam timing. RIP Dan!!
Being an open wheel fan since darn near birth, I always admired Dan Gurney.And when I started racing BMX in the mid 70's , my first good frame was a Dan Gurney Hardtail, which was built by All American BMX.Great early frames that are much sought after now.
When I read the news yesterday, I felt as though the wind had been kicked out of me. I have the utmost respect for Dan Gurney. He is one of the greatest racing talents this country EVER produced. He blended in to every racing caragory he ventured into. He raced and beat everybody. He really was the "All American Racer" and we all loved him for it. An American on the continent holding his own against all comers, a pioneer at Indy, who's designs dominated the race, made the "good old boys" chase their tails in stock cars, and yet remained humble and gracious through it all. Thanks for a life well spent and allowing us to watch and enjoy! RIP our All American Hero.
@Ryan if I'm reading your blog correctly you have a somewhat pretty personal connection to Dan...through your father... I have seen those Hotrod photos with Dan before but never understood them relating to him. Ya learn a new thing everyday. Your life as we have learned is pretty wrapped up in this Hotrod thing. Its all part of the things so right about being a part of the experience here. So I extend condolences to you as you are certainly closer to Dan as we have just learned. Regards, Stogy
I remember seeing him at Bridgehampton. Never knew about the five window. I probably have 35mm slides of him. Thanks for the Thread! RIP!
Like many others here in CA...followed Mr Gurney at Riverside Raceway and watched him smoke the tires at Indy while leaving the pits back in the 60's... had the theater cheering( yah... we watched via close circuit tv back then). Last saw him a few years back at the local Cars n coffee hang out where he drove up in his Aligator motorcycle. Truly a class act. Godspeed Dan.
in the 90s Dan used to run his "Alligator" motorcycle up and down Ortega Highway in Southern California and when he would stop at the Lookout (a place everyone rode to for a break and some grub), he couldn't have been a nicer or more approachable guy. If you don't know about the the motorcyclist side of Dan Gurney, I encourage you to look here. What a guy!
I was always a fan from an early age. After reading all these "feel good" stories about him, I like him even more. What a gifted, interesting and humble guy. Now I can't help wonder where his perfectly chopped 32 5/w is today? Anyone know for sure? If not, I have to wonder if it survived and someone is driving down the road in an "old Hot Rod" 70 years later unaware Dan is riding shotgun...
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