Latest news with #DanGurney
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rare 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler Rescued After 40 Years in Basement
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A rare 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler, forgotten in a basement for over 40 years, has been fully restored to its original condition after being rescued in 2021. The highly collectible Dan Gurney Special edition is now turning heads once again thanks to a meticulous rotisserie restoration. Originally purchased new in 1969, the car was driven sparingly before being parked in 1980 and subsequently forgotten. Its remarkable story came to light in a recent episode on Lou Costabile's YouTube channel, where car restorer Everett Rutledge and current owner Steve Breedlove detailed the car's decades-long disappearance and stunning revival. Breedlove acquired the vehicle after locating it in the basement of a private residence, where it had remained undisturbed since the Carter administration. The Cyclone's confinement may have preserved its integrity: the car was discovered in extremely low-mileage condition, retaining its original 5.8-liter (351 cubic-inch) Windsor V8 engine. Only 1,025 Cyclone Spoilers were produced in 1969, and just 131 of them were Dan Gurney Special editions, named for the American racing legend. Even fewer—only 114—came equipped with the same interior/exterior color combination and factory AM radio, making this example one of the rarest surviving Cyclone Spoilers. Following a comprehensive frame-off restoration, the Mercury was returned to its original showroom appearance, complete with factory-correct details and paintwork. From its signature red-white-blue livery to its preserved drivetrain, the Cyclone now stands as a rolling tribute to late-1960s NASCAR-inspired muscle. 'It's an incredible piece of Ford performance history,' said Rutledge, who helped oversee the restoration. 'To find one this original and this rare—especially with such low mileage—is almost unheard of.' The story of this Cyclone's resurrection is not just about preserving a rare car, but about honoring the legacy of American muscle and the enthusiasts who bring it back to life.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Petersen Museum Celebrates 50 Years of Long Beach Grand Prix with Historic Race Car Exhibit
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Petersen Automotive Museum has unveiled a free-to-see exhibit featuring five legendary open-wheel race cars that have defined the Southern California street race through its many competitive eras. Running from March 20 to April 8 in the museum's lobby, the temporary display brings together a trio of motorsports milestones—Formula 5000, Formula 1, and IndyCar—with each era represented by a historically significant machine that once tore through the coastal streets of Long Beach. Among the standout entries is the 1974 Dan Gurney All-American Racers Eagle 755, the very first race car to ever compete on the Long Beach circuit. Piloted by Vern Schuppan to pole position in the inaugural 1975 Formula 5000 race, the car is now owned by Southern California collector Tom Malloy. Formula 1's golden years at Long Beach are represented by two machines: the 1976 March 761, once driven by Italy's Vittorio Brambilla and now owned by Richard Griot, and the 1980 McLaren M30 driven by a young Alain Prost, currently in the hands of Sean Allen. The IndyCar era comes alive through the 1981 AAR Eagle 8100, owned and driven in-period by Dennis Firestone, and a 1999 Reynard raced by Bryan Herta, now part of Erich Joiner's collection. What makes the exhibit even more unique is that all five cars are set to return to the track during the Long Beach race weekend's Historic Formula Exhibition. It will mark the first time machines from all three major racing eras will compete together on the storied circuit. 'This is a rare opportunity for fans to see and hear the very cars that made Long Beach a staple of American motorsport,' said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. Located along Los Angeles' Miracle Mile, the Petersen Automotive Museum continues to be a driving force in automotive preservation and education, offering car enthusiasts an immersive look at the vehicles and stories that shaped history.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
A Five-Time IMSA GTP Winning Toyota is Up for Auction
