American race cars are finally starting to get their well deserved spotlight. Most of the time, American cars get woefully overlooked in favor of their European counterparts. Maybe people started to realize how cool they are when Ford vs. Ferrari came out. Maybe it’s the strides being made in the US electric car space. Either way, we’re here for it.
In any case, you just can’t deny how cool this is. For the first time in a long time, the most beautiful American race car is going up for sale at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island Auctions in March. Meet the 1966 AAR Gurney Eagle Mk 1, estimated to sell for $3,000,000 - $4,000,000.
If you’re a newbie to American racing cars, especially classic ones, you might have never even heard of All American Racers. The team was formed by Dan Gurney, who was one of the most successful race car drivers, builders, and innovators out there, along with Carroll Shelby – does he even need an introduction?. AAR built 158 cars between 1965 and 2012– and this model is the very first one ever produced. Not only that, but it also happens to be the first of just four Formula 1 Eagles ever built! Yes, that model that went on to become the only American racer to ever win the Formula 1 series.
Dan Gurney obviously knew his stuff, having raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring with Phil Hill, Chuck Daigh, and Olivier Gendebien, before going on to race for Ferrari in four Formula 1 Grand Prix. He remarkably achieved podium finishes in three of them. He also raced with Porsche, earning them their first Formula 1 win at the 1962 French Grand Prix.
Eventually, Mr. Gurney founded All American Racers with his good friend, Carroll Shelby, and commissioned the designer for the Lotus 38 to help him conceptualize a Formula 1 car.
At last, the Eagle Mk 1 was born. This example is chassis 101, or the first one the company ever built.
The model boasts a 2,751 CC Coventry Climax FPF DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, two Weber 58 DCO3 carburetors, four-wheel girling hydraulic disc brakes, and other features that make it a beast on the track.
The car underwent a careful restoration, which Gurney himself reviewed when signing the car. It also performed exceedingly well at the 2014 Monaco Classic Grand Prix. It has only had four owners from new and comes equipped with its original engine, gearbox, and monoque. You’d be hard pressed to find another American race car as important or beautiful as this.
There’s no need to abandon your new automotive historical fixation. You can comb through the Gooding & Company catalogue ahead of the Amelia Island Auctions in March with even more beautiful examples here, or register to bid if we’ve already convinced you.
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