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Never Stop Driving #128: Heroes
They say you should never meet your heroes, but when I spent a mere half hour with Dan Gurney a decade ago, he proved that my longtime adulation was more than justified. You’re probably familiar with Gurney’s accomplishments on the track and in the race shop, but plenty of drivers win races. Gurney was a gentleman of the old school who treated everyone with respect and dignity, whether they were on-track competitors, longtime employees in his racing businesses, or simple scribes like me. He had passion but also empathy. I’ve never encountered anyone who had a negative thing to say about him. In short, Gurney was a man of character. At the height of his fame as a racing driver, Car and Driver even nominated him to run for president. He certainly looked the part.
When I met Gurney in 2014, I was in the midst of restoring an open-wheel race car that was built by Gurney’s company, All American Racers. I bought the 1978 Formula Ford just to have something that was tied to him—the only time I’ve indulged in hero worship before or since. The car came with an owner’s manual that opened with a letter signed by Superman Dan himself. Super cool.

Hagerty Barn Find Hunter Tom Cotter is also a longtime Gurney fan, and his ties with the racing community and the Gurney family run deep. Cotter was invited to a special day for the Gurney family, when Dan’s son Justin first drove a newly purchased 1961 Chevy Impala that his father raced against European drivers in England. In the first race, Gurney was leading by a mile when a wheel broke. The next year the organizers outlawed the car.
You’ll hear and see it all in the Barn Find Hunter episode Cotter filmed that day: the back story, the rumble of the American V-8. It’s a poignant glimpse at the Gurney mystique, which has only deepened since Dan died in 2018. As a guy who also tracked down his deceased dad’s car, I also had a sense of what Justin Gurney must have been feeling. It’s a powerful episode and I hope you give it a watch.
Here’s some other new material from Hagerty Media to see you through this January weekend:
- My dream 911: The Ruf SCR plus an interview with founder Alois Ruf
- Cuban car culture includes vintage car rallies.
- Is the Acura RSX now collectible?
- Challenge of the year: Bringing a 90-year-old Buick back to life
- How do you judge the reliability of your classic car?
And this week on Hagerty Marketplace, I’m jonesing for BMW’s Corvette, this Z8 that’s up for auction.
Have a great weekend!
Larry
P.S.: Your feedback and comments are welcome.
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Cotter’s story on the found ’61 Bubbletop was indeed a good one, and it brought up Gurney’s wonderful legacy in the form of his son. Justin struck me as being an almost carbon copy of his dad – polite, humble, friendly, honest, smart, and full of the energy that Dan exhibited. As soon as he asked if he could crank ‘er up, I knew he was genuine!
That was a great video. Everything I have read or seen about Gurney suggests he was a great guy to be around.
I was bless to cross paths with Dan several times. The first time was at Mid Ohio. I was going to get something signed by him when he was called away. His Toyota GTP was being disqualified from the pole. About an hour and a half later I was walking in the garage area and I hear someone calling me from behind. It as Dan and he was looking for me to sign my item. With all he had to do and worry about he never forgot me.
The other time was just a few years ago. I was ordering an Eagle book from him and asked his assistant to see if I could get it signed. In the process He got in to the e mails and we exchanged stories on the tire wars. My father worked at Goodyear and my neighbors dad was at Firestone. The next house down was a BFG dad. Here in Akron the kids also participated in the tire wars without racing jackets, decals and even our bikes were bought at the tire stores where they carried the tire company name on them. We had a nice discussion and I told him I was an Gurney and Eagle fan from the late 60’s as a little kid.
My book arrived and it was signed thanking me for the stories about the tire wars in our neighborhood and he put in several Gurney for president bumper stickers and he sent me two nose decals for the Eagle cars to put in my show case with my Eagle indy car die cast.
He was a great builder of cars. Great Racer and just a great human being. Racing or many other sports could use a few more men like him today. He was one of those people that made someone that was no one feel special.
I wish I could like posts… thanks for sharing this hyperv6.
Thank you for sharing.
No problem. Dan should be remembered for who he was not just what he did.
Now Carol Shelby cussed me out because his heads were on a long back order. Even in a way that was cool too lol!
I listened to one of your podcasts and suggest that you talk less and let your guests speak more.
Thanks for listening and feedback.
Larry, a great article! As a guy that just tracked down and bought his dad’s 1947 International truck, this story struck a chord in my heart. Well done, Justin. While my dad wasn’t Dan Gurney, like all dads, he was special in his own way. It is a significant event to be able to reconnect with one’s father though something that he owned and used. Special indeed.
I agree with your last two sentences, Mr. Fairey! I’ll never find any of my father’s old vehicles, but I do have quite a few of his things that I still use to this day. Those things warm my heart each time I touch them.
True words Andy!
My experience with meeting Gurney seems to be much the same as everyone else. He was extremely friendly and down to earth. A long short. It was at Nazareth soon before CART stopped racing there during practice. I looked over and Gurney was standing not ten feet away under a hospitality tent by himself. He seemed to understandingly getting away from the glad handing ‘meet racing legend Dan Gurney’ for awhile. I nodded – “Mr. Gurney”- and looked away. He said- “Are you Hungry?” – still not wanting to bother him – “Thank you, I’m okay” – ” There’s all this good food and they’re just going to throw it away.” – Who would then say no, it was a nice brunch spread too. We didn’t really talk about cars or racing all that much. Just had a pleasant conversation that I can only best describe as much like meeting the new neighbor. From the impression I got I’d be more than happy if he had been my neighbor even if he hadn’t been ‘the’ Dan Gurney.
I realize this story is about SuperDan Gurney but the newsletter includes another Harry Catchpole video test drive of likely the only Porsche I want and it is the Ruf SCR.
This comment is about Mr. Catchpole, he is a treasure. He has the ability to touch on every item that I as a driver need/want to know about the vehicle (whatever it may be).
I had never heard of the Ruf SCR, nor am I likely to ever have the millions to afford it, but thanks to Harry I want that car!