It's not a Supra, but this 1990 AAR-Toyota Eagle HF89 race car will snap more necks than any other Toyota could. This particular race car was designed and built by Dan Gurney's All American Racers in partnership with Toyota for the 1990 IMSA GTP series. The Eagle was raced under both the HF89 and HF90 names to reflect chassis design updates after the 1989 season. With Juan Manuel Fangio II at the wheel, it won at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas, Sears Point, Del Mar, and San Antonio during the 1990 season, as well as a win at Watkins Glen in early 1991. This Toyota Eagle saw its last share of action with Rocky Moran at the wheel before being retired. This racing legend spent the next few years either in storage or on static display before receiving a cosmetic refurbishment in its period-correct Topeka livery in preparation for display at the Museo Fangio in Argentina. It was then purchased by its current owner in 2015, who entrusted the experts at Canepa with a two-year restoration that reportedly cost over $800,000. The Eagle was back in full force and stretched its legs once more at the 2016 Rolex Reunion. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2,140cc Toyota inline-four engine that uses Nippon Denso fuel injection, a custom Life Racing ECU, and dry-sump lubrication. The engine was overhauled in 2016 by Advanced Engine Research in Essex, England, along with custom engine and chassis harnesses and updated sensors to ensure peak racing performance even 35 years after it left the factory floor. The lubrication system was also reportedly updated in 2023. The car uses an aluminum honeycomb monocoque wrapped in carbon-composite body panels, with a Hewland five-speed manual transaxle, AP Racing slotted and ventilated disc brakes, coilover suspension with sway bars adjustable from within the cockpit, staggered-width 18' multipiece BBS wheels, and a single racing seat with a six-point harness. That transmission is said to have had its gears and dog rings replaced in 2023. Additional aerodynamic features that help the Toyota Eagle slice through the air include faired-in headlights, front dive planes, an intake snorkel, brake cooling ducts, and a dual-plane rear wing. Race cars come up for sale on a semi-regular basis, but a five-time IMSA GTP winner like this 1990 AAR-Toyota Eagle HF89 is hard to come by. It gets bonus cool points for being piloted by Juan Manuel Fangio II during all five of those victories. At the time of writing this, there are eight days left in the auction, with a current bid of $101,098. Upon purchase, the new owner will receive an FIA Historical Technical Passport valid through 2029, binders from the Canepa restoration, and a bill of sale.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Exquisite Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Re-Creation by Tempero Now On Bring A Trailer
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A meticulously crafted re-creation of the iconic Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, designed by the skilled hands of Tempero Coach & Motor Company of New Zealand, is now being offered on consignment in Arizona. This re-creation, built in the early 1980s using a donor 250 GT, replicates the Ferrari TR59, famously driven to victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring by legendary drivers such as Dan Gurney and Phil Hill. Under the hood of this remarkable vehicle lies a 3.0-liter V12 engine, constructed by Dennison International of North Puyallup, Washington. This engine, built to 250 GTO specifications, features a GTO Engineering block, Roelofs Engineering cylinder heads, and six Weber 38 DCN carburetors replicated by Roelofs Engineering. Its powertrain is completed with a robust Tremec five-speed manual transmission with electrically actuated overdrive, ensuring that it not only looks like a classic race car but performs like one too. The body of the car is adorned with hand-formed aluminum panels finished in a vibrant red, complemented by white #7 roundels, giving it the authentic race car appearance. The vehicle also features a host of period-correct details such as faired-in Marchal headlights, a wrap-around windscreen, and leather straps on the hood and decklid. These details are not just cosmetic; they enhance the car's historical authenticity and visual appeal. Riding on 16" Borrani wire-spoke wheels, the car maintains a classic yet functional stance, suitable for both display and active driving in vintage car events. The suspension system features an A-arm independent front setup and a De Dion rear axle, paired with coilover shock absorbers for smooth handling. The braking system is equipped with Dunlop calipers to ensure reliable stopping power. Inside, the cockpit is a throwback to the golden era of racing with fixed-back bucket seats upholstered in blue cloth, a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel, and classic Jaeger instrumentation. This setup not only provides comfort but also an immersive driving experience reminiscent of 1960s race cars. This Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa re-creation is not just a tribute to one of the most successful race cars in history but also a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of its builders. Offered with service records, an FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Form, and a clean Oregon title that lists the vehicle as a 1962 Ferrari, this car presents a unique opportunity for collectors and racing enthusiasts alike to own a piece of automotive art that captures the spirit and excitement of a bygone era. Avant-Garde is well-known as an award-winning, top seller (@911r ) on Bring a Trailer. We provide turnkey auction management for our clients. Avant-Garde presents cars in an unparalleled fashion, with a comprehensive history, descriptions, photos, and video for each vehicle. We want to put buyers in the virtual driver's seat so they can experience a vehicle as if they were present, giving them confidence in their purchase.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Late, Great Gene Hackman Was a Proper Race Car Driver
Award-winning actor Gene Hackman was found dead on Thursdayalongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, late last night in their New Mexico home. The two-time Oscar winner was 95 years old. Serving as a more regular, familiar voice among the haute Hollywood scene, Hackman made his mark with films like Unforgiven, Bonnie and Clyde, A Bridge Too Far, and Mississippi Burning. But it was his work in William Friedkin's New York-based neo-noir film The French Connection that earned him his first Academy Award, for Best Actor as Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle — who engages in a weaving race with an elevated New York City subway car after he commandeers a 1971 Pontiac Le Mans. Hackman, however, was also a racing driver, who competed in numerous endurance races alongside the likes of the legendary Dan Gurney. "Would I have chosen racing over acting? I've thought about it quite a bit. I have a feeling I wouldn't have stayed in racing. I don't think I have the personality to be a real racing professional," Hackman told the Los Angeles Times in 1988. "You can learn some of the skills of racing, you can learn all the mechanical things, but there's a certain part of it that really no one can teach you — that killer instinct. You have to be very competitive. You need to have that edge about you. The good ones all have that." Hackman said his driving interests were piqued when he was invited to compete in a celebrity race in Long Beach in the mid-1970s. Then, the California-born actor took to Sports Car Club of America events, specifically driving Formula Fords at Bob Bondurant's driving school in North California, before joining Gurney's team on the endurance racing circuit. Hackman was slated to enter the 1978 and 1981 24 Hours of Daytona, but dropped out from both teams before the start of the race. He made his IMSA GTU debut in February 1983 at Daytona behind the wheel of Dan Gurney's All American Racers, sharing a caged, striped, and stroked 1983 Toyota Celica sporting the number 99 with two Japanese drivers, Masanori Sekiya and Kaoru Hoshino. The notchback Celica racers made around 300 horsepower from a 2.1-liter inline-four paired with a five-speed manual transmission, though the 1983 entrant retired from Daytona due to a gearbox failure. Hackman returned to the Celica later that season, racing the number 97 car at Riverside Raceway. "You must be extremely careful. You have to think in a very orderly fashion. What you do is try to slow everything down instead of getting yourself all excited and expending a lot of energy. Instead, you try to slow it all down so you can go quicker. It's a very strange process," Hackman told the Los Angeles Times. 1984 marked another year of IMSA racing for Hackman, this time inside the number 55 Mazda RX-7 for Preston & Son Enterprises at 12 Hours of Sebring. Hackman and art director and collector Whitney Ganz shared the car at Sebring and then later in the season at Riverside, though both races resulted in DNFs. These hiccups didn't trouble Hackman, as the actor continued driving in celebrity series, and managed to win numerous Toyota ProCelebrity races at Long Beach and Watkins Glen. Even so, Hackman admitted that the racing schedule and mindset took a toll he wasn't willing to pay forever. "At what point did I realize I was good at it? Well, I won a couple of races and I thought I could do it," he said. "But, then, I realized that if I wasn't really serious about it, and if I couldn't commit to 15-18 races a year, that I couldn't really compete at a professional level. At least at a decent national-class level. I never went through a period when I felt I could really do it." Despite his understanding of his racing aspirations, Hackman's stint in performance driving shaped his relationship with danger and with regular car ownership. Hackman said that the stunt driving in The French Connection, which he claims he did about 60% of, was much more frightening than any sort of track driving. (Notably, director Friedkin and his team declined to close the surrounding Brooklyn streets during filming, and didn't even have permits.) He also owned Ferraris and Porsches before he started racing, but swapped the sports cars for Toyota and Nissan pickup trucks afterwards, claiming it was easier to stick to the speed limit in a pickup. Hackman is survived by his three children — Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne— whom he had with his former wife, Faye Maltese, who died in 2017. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
